I Tried 4 Alaska Cruises—Here’s the Surprise Champion

Alaska isn't just about the views, it's about how you experience them. When I took my first cruise to Alaska, I was overwhelmed by choices, which cruise line, which ship, which month. Everyone online had an opinion. If they were diehard Royal Caribbean fans, everything on Royal was amazing. If they tried Norwegian or Princess, it was suddenly the worst experience ever. Repeat formula across every other line. And after experiencing Alaska several different times, I've arrived at a conclusion I'd like to share with you for your next Alaska cruise sailing. Some cruises take you to Alaska and some make it a priority to fully immerse you into the Alaskan experience. There's a big difference. If you want to feel, see, and taste the experience of Alaska, not just pass through it, this video is for you. We'll talk pros and cons of major lines in Alaska so you're confident about your Alaska cruise decision. So let's cover everything from the window to the wall, like Margaret in The Proposal. Yo, yo, my name's Griff, founder of Ahoy365.com, and if you're new here, welcome to the show. But if you've been here, welcome back, Paradise Crew. So my first cruise, I picked what I thought was the best all-around option, Royal Caribbean, Ovation of the Seas, thinking it would deliver the best of both worlds, fun and exploration. And while the trip had some unforgettable moments, I also walked away feeling a little bit like I missed something. So if you're considering this ship for your Alaska adventure, let's break it down by category and I'll share what I wish I knew before I booked. Let's start with the cabins. We made a big mistake here. We thought we were being smart by booking a virtual balcony cabin, essentially a large screen that simulates an outside view. It looked cool on the website and it saved us a few hundred dollars. But once we were in Alaska, that regret hit us fast. You're cruising through the most stunning landscapes in North America, glaciers, snow-capped mountains, whales breaching, and we were watching it all from a screen inside of our room. That decision dramatically changes how you experience Alaska. Luckily, they do have tons of public spaces, more on that later. On the positive side, Royal does well with storage and layout. The virtual balcony room didn't feel too cramped for a party of two, and the beds were super comfortable. But if I had to do it again, I would absolutely get a balcony. In fact, I'd argue that if you're not waking up to the real view, you're not getting the true Alaskan experience. That's a hot take, but let me know in the comments section below. Dining on Ovation of the Seas was mostly solid, but not without its quirks. The buffet, Windjammer, had good variety. Think Asian stations, carving stations, salads, desserts, even Indian food. It's what you expect from a major cruise line. Breakfast was pretty much a hit. The main dining room was more of a hit or miss. Some nights it felt elegant, others it kind of just felt rushed and slightly underwhelming is what it is. We also tried specialty dining. Jamie's Italian was our favorite. The pasta tasted freshly made, and the service there felt a cut above others. But just do expect some upcharges for those specialty dining restaurants if you did not know that. Overall, good food, but manage expectations. You'll find something you like. Just don't expect a five-star foodie experience at each and every meal. Next up is entertainment. This is where I felt Ovation shines, especially if you're traveling with teens or young adults. The ship is packed with activities, bumper cars, trapeze school, flowrider surfing, a skydiving simulator, and a North Star, the glass capsule that lifts you above the ship for those panoramic views. That was pretty incredible. Let's talk about public spaces. The design and the layout of Ovation is modern, sleek, and buzzing with energy. The Royal Esplanade feels like a floating mall, packed with shops, bars, little lounges to hang out. One space worth highlighting, in my opinion, is Cafe 270, a beautifully designed lounge at the ship with massive floor-to-ceiling windows. During the day, it's the perfect spot to grab a coffee, relax, and take the sweeping views of Alaska. It quietly became one of our favorite places to unwind between excursions, and it really made the ship feel connected to the scenery, especially, again, since we have an interior cabin or a virtual balcony cabin. The solarium, an adults-only indoor pool and hot tub area, was peaceful, escape, glass-domed, quiet, and warm, even on cold Alaska mornings. Definitely one of the most relaxing spaces on board. That said, it does get crowded really fast, sea days especially. Finding seating in popular areas took some strategy, so if you're