Cruise Ship vs Alaskan Fishing Trip: The Best Way to See Alaska

Millions of people are dreaming about getting out and traveling again after experiencing the most restrictive 18 months of most of our lifetimes. As you set your sights on crossing off some of those bucket list travel destinations, Alaska is probably high on your list. The question always comes up as you are planning an Alaskan vacation, though: should you see it from the decks of a cruise ship, or experience it a little more up-close-and-personal with an Alaskan fishing trip? Here’s a comparison of the two to help you decide.

Alaskan Cruise Ship

There is no shortage of booking options if you are thinking about an Alaskan cruise. In fact, it’s one of the top cruise destinations in the world behind trips to the Caribbean. It’s easy to see why, too. Alaska is one of only a few remaining parts of the world where you can enjoy some of the world’s most incredible wildlife and natural beauty all in one place. Since Alaska is a vast state with a lot to see, catching it from the decks of a cruise ship might seem like an easy way to see a bunch of different things.

What to expect

When you book an Alaskan cruise, the top items on the list of things to see and do involve the outdoors. Cruises that venture through Alaska’s Inside Passage (the most popular routes for cruises) take you through a maze of islands off the western coast of the state bordering the Pacific Ocean. You will see some of the most natural beauty in the world, including snow-capped mountain peaks, glaciers, and wildlife. Cruises run anywhere between 3 nights and 14 or more nights, depending on how long you want to spend on the ocean.

Pros of cruise ships

One of the biggest benefits of seeing Alaska from the deck of a cruise ship is the vantage point it provides. You get a wide-angle view of some of the best wildlife and natural surroundings in the world, including incredible glaciers and dramatic scenery straight out of the movies. You also get to cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time, since you can cruise past many of the key destinations and see them without stopping.

Some of the places you want to see are also only accessible by water, such as the large glaciers along the Inside Passage, so a driving trip would miss these destinations. You also have all your accommodations taken care of on a cruise ship, so you never have to worry about booking multiple hotels or trying to find a place to say or finding restaurants to eat.

Cons of cruise ships in Alaska

One of the biggest downsides of seeing Alaska from a cruise ship is simply that you might not have enough time to do all the things you want because most days are just spent on the ship itself. While cruises do offer onshore excursions and other activities to help you get a little more up close and personal with the natural wonders, they often come with a high cost in addition to the price for your trip. You also have to carefully vet cruise lines to make sure you get quality food and fun activities onboard.

Alaskan Fishing Vacation

Another option is to stay on land in Alaska and plan a fishing trip with other activities like hiking and wildlife tours. These vacations are popular for people who want to go and experience some the natural beauty of Alaska while also getting the fantastic souvenir of all-you-can-eat fish for a few months after you get home.

What to expect

Alaskan fishing vacations come in a wide variety of options, from the ones where you plan all the details of where to stay and what to do, to ones where it’s planned for you. There is no shortage of Alaskan fishing charter companies and guides who will take you to various destinations out on the ocean or to freshwater streams to catch some fish.

Pros of fishing vacations

One of the biggest benefits of an Alaskan fishing vacation is the ability to see everything up close, from wildlife encounters like bald eagles perched along the river banks to the beautiful trails and streams where you can do some freshwater fishing, and the amazing beauty of the ocean from a smaller fishing vessel (compared to a large cruise ship). You also get to take home a certain amount of fish, up to a per-person limit set by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG). However, depending on what fishing charter you book, you may need to make your own arrangements to get the fish cleaned and packaged for travel.

Cons of fishing vacations

The downside to booking a fishing vacation on your own is just the hassle of trying to get it all put together. You will need to figure out your travel to and from your fishing destinations. Some destinations you can get to from major cities like Juneau, but much of Alaska is only accessible by floatplane or boat, so you have to make those arrangements. You also have to figure out lodging and food along the trip. If you’re staying in a cabin without some basic necessities covered, this requires extra planning to make sure you can eat.

The Best of Both Worlds: Pybus Point Lodge

If you are reading this and still not sure about which type of vacation is the best choice for you, we have a compromise. You can actually get the best of both worlds with an all-inclusive trip to Pybus Point Lodge. Our luxury accommodations are nestled on the remote Admiralty Island, giving you the perfect launch point to see everything Alaska has to offer.

We can take you on short daytrips to places only accessible by water, like the famous Sawyer Glacier. We can also take you out to the ocean to catch some of the world’s most delicious and incredible fish. We’ll show you around on land, hiking up close to breathtaking waterfalls and wildlife encounters. You won’t have to miss out on anything, and everything you need is included in the price—meals, rooms, fishing, and all your activities. Plus we take care of all the details, from getting your fishing license to packing and vacuum sealing your catch and packing it to travel back home with you.

Find out more about how fun and easy it is to see Alaska at Pybus Point Lodge by booking today.