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You can also link up with Sitka’s bus system (called The Ride) to get to trailheads and other areas. Haines doesn’t have a lot of cruise ships that call in its port, but it does have some. You can also visit Haines by taking a shore excursion when your ship calls in nearby Skagway. However you get there, Haines is worth a visit for plenty of reasons. Regardless of which ship you choose, Royal Caribbean’s Alaska expeditions promise “warm impressions of the wilderness,” meaning shore excursions and glacier viewings that prioritize comfort. Royal Caribbean also puts an emphasis on hearty, locally sourced food like wild-caught salmon, satisfying sourdough, and fresh-picked Alaska berries galore.
THE 25 BEST Cruises from Vancouver to Alaska (with Prices) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE 25 BEST Cruises from Vancouver to Alaska (with Prices) on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Thu, 18 Apr 2024 23:18:30 GMT [source]
The Best Time to Cruise Alaska: Crowds, Weather and Cost Are All Factors
Selected itineraries combine the Canadian Rockies with an Alaska cruise. These packages include luxury accommodations at the Fairmont Hotels in Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper. The park encompasses six million acres of wilderness, home to unique Alaskan wildlife. If you want an Alaska itinerary with a chance to see wildlife, you must visit Denali.
Best Alaska Cruise Itineraries
While the Huna Totem Corporation and Norwegian Cruise Line are still developing Icy Strait, this port best suits those willing to pay for excursions. Once almost hunted to extinction, the protected species has grown in numbers, and you can enjoy them on an otter tour. Typical to fjords, the Misty Fjords National Monument contains steep cliffs surrounded by the lush Tongass Rainforest.
When is the best month to take an Alaskan Cruise?
But, most of these Alaska itineraries repeat the same cruise ports of Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway. Cruises that go one-way, or Gulf of Alaska cruises, sail further north but require a flight to get home. These one-way cruises may include College Fjord, Valdez, Kodiak Island, and either Seward or Whittier. Larger cruise ships only have access to South Sawyer Glacier, as North Sawyer or Sawyer Glacier has retreated, making the passage too narrow.
Scenic Cruising – Is Glacier Bay better than other scenic glacier cruising?
Between its straight-up Alaska cruises and Alaska Cruisetours, you have over 100 Holland America itineraries and seven ships to choose from. If I had to pick the three best Alaska cruise ports, it would be Skagway, Ketchikan and Juneau. They all offer a different atmosphere and unique list of things to do.
A cruise along the coast anywhere in the state — especially in summer, the season of the Midnight Sun — is an excellent way to experience it. It’s probably impossible to say what the best cruise line to Alaska is, as everyone will have a different definition. Some may choose the most luxurious cruise line, while others the most affordable. Many people want to cruise on the giant ships with 3000 passengers because they have the most onboard entertainment, while others search out small intimate ships with less than 500 people that can visit smaller ports. Prince Rupert is in British Columbia Canada, but many cruises stop here on the way to Alaska. It is mostly visited by smaller cruise ships, but there is still the occasional large ship (1500+ passengers) that stops at Prince Rupert.
Cruise Line Options & Cruise Ships
The round-trip sailings have four or more sea days, a scenic day, port visits along the inside passage, and a call at either Vancouver or Victoria, British Columbia. Small, adventure-oriented ships offer alternative Alaska cruise itineraries that focus on lesser-touristed ports. These expedition sailings depart from Alaskan ports, such as Juneau, Sitka, or Ketchikan, and explore remote islands and wilderness areas. Disney Cruise Line set sail in 1998 with its first three- and four-night trips to the Bahamas and made its way to Alaska in the spring of 2011. The cruise line, which is celebrating its Silver Anniversary at Sea, offers 23 five-, seven-, eight- and 9-night round-trip Alaskan itineraries aboard the Disney Wonder, all of which depart from Vancouver.
Glacier Bay’s main advantage is that visitors will not just see one amazing glacier, but many. There are 8 major glaciers in Glacier Bay that still reach the water but over 1000 total glaciers in the National Park. Many of these glaciers have receded into the mountains (known as hanging glaciers) so there is less chance of seeing glacier calving activity, but it’s certainly still possible.
Scenic cruising
Seattle and Vancouver both provide travelers with a taste of cosmopolitan life mixed with natural elegance, laying down a picturesque prelude to the enthralling Alaskan landscapes and adventures that await on the journey ahead. The prime time to embark on an Alaska cruise is from April through October. Notably nicknamed “The Love Boat,” Princess Cruises offers an award-winning North to Alaska program that immerses guests in the history and beauty of the 49th state. Royal Carribean’s Princess, a 7-day Voyage of the Glaciers is one of the best cruises for couples. When packing for this 7-day adventure, don’t forget to include both casual and formal attire, as well as layers for the fluctuating temperatures you’ll encounter while cruising through the glaciers. This cruise boasts a range of balcony accommodations, The Sanctuary—an exclusive adults-only retreat, and Princess Luxury Beds in every cabin.
Only two large cruise ships a day can enter the park and must be accompanied by a park ranger. The scenic cruising lasts hours and often includes a commentary on the landscape, wildlife, and history. A one-way sailing, however, is best for cruisers who want to tack on extra vacation time on land to visit Denali National Park or the Kenai Peninsula. Moreover, most cruise lines also offer a cruise tour add-on for one-way sailings, which combine a three- to seven-night bus tour through Alaska with a weeklong cruise. 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. A trip to Alaska is at the top of many travelers’ bucket lists, and for good reason.
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. If you’re traveling on a small ship, your ship may call at Wrangell, Petersburg or go ashore at Bartlett Cove in Glacier Bay National Park. Learn more here about Wrangell, here about Petersburg and here about Glacier Bay.
Seeing a massive, multi storey, chunk of ice break-off and come careening down into the ocean is definitely something you’ll remember from your Alaska vacation. Cruising by glaciers such as, Dawes Glacier, Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier, is almost always part of the cruise itinerary. Marine wildlife such as whales, harbor seals and sea lions may be seen from your cruise ship. You will likely have to take a shore excursion to encounter bears or moose on your cruise. Every Alaska cruise will include stops in vibrant towns and cities with rich histories from their indigenous cultures and their gold rush past, there’s no way you can leave your cruise to Alaska unsatisfied. When reviewing the port days, most vessels stop at Juneau (the capital), Ketchikan, and Skagway.
From Seward, travelers wanting to spend a few days exploring Kenai Fjords National Park or one of the wilderness lodges can book Alaska Railroad transfers on their regular scheduled service. Alaska has been a popular cruise destination for decades, and the industry has continued a trajectory of growth. Each summer season there seems to be another cruise line sailing Alaskan waters, while the longtime incumbents are relentless in their addition of new itineraries, amenities, and excursions.
