Table Of Content
The best Alaska food to try on a cruise includes king crab, salmon, fry bread, birch syrup, wild berries and more. The sheer size of Alaska lends itself to a wide variety of terrain and travel experiences. This diversity means you need to be prepared for a lot of change while traveling. In the center of the state, Denali National Park is blanketed in wildflowers punctuated with mountains, raging rivers and serene lakes. Denali, "The Great One," formerly known as Mt. McKinley, rises to the tallest peak in North America and can be seen from as far away as Anchorage on a clear day.
Whittier to Vancouver Cruises
Whether you're traveling with young kids or require more sedentary recreation, the Alaska cruise ports won't disappoint. 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. Most sail along the Inside Passage, a maritime route along the state's southern coast (and into British Columbia and Washington state) that weaves around the area's thousand islands. Some venture farther north into the Gulf of Alaska; these are often one-way cruises that begin and end at the ports near Anchorage. If you're eager to spot bald eagles in the wild, ride a dog sled atop an ice field or pan for gold after a hearty salmon feast, an Alaska cruise is calling your name. Dive into The Points Guy's Alaska cruise guide for all the planning tips you need for your dream cruise up north.
Juneau
All Alaska cruises include one or more glacier-viewing days, and you’ll get closer to ‘the giants’ on ships perfectly sized for the Great Land. Explore the dynamic glaciers, soaring peaks and captivating history of the 49th state on our award-winning itineraries. This luxury brand offers small ships that allow you to explore less traveled ports for unique experiences. (home to Butchart Gardens and the storied Fairmont-Empress Hotel) or Vancouver. You're very likely to see some Alaskan wildlife on any Inside Passage itinerary, whether that be whales, bald eagles, sea lions, porpoises or spotted harbor seals. First Nations and Alaska Native culture and natural beauty follow this route as well.
Maple Leaf Adventures
In addition to enriching and entertaining experiences onboard the ship, Alaska cruises are known for the wide variety of shore excursions and opportunities to explore the scenic port towns visited along the way. Cruise ship travelers enjoy tour options for all interests and activity levels including Alaska Native cultural tours, hiking, fishing, kayaking, flightseeing, history tours, dog sledding, food tours, and so much more. The vast majority of cruises that travel to the rugged American landscape of Alaska leave from the West Coast. Seattle, San Francisco and Vancouver are all great starting points for a cruise where you’ll hopefully spot bald eagles, trek on a glacier and possibly pan for gold. A few cruises begin in the great wilderness of Alaska in cities like Anchorage and Juneau and the picturesque port city of Sitka.
Guide to Disney's Alaska 2023 cruises Cruise.Blog - Cruise Blog
Guide to Disney's Alaska 2023 cruises Cruise.Blog.
Posted: Fri, 06 Jan 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Why A Fall Cruise In Alaska Was One Of My Favorite Travel Experiences - TravelAwaits
Why A Fall Cruise In Alaska Was One Of My Favorite Travel Experiences.
Posted: Sat, 10 Sep 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Watch for otters and harbor seals and the spouts of whales as the ship makes its way into the narrow icy waters of Disenchantment Bay. Experience picture-perfect views of Hubbard Glacier, the longest tidewater glacier in the world at seven miles wide, 70 miles long, and the equivalent of 30 stories tall. Whether Seward is your point of final debarkation or the gateway to a fabulous Alaska Cruisetour, you’ll want to explore it to the max. Excursions to Kenai Fjords National Park let you experience the magnificent glaciers within its borders, including Bear, the largest, Holgate, Aialik, Grewingk, and Exit, just to name a few. One of the perks of taking a Vancouver glacier route cruise is being able to fit in an Alaska land package either before or after your cruise. You can use our Trip Finder tool and search for pre- or post-cruise land tours to complete your Alaskan vacation.
Celebrity Blog
Choosing to depart for the cruise to Alaska’s Inside Passage from Seattle over Vancouver can save U.S. residents a little more money on airfare and enables them to take an Alaskan cruise without a passport. Dance to live music in the Rendezvous Lounge and drop into the Sky Lounge for a nightcap. Depending on your cruise dates, you could be having a late-night snack while light still streaks the sky. Before calling it a night, take in a glittering show, dance to live music, or kick back at one of the late-night onboard lounges.
Most itineraries are seven nights, but you'll find a handful that are longer. 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. 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. One of the key reasons to cruise Alaska versus taking a land tour is to visit destinations along the Inside Passage that you cannot reach by road.
