Frequently Asked Questions

To book your cruise, please contact your travel professional, or call us at 855-747-8100 (or 907-747-8100). You may also submit your reservation request through our online reservation requests form. Cruises are sold on a space available basis.

A deposit of 15% of total cruise fare per person is required to secure a reservation. ADC requests receipt of your deposit within five (5) business days of your reservation. Note that reservations will only be confirmed upon receipt of deposit. Deposits and other payments may be paid via credit card or personal check.

Final payment of 100% of passage fare (with credit given for any prior payments) is required no fewer than 90 days before the departure date of your cruise or at the time of the reservation if made no fewer than 90 days before departure. If final payment is not received in time, confirmed reservations will be cancelled with rebooking subject to space availability.

The following services are included in your passenger fare:

• Selected passenger cabin facilities
• All meals aboard the vessel or where otherwise indicated
• Selected shore excursions as indicated in itinerary (subject to “Excursions Disclaimer” in our Terms and Conditions)
• Ground transportation to and from the vessel’s location at time of embarkation and disembarkation
• Ground transportation from the local airport to selected hotels at the vessel’s location the day before or the day of vessel embarkation
• Ground transportation from selected hotels at the vessel’s location to the local airport the day of or the day after vessel disembarkation
• Use of recreational equipment as indicated in itinerary
• All standard onboard services

Unless otherwise specified in the Order Confirmation, the passenger fare does not include the following:

• Airfare to and from your home city
• Beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages
• Gratuities to crew
• FareHarbor and other travel agent charges
• Travel insurance
• Taxes and port fees

Cancellation of confirmed reservations for any reason are subject to the following cancellation fee schedule per person:

• 120 days or more prior to departure date: 50% of the required deposit is forfeited
• 119 – 90 days prior to departure date: 100% of the required deposit is forfeited
• 89 – 45 days prior to departure date: 50% of full fare is forfeited
• 44 – 0 days prior to departure date: 100% of full fare is forfeited

Upon a passenger’s cancellation of a confirmed reservation for any reason, they will receive only a refund of the non-withheld portion (if any) of their paid deposit or passenger fare, as applicable, as set forth in the schedule shown in our Terms and Conditions.

If Alaskan Dream Cruises cancels or delays a Cruise by three or more days and passenger does not elect to embark on the delayed cruise or a substitute cruise offered by Alaskan Dream Cruises, passenger may receive a full refund of the deposit or passenger fare, as applicable. A claim for a refund must be submitted to refunds@alaskandreamcruises.com within 60 days of the scheduled end date of the canceled or delayed voyage. Refunds will be issued through the original booking agent and valid claims will be paid within 90 days of receipt of written submission. Any travel insurance you may have purchased may provide additional remedies.

Alaskan Dream Cruises recommends the purchase of travel insurance to protect from covered cancellations specified in the policies. Alaskan Dream Cruises will assist with obtaining travel insurance through AXA Travel Insurance upon request through Alaska Dream Cruises’ reservations department or website at AXA Travel Insurance.

Easier than you might think!  Our cruises begin/end in Sitka, Ketchikan, and Juneau, Alaska. The vast majority of guests travel by airline, though ferry is also an option. There are no roads into the communities. There are direct flights between Sitka/Ketchikan/Juneau and Seattle daily in the summer. Please contact us for additional information.

Lodging space in Sitka, Ketchikan, and Juneau can be limited May through September. We urge you to secure lodging early. Please contact us for recommendations.

Smoking is allowed only in selected designated areas on outside decks. Smoking is NOT allowed anywhere inside the vessel.

A passport or visa is not required of citizens of the United States of America (except on select itineraries that visit Skagway). A valid government-approved ID is required to board the vessel. Foreign citizens are required to have appropriate passport and visas as may be required by U.S. Homeland Security Administration regulations.

• Wildlife is unpredictable, but plentiful in the area, and chances are good for fantastic marine and wildlife viewing.
• When viewing wildlife, we strictly adhere to all suggested or required distances and procedures recommended by local, state, and federal wildlife agencies. Sensitive viewing of wildlife that does not disturb their behavior is paramount to protect wildlife populations.
• Your expedition leaders are experienced professional guides and will be able to provide more insight into the marine and wildlife we are viewing.
• Alaska is famous for its mosquitoes, but they are found in numbers mostly in the Interior and Arctic regions of Alaska. They are not that offensive in Southeast Alaska, where weather is cooler and we are mostly on the water and away from land. If bugs or mosquitoes become prevalent, our expedition leaders will provide you with bug spray.
• Reminder: Alaskan Dream Cruises provides binoculars to use during your cruise.

Suggestion: Our schedules are busy with activities, tours, and evening programs. However, some free time exists to enjoy the area on your own. As all Alaskans do, we strongly suggest you tell someone (roommate, friend or crew member) where you are going and when we can expect you to return. It’s good practice and the Alaskan way of life!

• The Alaskan Dream Cruises’ team of professionally trained chefs takes great pride in presenting outstanding meal selections featuring fresh, organic, and locally produced food. Menus change daily, and include a seafood or meat entrée, as well as a vegetarian option. Fresh, locally caught Alaska seafood is a specialty of Alaskan Dream Cruises.
• Early risers can enjoy fruits, pastries, and hot beverages an hour before breakfast. Meal times vary depending on the day’s activity schedule.
• Our dining room table configuration allows easy conversation, and seating is never assigned so guests can choose different meal companions at each meal.
• A nightly social hour hour is presented an hour prior to dinner and features delicious freshly prepared hors d‘oeuvres in our forward viewing lounges.
• Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and apple cider are available at all times.
• Special diets or meal requests can be accommodated in most cases. If you require a special diet or have allergies to certain foods, be sure to note those on the Dietary Preference Form so we may accommodate your needs. It is important to give us some advance notice of special diet needs so appropriate food can be on board.
• A selection of fine alcoholic beverages, beer, and wine are available for independent purchase, but are not included in your cruise fare. Unfinished wine can be capped and held for you.

Southeast Alaska is a photographer’s paradise. Bring extra batteries — they may be difficult or impossible to get locally. You may also want a tripod, UV haze filter, and polarizing filter. Wildlife photographers will want at least a 300mm lens. There isn’t a computer available to download digital photos, so bring your own or an extra memory card.

This is one of the most frequent questions we receive. Rest assured that we carefully select the start and end dates of our season to correspond with wildlife migration patterns and the ideal time frame to visit Southeast Alaska. From the first trips of May to the last of September, you can expect to experience the wonders of this great region on any of our schedule departure dates. As you plan your travel, we encourage you not to overlook the benefits of an early season expedition. This is a favorite time of year for many locals. Humpback whales have returned from their seasonal migrations to the tropics, bears have emerged from hibernation and forage along the shorelines, and snow often still caps the mountaintops, providing a stunning backdrop for photography. Everyone welcomes the longer daylight hours. On top of all this, May traditionally has the driest weather of the year! Because people tend to travel later in the summer, you may find that some of our best deals of the year are for early-season sailings.

• Most establishments accept credit cards, and ATM cash machines are available in the towns. Traveler’s checks are accepted at most establishments.
• An onboard account is established for your purchases of alcoholic beverages, gifts or, clothing sold aboard the vessel and at Orca Point Lodge, otherwise known as a “cashless” society. You will settle your account prior to disembarking on the last day of your cruise. Major credit cards, personal checks, or a cash payment are accepted.

Visit our trip preparation page for helpful information about traveling to Alaska, the weather, what to pack, and more.