not early, you're standing. Families will love Ovation. If you're traveling with a multi-generational family, say grandparents, parents, and kids, this ship works well. Everyone has something they'll enjoy. The older folks can relax in the solarium or theater, and kids can bounce from bumper cars to the C-Plex to pizza stations. Only downside, if you're traveling without kids, just know this isn't a quiet, romantic getaway ship. It's loud, active, but it's fun. Service was consistently good, but not over-the-top memorable. Our stateroom attendant was friendly and efficient. Dining staff was polite, and guest services handled our few questions quickly. Nothing went terribly wrong, but also, nothing stood out as exceptional. You won't feel pampered like a luxury line, but you will feel taken care of. It's worth noting that staff was incredibly busy. Sometimes they seemed rushed, especially in dining areas. Not their fault, just a high volume of guests. Let's talk about the value for the money. I believe we paid about $2,400 if I remember correctly. This is where things get tricky. Ovation offers a lot for the price, but it depends what you're looking for in an Alaskan cruise. If you're all about onboard entertainment, a lively vibe, and an activity packed ship, then yes, great value here. You're getting a mini amusement park at sea, but if you're hoping to soak in Alaska's quiet nature, peaceful reflection, this might not be your ship. We spent more time in arcades and bumper cars than on the deck watching whales, and that tradeoff may not be worth it to everyone. So, if I had to do it again, I'd pick a different ship. One built for Alaska first, and entertainment second. So, would I recommend Ovation of the Seas to Alaska? Yes, if you're cruising with family, want a fun, busy trip, and don't mind sacrificing a bit of the nature immersion for onboard excitement. But no, if you're seeking serenity, intimacy with Alaska's landscapes, and want to feel deeply connected to the place. My biggest tip, don't book a virtual balcony, just get a real one. Trust me on that. And once you do, make sure you check out my top Alaska excursions video next. I break down the best experiences, the ideal month to go, and the one port I absolutely loved. So, let's talk about the next cruise. After trying Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas, I felt like I had a lot of fun, but I didn't experience Alaska. The ship was packed with activities, don't get me wrong, but I left wondering if I had missed something a little bit deeper, more wild. So, this time, I booked a cruise on Norwegian Encore, hoping for something different, and let me tell you, it delivered. From sipping tea and watching glaciers through massive windows, to spotting real dolphins from the observatory lounge, this cruise felt like Alaska. But Encore wasn't perfect, so in this part of the video, I'm going to break down my full review, everything from the cabins, to service, and share exactly who this cruise is for, and what I'd do differently next time. So, let's jump into the cabins. We stayed in a standard balcony cabin, and let me just say, this is the way to do Alaska. After making the mistake of getting a virtual balcony on Royal, the real deal here made all the difference. Waking up to crisp air, distant snow-covered peaks, and even spotting wildlife from your room is something I will never forget. Very thankful. The layout of the cabin was smart, plenty of storage, well-designed bathroom, and a bed that actually faced the ocean. That's pretty nice. It's a huge win. If you can swing a spa balcony or a club balcony suite, those come with even more perks, like access to the Mandara Spa Thermal Suite, which has heated loungers facing the water. You gotta check those out. So, let's jump into the dining real quick. Encore crushed it here, if you ask me. We loved the variety, the flexibility. The Garden Cafe, in my opinion, was consistently fresh. This is right after the 2020 lockdown, and they came back full swing. Had everything from Asian stir-fry to full carving stations. It never felt like we were eating the same thing twice. But what really stood out was the tea time in the observation lounge. Sitting by floor-to-ceiling windows, sipping tea and nibbling on pastries was my personal favorite, while the ship quietly sailed through glacier fields. It felt like something straight out of a movie. We also tried specially dining. Food Republic, Le Bistro were my favorites. No complaints at all. Great food, strong service, and a real sense of variety across the board. Let's jump into the entertainment real quick. This is where Norwegian surprised me in a very great way. We went in not expecting much, but the shows were next level. Choir of Man was easily one of the best cruise ship