Wednesday, April 17, 2024

10 Best Alaska Cruises to Take This Summer

best alaska cruise excursions

Through this UnCruise excursion, passengers can explore one of the most remote national parks in the US. Several cruise lines operating in Alaska offer whale watching excursions. Check out the views if you dare to open your eyes as you literally zip down the mountain at speeds of roughly 60 miles per hour. Screaming is, of course, not required (but just might make the ride more fun).

Other Alaska Cruise Ports

Glacier Bay National Park is not only a natural wonder but also a living testament to the region’s glacial history. For more information about the ship, see our guide, What to Expect on a Royal Princess Alaska Cruise. Wake up early the next morning to breathe in the intoxicating views of Glacier Bay at sunrise. You’ll have a thrilling adventure high above the rushing river and glacially-fed waterfalls. Once you arrive at the staging area, you’ll have a safety briefing and gear up for your adventure.

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]

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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. Nicknamed “The Love Boat,” Princess Cruises has been sailing to Alaska for more than 50 years, and is a terrific choice for couples looking to get away from it all. While onboard, Princess immerses its guests into the sites, sounds, tastes and history of the 49th state through its award-winning North to Alaska programming. The cruise line’s Voyage of the Glaciers itinerary offers two glacier viewing experiences, as well as a voyage across the Gulf of Alaska to see Prince William Sound, known for its abundance of marine and coastal life.

Save Big With These Alaska Cruise Tours Deals

best alaska cruise excursions

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. Local connections are the difference between a good trip and a truly memorable one. And Royal Caribbean Cruise Tours are guided by a local Adventure Specialist who act as guides, historians and concierges.

Alaska Food: Where to Find the Best Food in Alaska Royal Caribbean Cruises

Your experience of Alaska should include a healthy dose of Indigenous culture and history. This two-and-a-half-hour tour takes you to an Indigenous village just a short ride from Ketchikan where the Tlingits welcome guests and offer a taste of their culture. After a tribal ceremonial greeting and short video program, you enter the Beaver Clan House for a song, dance and storytelling presentation. You'll need to buy a one-day fishing license from the captain of the small boat for $15 cash, as required by Alaska law.

Best for multigenerational groups: Discovery Princess

Elias and Kenai Fjords National Parks, where one of the four largest ice caps in the world invites guests to explore its terrain. Don’t just see the Great Land’s glaciers, feel them come alive on an Alaska cruisetour. Get up close to Mother Nature’s masterpieces and listen for the crash of “white thunder”. Visit wilderness playgrounds like Glacier Bay National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – along with even more natural wonderlands like Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier, College Fjord and Hubbard Glacier.

Remember, Alaskan weather can be unpredictable, so packing for various conditions is essential. 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 Chichagof 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. For a view of the city and cruise port, take a ride in the sky on the Mount Roberts Tramway.

As a part of your Alaska cruisetour, explore and unwind with comforting amenities and breathtaking scenery. Alaska's impressive southern coastlines contain hordes of island archipelagos, deep fjords and ancient glaciers. Nearly all of the area is roadless, so seafaring vessels, including cruise ships, are a popular way for visitors to experience these pristine areas.

You’ll also want to take advantage of the unique experience of soaking in the hot tub while surrounded by glaciers or swimming in the heated pool in the shadows of the snow-covered mountains. You’ll spend the day marveling at the immense glaciers, towering snow-capped peaks, and the serene wilderness that surrounds you. There are over 1,000 glaciers at Glacier Bay and you’ll be awe-struck as you cruise up close to quite a few of them.

Let Princess pick you up from the airport and take you directly to your ship or hotel when you arrive, even if you didn't book your airfare through us. A uniformed Princess representative meets you at the airport after you've retrieved your luggage and transports you directly to your ship or hotel without you having to worry about the logistics of navigating a new city. Ride the rail over high trestles to uninterrupted views of pure Alaska wilderness. Pass Bridal Veil Falls, Inspiration Point and more as your guide regales captivating Gold Rush history. As you plan your Alaska vacation, you might be torn between traveling by cruise ship, plane or even car.

Situated on the Kenai Peninsula overlooking the Kenai River, the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge® is surrounded by mountains, rivers and wilderness inviting you to explore. Adventure through Chugach National Forest, cruise past Kenai Fjords National Parks’ glaciers or fish along the Kenai River. Take in the sights of this natural masterpiece at a leisurely pace only on an Alaska cruisetour. Wildlife enthusiasts will be thrilled with the opportunities to observe these incredible creatures in their natural habitats. This 13-night cruisetour also features a visit to Alaska’s premier Wildlife Conservation Center.

We spoke to cruise experts to find the best Alaska itineraries to book this year. Salmon is king in Alaska, but there are many types of fishing adventures suitable for everyone from novices to hardened anglers. Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list. This is also the trip for a camera with good telephoto lenses and binoculars. For more on what to bring on an Alaska cruise, check out our Alaska cruise packing list. You can learn about their history and culture at the Sitka National Historical Park and Sheldon Jackson Museum of Native Alaskan art.

One question I get asked often is whether you can see whales and other wildlife from the ship. A kid broke an arm on the ship and needed surgery, so a family of five disembarked in Ketchikan — not exactly a cheap end to their vacation, I'm guessing. Later in the sailing, a sick passenger was airlifted directly off the ship by the Canadian Coast Guard before we made it to Victoria.

Note that moose don't regularly show up in the Inside Passage; you'll need to head farther north to find them. Carnival, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian, Princess and Royal Caribbean all have extensive kids clubs aboard their ships that cater to all ages, from babies to teens. Little kids will adore meet-and-greets with beloved characters onboard Disney cruises, or hanging with Dr. Seuss characters when sailing with Carnival.

Take in Alaska's glaciers and ice fields from above during this Princess Cruises excursion. You then head to Saxman Totem Park, home to one of the largest collections of authentic totems in the world, where your guide will help explain the stories and meanings behind the poles. Poles are still created here at the Village Carving Center, where expert craftsmen pass along their skills to apprentices. I should also be clear that the towns themselves aren't devoid of attractions.

The storied Cunard cruise line, with more than 180 years of seafaring history, returned to Alaska after nearly 30 years when it arrived back in the Great Land in 2019. In addition to more than 140 shore experiences that immerse guests into this magical destination, Cunard invites explorers, travel writers and locals onboard to share their passions and knowledge. The cruise line takes inspiration from Alaska with special local dishes served in its onboard restaurants, and the return of the Ice White Ball, a formal gala affair with a glacial twist. Embark on an unforgettable Alaska cruisetour to the Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge®, where you can take in the beauty of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, the largest national park in the United States. Snow-covered mountains dominate the skyline while rivers feed the earth below.

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