Travel in Juneau

There’s a growing appetite for expedition travel, including cruising, among intrepid families. From gazing at serrated teal icebergs in Antarctica to island-hopping in the Galápagos, there are a slew of exhilarating expedition voyages designed to meet the needs of families looking for more meaningful shared travel experiences. As an added boon for parents, some even offer onboard kids programming, nature guides for younger travelers, and interconnecting cabins to accommodate larger broods.

Embark on a journey through Alaska's pristine wilderness aboard a cruise ship, where you can experience the awe-inspiring nature of the last American frontier in comfort.

Getting around Alaska can be challenging. However, with enough time and planning, it is possible to get off the beaten path and experience real adventure in North America’s “Last Frontier.”

This article originally appeared in the March issue of AGENTatHOME magazine.  Subscribe here to receive your free copy each month.

These cruises are going to be rare ones, Holland America fans. So get ready to book before they fill up.

In January, Alaska celebrated its 65th anniversary of becoming the 49th state. Such a milestone sets the stage for high expectations, and with good reason: Following a record-setting tourism season in 2023 led by more than 1.6 million cruise visitors, predictions are for another banner year in 2024, according to the Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA).

I'm an experienced cruiser who has sailed around the globe.

Upcoming season marks Princess’ 55th anniversary sailing to Alaska.

It’s hard to talk about Alaska's capital without the conversation turning to nature. Juneau’s privileged position on the Gastineau Channel — where temperate forests reach seafood-rich glacial waters — has birthed a city of foragers, fishermen and hunters. And with the return of Cordon Bleu-trained chefs such as Lionel Uddipa, Juneau is taking Alaskan cuisine to new heights, where sustainably sourced salmon, wild game and foraged fare all take centre stage. We talk to Lionel to learn more about farm-to-fork cooking in the region and how new eateries are combining Alaskan traditions with sustainable practices.

With vast swaths of wilderness, communities that are only accessible by boat or plane, and plenty of untamed characters who’ve chosen to live in one of the most rural and dramatic landscapes in the United States, it’s no surprise that Alaska is called the Last Frontier.

Royal Caribbean canceled or delayed three back-to-back Alaska voyages on the Radiance of the Seas cruise ship in September, throwing a wrench into the (often expensive) travel plans of hundreds of customers.

Traditionally, Alaska cruises have been seven days in length—either a weeklong loop of the Inside Passage roundtrip from Seattle or Vancouver, or a similar transit across the Gulf of Alaska sailing one way between Vancouver and Seward or Whittier.