Table Of Content
Home to Mendenhall Glacier, this is a popular port for hikes by, kayak tours to and helicopter landings on the glacier. Ships in all price ranges sail a variety of itineraries, so don't let budget stop you from visiting. If luxury is what you're after, you can find lines that will go overboard pampering you on your journey north. Gulf of Alaska sailings — especially those in late August and September — can encounter rough seas in the gulf portion of the voyage. For these itineraries, you'll need to fly into or out of Anchorage and take a train or bus to/from the cruise departure ports, which can take an hour or two. If you book a Gulf of Alaska voyage, you'll also enjoy exploring parts of the Inside Passage and its ports that could include a mix of Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Ketchikan, Haines and Icy Strait Point.
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]
Alaska Inside Passage Cruises: What You Need to Know
As a specialist in travel, she has penned pieces for USAToday.com, Carnival Cruise Line, Travelocity and the San Francisco Travel Association, among other names. Thomas holds a bachelor’s degree in politics from the University of Bristol, U.K. Traveling on the 12-person converted tugboat Swell is a unique way to sail in Alaska. With Lindblad Expeditions, passengers will get up close and personal with nature. Add a hotel package to your Mediterranean cruise and indulge in an unforgettable overnight departure or arrival city.
HX’s (formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions) “Inside Passage, Bears, and Aleutian Islands”
In Juneau, you can take a helicopter ride to the Mendenhall Glacier, where you’ll have the opportunity to walk on the glacier itself. Icy Strait Point is an exclusively Alaskan port with native-owned shops and a private passenger dock. It’s a great place for adventure activities like zip-lining and wildlife tours. The Alaska cruising season for the Inside Passage generally runs from May to September.
From Glacier Bay to the Inside Passage, These Are the Best Alaska Cruises to Book Now
Companies like American Cruise Lines and UnCruise Adventures specialize in this type of cruise, focusing on nature excursions and cultural experiences. The itineraries often range from 7 to 10 days, providing a more laid-back, immersive experience. Sitka offers kayaking adventures through its intricate waterways, where you might spot eagles and even bears along the shoreline. An Alaska Inside Passage Cruise is more than just a scenic journey; it’s a gateway to a wide array of activities and excursions that enrich your travel experience. From the majestic humpback whales that breach the ocean’s surface to the awe-inspiring glaciers that carve the coastline, the Inside Passage is a living showcase of Mother Nature’s artistry.
Best Shore Excursions On An Alaskan Cruise
Highlights include the historic Creek Street, a boardwalk built over Ketchikan Creek, and the Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the U.S. Each day brought a new, awe-inspiring view and a fresh adventure, making it a travel experience we wholeheartedly recommend. It’s a paradise for nature lovers, offering a breathtaking landscape of towering mountains, dense forests, and sparkling waters. The Inside Passage is a mesmerizing coastal route spanning over 500 miles, weaving through the Pacific Northwest from Washington State, Canada, and Alaska. This labyrinthine waterway is a complex network of fjords, bays, and lush islands—over 1,000 of them, to be exact.
By sharing our personal experiences and tips, we’re committed to helping you choose an itinerary that not only meets but exceeds your expectations. 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.
12 best Alaska cruises for an awe-inspiring trip - The Times
12 best Alaska cruises for an awe-inspiring trip.
Posted: Mon, 12 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
With multiple dining options, entertainment venues, swimming pools, and even shopping centers, large ship cruises offer a wide range of itineraries, typically ranging from 7 to 14 days. Large ship cruises are akin to floating cities, offering a plethora of amenities and activities. These ships can carry anywhere from 2,000 to 5,000 passengers and are operated by well-known companies like Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean. Skagway offers helicopter tours that fly over the glaciers and ice fields of the Chilkat Range, providing breathtaking aerial views. Petersburg offers a glimpse into its Norwegian heritage with folk dance performances and visits to local museums. Haines provides cultural tours that include visits to the local Chilkat Tlingit Village and the Sheldon Museum, which showcases the history and art of the Chilkat Valley.
In May and early June, there’s still snow on the mountains, and cruising Glacier Bay is particularly spectacular. Summertime brings the Salmon run (and the Bears and Wolves that capitalize on it), but also larger crowds on shore excursions. Taking an Alaska cruise in late August or September may give you a chance to see the world-renowned Northern Lights. As luck would have it, around that same time we received an email from AdventureSmith Explorations, a small ship cruise specialist that offers 25 Alaska cruises from numerous different cruise companies.
Don’t forget Ketchikan, known as the “Rainforest City,” where you can explore the Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the United States. These are just a few examples that set the Inside Passage apart from other cruise destinations. The Inside Passage is a treasure trove of unique experiences and destinations. For instance, Juneau, the capital of Alaska, offers a blend of urban amenities and natural wonders like the Mendenhall Glacier and one of the best whale-watching opportunities in Alaska and in the entire US. 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. • Get American Express Cruise Privileges Program benefits when you book at least five nights with eligible cruise lines.
The fog was so thick, our ship had to crawl at a snail’s pace, blasting its horn to ensure any coming ships could hear us (since they definitely couldn’t see us). It was a grey, gloomy day when we headed south from Glacier Bay to explore the dynamic fjords of the 648,883-acre Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness. Attractions here include an impressive Visitor Center and hiking on the East Glacier Loop (which leads to an excellent overlook), Nugget Falls Trail (to a waterfall near the glacier), and Photo Point Trail.
Ketchikan offers several ziplining courses that take you through the canopy of the Tongass National Forest, providing both thrills and a unique perspective on the local flora and fauna. Dog sledding is a quintessentially Alaskan adventure that you won’t want to miss. In Skagway and Juneau, you can combine a helicopter tour with a dog sledding experience on a glacier. You’ll meet a team of Alaskan huskies and even have a chance to mush your own sled. Bird enthusiasts will be thrilled with the variety of avian species found in the Inside Passage.
All of the line's itineraries boast an active component, but its "Wild, Woolly and Wow" itinerary claims to be "the most active back country itinerary" of UnCruise's 2024 Alaska cruises. If you're looking for other surefire ways to save, inside and ocean-view cabins are often much cheaper than balcony cabins on Alaska cruises. Those private verandas are highly desirable, with everyone seeking views of the wilderness, snow-capped peaks and glaciers. Royal Caribbean's 20-year-old ship Radiance of the Seas mainly sails weeklong, one-way cruises between Vancouver and Seward, Alaska, with prices below $100 per person, per night, for inside and outside cabins on many departures. The line will send six ships to Alaska in 2024, with tour offerings to Denali, Fairbanks and Anchorage. However, it's the 2,650-passenger Koningsdam that offers some of the most interesting cruise tour itineraries out there.
No comments:
Post a Comment