Best Cabin for Alaska Cruise — Side, Deck & Location Guide

Choosing Your Alaska Cruise Cabin: A Strategic Guide

Selecting the right cabin is one of the most critical decisions you’ll make when planning your Alaska cruise. Unlike a Caribbean itinerary where your stateroom is often just a place to sleep, your Alaska cabin can be a private viewing platform for some of the most spectacular scenery on earth. This guide cuts through the confusion to provide direct, data-driven advice on choosing the best side, deck, and location for your journey to the Last Frontier.

The Great Debate: Port vs. Starboard Side

The question of which side of the ship is better is one of the most debated topics in Alaska cruise planning. The answer depends entirely on your itinerary’s direction.

One-Way Itineraries: Northbound vs. Southbound

For one-way cruises, the choice is clear:

• Northbound Cruises (e.g., Vancouver to Seward): Book a starboard (right side, facing forward) cabin. This will keep you facing the Alaskan coastline, offering views of the mainland, ports, and scenery as you travel north.
• Southbound Cruises (e.g., Seward to Vancouver): A port (left side) cabin is your best bet. You’ll have the prime view of the coastline as you head down the Inside Passage.

Round-Trip Itineraries (Inside Passage)

For cruises that begin and end in the same port, like a round-trip from Seattle, the decision is less critical. The ship will travel up the Inside Passage and then back down, meaning both sides will get scenic views at different times. However, there is a slight advantage for the port side on the northbound leg of many round-trip Seattle sailings, as they often have more extensive land views.

Ultimately, for Inside Passage cruises, having a balcony to see both sides as the scenery changes is more important than the specific side you are on.

The Balcony Question: A Must-Have Upgrade for Alaska

While an inside cabin can be a smart way to save money, Alaska is the one destination where a balcony upgrade offers the most significant return on investment.

Think of it this way: an Alaska cruise is about the journey as much as the destinations. With a balcony, you have a private, front-row seat to the breathtaking landscapes. You can wake up to a glacier view, sip coffee while watching for whales, or step outside for a quick photo without fighting for space on a crowded public deck.

On a typical 7-day cruise, you could spend 15-20 hours actively enjoying scenic cruising from the comfort of your room—an experience entirely missed by those in an interior cabin. The cost can be substantial—often 60% to 95% more than an inside room—but the value is undeniable for maximizing your Alaska experience.

A Note on Obstructed Views

Steer clear of “obstructed view” balconies in Alaska. While cheaper, having a lifeboat or steel beam blocking your line of sight defeats the entire purpose of the upgrade. Every scenic moment matters, and an unobstructed view is paramount.

Best Deck and Cabin Location: Finding Your Sweet Spot

Beyond the side of the ship and cabin type, the specific location of your stateroom can impact your cruise experience, especially concerning stability and views.

Deck Height: The Higher, The Better?

• Higher Decks (Lido, etc.): These offer more panoramic, unobstructed views. Being close to the pool deck and buffet can also be a convenience. However, they are also where you’ll feel the most motion if the ship encounters rough seas.
• Mid-Level Decks (Decks 7-10): This is often the sweet spot. You are high enough to see over the lifeboats and other structures, but the location is more central, providing greater stability.
• Lower Decks: While the most stable part of the ship, cabins on the lowest decks may have views partially obstructed by the promenade deck or lifeboats.

Cabin Position: Forward, Mid-Ship, or Aft?

• Mid-Ship: This is the most stable area of the cruise ship and is highly recommended for anyone prone to motion sickness. It’s also centrally located, providing roughly equal walking distance to amenities at both ends of the ship.
• Forward (Front): Forward-facing cabins offer dramatic, panoramic views as you sail into fjords and ports. However, this is the area where you will feel the most motion and the force of the wind and waves.
• Aft (Back): Aft-facing cabins are a favorite among many cruisers for their stunning views of the ship’s wake. They are often more sheltered from the wind, making the balcony more usable in cooler weather. The downsides can include a longer walk to many venues and potential for engine vibrations or noise.

Cabin Strategy for Key Scenic Cruising Areas

For the most anticipated scenic cruising days, your specific cabin choice becomes less about side and more about having access to any outdoor view.

• Glacier Bay & Tracy Arm Fjord: In these narrow passages and bays, the captain will almost always perform a slow 360-degree turn of the ship. This ensures that no matter which side your cabin is on, you will get an extended, spectacular view of the main glacier face.
• Hubbard Glacier: Similar to Glacier Bay, ships typically pivot in front of the massive Hubbard Glacier, giving everyone an equal viewing opportunity over several hours. The sheer scale of Hubbard—over six miles wide—means you’ll have an impressive view from almost any vantage point.

On these days, while a private balcony is the ultimate convenience, the public observation decks also offer fantastic, panoramic perspectives.

Special Considerations

• Accessible Cabins: If you require an accessible stateroom, book as early as possible. These cabins are limited in number and sell out quickly. Their availability can never be guaranteed, so advance planning is crucial.
• Inside Cabins for Budget Travelers: If your budget is tight, an inside cabin can be a strategic choice. The money saved—often over $1,000 per person—can be allocated to once-in-a-lifetime shore excursions like a helicopter tour to a glacier or a whale-watching expedition. Since Alaska cruises are so port-heavy, you will spend a significant amount of your time off the ship exploring.