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A 7-night sailing in May of 2023 will start around $2,500 to $3,000 per person. The suite-only ship will cost around $6,000 – $7,000 per person on a 7-night sailing. The next cruise lines in our list include just about everything you can imagine. One thing to note is that cruises to Alaska cost more than destinations like the Caribbean. Things like port fees will cost more as well, but we think it’s well worth the trip.
The 9 best Alaska cruises for every type of traveler in 2024
For Alaskan adventures, itineraries range from five to nine nights and all depart from Vancouver. These include a crab fishermen tour aboard a ship featured on the hit TV show Deadliest Catch, a visit to a native village, and a dog-sledding and glacier-viewing adventure via helicopter. Whether your travel goals include learning about the local culture, immersing yourself in the Alaskan wilderness, or going on thrilling adventures, there are excursion options available for every type of traveler. Make the most of your cruise by keeping an eye out for pop-up sales that can save you even more money—you can even use those savings to indulge in a pre- or post-cruise tour. Seabourn Odyssey sails both one-way itineraries between Vancouver and Juneau and round-trip itineraries from Vancouver.
Seabourn Cruises
The family can come together for meals in a variety of casual and fine dining restaurants, and enjoy original production shows as the ship sails between ports. The two-year-old Discovery Princess sails round trip to Alaska from Seattle, a convenient U.S. home port for families to fly or drive to. Its "North to Alaska" program will delight kids with sled dog puppies in the ship's Piazza, and lure their parents and grandparents with local seafood on restaurant menus and onboard cultural programming with Alaska residents. Holland America Line has offered Alaska cruises for 75 years and is clearly a market leader.
Alaskan Weather Is Unpredictable
And if you want to see more, there are “open jaw” cruises that start from one place like Seward and end in another, like Vancouver. Even better, you could take in great views through Radiance’s 3 acres of glass or enjoy those vistas from the soothing comfort of a whirlpool in the Solarium—the adults-only pool and lounging area. There’s a lot of ground to cover in Alaska, from its vast and rugged terrain to the many animals that call it home. Planning a vacation to the Last Frontier can be a tall order; that’s why a cruise is, hands down, the easiest way for you to see and experience the beauty, adventure and culture that travelers rave about when they visit the massive state. Many of the sailings to Alaska center on the state’s major ports of call, like Juneau and Sitka.
Best Alaska cruise for a land and sea combo
However, this UnCruise Adventures sailing is aimed at those who want an more heart-pumping immersion into some little-visited areas of the 49th state, like South Baranof Island Wilderness Area and Chichagof Island. If spotting wildlife is a priority, consider cruising during the salmon runs, when bears are most active and can be spotted from the decks of the ship. Humpback whales often follow schools of herring and other small fish during the summer and can be seen anytime between May and September before they migrate to Hawaii or Mexico.
The historic district still has a Wild West feel, though that's been a bit commercialized for the modern era. This port can get crowded in summer when several ships can call on the same day. The best Alaska cruise ports are also the most crowded because no matter which type of itinerary and cruise line you select, you'll likely visit a mix of the same ports. If you want to see nature at its finest, you must book a tour or venture farther afield. Floatplane and helicopter tours take you around scenic areas like Misty Fjords or land you on a glacier, perhaps for a dog-sledding or hiking adventure on the ice.
Best Alaska cruise for ultra luxury
This is also an ultra-luxury cruise ship, renowned for the outstanding service offered onboard – and the fact it scores so highly with customers shows that this isn’t just an empty promise. Choose Seabourn Quest if you want fine dining, opulent accommodations, and an all-inclusive fare as you explore. Another of the best cruise ships to Alaska from Vancouver, Seabourn Quest also offers departures from Juneau heading in the opposite direction.
Alaska cruise packing list: What to pack for a cruise up north - The Points Guy
Alaska cruise packing list: What to pack for a cruise up north.
Posted: Wed, 17 Apr 2024 17:15:00 GMT [source]
When to book an Alaska cruise
Also, certain sections of the access road to Denali National Park may close in September due to snow, so check your itinerary if that's your preferred Northern Lights viewing spot. Due to unpredictable weather, though, there’s a risk of shore excursions being cancelled -- especially boat and helicopter tours. There are numerous factors you need to consider for a cruise to Alaska, including the best time of year, costs, itineraries, which line to choose and which destinations matter most to you. If you're interested in Alaska's gold rush history, Skagway — 90 miles northwest of Juneau — is a port you shouldn't miss. In fact, it's the gateway to the Klondike and Dawson mining district in Canada's Yukon territory, where prospectors searched for gold in the late 1890s.
