Caribbean vs. Alaska cruises: Which itinerary will I like more?

The appeals of Caribbean cruises and Alaska cruises are night and day. One offers relaxation and fun in the sun — with plenty of time splashing in the surf, snorkeling and sinking your toes in the warm sand. The other provides a glacier-filled, wildlife-packed adventure in a sometimes chilly, if green, environment.

Which destinations should you choose for your next cruise vacation? To help you decide, here are ways these two very different routes compare.

Caribbean vs. Alaska cruise embarkation ports

You can sail to the Caribbean from different ports in Florida — including PortMiami, Port Everglades (in Fort Lauderdale) and Port Canaveral (near Orlando). Cruisers can also depart from eastern seaboard home ports and southern ports such as Galveston, Texas; Mobile, Alabama; and New Orleans. Whether that requires a flight before your cruise or a long drive depends on where you live.

Alaska cruises depart from Seattle; Vancouver, British Columbia; and Seward and Whittier, Alaska (near Anchorage), so most Americans outside those in the Pacific Northwest need to book a flight.

Related: The best Alaska cruises for every type of traveler

Caribbean vs. Alaska itineraries

Most Caribbean cruise routes stick to one region of the Caribbean, though many will include stops in the Bahamas and longer itineraries might combine regions. Western Caribbean itineraries stop at ports in Mexico and Central America, as well as Jamaica and Grand Cayman, while Eastern Caribbean cruises visit places like Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Southern Caribbean routes might include islands such as Barbados, St. Lucia and Martinique, among others. In total, Caribbean cruises call on more than three dozen regional cruise ports.

Big ships often sail to larger cruise ports such as St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Cozumel in Mexico, San Juan in Puerto Rico and Nassau in the Bahamas. Smaller ships might head to sleepier isles such as Bequia in the Grenadines or Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands. No matter the itinerary, one thing is certain: Caribbean cruises are all about the beaches.

Related: The best Caribbean cruise for every type of traveler

Most Alaska cruises sail the Inside Passage round-trip from Seattle or Vancouver to ports such as Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and Skagway, Alaska, and Victoria, British Columbia. Each port offers distinct diversions for cruisers. Ketchikan is home to Native American totem poles and the Salmon Walk trail that follows the salmon's upstream migration along Ketchikan Creek. Skagway is steeped in gold rush history. Juneau, the state capital, is a great port for wildlife — from bear spotting to whale-watching adventures.

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Many Alaska cruises also sail through Glacier Bay National Park or Tracy Arm for a peek at glaciers calving, whales breaching and adorable sea otters swimming the backstroke.

Another option is a Gulf of Alaska cruise (also called a Cross Gulf cruise) from Seattle or Vancouver one-way to Alaska (via the ports of Seward or Whittier). These cruises might add in Hubbard Glacier, College Fjord or Valdez. The largest lines in these parts — Princess Cruises, Holland America, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises — will also give you the option of extending your trip on a train ride into Denali National Park or all the way to Fairbanks.

It’s important to note that while you can cruise the Caribbean year-round, Alaska cruises tend to begin in late spring and end in early fall.

Related: National parks you can reach by cruise ship

Caribbean vs. Alaska beaches and water sports

If you crave sunshine, frozen drinks with tiny umbrellas and frothy waves kissing your sand-covered toes, you'll want to pick a Caribbean itinerary. Cruise line private islands are especially low-effort places to try a new water sport. However, across the region, you’ll find everything from snorkeling and diving to parasailing and dolphin encounters. Some luxury vessels even stock their own water sports platforms for passengers to use when in calm waters.

In Alaska, the water is chilly and surrounded by calving glaciers, but water sports are still available. We’ve done everything from kayaking — with salmon leaping right over the kayak — to whale watching. We even enjoyed a king and coho salmon fishing excursion (with our catch shipped home on ice to dine on for months to come).

Caribbean vs. Alaska shore excursions

Our best days in the Caribbean have always been on beaches, and some of the most unforgettable shore excursions were boat rides to smaller islands with sleepy beaches our group had practically all to ourselves. That said, you can also sign up to swim in cenotes, explore caves, hike to waterfalls, zip line through rainforests or visit what remains of ancient Mayan cities. In some islands, such as Jamaica, you can seek out local reggae music and savor traditional cuisine like jerk chicken or Jamaican beef patties.

Related: Alaska cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do

If you seek an adventure, you can certainly find it on an Alaska cruise. Get your thrills via heli-hiking, ATV tours, glacier tours, float planes or dog sledding excursions. Foodies can opt for a mountain-top barbecue where salmon are thrown on the grill — and fingers are crossed that bears don’t get to dinner before the chefs do. You might also be able to sign up to see the northern lights if you cruise at the right time of year.

Caribbean vs. Alaska shopping

For our money, there are few better souvenirs from the Caribbean than a couple of bottles of rum from a local distillery. Other local items to look out for include handmade hammocks in Mexico, locally grown coffee in Puerto Rico and foodie souvenirs like hot pepper sauce and spice mixes available across the islands.

Alaska is also replete with souvenirs to remember your time in the Last Frontier. Look for Native Alaskan handicrafts, art and traditional Alaskan ulu knives (make sure to pack them in your checked luggage, though). For a taste of Alaska, purchase items like smoked salmon, Alaska birch syrup and sweets made with wild berries. Since you can't take it with you (unless you live in Seattle), enjoy a local ale in one of Alaska's microbreweries while you're in port.

Bottom line

A Caribbean vs. Alaska debate is truly an apples-to-oranges comparison. With sandy beaches, fish-filled reefs and lush rainforests studded with waterfalls, Caribbean itineraries offer a taste of sunshine all year round. Alaska, with its glaciers, fjords, whales and snowcapped mountains teeming with wildlife, is a rugged, outdoorsy vacation that calls for hiking boots and a rain jacket — as well as a sense of adventure.

For all their differences, the Caribbean and Alaska have one thing in common: Each is an ideal backdrop for a memorable cruise vacation. While your choice will likely depend on your preferred vacation style, we recommend eventually cruising in both regions.

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