Article written by: Cindy Bokma
Alaska is one of the most beautiful places you will ever visit. Nothing compares to the pristine water, the trees, the clean air, and the peaceful sailing as you glide past nature in its natural habitat on your Alaskan cruise. Read on for valuable tips on the top five Alaska photo ops you will enjoy on your cruise!
Wherever you go on your shore excursions, keep your eyes open for bald eagles, humpback whales, wolves, grizzly bears, and moose to name a handful of Alaska’s wildlife. In the ocean, you might find sea lions, seals, and sea otters.
No matter where your adventures take you, you will probably see so many Alaska photo ops, so be sure to have your camera handy!
5StarTip🌟: Top 5 photo opportunities!
1. 🌟 Glaciers
At some point during your cruise, you will be able to view Hubbard Glacier. It’s magnificent! If you have a balcony room, step outside to see this incredible sight and hear the thunderous noise as the ice caves.
If you are not in a balcony room, go to the uppermost deck, there are great photo ops there! Dress warm as the temperature drops the closer you get to the glacier.
Have your binoculars or camera ready. I would highly recommend a zoom lens if possible so you can get those amazing close-ups.
Get up to the decks early so you can have a good view. Everyone crowds around to see it, there will be hundreds of people trying to get a photo or witness the glacier.
The times of the ship approaching the glacier will be announced on your cruise. The Captain usually announces the upcoming glaciers over the loudspeaker.
5StarTip🌟: Get there as early as possible to stake your claim for a great view. Remember: Dress warm!
2. 🌟 Creek Street in Ketchikan
One of the stops on an Alaskan cruise is the town of Ketchikan. Most travelers flock to Creek Street, a quaint, historic boardwalk over Ketchikan Creek that features totem poles, stores, and galleries.
It is a fun place to see, keeping in mind that it’s a former Red-Light district. This area has a lot of history, and you might find salmon swimming as you peer down into the creek.
After I visited Creek Street and took some photos, I enjoyed roaming around the downtown area and exploring.
3. 🌟 Eagles
You will almost certainly see eagles on your Alaskan Cruise. I want to tell you that you definitely will because each time we have visited Alaska, we have seen them both close, and from afar especially on the tours we have taken including the Rainforest Hike in Ketchikan.
If you have a balcony room or window, you will see these mighty birds as you are sailing, perched high in the trees. Their white heads look like golf balls!
Always have your smartphone or camera nearby while in Alaska so you can snap a shot of the eagles.
In addition to eagles, you may get lucky and spot some whales. At the very least, you will see the blowholes of whales in the ocean as you are cruising and the flick of their tails as the swim. I have seen dolphins swimming alongside the cruise ship several times too. The seals sunning themselves on the rocks are a wonderful pic as well.
4. 🌟 Amazing Sunsets
Every time I have been lucky enough to go on a cruise, I have seen the most amazing sunsets.
They are especially spectacular in Alaska!
There have been times when I got up from the middle of my dinner to take a photo of what is happening outside. You will want to have your camera with you at all times when on an Alaskan cruise, including when the sun starts to go down. We always eat an early dinner, so by the time we retreat to the cabin, I can slip outside and catch the sunset with my camera!
5StarTip🌟: Every first Sunday of the month Always5Star hosts a Twitter chat called #SundaySunsets. Be sure to join in and post your sunset pics and include the hashtag #SundaySunsets.
5. 🌟 Trees and Plants
You might not equate vibrant green trees, blooming flowers, and plants with the cold and beautiful atmosphere of Alaska, but you will see tons of plant life on your Alaskan trip. Some people may look around and say, “I see lots of green!” But look closer at the variations of plant life!
The Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary Walking Tour and Wildlife Encounter in Ketchikan will take you deep into the rainforest where you will spot many different types of lush trees and plants. In each port, you will have the opportunity to walk and explore. In Juneau take the Mount Roberts tramway and explore the walking path. You will see not only a great view of the port and downtown area but numerous plants and trees.
Final Thoughts:
Whether you have an expensive camera or just your phone camera, you will want to take as many pics as you can. The pictures you will take will ignite your memories and the feelings that you experienced while visiting Alaska. I know that I often go through my pictures and a powerful memories come flooding back. These are treasured moments in time.
“Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still.”
– Dorothea Lange
5StarTip🌟: Always5Star Packing Essential Items for your Alaska cruise:
- Warm, Rainproof Jacket
- Knit beanie/hat
- Hiking Shoes/Sneakers
- Binoculars
- Camera
- Gloves
- Backpack or Large Tote
For more articles on Alaska Cruises:
A bit about the author: Cindy Bokma
Cindy Bokma grew up in New Jersey but now lives in California. Cindy is the author of
The Blondes of Bel Air, A Thousand Dollars for a Kiss and Here If You Need Me. She has also written a children’s book, Victorious Girls and has pitched television shows to networks such as Disney and Nickelodeon. She is an accomplished screenplay analyst, having worked for a popular Hollywood production company.
Order her book: Low Oxalate Cookbook – The Low-Oxalate Anti-Inflammatory Cookbook: 75 Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Soy-Free, Yeast-Free, Low-Sugar Recipes to Help You Stress Less and Feel Better on Amazon.
Visit her also at Wild Flower and Woods And Visit her also at Cindy Bokma Books
About Pamela Rossi
I am passionate about travel and taking each moment and making it a five star experience. My goal is to create those experiences for YOU!
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