performances I've seen in a long time. Part musical, part pub concert, all amazing energy. Kinky Boots was another standout. Broadway quality performances with full production and lighting. The ship leans into performance and ambiance rather than constant noise. So, there's also live music throughout the ship. Jazz, acoustic guitars, piano sets, and it adds this cozy evening vibe that feels perfectly in sync with Alaskan cruise. Let's talk about public rooms. The observation lounge, this is the crown jewel of the ship, if you ask me. Imagine a quiet, sprawling lounge with panoramic views that wrap all the way around the front of the ship. Floor-to-ceiling glass, deep chairs, blankets, tea time, and coffee stations. It's where we saw an entire pod of dolphins and even whales breaching off in the distance. This space alone makes Encore feel built for Alaska. The atrium and the waterfront, a promenade-style outdoor deck are also gorgeous and ideal for scenic stays. The vibe of this ship is stylish, modern, and warm. Darker wood, soft lighting, more of a boutique hotel feel than a mall at sea. Norwegian Encore walks a great line between adult comfort and family fun. If you're cruising with kids or teens, there's plenty to keep them engaged. The kids club, splash areas, arcade, and go-karts all deliver, but what I loved most was the family features that never took over the ship. It still felt elevated. Encore lets families have fun without overwhelming those seeking a calmer vibe. We saw a good mix of families, couples, and even solo cruisers, and everyone seemed to have their space. That's a tough balance, and Encore nails it. Moving on to the service, Norwegian Encore was polished, professional. Our room store learned our names by day two, wait staff in the buffet, and restaurants were quick, friendly, and attentive. But it was warm, efficient, and consistent across the board. You could tell the crew knew its itinerary was special, and they were proud of Alaska, and it showed in how they treated the experience. As far as value for the money on this cruise, it felt like money well spent at about $3,400 for the both of us. While Norwegian can be more expensive than some lines, especially once you add the free at sea perks, it delivered exactly what I wanted. An Alaska cruise that feels like Alaska, the observation lounge alone is worth the premium that space makes the cruise. The food, the shows, the views, all of it added up something far more immersive in my opinion than I experienced on Ovation. If you're torn between ships, ask yourself, do you want to feel Alaska or be entertained while in Alaska? Encore does both, but leans into Alaska first, and for that, I'd 100% sail it again. So the question is, would I recommend Norwegian Encore for Alaska? Absolutely. If you're craving deep, scenic immersion, cozy lounges, and an atmosphere that lets Alaska be the star, Encore is your ship. Just do yourself a favor, spend as much time in an observation lounge. I think you're going to enjoy it. Now, after the energy and the flair of Encore, we were ready for something slower, more peaceful. So for our next Alaska cruise, we tried the Celebrity Millennium, and it couldn't have been a more different in the best way. So let's jump into the cabins. For this cruise, we tested out an ocean view cabin again, and while it was cool to try something different, I'll say this upfront, a balcony cabin, again, is 100% the move for Alaska. This trip really solidified that belief for me. Listen, waking up and glancing out of the window at ice-capped peaks and dense pine forest, it's beautiful, but we couldn't step out into it. We couldn't sit outside and feel the air, and that changes everything. The room itself, though, was clean, quiet, and well-maintained, despite the ship's age. But the layout definitely showed its age. Smaller bathrooms, tighter closet space. Still, if you're a light packer or planning to be out and about all day, it's workable. The bottom line is ocean view is fine. It's fine. But if this is your one Alaska trip, like your first and only, you feel like a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, get the balcony cabin. Trust me, it's worth every penny. So let's jump into the dining. Dining on Celebrity Millennium was fine. Nothing blew me away, but nothing disappointed either. The main dining was consistent. Good service, decent variety, and it always felt peaceful. No rush, no chaos, wasn't too loud. You could actually enjoy a meal, which mattered to us since we were traveling with a six-month-old. Buffet, standard at cruise fare, if you ask me. You'll find something to eat, but if you're expecting show-stopping variety or bold flavors, this really wasn't it. We did try specialty dining, Le Petit Chef. It has the animated characters that show