Northbound Whittier cruises also include a day sailing through beautiful College Fjord in Prince William Sound. These ships often feature complimentary shore excursions, kayaks and bikes for guest use and onboard scientists and naturalists. In 1881, the first cruise drifted into the still waters of Alaska’s Inside Passage — but, these seafarers did not experience the wonder of modern-day cruises.
All of these ports offer an insight into different aspect of Alaskan culture like totem poles, fisherman and dog sleds. Small ship cruises tend to offer more adventure-focused shore excursions alongside personalized service and luxurious accommodations and amenities. Smaller ships can reach ports of call and destinations that are inaccessible to larger cruise ships, allowing you to explore more remote settings and communities. For an even more customized experience, consider a private cruise on smaller ships like yachts and sailboats. Northbound cruise routes usually stop first in Ketchikan, followed by Juneau (Alaska’s capital city), Skagway, and visit Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. While these are the most visited places in the Inside Passage, other communities visited by cruise ships include Hoonah, Sitka, Wrangell, Petersburg, Prince of Wales Island, and Haines.
In the height of the Klondike Gold Rush, these passengers were making history, not reliving it. Since then, journeys through these breathtaking lands have become more exhilarating. In Juneau, venture underground into historical gold mines and see for yourself just how treasure was extracted from rugged walls.
The city is full of activities for both water lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. On a cruise from San Francisco you can experience all that the ‘City by the Bay’ has to offer, from its artistic, forward-looking culture to the beautiful coastline. Best known for the Pacific Princess on the Love Boat, Princess Cruises has been a leading name in cruising and visits a wide range of destinations. With nearly endless summer days and coastal breezes, you’ll want to make sure to dress with flexibility in mind.
Because Alaska has such a short season with a limited number of ships and is a dream trip for many, cruises are in high demand and people plan early. The best time to book an Alaska cruise is when a cruise line first opens bookings on that sailing, often more than a year in advance. You'll have your pick of itineraries and cabins — balcony cabins are popular in this scenic destination — and often the best fares. Onboard naturalists generally narrate what you're seeing, so head to the observation lounge (or tune to a broadcast on your in-room television) to learn about some of the top sights featured on scenic cruising days. The population of Haines remains less than 2,000, according to the United States Census Bureau, and it isn't yet as touristy as some of the other Alaskan ports, such as nearby Skagway. It's known for great fishing (salmon, halibut and trout) and an eagle preserve — because eagles know where the best fish can be found.
Nearly all Royal Caribbean's Inside Passage sailings are 7-nights, although the cruise line does offer land-tours that you can add onto your cruise to expand your exploration inland. Feel the pioneer spirit of Alaska, from First Nations tribes to early Russian settlers to Gold Rush prospectors. These waters are also home to a huge population of whales, sea lions, seals, porpoises and puffins. Bald eagles and seabirds often fly overhead— and Admiralty Island is the best spot for glimpsing bears.
Premium lines like Princess Cruises, Disney, Celebrity Cruises and Holland America along with luxury cruise lines, such as Regent Seven Seas, Viking Ocean Cruises and Oceania Cruises, also visit Alaska’s Inside Passage. Note that cross-gulf cruises almost always start or end in Vancouver, and flying in or out of Canada requires a passport, though arriving at a Canadian port via a cruise ship doesn't. Simply put, cruisers aboard these sailings witness some of the most astounding wildlife and scenery. The scenic drive along the Cassiar Highway will bring you to the Alaska Highway near Watson Lake, just north of the Yukon border.
The price typically includes all on-board expenses such as food, room, and on-ship activities. When it comes to cruising in Alaska, you’ll be spoiled for choice as no other state has more coastline to explore. The best cruises in Alaska offer unparalleled experiences that will bring you up close to some of the most unique and awe-inspiring places in the world. From the lush rainforests and tranquil seas of the Inside Passage, to the endless horizon and luminous ice of the Arctic, there’s no shortage of what Alaska offers to cruise enthusiasts. As you travel through the Inside Passage, which stretches from Puget Sound, Washington, to the Gulf of Alaska, the scenery constantly changes. The route includes nearly 1,000 tiny islands and passes by serene shorelines that give way to massive walls of forested mountains, sparkling rivers and dazzling glaciers.
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. There is fantastic scenery to see on both sides of the ship while sailing the Inside Passage. When your ship enters the fjords, you will find equally good viewing from either side of the ship. The term "Inside Passage" is commonly used to refer to the entire region of Southeast Alaska, as well as British Columbia.
No comments:
Post a Comment