Best Alaska Cruises 2024-2025
Table Of Content
A cruise to Alaska, “America’s final frontier,” is a glorious way to explore this enormous state. Certain cities, like Juneau, are only easily accessible by air or sea, which makes a cruise a reliable and convenient way to get there. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research.
Sitka
We can think of nothing better than a voyage on one of the two Princess Cruises ships that sail out of the city, the 3,660-passenger Discovery Princess and 3,560-passenger Royal Princess. Extend your cruise vacation, and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise. With a Cruise Plus Hotel Package, a Princess representative meets you at the airport and pier, transporting you to and from your hotel. The package includes the cost of your hotel stay, transportation, luggage handling and the services of the representative.
Norwegian Cruise Line Explains After Switching Port
Embark on a whale watching tour, or sail past Mendenhall Glacier on an Alaska cruise. When you cruise to Alaska with Princess, sail through one of the most iconic locations in the Great Land — Glacier Bay National Park. Listen to Margerie Glacier’s signature crack and boom rumble across the waves. Bring binoculars and scan both the shore and the waves for wildlife like brown bears and migrating whales while Park Rangers teach you the history and geology of the park. Alaska cruisetours combine our top-rated Voyage of the Glaciers cruise with three to ten nights on land exploring Denali National Park.
Real Alaska from local Alaskans
But if you motor a bit further, there’s a good chance you’ll be greeted by electric-blue icebergs, dizzying fjords, and dramatic, millennia-old glaciers. What’s appealing about this Maple Leaf Adventures itinerary is that it’s a good mix of Alaska’s natural landscapes and coastal cityscapes. Visits to bustling port towns like Sitka and Ketchikan are balanced with days spent entirely in the wilderness of Endicott Arm and Misty fjords. If you’re looking to eschew the cruise ship behemoths for something more intimate, this is it—Alaska Dream Cruises’ Alaskan Dream holds only 40 passengers.
Alaska Cruise Cost: Amenities and Time of Year Make the Difference
To find the best Alaska cruises, we followed expert recommendations and read hundreds of user reviews and ratings. Because I’ve been on several Alaska cruises alone, with my family and with my husband, I also based my choices on my own personal experiences. After combining all that information, we came up with this guide to the best Alaska cruises. UnCruise Adventures is a favorite among TravelAwaits readers and writers alike.
Alaska Northern Lights Cruises: When to Go and What to Consider
Royal Caribbean says a roundtrip cruise for two people in an inside cabin (including taxes and fees) in June aboard the Quantum of the Seas would cost $1,956. Whether hiking a glacier, kayaking through the water, dog sledding, panning for gold or taking a panoramic helicopter ride, there is plenty to do. It's the sort of itinerary that specifically appeals to retirees with the time (and money) to book such a long trip. There were very few Carnival sailings available for under $750 per person, with most Carnival sailings starting around $800 per person or more for seven nights. Alaska is home to a rich array of wildlife, from the famous Big Five animals that live in Denali National Park — grizzly bears, wolves, moose, Dall sheep and caribou — to bald eagles and humpback whales that migrate through the Inside Passage. On a cruise to Alaska, live a nature lover's dream in the land where guests can catch postcard-worthy sights.
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. If you want to cruise Alaska but also see some of the interior and enjoy a stay in a lodge or hotel, go for a cruisetour package from either Holland America or Princess Cruises.
Denali Explorer
7 Best Cruises to Alaska, According to Travel Experts - Good Housekeeping
7 Best Cruises to Alaska, According to Travel Experts.
Posted: Fri, 29 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Icy Strait Point is notable among Alaska cruise ports because the area and its attractions are all native Alaskan owned. Most port and tour staff hail from Hoonah, Alaska's largest Tlingit village. The port is set on Chichagoff Island, which is known for its large bear population. Wildlife lovers have plenty of opportunities to search for whales and eagles here; adventure-seekers won't want to miss the ZipRider, with its course of six zip lines.
To the extent that families with younger kids book Holland America ships, they are more likely to book one of its larger vessels. When sailing to Alaska, these ships also offer other kid-friendly events, such as Puppies on Princess, when dog mushers and their newest sled dogs come on board for meet-and-greets (and photos!). In partnership with the Discovery Channel and Glacier Bay National Park, the line also adds such kid-friendly fun during Alaska sailings as a Junior Ranger Program, totem pole decorating and a "Deadliest Catch-"themed crab sorting challenge. That makes these ships more appealing to an older demographic that doesn't necessarily want to be on a vessel that's loaded to the gills with children's fun zones and the younger family travelers drawn to that. Notably, the average age of Princess passengers is around 57, and you'll usually see many couples on board in their 50s, 60s and 70s. Looking for the best Alaska cruise from Seattle if you're bringing three generations of your family along for the ride?
In Sitka, 11 included excursions run the gamut from a mountain hike to an alpine lake with a Champagne toast to a three-hour kayak paddle to a floating base camp. Lux ships with Silversea Cruises include shore excursions at each port of call. Butler service and multiple dining options on board create a comfortable atmosphere. The major large cruise lines you’ll find operating in the region are Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises, and Princess Cruises. For the 2023 season, Princess Cruises has seven ships sailing the region, more than any other cruise line. An Alaska cruise is such a popular bucket-list item because it’s one of the best ways to immerse yourself in some of the most beautiful scenery in the country.
While luxury can certainly be enjoyed on many of the lines mentioned here, these are often considered the top-of-the-line for creature comforts. So, the good news is that there are no “right” or “wrong” answers when booking your next Alaskan cruise adventure. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.
Royal Caribbean vs Princess to Alaska: which cruise line is better? - Royal Caribbean Blog
Royal Caribbean vs Princess to Alaska: which cruise line is better?.
Posted: Thu, 13 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
However, for 2024, Westerdam has added an epic new 28-night Alaska itinerary out of Seattle that will include calls in remote areas that most cruise ships never visit. The new itinerary is one reason we give Westerdam the edge among ships when rating the best Alaska cruises out of Seattle for seniors. We have a 50-year legacy of sharing the best places and experiences with our guests. On an Alaska cruise, unpack once and explore glaciers, wildlife and national parks.
Unlike most other sailings that stay within the southeast, from here, the ship hangs a hard left and chugs along to Kodiak, an island community known for humongous brown bears and prolific crab fishing. 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. Our Alaska cruises are your ticket to adventure amidst the Great Land’s glaciers, wildlife and national parks. Voyage through the untamed beauty from the comfort of our world-class ships, exclusive rail service and Princess Wilderness Lodges near national parks. Choose from a variety of Alaska cruise and cruisetour itineraries and connect with loved ones, locals and Alaska's wilderness with Princess®.
From top-rated cruises that visit Glacier Bay National Park to scenic rail travel and exclusive Princess lodges, you will find a seamless Alaska experience with Princess. Alaska's seafood is famous, and we bring the best to you with locally inspired dishes from the state’s best eateries. With Cook My Catch excursions, catch your own salmon or halibut with the help of a local expert, and in the evening our talented chefs will prepare your haul for your dinner — a Princess exclusive. With its roaring glaciers, rugged mountains and deep fjords, Glacier Bay National Park feels like a dream. With 3.3 million acres to explore, cruise to this world-renowned landmark — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and let the landscapes inspire your next adventure.
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