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As you begin packing for your Alaska cruise, there’s a lot to remember. Layers ✔️ Camera ✔️ Day pack ✔️ But there’s one more item you might forget that will come in super handy for getting up close and personal with the massive sweeping majesty of Alaska: binoculars for your Alaska cruise!
I spent 15 years living in Alaska, but it wasn’t until I moved away that I went on my first Alaska cruise. And despite not bringing my own binoculars, I used the ones provided in my cabin. Now as I’m planning my second (and actually third!) Alaska cruise, I decided to invest in binoculars for myself.
If you’re not familiar with how binoculars work, there are two numbers provided for each product. The first is the magnification offered by the binoculars; the second refers to the size of the objective lens in millimeters. So for 10×42 binoculars – for example – they offer 10x magnification, and the objective lens is 42mm in diameter. The larger the objective lens, the more light is let into the lens –creating brighter and potentially clearer views. However, larger lenses weigh more – that’s something to keep in mind as you pack for your Alaska cruise.
After reading this post, you’ll know of 10 different options of binoculars for an Alaska cruise; I also included a shortlist of what I consider the 3 best binoculars for your Alaska cruise.
In this post, I promote travel to destinations that are the traditional lands of many Alaska Native groups, including the Aleut, Athabascan, Haida, Inupiat, Tlingit, and Yuit peoples. With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and respect to the past and present people of these lands. To learn more about the peoples who call these lands home, I invite you to exploreNative Land.
This post was originally published in July 2021, and was updated most recently in July 2023.
Table of Contents
3 Best Binoculars for Alaska Cruise [Table]
While I share 10 different binoculars I recommend in this post, I know it’s helpful to have a short list to help you narrow it down. Below you’ll find a table of the three binoculars I most recommend; you can scroll down to read about each one, as well as the others I thought were worth considering if you don’t find one on this list you want to invest in.
| Rank | Binoculars | Notes | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Celestron Outland X 8×42 Binoculars | Versatile and midrange | Link |
| 2 | occer 12×25 Compact Binoculars | Lightweight and low cost | Link |
| 3 | Steiner 10×42 Predator Binoculars | High cost and high performance | Link |
Now let’s dive into each of these binoculars for Alaska cruise plus others you might want to consider.
Bushnell H2O 10×42 Binoculars
For another Bushnell option, they also offer another style of 10×42 binoculars with basically the same features but different materials and hand grips.
To be honest, I’m not totally sure what the difference is between this style and the ones above, but it’s a second option if you find one or the other is sold out.
Pros
- Waterproof & Fog Proof
- Lightweight
Cons
- Over $100
- Not great for eyeglasses/sunglasses
Celestron Nature DX 10×42 Binoculars
Celestron is known for creating great optical equipment; I personally know the brand more from their telescopes. Either way, their binoculars are also a great option for your Alaska cruise packing list.
These particular binoculars – the 10×42 option – are actually cheaper than the 8×42 option (not sure why) so opt for the greater magnification to get even better views of those glaciers and Alaska’s Big Five. However, you do end up with a bit more weight than some others on this list.
Pros
- Waterproof & Fog Proof
Cons
- Over $100
- Over 1.5 lbs
- Not great for eyeglasses/sunglasses
Celestron Outland X 8×42 Binoculars
For another Celestron option, check out the Outland X 8×42 binoculars for your Alaska Cruise. They come in at 22oz (1.375 pounds) so a bit lighter than the Celestron Nature binoculars above; they’re also significantly lower in cost (about half) making them a great option for people who want binoculars for an Alaska cruise but won’t use them much afterward.
These are the 8×42 binoculars I’ve recommended; they also have a 10×42 model that’s only a bit more if you want additional magnification (and additional weight).
Pros
- Under $100
- Waterproof & Fog Proof
- Under 1.5lbs
Cons
- Not great for eyeglasses/sunglasses
Hooway 7×50 Military Marine Binoculars
If you want heavy-duty binoculars that can handle anything your Alaskan adventure throws at you, the Hooway 7×50 Military Marine Binoculars are a great choice. These binoculars are military-standard, meaning they can handle getting dropped – whether that’s on the cruise ship deck or when climbing on/off the Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali.
