I took the first Alaska cruise of this season—here’s why being first in pays off

Most travelers default to peak summer when booking an Alaska cruise, assuming that’s when the experience is at its best. But after cruising Alaska a handful of times since 2019—and sailing at the very start of this season in early May 2026—I can tell you there’s a strong case for going earlier.

I boarded the first Alaska sailing of the year on Celebrity Solstice, fresh out of a 45-day dry dock and the first in its class to undergo a major refresh as part of the cruise line’s $250 million modernization project. I knew exactly what I was stepping into on this 7-day itinerary. What I wanted to evaluate was how both the timing—and the updates—actually played out in real life.

The short answer: being first in comes with some real advantages.

Fewer ships in port made a bigger difference than I expected

One of the biggest perks of an early-season Alaska cruise is something you notice immediately: there are far fewer ships in port.

In Juneau, Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point, we were typically one of just two ships docked that day. During peak months like June, July and August, that number can jump to four or five—completely changing the experience on the ground.

I’ve been to Juneau multiple times in peak season and have never been able to get into the iconic swinging doors of the Red Dog Saloon because of the long line. This time, I walked right in, grabbed a seat, ordered a beer and settled in while the piano player and staff led a lively singalong.

Same story at Tracy’s King Crab Shack—a spot that’s usually so packed you have to plan your entire day around the wait. Instead, our group was seated quickly, and I had some of the best Alaskan king crab I’ve ever tasted.

Less crowding doesn’t just mean convenience—it fundamentally changes how much you can actually experience in a single day.

That extra breathing room also makes it easier to book—and fully enjoy—some of Alaska’s most in-demand experiences.

One of the biggest highlights was a helicopter excursion to Mendenhall Glacier, where my boyfriend and I flew over the icefield before landing directly on the glacier. Walking across the ice, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and deep blue crevasses, felt like a true bucket-list moment—and exactly the kind of experience that can feel rushed or harder to access later in the season.

The wildlife alone made the timing worth it

There’s a common assumption that you need to wait until peak summer to see Alaska’s wildlife at its best. That wasn’t my experience.

During a single 90-minute whale-watching excursion in Icy Strait Point, we saw multiple pods of orcas, a humpback whale, bald eagles and even bears along the shoreline. It was one of the most wildlife-packed experiences I’ve had in Alaska—and I’ve spent full weeks here without seeing that much.

Even my boyfriend, who was visiting Alaska for the first time, couldn’t get over it. Watching icebergs drift by at Hubbard Glacier and spotting wildlife on nearly every outing had that rare, bucket-list feel from start to finish.

And because there were fewer people competing for space, those moments felt more immersive instead of crowded.

The weather wasn’t the gamble I expected

If there’s one hesitation travelers have about early-season Alaska cruises, it’s the weather. And yes—it was cold (most days were in the 40s and 50s). But it was far more cooperative than expected.

We had sunshine for most of our time in Juneau, and across the entire trip, only one truly rainy day in Ketchikan (which, to be fair, is almost always rainy).

Even then, ship excursions like the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show are designed with covered seating, so the rain didn’t interfere much at all.

In other words: pack layers, but don’t assume you’re signing up for nonstop bad weather. We were quite pleasantly surprised.

I sailed on one of the first itineraries after a major refresh—here’s what actually stood out

Because this was one of the first Alaska cruises of the season, it also offered an early look at Celebrity Solstice following its refresh—making it the first of the Solstice Series ships to be “made new again” as part of a broader fleet update.

That context matters. This isn’t just a one-off refresh—it’s a preview of what the cruise line plans to roll out across similar best-in-class ships.

Some updates feel meaningful. Others are more cosmetic. And one fell short.

The upgrades that actually enhanced our experience

I stayed in an AquaClass balcony stateroom, which leans into wellness—and on a cold-weather itinerary like Alaska, that focus pays off.

The standout feature was the shower. Between the rainfall and waterfall settings, handheld wand and full-body spray options, it’s one of the best in-cabin showers I’ve experienced at sea. Add in plush robes, slippers and in-room yoga mats, and it’s a comfortable setup for sea days or after long days in port.

AquaClass guests also get access to the ship’s spa thermal suite, with heated mosaic tile lounge chairs overlooking the water, plus steam rooms and saunas. If you’ll actually use those amenities, it’s a worthwhile upgrade.

