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On land, you'll likely spy bears and Dall sheep while eagles, puffins and a host of seabirds circle above. Cruise ships sailing one-way voyages often visit Sitka, a former Russian outpost in North America and home to many native Alaskans. Icy Strait Point is a native owned and operated port set on a former fish cannery, which has been expanding and growing in popularity.
What is the best time to cruise to Alaska?
Be sure to bring your passport if you plan on crossing the border from Skagway into Canada's Yukon Territory -- or exploring any Canadian port of call. When you cruise to Alaska with Princess, sail through one of the most iconic locations in the Great Land — Glacier Bay National Park. Listen to Margerie Glacier’s signature crack and boom rumble across the waves. Bring binoculars and scan both the shore and the waves for wildlife like brown bears and migrating whales while Park Rangers teach you the history and geology of the park.
Enjoy the Views
Among the big-ship lines, Holland America and Princess are known as the Alaska experts. These lines typically base the most ships in this region every summer, and offer the largest selection of cruises and cruise tours. Those craving a luxury Alaska cruise need not look further than Silversea, says Goldring. The line’s Door-to-Door All-Inclusive fares cover private airport transfers, economy flights, business-class upgrades or air credits, and shore excursions. Welcome to High Seas Cruising, your resource for exploring the exciting world of cruise ship travel.
What to do on an Alaskan cruise
Popular ports of call along the Inside Passage include Juneau, Ketchican, Sitka, Skagway, Haines, Icy Strait, and Tracy Arm Fjord. Mountains with rounded peaks were once submerged beneath the glacier, eroding their sharp edges. By carefully looking at the structure of the mountains, you can see just how massive the past glaciers were.
Explore the charming waterfront area and take in the flavors of Valdez through culinary experiences at restaurants such as the Valdez Brewery and the Fat Mermaid. With no roads connecting it to the rest of Alaska or North America, it is truly a protected destination. Founded as a gold mining town and now the state’s capital, Juneau has one foot in history and one in the future.
Sip a cocktail with spectacular views from the coziest spot at Spinnaker Lounge or take a dip in one of five luxurious hot tubs. Whichever ship you choose, Alaska and the vacation of a lifetime await. Most major cruise lines also offer the opportunity for pre or post-cruise land packages that will take you by bus or train to destinations in Southcentral and Interior Alaska. If you have the time, these cruise packages give you the best of both worlds for exploring Alaska's coastal communities and some of the top sights in Alaska's heartland, including Denali National Park. Cruises are typically offered in three-night, seven-night, and even up to 28-night cruises.
Top 10 Alaska Shore Excursions
In general, most people want to try to see as much of Alaska as they can in one sailing. After all, it's a long distance to reach Alaska and not the cheapest cruise, either. Alaska is one of the most beautiful places on Earth, and it's the perfect place to visit by cruise ship because of the great variety of wildlife that you can encounter, as well as its natural beauty and history. You’ll also find a more intimate experience with personalized shore excursions and better service. If your dream vacation includes hiking in Tongass National Park, Kayaking on Lake Chiliak, or overnight camping, you’ll want to look at expedition cruises. The cruise lines offer kids’ clubs, from babies to teens, catering to all ages.
Top scenic cruising destinations in Alaska include Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Hubbard Glacier, Tracy Arm (Twin Sawyer Glaciers), Dawes Glacier at Endicott Arm and College Fjord. 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.
Southbound 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. 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. One nice thing about the Inside Passage is how calm the water is because you're sailing between land masses. If you worry about seasickness, an Inside Passage trip is the best Alaska cruise itinerary versus a sailing where your ship transits rougher, open waters.
Sometimes Sitka, with its heavy Russian influence and alpine meadows, or Haines, known for exceptional fishing and its bald eagle preserve, swaps in. Glacier Bay National Park, or another scenic cruising area like Tracy Arm Fjord, is normally part of the itinerary. Erica Silverstein is a cruise and family travel expert, who has been covering the industry for more than 15 years. Her articles have appeared on Cruise Critic, Porthole, TravelAge West, and USA Today. A staunch advocate of cruising as an ideal family vacation, she has, on occasion, banned her own children from cruising with her.
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. While spending habits and additional activities will vary from guest to guest, we recommend budgeting $1,000 - $1,500 (£750 - £1,140) per person to really make the most of your Alaska cruise. The last leg of the trip takes you to the charming town of Seward, one of Alaska’s oldest communities. Bears lumber from the forested coastline in search of berries, trout, and other tasty treats.
The ship then heads south to Victoria before arriving back in the Emerald City itself. Reaching Juneau on day four, this Princess cruise makes stops at Skagway then passes across Glacier Bay before arriving at Sitka. From there, the ship sails South to picturesque Victoria before heading back to San Francisco.
King's Blues Club, Billboard Onboard (a dueling piano bar), Lincoln Center Stage, and Rolling Stone Rock Room. After our shore excursions, we’d hop back on board the ship for drinks, dinner, and a nightcap at the dueling piano bar to jam out to hits from Billy Joel and Elton John. Some cruise lines offer round-trip sailings from Seattle and Vancouver. The round-trip Gulf of Alaska cruises tend to be 12 to 14-day itineraries, and you’ll likely spend at least two days at sea (not including scenic cruising days). Small ship cruises tend to offer more adventure-focused shore excursions alongside personalized service and luxurious accommodations and amenities.
Booking an Alaska cruise? Know your cruise lines and best time to go - USA TODAY
Booking an Alaska cruise? Know your cruise lines and best time to go.
Posted: Sat, 27 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The town of Skagway was once the gateway to the Klondike in Canada’s Yukon territory (the site of the famous gold fields). There’s more to do than you’ll have time for when it comes to Alaskan cruises. The cruise lines provide a slightly upscale atmosphere with fewer kids and affordable cruise fares. But there’s one significant benefit to sailing on a luxury cruise line. If you’re an adventure-seeker looking for the vacation of a lifetime, you’ll want to look at UnCruise Adventures, Alaskan Dream Cruises, or Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic.
Take a trip on the scenic railroad and still have time to dine and shop. 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.
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