There’s a renewed sense of energy around Alaska right now, and we’re especially excited to be part of it. With The Travel Institute introducing its updated Alaska Destination Specialist course—available as an included benefit for subscribers of the Education Hub—travel advisors have even more opportunities to strengthen their knowledge and approach this remarkable destination with greater confidence and creativity.
We’ll also be diving deeper into this topic in the PEP Talk, Alaska Made Simple: From Cruise to Complete Itineraries, presented on May 27 at 1:00 PM (ET) by Stacey Cabell, CTIE in which she will walk through how to build more complete itineraries with confidence.
Equally important are the valuable insights we gain from one another. Some of the most impactful ideas come directly from advisors who are actively designing and refining client experiences every day. This piece by Christie Costello, CTA, offers that kind of perspective—grounded, practical, and rooted in real-world application.
Together, formal learning and shared expertise create a powerful foundation for delivering more meaningful Alaska experiences—ones that go beyond the expected and truly resonate with clients.
Here are Christie’s invaluable tips:
With the Travel Institute launching its updated Alaska Destination Specialist course, many of us are looking at the “Great Land” with fresh eyes. We all know the standard itineraries, but if you want to elevate a client’s experience from a trip to a transformation, you have to look beyond the rail.
The Power of the Buffer
I recently planned a custom adventure for the Ochoa family, who are on a quest to visit every U.S. National Park. We scheduled a flightseeing tour from Fairbanks to cross the Arctic Circle and soar over Gates of the Arctic—a park few people ever see.
Customizing the Land
Don’t be afraid of custom FIT (Flexible Independent Travel) or “Frankensteining” a cruise tour.
While motor coaches are efficient, they can’t compete with the Coastal Classic leg of the Alaska Railroad between Anchorage and Seward. When choosing a cruise tour or building a land package, I insist on this rail stretch. It is, quite simply, the most scenic glass-dome experience in the state.
My Perfect Itinerary Flow
To give clients the best of both worlds, I advocate for a Southbound flow:
- Start in Fairbanks: Use this as a base for northern flightseeing (like the Arctic Circle) before the official tour begins.
- Deep Dive into Denali and Seward: Ensure they get at least two nights in Seward to truly experience Kenai Fjords National Park.
- The Cherry-on-Top Cruise: End with a southbound cruise out of Whittier.
Why? Because Alaska is active! By doing the land portion first, clients do the heavy lifting—the hiking, the early morning trains, and the bush planes—while they have the most energy. They can then spend the final week sailing toward Vancouver or Seattle, relaxing, eating well, and processing the majesty of what they’ve just seen. They go home rested, not needing a “vacation from their vacation.”
The Magic Is in the Margins
When I think of Alaska, I don’t just think of glaciers. I think of the sensory details: picking wild berries in the Tongass National Forest or watching thousands of salmon choke the rivers in Sitka.
My favorite memory wasn’t a scheduled highlight; it was a group of Dall porpoises suddenly leaping alongside our boat, their speed a blur of black and white against a backdrop of three different glaciers.
That is the Alaska we sell—the unplanned, wild, and wonderful moments that happen when we give our clients the right itinerary to find them.
For more details about the trip Christie describes, see her blog. And, if you haven’t already done so, enroll today in the Alaska program or subscribe to the Education Hub for $19.99 per month.
