A cruise to Alaska is all about the scenery – massive glaciers, rugged mountains, and incredible wildlife. It makes sense that cruisers want to have the best opportunities to take in these majestic views, especially in their cabin.
While many people immediately think of a sunshine-filled balcony stateroom for their northern cruise, there are other cabin types to consider when booking a cruise to Alaska. This can be particularly important to maximize your budget and save money for bucket list excursions like a scenic boat tour or dog sledding.
While balconies make up the largest proportion of cabins on a cruise ship, there are some other options to consider, such as inside, ocean view, and even suites.
There are some essential things to consider when choosing a cabin, such as price, size, view, and even the sun. Here is what you need to know to pick the best cabin for your Alaska cruise vacation.
Balcony cabins
Balcony cabins are popular for a reason. With floor-to-ceiling windows, these outside-facing staterooms provide lots of sunlight, great views, and more personal space both inside the cabin and outside on a private balcony. A quiet little oasis of your own can be a great way to relax, especially during the milder temperatures of summer. Given their popularity, cruise lines design ships so that balcony cabins make up the majority of cruise ship categories, which means lots of selection on various decks, including the front, middle, and back of the ship.
Beyond the advantage of having a bigger cabin, a balcony stateroom can be particularly appealing for a cruise to Alaska. You can have private space without crowds, perfect for taking pictures of the incredible wildlife of Alaska, like humpback whales or the region's sky-high fjords. Some lucky guests even get a chance to spot the green flashes of the Northern Lights, one of the most breathtaking natural phenomena in the world.
On the flip side, balconies are more expensive than an inside cabin, sometimes more than twice the price. Although the price varies significantly among specific ships and cruise lines, deals can make them more affordable. While a balcony cabin is ideal for natural sunlight, this can be an issue for some, as parts of Alaska can see up to 20+ hours of sunlight during the summer. An important consideration for those who need a darker room for a good night’s sleep.
Inside cabins
While many people love a balcony cabin, an inside cabin may be the way to go if you don’t think you will spend much time in your cabin. These cozy interior rooms can provide less noise and better sleep, which is perfect for cruisers who don't spend a lot of time in their staterooms. Obviously, there is no view with an inside cabin, and Alaska is all about the views; however, there are plenty of spaces onboard to take in the rugged and majestic scenery of Alaska.
One of the absolute best reasons to consider booking an inside cabin is cost. Interior cabins are the cheapest staterooms on a cruise ship, given their size and lack of windows. These savings mean you have more money to spend on things like great port excursions, specialty dining, spa treatment, or even another cruise. It is a great option for cruises who want to make the most of their dollars and aren't concerned about a balcony or window for the few hours they spend in their room.
This also may be good for sleeping, especially considering that there can be sun shining the majority of the day in Alaska, especially as you sail farther north. But for those who like a little light, an inside room is quite dark, so much so that some cruisers bring a small light to help orient themselves at night. The other downside to an interior room is size. Although it varies by cruise line and ship, generally, interior staterooms tend to be the smallest, under 180 square feet, although some are larger.
Other cabin options to consider
Ocean view cabins don’t have floor-to-ceiling windows and lack the extra outdoor private space a balcony provides, but they still offer a view. A great way to see the rugged scenery of Alaska without the cost associated with a balcony cabin. With cooler Alaska temperatures, especially in the early parts of the cruising season, you may not miss sitting out on your balcony.
It is also easier to block on the sun in the ocean view cabin, compared to the sizeable windows of a balcony option. Cruise ships don’t tend to have as many ocean view cabins and are generally on lower decks of the ships. Given their proximity to some major venues, it is a good idea to see what you are above/ around. They are slightly higher in price than an inside cabin without a lot of added space, but a window can be a major plus for some cruisers.
Suites are the top tier of cabins on a cruise but come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Sometimes, they are slightly bigger than a standard balcony cabin, while others are super deluxe penthouses with private butlers. This, of course, comes at a significant cost, which can run into the tens of thousands depending on the cabin.
In addition to more internal square footage, suites have the added bonus of larger balconies; some even have private hot tubs, which could make for a fantastic way to view Alaska. In addition, these high-end cabins come with a number of perks, like lounge access, complimentary drinks, and wi-fi. Many of the newer ships have suite-only outside spaces, such as private decks, pools, and restaurants. However, not all ships don’t offer the full range of suite benefits and may not be necessary on a port/scenery-focused cruise to Alaska.
Virtual balconies are a great technological advancement, seen more and more on cruise ships. Virtual balcony staterooms have floor-to-ceiling screens that show what’s going on outside. Disney has a slight twist on the concept with virtual portholes on some of its ships, a similar concept, which does give some feeling on the outside scenery as you sail by.
Solo cabins – While limited, solo cabins can be the cheapest option for a solo traveler, who most times has to pay a supplementary fee as cruise pricing is based on double occupancy. Norwegian Cruise Line has become a bit of a pioneer in solo cruising, with cabins that have dedicated lounge spaces to meet other solo travelers, although this set up is not available on all of the ships.
Guaranteed cabins- Another option if you want to save money but aren’t fussy about your cabin is a guaranteed stateroom. Letting the cruise line assign you a cabin, rather than picking your own, can sometimes mean a savings of hundreds of dollars. But this may be in a less desirable location or have an obstructed balcony view.