They’ve got decent magnification to make whales and glaciers seem closer, but make up for it with brighter, crisp views. As a result, they’re among the heaviest binoculars on this list at 2.2lbs; it’s worth buying a neck strap so you don’t test their durability.
Pros
- Good for eyeglasses/sunglasses
- Waterproof & Fog Proof
Cons
- Over $100
- Over 2.0lbs
Nikon Aculon 10×50 Binoculars
Nikon is better known for their cameras; it should be no surprise that they’re also great at applying its excellent lens technology to binoculars. I’ve included a couple of different Nikon options on this list with different specs, including the Aculon 10×50 binocular.
These Porro Prism binoculars are a bit bigger and bulkier (and weigh more, at roughly 2lbs) and are also not waterproof. But, they are a good option if you prefer this style of binocular and want a larger pair to hang onto (such as if you have grip issues), and have better eyecups for those wearing eyeglasses or sunglasses.
Pros
- Good for eyeglasses/sunglasses
Cons
- Over $100
- Weighs 2.0lb
- Not waterproof or fog proof
Nikon Monarch 8×42 Binoculars
For a Roof Prism style pair of Nikon binoculars for your Alaska cruise, consider the Monarch 8×42 Binocular. These are some of the highest-end binoculars on my list, and they correspondingly cost more. However, they are also some of the best-quality lenses if you want truly top-notch clarity for spotting eagles, seabirds, and whales while cruising.
These binoculars are pretty mid-range for both magnification and objective lens size but are a great investment if you are planning to cruise a lot – or use your binoculars for other adventures.
Pros
- Under 1.5lbs
- Waterproof & Fog Proof
Cons
- Over $200
- Not good for eyeglasses/sunglasses
Nikon Prostaff 7S 8×42 Binoculars
When it comes to binoculars lens quality obviously varies –but so do handgrips, which are obviously important if you’re going to spend a week using them to try and see everything you can on your Alaska cruise. These Roof Prism-style Nikon Prostaff 7S binoculars are compact and futuristic, but also pack all the features you need.
While these binoculars come with other specs (8×30 and 10×30), the 8×42 binoculars are the most versatile and worth the price. That means they’ll do well when watching a glacier calving up close or seeing a bald eagle preening.
Pros
- Under 1.5lbs
- Waterproof & Fog Proof
Cons
- Over $100
- Not great for eyeglasses/sunglasses
Nikon Prostaff 3S 10×42 Binocular
The Nikon Prostaff 3S binoculars are almost identical to the 7S; they’re an earlier generation of the same product family. As such, they cost less than comparable products in the later, 7S generation. So I’m recommending the 10×42 of the 3S as you can get more power for the cost.
These binoculars are also nicely lightweight, coming in at around 1.25lbs. That means they’re an easy sell to put in your suitcase when packing for your Alaska cruise.
Pros
- Under 1.5lbs
- Waterproof & Fog Proof
Cons
- Over $100
- Not great for eyeglasses/sunglasses
occer 12×25 Compact Binoculars
If you’ve been reading and wondering about the most super-compact, low-cost option, here it is! The occer 12×25 binoculars are not as powerful as other binoculars on this list –they make up for it with more magnification, which can come at the expense of quality/clarity in your view.
However, at this price, plus being so lightweight and waterproof, make these a fabulous choice for those who just want something and aren’t willing to give up space and weight in your suitcase.
Pros
- Under $50
- Less than 0.5lbs
- Waterproof & Fog Proof
Cons
- Not great for eyeglasses/sunglasses
Steiner 10×42 Predator Binoculars
Alaska is home to many species of apex predators – wolves, orcas, bears, and more. If you want to feel like a predator only insofar as you’re the most eagle-eyed person on your Alaska cruise, the Steiner 10×42 Predator binoculars are the way to go.
These binoculars have a different look –they’re clearly more tactically designed for hunters. But you can just be a visual hunter, rather than, you know, a hunting hunter. However, being designed for more intense activities than spotting wildlife, these binoculars also have a higher price point.
Pros
- Less than 1.5lbs
- Waterproof & Fog Proof
- Great for eyeglasses/sunglasses
Cons
- Over $300
Have any questions about these binoculars or what else to pack for your Alaska cruise? Let me know in the comments!
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