Shopping for Alaska cruises can often lead to analysis paralysis, with so many different options on offer. Most big ship cruises follow a similar routing, with most calling at Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway at a minimum, but that’s where the similarities end.

Alaska’s destination appeal has also broadened. The state once fully embraced its position on so many travelers’ “trip of a lifetime” lists in its marketing efforts, and many travelers are indeed visiting for the first time on journeys they might consider to be the pinnacle of their travel adventures. But many travelers are repeat visitors—having visited perhaps on a big ship cruise and returning again to try a different itinerary or a cruise tour to a lesser-traveled part of the state.

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When considering an Alaska cruise, here are several questions to get answered in the earliest stages of planning to help narrow the field of options.

Big Ship or Small Ship?

You won’t find the largest megaships cruising Alaskan waters, but some of them are close. The largest ships cruising to Alaska in the Summer of 2023 top out just under 5,000 passengers, but most range between 2,000 and 3,000. Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean are currently deploying the largest ships to Alaska.

There are also small ship cruise lines, like UnCruise Adventures, National Geographic Expeditions, and Alaskan Dream Cruises. They don’t offer as many onboard amenities as the big ships (you won’t find a…