Before this trip, I thought I understood Alaska.

I knew about the glaciers, the wildlife, and the beautiful scenery. I knew Alaska cruises were popular and frequently appear on travelers' bucket lists.

What I didn't fully understand was how much of Alaska you miss if you only experience the cruise portion.

After spending a week traveling through Interior Alaska on a Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises Cruisetour, I came away with one overwhelming conclusion:

If you're considering Alaska, don't just cruise it. Experience the land, too.

Alaska Is So Much More Than the Coastline

Most travelers picture Alaska as glaciers, whales, and scenic cruising through the Inside Passage.

And those experiences are incredible.

But some of my favorite memories happened hundreds of miles from the coast.

Our journey began in Fairbanks, where we were welcomed by the Cruisetour team and introduced to the seamless logistics that make these trips so enjoyable. We stayed at Pike's Waterfront Lodge and spent our first evening enjoying local Alaskan culture at the Alaska Salmon Bake.

The next morning we boarded the Riverboat Discovery on the Chena River. What I expected to be a scenic boat ride became one of the most educational experiences of the trip. We learned how Native Alaskans have survived in this region for thousands of years, saw sled dog demonstrations, and gained a deeper understanding of everyday life in Interior Alaska.

It was my first reminder that Alaska isn't just a destination—it's a way of life.

Denali Was Even Better Than I Imagined

The drive from Fairbanks to Denali was an experience in itself.

The landscape changed dramatically as we traveled south, and before we even reached the park, we had already spotted four moose.

At Denali Park Village, I participated in an optional excursion to an award-winning sled dog kennel called Dog Gone It. Not only did I get to hold a three-week-old puppy (which may have been the highlight of the evening), but I also learned about the history of dog mushing and the challenges of the Iditarod.

The following morning, we woke before sunrise for a Natural History Tour into Denali National Park and Preserve.

It was absolutely worth the early alarm.

We spotted caribou, moose, Dall sheep, snowshoe hares, porcupines, and ptarmigan. And then came the moment everyone waits for: a glimpse of Denali itself emerging through the clouds.

The mountain is often hidden, so even a partial view felt special.

There is something humbling about standing in a place that feels so wild and untouched.

The Alaska Railroad Is Not Just Transportation

One of the most surprising highlights of the trip was traveling aboard the Wilderness Express train from Denali to Talkeetna.

This wasn't simply a way to get from Point A to Point B.

The open-domed rail cars provided panoramic views throughout the journey. Lunch was included, and guides shared information about Alaska's history, geography, and wildlife along the route.

For five hours, every window looked like a postcard.

The train ride became one of those experiences where the journey was just as memorable as the destination.

Alaska's Small Towns Add So Much Character

Talkeetna was one of those places that instantly makes you slow down.

The small downtown area, local restaurants, and mountain-town atmosphere felt completely different from anything else we experienced during the trip.

Cruisetours allow you to experience these communities rather than simply sail past them.

Those local connections are often what travelers remember most long after they return home.

Wildlife Everywhere

One thing that continually amazed me throughout the trip was how often we encountered wildlife.

At the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, we saw black bears, grizzly bears, wood bison, Sitka deer, wolverines, and coyotes.

The grizzlies were enormous - far larger than I expected.

What made the experience even more meaningful was learning about the center's mission of caring for injured and orphaned animals with the goal of returning them to the wild whenever possible.

Later, at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, I unexpectedly became obsessed with puffins.

They're adorable.

That's all I can really say.

Sometimes Alaska Keeps You Humble

Of course, not every travel story is glamorous.

Our Kenai Fjords boat tour provided some of the most spectacular scenery of the entire trip, including whales, sea otters, sea lions, and breathtaking glaciers.

It also taught me a very important lesson:

Take the Dramamine.

Not after the boat leaves.

Not when you start feeling queasy.

Before.

The Gulf of Alaska and my stomach were not on the same page that day.

Thankfully, once I recovered, the excursion became one of my favorite experiences of the trip.

The wildlife and glacier views were everything people dream about when they imagine Alaska.

Alaska Is Bigger Than Photos

Another surprise was Alyeska Resort.

Taking the tram up the mountain pushed me slightly outside my comfort zone, but the views at the top were incredible.

And yes, I got to play in snow in late May.

That sentence still makes me laugh.

Throughout the trip, I kept having the same thought:

Photos don't do Alaska justice.

The scale is impossible to appreciate until you're standing there.

The mountains are bigger.

The wildlife feels wilder.

The landscapes stretch farther than any camera can capture.

Why a Cruisetour Makes Sense

After experiencing Alaska firsthand, I understand why Cruisetours are so popular.

You get the best of both worlds.

The cruise provides access to glaciers, coastal towns, and marine wildlife.

The land portion gives you Denali, the Alaska Railroad, Interior Alaska, wildlife encounters, local culture, and experiences that simply aren't possible from a ship.

Together, they create a much more complete Alaska experience.

Final Thoughts

If Alaska is on your bucket list, my biggest recommendation is simple:

Don't just see Alaska.

Experience Alaska.

Ride the train.

Visit Denali.

Meet the sled dogs.

Explore the small towns.

Learn the stories.

Then finish it all with glaciers, whales, and the breathtaking scenery of Alaska's coastline.

Because after spending a week there, I can confidently say this is one destination that deserves more than a quick visit.

Are you interested in planning your own Alaska adventure? Royal Treatment Travel® would love to help!‍ ‍Contact your Travel Advisor or submit a quote request using the button below to get started.

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