Alaska cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do
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It's so far from the rest of the mainland U.S. that it's become a bucket list destination, especially for travelers looking to visit each of the 50 states. Whether you want to witness epic wildlife, see calving glaciers in person, or check the so-called Last Frontier off your bucket list, an Alaska cruise deserves your consideration. I was born and spent my young childhood in Alaska, and the natural beauty of the state is unparalleled. A cruise along the coast anywhere in the state — especially in summer, the season of the Midnight Sun — is an excellent way to experience it.
Our Family Alaska Cruise: A Vacation We'll Never Forget Royal Caribbean Cruises
With over three acres of windows and glass exterior viewing elevators, you can watch for whales along Alaska’s Inside Passage when you aren’t wandering wilderness paths from Ketchikan to Juneau. And for the ultimate outdoor adventure, take a CruiseTour into Alaska’s interior where you can hang with huskies in Denali, and scale glaciers in Alyeska. Planes are plentiful in Alaska, where they're a common form of transportation across the state. Charter a helicopter or fixed-wing flightseeing tour at Juneau and get an unforgettable perspective of the mountains and glaciers of this vast landscape. You can also use our handy Cruise Finder to search for available cruises and request a no obligation cruise quote.
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When do cruises go to Alaska?
Additionally, you'll have one day spent cruising the Inside Passage and one focused on "scenic cruising," where you can enjoy the landscapes but won't go ashore. This is not nearly as boring as you might think since you'll see incredible sights like Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve or Hubbard Glacier. You'll find magnificent mountains (often snowcapped, even in the summertime), lush forests, waterfalls, fjords and calving glaciers. If it's marine life you've come to see, you'll find it in abundance, from whales and dolphins to sea lions and harbor seals. On land, you'll likely spy bears and Dall sheep while eagles, puffins and a host of seabirds circle above. Weeklong itineraries generally embark in either Seattle or Vancouver, British Columbia — though some itineraries originate in Juneau.
Best value Alaska cruise: Radiance of the Seas
Treat yourself to a fantastic cruise onboard this ship, which has a guest-to-staff ratio of 684 to 400, ensuring that you are lavishly pampered. Enjoy up to six shore excursions for free including a visit to the Sheldon Jackson Museum in Sitka or a trip to the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau. Cruisers love the cleanliness of the ship and the excellent service provided by the staff and crew. The staterooms are decked out in luxury linens with marble touches in the bathrooms which are stocked with Bulgari toiletries. There are eight dining areas to choose from with a variety of cuisines available including French, Asian, and Italian. Unlike the Royal Caribbean and Norwegian ships mentioned above, the two Princess ships sailing from Seattle don't have top decks heavily skewed to family fun.
Alaska Helicopter Tours
The largest of its ships that sail to Alaska can accommodate no more than 138 passengers — just a sliver of the 4,900 or so that Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas can hold. "Being on a smaller vessel means that you’ll be able to sail right up to less frequented glaciers, waterfalls and fjords," said Cicero. Pioneer America’s Last Frontier onboard Ovation of the Seas®, one of the world's most groundbreaking ships and among the boldest ships to ever sail Alaska. Gaze at giant glaciers from the pool deck while you sail through Endicott Arm.
The Knockout Scenery Might Be at Midnight on an Alaska Cruise Tour
Scan the surrounding waters on your way to Juneau for glimpses of wildlife from the North Star®, the tallest viewing deck on a cruise ship. Sail 500 miles deeper into the Gulf of Alaska and Prince William Sound on our back-to-back Voyage of the Glaciers Alaska cruise. Spend 14 days roundtrip from Vancouver, B.C., stopping in historic port cities like Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway.
The 450-passenger Seabourn Odyssey throws a dash of adventure into its luxurious surroundings. Big ships can only offer deckside viewing of the marvels of Glacier Bay, but UnCruise Adventures sends its ships to the rarely visited outback. In Fern Harbor, Dundas Bay or No Name Cove, passengers can get up close to the natural wonders with birding expeditions, paddleboarding, beach walks, and more hiking and kayaking.
Explore Further
That’s what makes Seabourn perhaps the best Alaskan cruise line for all-inclusive luxury seekers. The beauty of the land and its immense history; the thrill of seeing bears, moose and bald eagles; and the mysteries of the surrounding marine life will astound you. It's a trip worth taking the time to plan and doing right — because who knows if or when you'll make it back to the Last Frontier.
