Is an Alaskan Cruise Really Worth It? My Honest Experience Aboard the Norwegian Joy

Is an Alaskan Cruise Really Worth It? My Honest Experience Aboard the Norwegian Joy

Introduction

For years, an Alaskan cruise has been marketed as the vacation of a lifetime. Towering glaciers, breathtaking wildlife, charming coastal towns, and unforgettable scenery are featured in every brochure and television commercial. Like many travelers, I boarded the Norwegian Joy expecting an incredible journey through one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

The scenery has absolutely lived up to the hype. Glacier Bay is magnificent. The mountains seem to rise straight out of the ocean. The waterfalls, forests, and wildlife create memories that will last forever.

Unfortunately, everything surrounding those beautiful views has left me with a very different impression.

The overwhelming feeling I have experienced on this cruise is that nearly every aspect of the trip is designed to encourage passengers to spend more money. From the moment you step aboard until the moment you leave, there seems to be another sales pitch, another package, another photo opportunity, another specialty restaurant, another casino promotion, another spa treatment, another shopping presentation, or another expensive excursion.

The cruise itself may be enjoyable, but it often feels as though every hour someone is asking you to open your wallet.

If you are considering an Alaskan cruise, I believe you should know exactly what to expect before spending thousands of dollars.

The Cruise Ship Is Beautiful

To be fair, the Norwegian Joy is an impressive ship.

The accommodations are comfortable.

The staff works extremely hard.

The food is plentiful.

The scenery while sailing is absolutely spectacular.

None of those things are the issue.

The issue is the constant commercialization of nearly every experience.

Always Be Selling

If I had to summarize this cruise in three words, they would be:

Always. Be. Selling.

Every day there are promotions.

Special dining packages.

Drink upgrades.

Photo packages.

Casino promotions.

Spa specials.

Art auctions.

Jewelry events.

Shopping seminars.

Future cruise deposits.

Everywhere you look, someone is trying to sell you something.

It becomes exhausting.

Instead of simply relaxing, you often feel like you're walking through one long shopping mall.

Every Port Is Another Opportunity to Spend

The ports themselves were perhaps my biggest disappointment.

I expected authentic Alaskan towns with local history, culture, museums, restaurants, and unique experiences.

Instead, many of the ports feel overwhelmingly geared toward tourists.

Street after street is filled with jewelry stores, souvenir shops, T shirt stores, and businesses catering almost exclusively to cruise passengers.

While every town has its own character, many visitors may come away feeling that much of the waterfront shopping district is designed primarily around tourism rather than everyday local life.

If shopping is your favorite vacation activity, you'll probably love it.

If you're hoping to experience authentic Alaska, you may find yourself disappointed.

The Cost of Excursions

Then come the excursions.

Many are wonderful experiences.

But they can also be extremely expensive.

For a family of four:

Zip lining can easily exceed one thousand dollars.

Whale watching can cost several hundred dollars.

Helicopter tours can cost even more.

Dog sledding, fishing trips, kayaking, and glacier adventures all add up quickly.

By the time a family pays for several excursions, they may spend thousands of dollars beyond the price of the cruise itself.

That is something many first-time cruisers may not fully appreciate when booking their vacation.

Itinerary Changes

One disappointment during my cruise involved itinerary changes.

Like any travel experience, cruise itineraries can change because of weather, port conditions, safety concerns, or operational needs.

While those changes are sometimes unavoidable, it can still be frustrating when a destination you were looking forward to visiting is removed or replaced.

If there is one lesson I've learned, it is this:

Never assume every advertised port will happen exactly as planned.

The Beauty Is Real

None of my criticism changes one simple fact.

Alaska itself is breathtaking.

Glacier Bay alone is worth seeing.

The mountains.

The glaciers.

The wildlife.

The forests.

The natural beauty is almost impossible to describe.

Nature delivers exactly what you hope it will.

Conclusion

Would I recommend seeing Alaska?

Absolutely.

Would I recommend going with realistic expectations?

Even more strongly.

Understand that the cruise fare is only the beginning.

Budget carefully for excursions if they are important to you.

Research each port before you go so you know what to expect.

Do not assume every destination on your itinerary is guaranteed.

Most importantly, remember that you do not have to buy everything being offered. You can enjoy the scenery, walk through town, take photographs, and simply appreciate one of the most beautiful places on Earth without feeling pressured to purchase every package or excursion.

For me, the greatest memories of this trip will not be the shopping districts, the jewelry stores, or the sales presentations.

They will be the glaciers, the mountains, the whales, the forests, and the incredible beauty that only Alaska can provide.

If you keep your expectations realistic and your wallet under control, you may discover that the true treasure of an Alaskan cruise isn't what anyone is trying to sell you.

It's the breathtaking beauty that nature gives you for free.

Bill Conley
America's Favorite Life Coach