Most people tend to focus on the Caribbean for summer cruises, but an Alaska summer vacation can be a great option, too. As you plan your Alaska vacation, you might be torn between traveling by cruise ship, plane or even car. Embark on a thrilling journey with young explorers through breathtaking landscapes. On our family Alaska cruise, we created lifetime memories by sharing glacier spotting, dog sledding, flightseeing and other adventures with our teens. Brilliance of the Seas makes it impossible to feel bored during a vacation! These top things to do onboard this beloved cruise ship make it a fan favorite for many.
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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. Once the gateway to Alaska's Gold Rush, Skagway strikes a dramatic image nestled between the water's edge and mountains. Follow in the footsteps of miners with a ride on a scenic train along the famous White Pass route through coastal mountains. During your Alaska cruise, explore the Yukon's pristine wilderness, pan for gold with professionals or meet sled dog puppies in training.
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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. If you are looking for a unique departure point for your Alaska cruise, Ruby Princess will offer 10-day roundtrip voyages from San Francisco with two slightly different itineraries.
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Notably, both Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Encore boast large private zones for solo travelers — something you won't find on any other cruise ship sailing out of Seattle. Still, you can get a variation on a luxury cruise experience on a voyage to Alaska from Seattle on Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Encore. Our pick for the best Alaska cruises from Seattle for budget travelers may come as a surprise to many cruise aficionados. That's because it's not the Alaska voyages from Seattle offered by the North American cruise line best known for budget sailings — Carnival Cruise Line. With so many unusual onboard amenities, you may find it hard to get off the ship.
The ship was built by Fincantieri and houses 596 guests giving you the intimacy of a small ship with the luxury of the Silversea experience. You can enjoy butler service and your private teak veranda while sailing past Alaska’s breathtaking vistas. We have more Alaska cruise port departures featuring Glacier Bay National Park than any other cruise line. 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.
If you are looking for other options to cruise Alaska with Holland America in 2023, Nieuw Amsterdam is another great pick. Cruisers can also indulge in Pacific Northwest cuisine at the intimate Pinnacle Grill as well as Italian, Asian, and French dishes at other specialty restaurants onboard the ship. When you are not exploring the Last Frontier, Koningsdam offers plenty of top-notch amenities, entertainment, and dining as well.
From Glacier Bay to the Inside Passage, These Are the Best Alaska Cruises to Book Now
Though it’s the second-largest island in the entire United States, it’s rare that cruise ships visit, mainly because it lacks the infrastructure for big ships. Holland America Line (HAL) — which recently snapped up a 2023 World’s Best Award in the large-ship ocean cruise line category — has been cruising Alaska for over 75 years. HAL prides itself on having more permits for Glacier Bay National Park visits than any other cruise line.
And these go beyond onboard spas and exciting entertainment shows or live performers. Every Princess Alaska cruisetour takes you to Denali National Park so you can enjoy a land beloved by millions but only seen by the adventurous. This national park is a dream destination for any serious Alaska traveler. With some of the most stunning wilderness in existence and famous wildlife, it’s part of the definitive experience of traveling to the Great Land’s wild interior.
A Comprehensive Guide to Alaska Cruises - AARP
A Comprehensive Guide to Alaska Cruises.
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The best Alaska cruise for every type of traveler - The Points Guy
The best Alaska cruise for every type of traveler.
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The ship has an extensive children's program, high-quality entertainment, and such activities as water slides and play areas. For more information about the multitude of offerings to explore Alaska with Princess in 2023, visit /alaska. Temperatures in Alaska can change considerably from one destination to the next. That includes warm days, where even being near a glacier or a passing cloud (or socked-in rain) can make things chilly. Embarking and disembarking in Seattle or Vancouver can make air travel easier and cheaper than one-way Alaska cruises, which require flights to smaller, more expensive airports in Alaska.
Lindblad has special permits to bring passengers into the wilderness of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve and the Tongass National Forest, beyond what the big ships can offer. A hike on Chichagof Island is the perfect opportunity to spot bald eagles in the wild. Ovation of the Seas sails round-trip from Seattle on seven-night cruises, but the exact itinerary varies by week. The ship cruises Endicott Arm for scenic views of Dawes Glacier and typically visits three Alaska ports and Victoria. Some travelers demand luxury Alaska cruises, while others don't mind going less fancy if it means close encounters with bears and other creatures in the wilderness. Some look for romance, while others want to introduce the kids or grandkids to glaciers and eagles, gold panning and sled dogs.
If your tastebuds crave something a little more adventurous, head to Blu the exclusive restaurant for AquaClass guests. After dinner stop by one of the lounges for music, entertainment, or just conversation with your shipmates. Your time spent with your feet firmly on Alaskan soil can be just as adventurous as your time onboard the ship. Enjoy a zipline adventure in Juneau, a kart expedition in Ketchikan, or a wildlife expedition in Skagway. Alaska cruises are something that everyone should do at least once in their lives — even if you aren’t an avid cruiser!
The ship offers nine- to 14-night cruise tours that head into the Canadian Yukon, following the route of the Klondike Gold Rush from Alaska to northwestern Canada. Closer afield, but no less secluded is the Prince William Sound Explorer from Uncruise, where guests will depart Whittier and wake up among the glaciers of little-visited Icy Bay on the Kenai Peninsula. I’m a Florida-based freelance travel and lifestyle journalist who has embarked on more than a dozen cruises, including several to Alaska.
Like almost any choice one makes when booking a cruise, it all comes down to personal taste. Roundtrip cruises offer the convenience of embarking and disembarking at the same port (typically Seattle, Vancouver, or San Francisco), but itineraries are generally limited to Southeast Alaska and the Inside Passage. That's especially true of large ships, so consider a small ship for cruising to Alaska, like UnCruise or Silversea, if those glaciers are high on your must-see list. Conditions can sometimes prevent ships from reaching the glaciers, particularly in Tracy Arm Fjord. On either end of your sailing, you can tour on your own or book a cruise tour that combines a cruise and a land tour, which usually runs three to seven nights.
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