Alaska is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world despite only having a season that lasts from April to October. Off-the-beaten-path voyages on vessels carrying less than 100 passengers to weeklong jaunts through the Inside Passage are some of the best Alaska cruises.
There are a lot of itinerary choices inAlaska. Some ships choose to sail through Southeast Alaska and into western Canada. Others go deeper along the Alaska coastline to places such as the Kenai Peninsula, Nome and Barrow. Some trips hit multiple national parks, others dive into Alaska culture, and still others allow guests to learn about the big one from a fisherman at a dive bar.
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It can be difficult to figure out which ship will give you the best experience in The Last Frontier. Your travel style, preferences and budget are all important. Some travelers want to go less fancy if they encounter bears in the wilderness. Some want to introduce the kids to romance, while others want them to see glaciers and eagles.
There is a ship in Alaska for everyone. You can find a guide to the best Alaska cruises here.
Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line both have large ships in Alaska. They are floating megaresorts that are big on amenities and have a lot of glamor. There are dozens of dining and drinking establishments and an amusement park.
You can race along a go-kart racetrack, compete in outdoor laser tag, and zoom down slides at the water park on Norwegian Encore. The ship sails from Seattle to visit Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan in Alaska, as well as Victoria, British Columbia, and Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve.
There is a guide to picking a cruise line.
On Royal Caribbean's Quantum-class ships, you can order a drink from a robotic bartender, try skydiving or surfing experiences, and take a ride in a glass capsule that goes high above your ship on a mechanical arm.
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There are seven-night cruises on the Ovation of the Seas from Seattle. The ship cruises Endicott Arm for a scenic view of the glacier.
You have traveled a long way to get to Alaska and it would be a shame to miss out on some of the inland sights, such as the sight of the largest peak in North America.
Holland America Line and Princess Cruises have both been in the market for over 50 years.
They have cruises that combine time sailing with overnight stays on land. For exploration of Alaska's interior and beyond, the companies operate their own lodges, rail cars and motor coaches. The ships are allowed to sail in Glacier Bay.
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A land tour that combines a weeklong cruise with time spent exploring Alaska's interior by bus, train or plane is called a land tour.
Holland America will base six ships in Alaska in the year 2023.
Following the route of the gold rush from Alaska to northwestern Canada, it also offers 10-night cruises on Koningsdam. After disembarking your cruise ship in Skagway, travel to Whitehorse and Dawson City in the Yukon and then on to Fairbanks, the gateway to the northern part of the state.
America's largest national park, Wrangell-St., is on the itinerary of Princess Cruises' cruise tour. There is a person named elias. A seven-night cruise from Canada to Alaska is combined with another week on land in the final week.
Older ships in Norwegian and Royal Caribbean's fleets tend to offer more reduced prices than newer ships because they don't have as many bells and whistles.
Holland America Line and Princess cruises offer a lot of sales, especially on older ships. Some couples find these ships appealing because they have fewer families on board.
It's the best time to go on a cruise ship.
Sailings in the area's shoulder season are one way to save. You will find better deals in the spring and summer than in the fall.
Everyone in Alaska wants to see the wilderness, snowcapped peaks and glaciers. The prices tend to go up when the reserves are low. If you want to save money, you should either book early or guarantee cabins, where you don't pick your room location.
For inside and outside cabins on many departures, the price is less than $100 per person, per night.
The cheapest Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise of the season is its end-of-season September 23rd sailing fromVancouver. The price for an inside cabin is $450.
Princess Cruises has so many ships in Alaska that you're sure to find a deal. The Grand and Majestic Princess have weeklong Alaska cruises that start at $488 per person. The itinerary begins in Canada and ends in Alaska with stops in Skagway and Glacier Bay.
If you want to see and deeply experience coastal Alaska, and don't mind a mellower environment where lectures and impromptu guitar singalongs replace casinos and show productions, then you're in the right place. In the case of Alaskan Dream, even under 20 passengers, the line has ships that carry less than 100 passengers.
On these small ships, captains have the ability to change itineraries and stay on the beach if they spot a group of whales or bears.
itineraries stretch far beyond the traditional ports for small ships. Wrangell, one of Alaska's oldest communities, is one of the places you'll visit more remote. Some itineraries are conducted completely in the wilderness.