up on your plate. No one really enjoyed that, especially being only six months old. She did enjoy the colored plates. But anyways, let's jump into the entertainment. Here's where you really feel the difference between Celebrity Millennium and ships like Ovation of the Seas or Norwegian Encore. And it's not a bad thing, depending on what you're after. There's no go-karts, trapeze, or giant LED cabarets here. Entertainment was much more traditional. Live bands, acoustic sets in the lounges, and the occasional theater show. Nothing flashy, but if you're in the mood to slow down, read a book, or sip wine to piano music, this ship does nail it. With a baby in tow, we found ourselves enjoying the lounges more than the stages. Midday naps, ocean gazing, conversations with other cruisers. The simplicity worked for us at this time of stage in our life. But for travelers seeking stimulation and big wow moments, you'll likely feel underwhelmed. For couples, retirees, or anyone burned out from big ship energy, this is a soft landing I think you'll enjoy. Let's jump into the public rooms. Despite one of Celebrity's older ships, Millennium has aged, I'd say, fairly gracefully in many ways. Public spaces are cozy, intimate, and quiet, which honestly felt like a breath of fresh air after the sensory overload of many other mega-ships. The Sky Lounge was a favorite spot of mine. Panoramic views, soft chairs, low music. We spent a lot of afternoons there watching the scenery and letting the baby nap on us. And since we were with grandparents, it was nice to have extra assistance and calm places to relax. But full transparency may not wow you with design, but it will make you feel comfortable. And sometimes, you know, that could be better for you. So Millennium probably isn't built for families with young kids, but for us traveling as a couple, again with a 6-month-old at the time, it worked surprisingly well. The small ship made everything easier to navigate. No long elevator waits, no giant crowds, no overstimulation. We never felt overwhelmed trying to get from one point to another. And because the vibe on board was so calm, older crowd, it helped our baby stay calm too. So would I recommend Millennium for families with active older kids or teens? Probably not. There's not much to entertain that age group, but for new parents or anyone with little ones, this slower-paced, tighter layout and relaxing energy might be exactly what you're looking for. If you're looking for a quiet, classic cruise with peaceful views and a small ship feel, the value is absolutely there. But, and this is important, if this is your once-in-a-lifetime Alaska cruise and you want to feel immersed from every angle, get the Balcony. We didn't, and we felt it. Lesson learned. Would I cruise Millennium again? With the right mindset, yes, but next time I'd love to try one of the newer Edge-class cruise ships from Celebrity. Same refined vibe, but with upgraded visuals, lounges, shows, and rooms designed for the views in Alaska that it offers. So after the slow, peaceful vibe of Celebrity Millennium, we were curious, what would it feel like to sail with a cruise line known for Alaska? So next up, we tried Princess Cruises. And let's just say, Discovery Princess, it changed everything for me. So stick around, because at the end of this video, I'm going to break down exactly how each cruise line ranked for us and which one I'd pick again in a heartbeat. So let's jump to the cabins of Discovery Princess. We booked a balcony cabin on our Princess sailing and thank goodness, at this point, I can say it with full confidence, Alaska is a balcony cruise, period. Waking up, stepping outside, watching snow-capped peaks pass by, it's something you cannot replicate with a screen or a window. And Princess makes this even better with all the little touches, robes, room service, and quiet balconies, where you can actually feel the crisp air. The cabin itself was well-designed, not flashy, but clean and comfortable. We had a mini suite. Storage was solid at the bathroom. While small, it didn't feel cramped. It's one of their newest ships within their fleet. And if you're cruising with a toddler like we were, the layout made it easy to manage naps, diaper changes, and still sneak in a few quiet moments outside. So let's jump into the dining. This is where Princess shines, if you ask me. What blew us away was the local immersion through food. The menu featured Alaskan Salmon and Ketchikan Crab Legs. This wasn't a generic cruise dining experience. It felt curated for the region. The main dining room meals were consistently great, but the specialty dining, incredible. We tried Crown Grill and Sabatini's. Both were worth every penny. It's refined without being stuffy. The Princess Premier Package also elevated the