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Watch lumberjacks in action, learn from Glacier Bay National Park rangers and craft with a Native totem pole carver. Or listen to harrowing Tales from the Deadliest Catch fishermen and climbers who have summited Denali during your Alaska cruise. They groan, creak and shudder on their march to the sea, punctuated by the booms and crashes of "white thunder" — a sound that echoes across the water when ice calves into the ocean below. On an Alaska cruise, let us show you Glacier Bay National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier, College Fjord or Hubbard Glacier.
day Alaska cruises
Remove the hassle from air travel and give yourself the gift of flexibility, time and a thicker wallet with Princess EZair flights. We negotiate lower rates with the airlines, allow you to modify your flight up to 45 days prior with no penalty and protect you if your flight is late or canceled. Rush across the snow on a dog sled with a professional musher, fly fish for salmon in fresh rivers and soar over miles of glacial tundra in a helicopter. Watch migrating humpback whales from the deck of a catamaran or Native craftsman carve a traditional totem pole, and expand your Alaska cruise experience. 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.
Best Alaska cruise ports
Each of the ships features an observation deck, library, science center, hot tub, pool and Explorer lounge, as well as a bar with floor-to-ceiling windows so you never miss a thing. An expedition team of Alaska experts join each voyage, hosting lectures about the areas the ships visit and guiding passengers on outings like nature walks through rainforests and kayaking trips around the foot of a glacier. Guests learn about the cultural heritage of remote communities and focus binoculars to spot bears, whales, caribou, moose, deer, wolves, birds and more. The MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen embark on 14- to 19-day Alaskan voyages between May and September. 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.
Alaska Cruise Onboard Experience
Like Holland America and Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess is among the few companies with permission to sail in Glacier Bay. Both ships are almost identical, but we give Discovery Princess the edge only because it's newer than Royal Princess. On each of the ships, the "studio" zones, as Norwegian calls them, are made up of 82 special solo cabins and a private Studio Lounge where solos can gather for happy hours and other events. Of particular note, given Alaska's weather, is that one of the two main pool areas on each of these Quantum-class ships is enclosed.
Ready to plan your next dream cruise? Put the Last Frontier on your wander list.
If you're intent on a Gulf of Alaska cruise, book a northbound route so you'll cruise the Gulf at the end of the trip when you have your sea legs. If you get seasick easily, also think twice about round-trip cruises from Seattle that spend days cruising in the open ocean. The Koningsdam boasts 912 balconied accommodations, which means 69% of the ship has rooms with a private veranda view. You’ll also find massage showerheads, magnifying mirrors, terry bathrobes, Egyptian cotton towels, Elemis luxury bath products, and fresh fruit (upon request) in your stateroom. Anglers will enjoy the cruise line’s Savor My Catch program, which brings ocean-to-table dining to a whole new level.
Oceania cruises introduce Alaska to guests by offering local experiences in partnership with native tribes for a more meaningful connection to the area beyond sightseeing. If you’re passionate about the finer things in life, Celebrity Cruises may very well speak to your soul. And onboard experiences range from Macallan and Jack Daniel’s tastings to Riedel crystal workshops that show how different shapes and qualities of a Riedel glass change the taste of wine. With so many unusual onboard amenities, you may find it hard to get off the ship. The tradeoff between lots of fun activities is sharing them with nearly 5,000 other people.
When do cruises go to Alaska?
8 great vacations that combine a cruise and a train trip - The Points Guy
8 great vacations that combine a cruise and a train trip.
Posted: Thu, 28 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
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. Floatplane and helicopter tours take you around scenic areas like Misty Fjords or land you on a glacier, perhaps for a dogsledding or hiking adventure on the ice. If you prefer to stay grounded, you can find informative trolley tours of ports like Skagway. 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.
If you envision sipping Champagne as you watch a glacier thunderously calve into the sea, consider booking an all-inclusive luxury cruise on a Seabourn ship. Big ships can only offer deckside viewing of the marvels of Glacier Bay, but UnCruise Adventures sends its ships to the rarely visited outback. In Fern Harbor, Dundas Bay or No Name Cove, passengers can get up close to the natural wonders with birding expeditions, paddleboarding, beach walks, and more hiking and kayaking. If adventure is what you crave on an Alaska cruise, you should seek out the small ships of UnCruise Adventures.
This World’s Best Award-winning cruise line combines the best of expedition-style and luxury cruising, making it a popular pick amongst well-heeled, adventure-seeking travelers. According to Goldring, both Seabourn Quest and Seabourn Odyssey offer similar Alaska itineraries in 2024; however, it will be the latter’s final sailing since it was sold. If you want to immerse yourself in the beauty of Alaska without the distraction of little kids, you’ll be in good company on Viking. Their gorgeous ocean ships sail with a maximum of 930 passengers, all over the age of 18, so you can indulge in adult conversation over a bottle of wine or a cocktail or two. One of the many features that makes Viking the best adult-only cruise is that every single room comes with a private veranda, so you can take in the views and feel that fresh Alaska air with no one else around—and without paying extra.
The waters are teeming with marine life, like king salmon, while the land is decorated by the colorful coats of Denali National Park’s “big five” – including grizzly bears, wolves, moose, Dall sheep and caribou. On an Alaska cruisetour, encounter wildlife in their natural habitats and experience their unique personalities for yourself. Situated within Denali State Park near the Chulitna River, the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge® offers unparalleled views of Denali from the treehouse as well as the Great Room and expansive deck in the main lodge. Tour a working Alaska homestead and learn how the Great Land’s residents have become so self-sufficient.
The Best Time to Cruise Alaska 2024: A Month-by-Month Guide - Condé Nast Traveler
The Best Time to Cruise Alaska 2024: A Month-by-Month Guide.
Posted: Thu, 29 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Whale watching, farm-to-table meals, snowshoe and cross-country skiing, and heli-ski excursions are also on the schedule. It will come as no surprise that one of the top-rated cruise lines for families is…wait for it…Disney! 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. UnCruise Adventures is a sustainability-focused line traveling the waters of the Inside Passage.
Take an Inside Passage cruise and gaze upward at the sky that is as blue as the lakes below. Hop on the Alaskan Railroad near Anchorage and see the spruce-lined, mountainous landscape whir by from a new perspective. Check out our list of the 10 Must-Pack Items for an Alaska Cruise for more information on packing necessities on your Alaskan cruise. A waterproof backpack with bug spray, bear spray, bottled water and snacks is practically a necessity in the State. Come prepared, and always check trail conditions with locals or tourist information centers first before setting out.
Note that this itinerary is longer than most (and Seabourn also offers weeklong sailings), delivering a far deeper immersion into the state's pristine and less-visited allures. For instance, visiting the Inland Islands, Endicott or Tracy Arm and Wrangell are unbeatable. The same goes for scenic cruising in Misty Fjords, with nearly incomparable beauty. While not an expedition vessel, Seabourn Odyssey hosts about 14 experts on Alaska sailings, including academics, scientists and other wildlife experts. They guide the optional (extra fee) Ventures by Seabourn excursions, such as Zodiac, kayaking, hiking and catamaran tours.
Come discover the prettiest spots to take pictures with our travel photo guide. 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.