Southeast Alaska is explored on seven, 12 and 14 night itineraries. A day can begin with a morning birdwatching expedition and end with a kayaking adventure and a campfire on the beach. The big ships don't go to LeConte and the only permits for hiking and biking are available from UnCruise.
Lindblad expeditions frequently visit off-the-beaten-path destinations in Alaska and British Columbia.
Guests can visit the small fishing town of Petersburg, discover native petroglyphs on the beaches of Wrangell Island in Alaska, or look for bears in the Great Bear Rainforest. Lindblad can take passengers into the wilderness of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve and the Tongass National Forest.
Alaskan Dream Cruises' ships carry up to 76 passengers to remote Native villages that rarely see visitors and have plenty of time for wildlife viewing. Theineraries range from five to nine nights.
The newest and biggest ships of Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Carnival and especially Disney Cruise Line are great places to go with your kids or grandkids in Alaska. Excellent camp-like activity programs for kids can be found in all of them.
Goofy can be seen on Disney ships as you look at eagles, glaciers, and blue ice. What you would expect from the provider of dreams is the extensive children's program, entertainment and activities. The cabins are designed with families in mind and include split bathroom with a toilet and sink.
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Princess Cruises is a good choice for both its children's and teens program, as well as for programming like bringing sled dogs on board, which is popular with young passengers. Families can fly or drive to Seattle from the line's newest ship, Discovery Princess.
There are water slides, a partnership with Dr. Seuss, and three hangouts for kids and teens on Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Spirit.
The ship's huge array of included quick eats and casual atmosphere take the stress out of dining with the family. The ship sails from Seattle on seven-night itineraries that include scenic cruising in Tracy Arm fjord.
If you want to sip champagne while watching a glacier calve into the sea, consider booking one of the all-inclusive luxury cruise lines.
There are ships that are experts at delivering gourmet cuisine and other fine things in intimate, luxurious floating environments. All the lines feature lectures by experts that give passengers a deeper insight into Alaska.
Popular ports are included inineraries. It is possible to visit Wrangell and Prince Rupert, a port city in Canada, and stay in places such as Prince William Sound. There are seven- to 14-night sailings that leave from ports such as Alaska.
Regent's Seven Seas Explorer is an all-suite ship with multiple gourmet onboard restaurants, free airfare and included gratuities. There are many shore excursions that are free. Booking the Regent Suite, the most lavish suite you'll find at sea, will allow you to enjoy little luxuries, like an afternoon in the thermal suite of the spa and fitness center.
A posh version of expedition cruising in Alaska, using inflatable Zodiac craft and kayaks, is available on the 450-passenger Seabourn Odyssey.
The program is called Venture by Seabourn. Scientists who are part of the expedition team are experts on these sailings. Guests can eat a meal created by Thomas Keller or indulge in complimentary champagne and caviar once they've finished with nature.
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Star Breeze is a ship that carries up to 312 passengers and is equipped with kayaks and Zodiacs.
You don't need fancy clothes or jewelry here, but you will still get friendly service and meals from the James Beard Foundation chefs. Add on a cruise tour to go deeper into Alaska's interior or choose a weeklong or 11- night cruise.
It's possible to cruise Alaska on your own without paying double. The cabins are designed and priced for one. While not cheap, luxury lines Silversea and Seabourn do a great job of taking care of single cruisers, giving them easy opportunities to meet and mingle with other travelers.
The cabins on Norwegian Cruise Line's ships are designed for one person. There is a private lounge in the complex. There are solo rooms on the Seattle cruises that visit Icy Strait Point.
The studio staterooms on theQuantum-class ships in Alaska give solo travelers decent space and balconies.
You can choose between a 101- square-foot inside cabin or a 118- square-foot ocean view room. You get a full-size bed and a lot of room for one person. The voyage from Seattle to Endicott Arm is similar to the voyage from Seattle to Quantum of the Seas.
There are ocean-view accommodations in Alaska only on Koningsdam. These rooms have a full-size bed and a picture window.
scenic cruising in Tracy Arm and Glacier Bay is what Koningsdam offers. The cruises can be combined into nine- to 14- night tours.
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