experience, including specialty dining, fast Wi-Fi, premium desserts, and even reserved theater seating. If you want more information on that, just pop some questions down below and I'll try to answer them for you. But it's totally worth it. Let's jump into that entertainment. Princess doesn't do flashy, but it does immersive. We weren't expecting Ax Sterling, to be honest with you. Dance competitions and a giant moose mascot on board. But hey, here we are. It felt like they brought Alaska onto the ship. Evenings were filled with cultural performances, talk from naturalists, and live music that actually fit the scenery. There's something really special, in my opinion, about listening to folk music with glaciers outside of your window. However, for teens, it might feel a little bit slow, unless they're already a pretty chill teen. But that wasn't a problem for us because, you know, we had a toddler and Stanley the Bear was there. So that's Princess's mascot. That became Noah's best friend in less than a few days. She was obsessed. Let's talk about public spaces and rooms. Everywhere you go on a Princess ship, there are places designed to see Alaska. From the top deck viewing areas to quiet nooks with panoramic windows, the ship seemed to just gently remind you like, hey, look outside. There's Alaska. The layout was also really easy to navigate. Compared to mega ships, Princess felt just the right size. Enough to explore, but not overwhelming. That made it super manageable with a toddler. Everything was clean, cozy, and thoughtfully arranged from scenic viewing. And honestly, that's exactly what you want on an Alaskan itinerary. Now let's talk about the family aspect. Now, again, this is a fun one to explain. If you're traveling with littles, Princess actually works really well, in my opinion. Our two-year-old Noah had a blast. We didn't play any splash pads or anything. Let's be real. It's Alaska. It's cold. But because of the simple joys, she loved walking the pool deck, waving at Stanley the Bear, again, and spotting whales from the railing. And since we were off the ship for excursions most days, she was never really bored. That said, for older kids and teens, the ship might feel a little too slow-paced unless, again, they're mellow by nature. But as a parent, I appreciated how safe, clean, and navigatable everything was. Is it navigatable? I feel like that's a word. Anyways, Princess makes it very easy for families to experience Alaska without the chaos. Jumping into the service, Princess service was top-tier. Warm, polished, incredibly dialed in. Our room steward felt like part of the family by day two. Wait staff were kind and accommodating, and the specialty dining teams made each night feel special. Scourge and staff, amazing, knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely excited to help guests explore Alaska. And because Princess has been doing this Alaska route for decades, the whole operation just feels smooth, practiced, and highly intentional. You can tell this isn't just another itinerary for them. It's their thing. So when it comes to the value for the money, Princess offers exceptional value, especially if you're looking for a cruise that helps you feel the destination. It's not the cheapest, and it's not the flashiest, but the combination of local food, cultural programming, views, service, and thoughtful design makes it well worth it. If you can swing the Princess Premier package, I'd say go for it. It levels everything up and removes the friction from your experience. And if I had to choose one line to sail Alaska again, Princess would be it. So let's break everything down. So after sailing with four different cruise lines to Alaska, here's how I'd rank them. And let me know your thoughts in the comment section below. I'm giving number three spot to Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas. Fun for families and teens, but felt more like a cruise to Alaska than Alaska. That makes sense. At spot number two, I'm giving this to the Norwegian Encore. Modern, exciting, and that observation lounge. It's game changer. Which now leaves me with Celebrity or Princess. But here's the deal. Your cruise ship is only half the story. The real adventure is off the ship. We did helicopter tours, whale watching, glacier trekking. Yes, we literally walked on a glacier. I put all of that information into one video. You can check it out right here. It might be the best Alaska excursion guide on the internet if you're asking me. So if you're planning your trip to Alaska and want to do Alaska right, that's the next video you want to watch. But as far as my number one spot, I've got to give it to Princess Cruises. And if you dig the bias, please subscribe. And if you care, please share. And we'll see you in paradise. Peace.