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Alaska's capital city is interesting because no road leads from here to the rest of the state. It's located at the base of Mount Juneau, and you can only get there via boat or small plane — even residents have to bring their cars to Juneau via ferry. Home to Mendenhall Glacier, this is a popular port for hikes by, kayak tours to and helicopter landings on the glacier. Alaska cruises provide plentiful opportunities to learn about native Alaskan culture. You can get a taste of the Gold Rush life by trying your hand at panning for gold, attending a salmon bake or visiting a dogsled camp. A hike on the Chilkoot Trail or ride on the White Pass Railway lets you follow in the footsteps of the miners who came to seek their fortunes.
How can I align my preferences with the ideal Alaskan cruise line?
These ships can also more easily follow aquatic wildlife (within legal limits). Many expedition cruises to Alaska also employ Zodiac rafts and offer kayaks and hiking trips to bring passengers closer to glaciers and creatures. Most Alaska itineraries include some "scenic cruising," where your ship sails past incredible natural sights. Alaska cruises offer a wide range of activities in port, with options for active travelers, wildlife lovers, history buffs and shoppers.
Dining Highlights on Viking Orion
Celebrity is popular with adults and couples looking for a premium onboard experience, including delicious cuisine, luxurious staterooms and a high-end spa. We can’t imagine a better way to rest and relax after spending a day exploring the Alaskan wilderness. Our travel experts suggest choosing one of Celebrity's many Alaska itineraries that sail through the Inside Passage and up to Dawes Glacier or Hubbard Glacier, two of the state’s gems. Closer afield, but no less secluded is the Prince William Sound Explorer from Uncruise, where guests will depart Whittier and wake up among the glaciers of little-visited Icy Bay on the Kenai Peninsula. While these cruises lack the standard amenities such as restaurants, gift shops, entertainment shows and kids clubs, they make up for it in experiences you cannot match elsewhere and the lack of crowds found on larger vessels.
The best cruise lines to Alaska compared
To minimize joining the masses during high season, consider a shoulder-season sailing (in late April, May or September), or select a ship that embarks midweek. Saturday and Sunday cruise departures tend to be busiest during the summer months, particularly for families with children. If you're intent on a Gulf of Alaska cruise, book a northbound route so you'll cruise the Gulf at the end of the trip when you have your sea legs. If you get seasick easily, also think twice about round-trip cruises from Seattle that spend days cruising in the open ocean. Icy Strait Point is notable among Alaska cruise ports because the area and its attractions are all native Alaskan owned.
5 best luxury Alaska cruises for 2024 - The Points Guy
5 best luxury Alaska cruises for 2024.
Posted: Mon, 25 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Many cruisers tack on a land portion option, allowing travelers to head into Denali National Park or stay in local land resorts to learn more about the culture. This full half-acre of real grass on the top deck offers some of the best views onboard in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. The space includes a hands-on glass blowing studio, games like bocce and mini-golf, lounge chairs and even rentable Alcoves.
Experience the joy of waking up to awe-inspiring views from your private veranda, savor gourmet cuisine crafted by world-class chefs, and unwind in spacious suites adorned with lavish furnishings. Seabourn’s dedicated staff will go above and beyond to ensure your every desire is fulfilled. In addition to its focus on exploration, Viking Ocean Cruises provides a wide range of onboard amenities and enriching activities. From immersive lectures and cultural performances to spa retreats and gourmet dining, passengers can enjoy a well-rounded experience that caters to their interests and preferences.
• Book with your card to get automatic travel insurance coverage for your cruise. Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel. Like Holland America and Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess is among the few companies with permission to sail in Glacier Bay. You’ll never feel nickeled and dimed on American Queen Voyages because everything you want—from guided tours to drinks—is already included in the price. The Millennium offers Edge series staterooms with Infinite Veranda—at the touch of a button, your entire living space becomes the veranda, which means you can walk right out to the water’s edge. And 99% of the staterooms on Celebrity Edge have king-size beds, featuring Celebrity eXhale bedding and Cashmere mattresses.
Dining Highlights on Radiance of the Seas
Most cruises offer shore excursions such as hikes, bus tours or other opportunities to get familiar with a local area. Packed with lots of options for little on-land excursions and adventures, this represents one of the best deals on Alaska cruises. Some discount cruises to Alaska sacrifice sights for time and money, but that was far from my experience with this one. Every itinerary will give you access to two glacier-viewing experiences — including the famous Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park, or College Fjord.
6 best Alaska cruises for families - The Points Guy
6 best Alaska cruises for families.
Posted: Thu, 19 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
It is a small-ship cruise company that specializes in providing authentic and intimate Alaska experiences. Their five ships, ranging from 12 to 76 passengers, allow them to access remote and off-the-beaten-path destinations that larger cruise ships cannot. Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers 7-14 night itineraries that are both immersive and all-inclusive, meaning you won’t have to worry about charges that keep getting added to your bill.
One of the cruise line’s most popular itineraries is the Seven-Day Inside Passage, which takes you through Glacier Bay National Park, the Inside Passage, Tracy Arm Inlet and several must-visit port towns. But for adventure seekers curious to see as much of Alaska as possible, you’ll find tons of extended itineraries including a robust 28-day voyage that crosses the Arctic Circle. For an incredible small-ship experience, look no further than the Lindblad Expeditions–National Geographic team-up. 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.
The cruise line is known for its world-class dining options, with renowned chefs crafting delectable dishes using locally sourced ingredients. Food lovers can indulge in a variety of culinary experiences that showcase the flavors of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. When choosing the optimal time for your Alaska cruise, consider your preferences for wildlife encounters, weather conditions, and the level of tourist activity you desire. By carefully considering the factors mentioned and booking the right season, you can ensure an unforgettable journey in the wild and majestic landscapes of Alaska. If you choose one of the land and sea cruises to Alaska, you can expect to get a few more land excursions than your average cruise.
You’ll find stunning ships like Seabourn Odyssey with only 229 suite cabins, guaranteeing a small-ship experience with big-time amenities. Everyone can have the chance to get out and explore on Zodiac boats or other water sports equipment. Seven Seas Explorer is an all-suite ship, and every suite has a balcony with at least 252 square feet of prime Alaska viewing space.
Kids won’t enjoy Regatta as much as they might one of the mainstream ships, but the Alaska Explorer Youth Program is enriching and fun – so you can still enjoy a grander ship when travelling with your children. The six-star service is exceptional and the excursions are well put together, giving guests incredible insights into Alaska. Silver Moon falls down a little on things to do while sailing, and the food quality isn’t rated as highly as other luxury ships – but guests on the ship have high expectations, so the food is still very good. Grand Princess has the most but not by much – so you have plenty of other options available too, if you’d prefer. True, it’s a high price you pay, but this is a ship aimed at people who want to feel truly special.
But if you want to spend more time on the ship and just want the highlights of an Alaskan cruise then one of the larger ships would make sense. Glacier Bay National Park consists of 3 million acres of land and over 1,000 glaciers, many high in the mountains. Seven of these are known as tidewater glaciers that are slowly receding down the majestic mountains, and four of them are actively calving icebergs (when large chunks of ice break off) into the bay. Click here to jump straight to the comparisons of the best cruise lines for Alaska. The itinerary’s Scenic Sailings include the 500-mile Inside Passage on Day 2 and glacier-ensconced Yakutat Bay on Day 8.
