Sunday, April 21, 2024

Best Alaska Cruises for Different Travel Styles

what is the best alaska cruise

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. These particular ships take between 1,400 and 2,600 passengers, the perfect size to visit some of the less-frequented ports of call. Even though Holland America Line has much larger vessels sailing Alaska, it also has mid-ship options, such as the 1,300-passenger Volendam. When it comes to cruising in Alaska, you’ll be spoiled for choice as no other state has more coastline to explore.

The Best Cruises in Alaska

You're in luck if you're hoping to see whales on your Alaska cruise, as the majority of the cruise season coincides with whale season. Humpback whales can be found in the waters of the Gulf of Alaska and are some of the most frequently spotted, though you may also see orcas and gray whales as well. The Discovery Princess had her naming ceremony in April of 2022, so she’s a brand-new addition to the line’s fleet. Cruise guests will receive a free Medallion device with a complimentary lanyard, which allows you to do things like open your cabin door, track onboard purchases, find family and friends, locate venues, and check daily activities. Princess has been sailing Alaska for over 50 years, and with six ships, five wilderness lodges, and its own domed rail car, this cruise line knows the region well.

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Return visitors who still want that big ship experience might try a different category of cruise line. The major operators—Princess, Holland America, Celebrity, are all premium-tier cruise lines, but the luxury cruise lines have also deployed ships to Alaskan waters. Whittier is closer to Anchorage, and some itineraries even take disembarking passengers directly to Denali or Talkeetna the same day. Whittier is also a convenient port for cruising College Fjord, which most northbound sailings do on the final day before arriving in Whittier.

The Best Alaska Cruises for Different Travel Styles

September offers the best possibility for cruisers to catch the Northern Lights in Alaska. They are generally visible across the state, so any itinerary will likely do, though you'll have the best show in less populated areas like Denali National Park. You'd also do well to look at the moon cycles, as a full moon can drown out the Aurora Borealis.

Whether hiking a glacier, kayaking through the water, dog sledding, panning for gold or taking a panoramic helicopter ride, there is plenty to do. Whether you visit the Inside Passage or venture inward to Denali National Park, there is a cruise for every price point, desire and type of traveler. The best Alaska cruises are great for multigenerational trips with grandparents, their children and their grandchildren. 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.

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Alaska cruises offer a wide range of activities in port, with options for active travelers, wildlife lovers, history buffs and shoppers. Whether you're traveling with young kids or require more sedentary recreation, the Alaska cruise ports won't disappoint. These cruise lines, especially on their newer ships, offer something for everyone — as well as a higher caliber of onboard dining than on the cheapest cruises. You'll have up to two days of scenic cruising, in addition to sailing the Inside Passage.

Silversea’s Vancouver to Seward

what is the best alaska cruise

Every turn awards unparalleled views of Alaska’s monumental glaciers, majestic wildlife and picturesque scenery. That’s why we carefully crafted our Inside Passage roundtrip and one-way cruise itineraries so you can experience just that. With more balconies than any other Alaska cruise line, all of our ships allow you to relish in the beauty of the great land from almost anywhere on board.

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. If you want a more active trip in less touristed areas, a great choice would be a small-ship expedition line, including Alaska specialists such as Alaskan Dream Cruises and UnCruise Adventures. Gulf of Alaska sailings — especially those in late August and September — can encounter rough seas in the gulf portion of the voyage. Additionally, you'll have one day spent cruising the Inside Passage and one focused on "scenic cruising," where you can enjoy the landscapes but won't go ashore.

The best cruises to Alaska from Seattle for every type of traveler

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. 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.

Cruises to Alaska don’t occur during the months of January, February, March, November and December. The dark and cold winters are not ideal for cruises because travelers aren’t able to enjoy the wonders of the state of Alaska. For the anglers, book a passage with The Boat Company traveling the waters between Sitka and Juneau. With no traditional ports of call, the two ships of this line stop at the unexpected for nature activities, hiking and wildlife viewing – along with some great fishing. If you prefer to get off-the-beaten-track and travel with smaller groups, a wide array of small ship cruise companies offer more intimate cruises catering to adventure and luxury travelers. AdventureSmith Explorations, Alaska Dream Cruises, American Cruise Lines, Discovery Voyages, Lindblad Expeditions, Oceania, Seabourn, Silversea, UnCruise Adventures, and Windstar Cruises are a few of the small ship cruise operators in the state.

Yes, the 3,998-passenger Norwegian Encore is a cruise ship that generally caters to the masses, not the luxury crowd. However, it has its own "ship-within-a-ship" luxury zone that offers a much more swanky experience for those willing to pay. Both of the Royal Caribbean ships sailing to Alaska from Seattle are loaded with attractions that are protected from the elements, including those bumper car pavilions and skydiving simulators.

The cruise line with a keen focus on exploration, adventure and science has two of its hybrid technology ships—MS Roald Amundsen, built in 2019, and MS Fridtjof Nansen, built in 2020—sailing the waters that surround The Great Land. Each of the ships features an observation deck, library, science center, hot tub, pool and Explorer lounge, as well as a bar with floor-to-ceiling windows so you never miss a thing. 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.

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