Coolest Things to Do in Alaska on Oceania Regatta
You'd also do well to look at the moon cycles, as a full moon can drown out the Aurora Borealis. You're in luck if you're hoping to see whales on your Alaska cruise, as the majority of the cruise season coincides with whale season. Humpback whales can be found in the waters of the Gulf of Alaska and are some of the most frequently spotted, though you may also see orcas and gray whales as well. The cost of an Alaskan cruise, of course, rises during high season and will be less expensive before and after those months during shoulder season.
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. The Celebrity Millennium, launched in 2000, has recently undergone complete modernization, which includes luxury staterooms, enhanced technology, and renovated restaurants and lounges. Bargain seekers should either book early for these accommodations or choose inside, outside or guarantee cabins (where you don't pick your room location) to save more. Royal Caribbean is known for its floating megaresorts, which carry thousands and are big on amenities, glitz and a certain amount of glamor — think flashy casinos, high-tech shows and lavish spas.
Also, if you want the best small cruise ships to Alaska, Seabourn Quest is the smallest on this list. It is ideal if you hate crowds or enjoy a more intimate atmosphere where guests mingle and share tales of their shore excursions each day. It boasts “the finest cuisine at sea,” so if you’re a foodie in search of Alaskan flavors, an Oceania cruise could be the ideal fit for you.
25 BEST Alaska Cruises 2024 (Prices + Itineraries): Cruises to Alaska on Cruise Critic - CruiseCritic.co.uk
25 BEST Alaska Cruises 2024 (Prices + Itineraries): Cruises to Alaska on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 15:08:06 GMT [source]
Passengers can expect to see glaciers, rainforests, waterfalls, and wildlife such as whales, bears, and eagles. Not only are the ships fantastic, with incredible thermal suites in the spa, heated floors in the bathrooms, and elegant Scandinavian design, but the company really emphasizes getting the most out of each destination. It’s called “The thinking man’s cruise” for a reason, as the line does a great job in educating its passengers with some of the best experts in their field.
Look to shoulder season sailingsNot only will you often receive a significant discount, you’ll also be able to witness Alaska’s seasonal transitions and fewer crowds at ports of call. Plan your own shoreside activitiesThere is no requirement to book excursions or activities through the cruise line. If a more independent style of exploration is your thing, feel free to do your own research ahead of time or visit each port of call’s visitor bureau upon arrival. On Viking cruises, passengers can enjoy one complimentary shore excursion in every port of call. Examples of excursions include learning about pole carving at Potlatch Totem Park, a sightseeing tour of Sitka and a theatrical performance, a nature walk and a visit to Alaska SeaLife Center.
Taking a deep dive into Alaska’s coastal regions Book a small ship cruise between Sitka, Ketchikan, and Juneau for a week or longer in the nooks and crannies of southeast Alaska. You’ll hike where there are no trails, paddle without another human in sight, and get to know the traditional lands of Alaska’s Coastal Native tribes. We like Alaskan Dream Cruises, UnCruise Adventures and Lindblad Expeditions for smaller, more sustainable cruises. As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Whether you want to enjoy a sled dog race, kayak near a glacier, or visit abandoned islands, these ships offer a unique experience. Royal Caribbean offers some of the largest ships to the region as well, with two Quantum-class ships (Quantum and Ovation of the Seas) sailing to some of the larger ports in Alaska like Juneau, Skagway, and Sitka. These ships carry over 4,000 passengers at double-capacity so it also means some of the tours taken through the ship may be fairly large groups.
Passengers can walk on, bring their vehicles and choose some unique accommodations. Book a “no frills” cabin or actually pitch a tent on deck for a travel adventure. If you are traveling with your own vehicle, four-legged family members are welcome. With a maximum number of just under 600 passengers for all ships, the service is exceptional. On a Seabourn voyage, passengers share the journey with scientists, naturalists, and others who expand the Alaskan experience with history, culture, and the natural world.
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