Royal Caribbean vs Princess to Alaska: which cruise line is better? - Royal Caribbean Blog
Royal Caribbean vs Princess to Alaska: which cruise line is better?.
Posted: Thu, 13 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Departures are typically out of Vancouver, British Columbia, and Seattle, Washington. There are also fewer departures out of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and even Alaska homeports of Ketchikan, Juneau, and Anchorage. Deciding on the best cruise line for Alaska depends on a number of factors, and, of course, getting a good deal on the price. There are available excursions at each of the stops including Underground Mine Exploration in Juneau, Klondike Rock Climbing in Skagway, and a small boat Glacier Cruise in Anchorage.
• Book with your card to get trip delay reimbursement, trip cancellation coverage and other travel assistance services. Norwegian Encore has almost 4,000 passengers; Norwegian Bliss has just over 4,000. Whether you visit the Inside Passage or venture inward to Denali National Park, there is a cruise for every price point, desire and type of traveler. The best Alaska cruises are great for multigenerational trips with grandparents, their children and their grandchildren.
In addition to being a model for cruising sustainably, the MS Roald Amundsen features an observation deck, science center, three Nordic-style restaurants, an infinity pool, and hot tubs. In other words, it’s definitely a place you wouldn’t mind spending 19 days. Ashton Palmer is a Seattle-based T+L A-List travel advisor who specializes in expedition cruises. These solo cabins get our vote because they're located in a complex where a private lounge encourages mingling. Lone travelers can also meet their shipmates while waiting to hop into a race care on the ship's go-kart track, at a showing of "Jersey Boys" or over a muddled drink at the Sugarcane Mojito Bar.
Whether you’re lounging on the deck or relaxing in your luxurious suite, you’ll be able to see everything from gigantic glaciers to unique wildlife from a Princess cruise ship. Royal Caribbean claims the Ovation of the Seas is the biggest ship to sail the Alaskan waters and offers the highest vantage point to give cruisers a bird’s eye perspective on the stunning views. In fact, you’ll probably be afraid to look away because you won’t want to miss the opportunity to enjoy the rugged vistas or catch a glimpse of the local wildlife.
The 8 Best Alaska Cruises For Every Travel Style 2024 - Forbes
The 8 Best Alaska Cruises For Every Travel Style 2024.
Posted: Tue, 08 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The ship cruises Endicott Arm for scenic views of Dawes Glacier and typically visits three Alaska ports and Victoria. The best Alaska cruises range from off-the-beaten-path voyages on vessels carrying fewer than 100 passengers to weeklong jaunts through the Inside Passage aboard megaships that hold thousands. Save money to use for shore excursions by opting for an interior room, since you won’t be spending much time in your cabin anyway. Alaska cruises offer a wide range of activities in port, with options for active travelers, wildlife lovers, history buffs and shoppers. Whether you're traveling with young kids or require more sedentary recreation, the Alaska cruise ports won't disappoint. The luxury cruise lines are your best bet if you're a couple and enjoy spacious suites, gourmet food, pampering (many luxe lines hire butlers to cater to every passenger) and the opportunity to meet other like-minded cruisers.
Glacial ice carved this passageway long ago, and today, cruise ships and fishing vessels thread their way through the islets and channels to see some of the most spectacular natural sights in the world. Instead of taking a long and expensive flight to Anchorage or Fairbanks, you can choose a cruise that sails round-trip from Seattle or Vancouver (note, you won't be able to tack on a post-cruise land trip to Denali if you do this). Restaurant prices in Alaska can be high, but a cruise bundles meals, accommodations and transportation into one price that, with sales, can be cheaper than you'd think. Alaskan Dream Cruises also boasts two exclusive island lodges — Fin Island and Orca Point — both constructed of beautiful local timber. Guests on every Alaskan Dream Cruise get a night at one of these two remote lodges, where they’ll enjoy a special seafood dinner, a campfire, cultural presentations, and, at Orca Point, an opportunity to peruse the exclusive gift shop. You’ll find three main dining rooms, plus a pizzeria, gastropub, Italian restaurant, chop house, and Mediterranean bistro.
Its "North to Alaska" program will delight kids with sled dog puppies in the ship's Piazza, and lure their parents and grandparents with local seafood on restaurant menus and onboard cultural programming with Alaska residents. Some travelers demand luxury Alaska cruises, while others don't mind going less fancy if it means close encounters with bears and other creatures in the wilderness. Some look for romance, while others want to introduce the kids or grandkids to glaciers and eagles, gold panning and sled dogs.
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