Dining is another area where the ship delivers. Trattoria Rossa, the new Italian restaurant, stood out for dishes like fresh pasta (the lasagna was excellent), branzino and a pistachio gelato that made me feel like I was in Sorrento. Even more impressive was Fine Cut Steakhouse—one of the best steak dinners I’ve had on a cruise, with excellent service and consistently well-executed and beautifully plated dishes.

One of the most noticeable additions is Sunset Park, a redesigned top-deck space that’s clearly meant to be a focal point of the ship’s outdoor experience. With its turf lawn, comfortable seating and panoramic ocean views, it feels bright, open inviting.

On our sailing, the cold and wind meant it wasn’t as heavily used as it likely will be in peak summer. But even so, it was easy to see the appeal—between lawn games, live music and a casual café serving sandwiches, salads and pastries, it’s the kind of space that could easily become a go-to hangout in warmer weather. There are also private cabanas for a more elevated experience, though in Alaska, the real draw is the unobstructed scenery.

New and updated social spaces also give the ship a more modern feel. The intimate Boulevard Lounge brings in interactive entertainment like dueling pianos, while The Parlor, the revamped gaming and sports lounge, adds a casual, hangout-friendly vibe (and plenty of board games if you’re inclined — we played several rounds of Scrabble during our seven-day sailing).

And while not new, the Sky Observation Lounge ended up being one of the most useful spaces onboard—a warm, comfortable place to take in Alaska’s scenery when the outdoor decks were simply too cold and windy.

Where the refresh falls short

For all the attention on the ship’s upgrades, the biggest gap shows up in the staterooms.

While some updates are visible—new carpets and beds—my cabin still felt dated in ways that are hard to ignore. There were no USB ports, outlets were limited and poorly placed and a few functional issues (like loose hardware, wonky weatherstripping on our balcony door, and stubborn drawers) made the space feel tired.

It’s not a dealbreaker, but it does create a noticeable disconnect between the gorgeously updated public spaces and the more traditional-feeling cabins.

A few insider details worth knowing

There are also smaller details onboard that are easy to miss if you don’t know to look for them—but they can noticeably enhance your experience.

For example, the onboard gelateria offers each guest one complimentary scoop during the sailing—a perk that isn’t widely advertised but definitely worth tracking down early.

Another one not to miss: the daily warm cookie hour at the Sunset Park Café, typically held from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. It’s a simple touch, but grabbing a fresh, warm cookie while taking in the views quickly became one of those low-key highlights.

Entertainment is another area where the ship delivers more than you might expect. Shows like Smoke and Ivories, which blends piano-driven hits from the 1950s with acrobatics and strong vocals and Rockumentary, a high-energy live concert-style production covering decades of rock music, were both genuinely fun and well-executed.

Celebrity also leans into education in a way that works particularly well for an Alaska itinerary. On my sailing, naturalist Sam Carmack hosted a series of lectures on the region’s glaciers, wildlife and ecosystems. Her presentations were engaging, informative and a great way to add context to what we were seeing off the ship—especially on glacier viewing days.

You might also pay less for being first in

Beyond fewer crowds and easier access, there’s another potential upside to booking the first Alaska cruise of the season: pricing.

When I looked ahead at early May sailings for 2027, the first departures were coming in at roughly $75 less than itineraries just a week or two later on similar routes. It’s not a huge difference, but it’s enough to matter once you’re onboard.

That savings can easily translate to a few cocktails, a specialty dining meal or a paid experience you might have otherwise skipped—and those extras add up quickly on a cruise.

Of course, pricing varies based on ship, itinerary and demand, so it’s not guaranteed. But if you’re already considering an early-season sailing, it’s worth comparing those first departures before defaulting to peak dates.

Who should book the first Alaska cruise of the season

Early-season Alaska cruises aren’t for everyone—but they’re a great fit for the right traveler.

If you value fewer crowds, easier access to popular experiences and a more relaxed pace, being first in can be a smart move. You’ll trade some warmth for space and flexibility—and in my experience, that’s a trade worth making (heck, I’ve had far worse weather there in June on previous sailings).

It’s also worth noting that these early sailings don’t stick around. If this style of trip appeals to you, now’s the time to lock in next year’s May Alaskan cruise.