The Caribbean is a beach vacation on a ship. Alaska is a journey through one of the planet’s last wild frontiers. Both are worth doing—but one of them will fundamentally change how you think about cruising. Here’s why Alaska should be your 2026 cruise destination.
Discover the world’s best luxury cruise destinations. From Mediterranean voyages with private shore excursions to Alaska’s wilderness encounters and intimate European river cruises, learn which luxury cruise experience matches your travel style—plus insider tips on what truly defines luxury at sea.
Thinking about your first river cruise? Get the real story from someone who works directly with the cruise lines and has sailed these rivers—12 insider secrets every first-timer needs to know.
Here’s something most people don’t realize until it’s too late: the size of your Alaska cruise ship doesn’t just affect how many people are onboard—it fundamentally changes what you’ll see, how you’ll experience it, and whether you’ll come home with those jaw-dropping moments you’re dreaming about. Ship size matters WAY more in Alaska than anywhere else you’ll cruise.
So you’ve decided to take your first cruise—exciting! But between figuring out what’s included, packing the right things, and navigating a floating city, it’s easy to feel a little lost. Let me walk you through exactly what you need to know to make your first sailing smooth, stress-free, and absolutely worth it.