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These cruise lines, especially on their newer ships, offer something for everyone — as well as a higher caliber of onboard dining than on the cheapest cruises. If you want to cruise Alaska but also see some of the interior and enjoy a stay in a lodge or hotel, go for a cruisetour package from either Holland America or Princess Cruises. Both have fantastic itineraries that take passengers not only to the Inside Passage, but also Anchorage, Denali National Park, the Yukon, Kenai Peninsula, Talkeetna and Fairbanks. Finally, you'll find some San Francisco round-trip itineraries — usually 10 or 11 nights long — as well as longer sailings between San Francisco and Vancouver.
Alaska Cruise Itineraries
Still, it can be confusing to choose the right itinerary, particularly if you're unfamiliar with the region or haven't cruised before. Most of Celebrity’s Alaska cruises sail round-trip from either Vancouver or Seattle. You could also opt for a one-way cruise between Vancouver and Seward or Vancouver and Seattle. If you choose a Cruisetour, you could sail from Vancouver to Seward and then fly out of Anchorage after the tour.
Remember to book pre-cruise add-ons before you board
Book a one-way sailing if you have a large vacation budget and don't mind taking at least one potentially cumbersome flight so you can explore more of Alaska by land. As for ports, the locations your vessel visits will depend on its size, with smaller ports like Petersburg and Wrangell unable to accommodate most megaships. That's why so many large vessels tend to visit popular ports like Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan, which are equipped to handle large ships and lots of passengers. The main perk of one-way Alaska cruises is that they allow you to spend time on land in Alaska before or after you sail. Here, I'll lay out some of the draws and drawbacks of each type of itinerary, so you can be better prepared to book your Alaska cruise vacation.
WHO LET THE DOGS OUT?
Book a fishing trip to try your hand at catching salmon or halibut, or go out crab fishing for a glimpse into that type of work. Look to UnCruise Adventures, Alaskan Dream Cruises, Hurtigruten and Lindblad Expeditions for the best adventure cruises. If you've got active teens who have an interest in nature and the environment, an expedition voyage could be exactly what will keep them engaged and off their devices. Many people trek to Alaska to commune with nature, but there's history here you shouldn't overlook.
Whether you’re confused about what to pack or overwhelmed with the dozens of shore excursion offerings, the planning process can quickly seem more stressful than enjoyable. We offer an array of Alaska cruisetours and a mix of both iconic ports and seldom-seen gems. Enjoy fourteen days of stunning ocean views and exotic port stops along the way as you cross the Atlantic Ocean and make way for New York. Your journey begins in Copenhagen with one of the most colorful skylines in Denmark.
Our Alaska cruises are your ticket to adventure amidst the Great Land’s glaciers, wildlife and national parks. Voyage through the untamed beauty from the comfort of our world-class ships, exclusive rail service and Princess Wilderness Lodges near national parks. Choose from a variety of Alaska cruise and cruisetour itineraries and connect with loved ones, locals and Alaska's wilderness with Princess®. In contrast, one-way sailings might visit four Alaska ports in a week and/or offer two days of scenic cruising in places like Glacier Bay, the Inside Passage and Hubbard, Sawyer or College glaciers.
Pike Place Market buzzes with merchants while coffee shops house locals drinking espresso in America's coffee capital. Climb the Space Needle and enjoy the Seattle skyline, or explore the history of Pioneer Square, the city's oldest neighborhood — only when you cruise to Alaska from Seattle. Sailing into Glacier Bay, one of the most anticipated spots is Margerie Glacier where the cruise ship will be spending some time at. I walked from Granley Square to the cruise port and saw another angle of the cruise ship. The Princess cruise ship I was boarding could be seen from here, but not all cruise ships will dock in this spot which means not all cruise ships can be seen from Granley Square. No one enjoys navigating crowds, but it’s almost inevitable when cruising to Alaska.
Packing too warm of clothes for cruises in the middle of summer
Sitka's Russian heritage also sets it apart from other Alaskan ports on your cruise itinerary. See St. Michael's Orthodox Cathedral with its onion dome and the Russian Bishop's House. Ships in all price ranges sail a variety of itineraries, so don't let budget stop you from visiting. If luxury is what you're after, you can find lines that will go overboard pampering you on your journey north. Some lines also offer Alaska cruisetours that venture into Canada's Yukon, including a few Holland America tours that combine half a cruise with a cruisetour that starts or ends in Skagway. You may also find one-way repositioning cruises between southern California ports (Los Angeles and San Diego) and Vancouver at the beginning or end of a ship's Alaska cruise season.
Curious about learning more about cruising or want more information?
OPINION: I decided to give an Alaska cruise a try. Then I got fined. - Anchorage Daily News
OPINION: I decided to give an Alaska cruise a try. Then I got fined..
Posted: Fri, 18 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Having booked the cruise only three months before I sailed, it offered a fantastic value. Cheap cruises are never a guarantee, but one trend we have noticed in the past few years is that Alaska cruises in the shoulder season are often heavily discounted at the last minute. If you live in a warm climate or don’t wear winter jackets often, consider purchasing gently-used cold weather gear at a thrift shop or on eBay. There’s really no need to spend hundreds of dollars on new winter gear just for an Alaska cruise, especially if you’re traveling with children who will quickly outgrow clothing. You’d be surprised by how many activities you can fit into a pre-cruise stay in Seattle or Vancouver.
During your Alaska cruise, explore the Yukon's pristine wilderness, pan for gold with professionals or meet sled dog puppies in training. Only an hour and a half from the cruise port of Whittier lies the largest city in Alaska – Anchorage. Visit the Chugach National Forest, the second largest national forest in the United States.
The best time to visit Alaska is during its summer season, between May and September. Sail the Inside Passage, watching for bears foraging on stony beaches, or gaze in wonder at the towering, blue-white wall of the mighty Hubbard Glacier. An overnight hotel stay in Anchorage after your cruise may be required in order to meet convenient flights schedules for your return flight home. Cross Alaska’s massive ice shelves, crystal fjords, and fascinating marine wildlife off your bucket list with itineraries that conveniently depart from Seattle and Vancouver.
I always recommend packing layers for an Alaska cruise for this very reason. If you have the appropriate layers (a base layer, warm layer, and waterproof layer), you will be prepared for any type of weather condition. Many of these passengers make rookie mistakes that can easily be avoided, whether packing incorrectly or unintentionally missing out on breathtaking views. Follow in the footsteps of the Yukon Gold Rush on an Alaska cruise from Seattle to some of the world’s most scenic wonders. With convenient weekend departures and proximity to the Great Land, a cruise to Alaska from Seattle allows you to leave when you want, and spend less time getting there. There are different types of boat tours, and I chose a whale watching tour that had less people.
This includes passports and visas for any country they may visit during their trip. Stretch out your Alaska cruise vacation with convenient weekend departures. Enjoy a roundtrip Alaska cruise from Seattle on Alaskan Explorer itineraries or from Vancouver on Alaskan Inside Passage itineraries.
From a balcony stateroom, marvel at the glaciers passing by before enjoying local seafood in one of our many eateries during your Voyage of the Glaciers cruise. Known for its timber, Ketchikan hosts the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, where athletes throw, race and chop their way to victory. Explore one of the world’s oldest collection of totem poles at the Totem Pole Heritage Center, or stroll along Creek Street. As the salmon capital of the world, Ketchikan’s waters make for incredible fishing.
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