Trip Bacon — The secret ingredient to the perfect getaway logo
Trip Bacon

All About Alaska: Inside Passage Cruises Two Ways – Small Cruise vs. Big Ship Experience

Sometimes Sailing
Sometimes Sailing
🥈Expert
👁️ 834 views📅 11 months ago⏱️ 34:20
What This Creator Said
Creator RecommendsShip Comparison🥈Expert Creator
❤️ Best for CoupleAlaska · Summer · 7 nightsVeteran Cruiser

Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.

Creator's Key Takeaways

We've done two Alaskan cruises. The first one was on Alaskan Dream Cruises.

On the celebrity ship the glacier was a dot on the horizon.

I found that there was more Alaska in my Alaskan trip when I was on a small ship.

If you don't have a passport, you cannot go on a big ship that you need a passport to go to Canada.

Creator's Tips & Advice

Pack layers regardless of which ship you choose.
Bring binoculars and a telephoto camera lens.
Book a lower deck on a big ship to be closer to the water for wildlife viewing.
Check if you need a passport before booking a big ship itinerary that stops in Canada.

🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

Mobility or accessibility challengesBig ships are better equipped with bigger hallways and elevators.
Traveling with children who need activitiesBig ships have kids clubs and more entertainment options.
Not having a passportChoose a small ship that only visits US ports.

Questions This Creator Answers

QWhat are the differences between small and big ship cruises in Alaska?
QWhich cruise style is best for my travel preferences?
QHow does ship size affect itinerary and port access?
QWhat is the cost difference between small and big ships?

Topics Covered

Cabin Balcony3 Happy BaconPort Destination1 Happy BaconValue Pricing1½ Happy BaconKids Family2 Happy BaconService Crew2½ Happy BaconItinerary Route½ Happy BaconShip Condition2 Happy BaconExcursions1½ Sad Bacon

Port Highlights

Icy Strait Point2 Happy Bacon
Juneau2½ Happy Bacon
Ketchikan1½ Happy Bacon
Top: Allen Marine Tour Safari
How to read the Trip Bacon Score
Happy Bacon — creators loved this aspect
Sad Bacon — creators took issue with this
Meh — no strong opinion either way

Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.

About our Bacon Score methodology
YouTube Video Description

Considering cruising in Alaska and wondering what you get with a big ship vs. a small ship or vice versa? Join us as we explore the differences between the two for Alaskan cruises, focusing on the Inside Passage. We discuss ship sizes, itineraries, cultural immersion, pricing, and personal preferences, providing insights to help you choose the right cruise for your dream vacation in The Last Frontier. Here are some helpful links from our conversation: • These are the most amazing binoculars that we ALWAYS bring to Alaska: https://sometimessailing.com/best-binoculars-for-alaska-antarctica-cruise-leupold-bx-2-alpine-hd-review/ • Celebrity Edge was the big ship we explored the Inside Passage on. See photos from our experience with additional info about the Dawes Glacier itinerary: https://sometimessailing.com/celebrity-edge-in-alaska-dawes-glacier-cruise-things-to-know/ • Read more about the different suite classes with Celebrity Cruises: https://sometimessailing.com/aquaclass-vs-the-retreat-concierge-celebrity-cruises-classes-explained/ • We visited Sitka to start our Alaskan Dream Cruises Inside Passage Sojourn (see how close the ship was to the waterfall we discuss!): https://sometimessailing.com/experience-on-alaskan-dream-cruises-inside-passage-sojourn/ • Also, check out Mikkel modeling the waterproof paints and jacket we mention: https://sometimessailing.com/alaskan-dream-cruises-review-adventure-on-small-ships/ • For additional reading, learn more about luxury cruise options in Alaska and compare large and small ships. (Tune into a future episode when we deep dive into this topic!) https://sometimessailing.com/alaska-luxury-cruises-that-elevate-your-journey-in-the-last-frontier/ • You’ll find the binoculars and other must-pack items in our easy-to-access Alaska Packing List on Amazon, including the right clothing, rain gear, and camera lenses: https://www.amazon.com/shop/sometimeshome/list/2DLA5TZ6OJ6KK?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsflist_MKNF3WE1H5R7CTB7C1F8 Don't forget to check out our other episodes from our All About Alaska series on our podcast channel on YouTube, including vital info about visiting Sitka, Ketchikan, and an Alaskan Dream Cruises trip. As Amazon Associates, we earn on qualifying purchases. Some trips and experiences are hosted. We may make a commission on affiliate links in this description.