Guide to Alaska Cruise Ports With Map
Table Of Content
The land is visible throughout most of the sailing, and you can often spot whales, eagles, and other wildlife from the ship. One advantage an Alaska cruise has over a land trip is how tricky it is to get around by land. You cannot visit the breathtaking glaciers of Glacier Bay by car, so if you want to explore this region of Alaska, you’ll need a ship to get there. The 49th U.S. state is home to a beautiful mountainous landscape and an abundance of wildlife, from bald eagles to bears and moose.
Best Cruise Lines for Adventure-Seekers
The most popular time to cruise is June – August, and cruises typically run May – September. Most big-ship and luxury cruise lines send at least one cruise ship to Alaska every summer. These cruises offer the benefits of a wider range of itineraries, shore excursions, departure dates, and availability and take you to all of the must-see stops along the way. Small, adventure-oriented ships offer alternative Alaska cruise itineraries that focus on lesser-touristed ports. These expedition sailings depart from Alaskan ports, such as Juneau, Sitka, or Ketchikan, and explore remote islands and wilderness areas.
Vacation Deals
Most cruise itineraries to Alaska visit 4-5 ports, and there’s a lot to learn about these unique destinations before setting sail. While all travel has environmental and cultural impacts, cruising leaves its mark to varying degrees on Alaska's fragile ecosystems. The average large cruise ship can have a carbon footprint greater than 12,000 cars and produce up to a ton of trash each day. While there can be a positive economic impact on ports of call, a small community visited by 15,000 people per day during sailing season can intrinsically change. The vast majority of cruises that travel to the rugged American landscape of Alaska leave from the West Coast.
National treasures
Because of the popularity of Alaska cruises and the short sailing season, cruise fares tend to be more expensive than traditional Caribbean sailings. The town has less than 2,000 residents and isn’t as touristy as other Alaska cruise ports. Royal Caribbean has positioned Ovation of the Seas, one of the newest cruise ships, in Alaska. The ship’s North Star provides an incredible once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you simply can’t pass up.
Alaska: AKA Your Next Adventure
There are a couple of additional ports that have been used previously too, but they no longer have any visits scheduled. Overall, the best time to cruise Alaska depends on your preferences and priorities. If you’re seeking warmer weather and optimal wildlife viewing opportunities, June, July, and August are the months to consider. If budget is a concern and you don’t mind cooler temperatures, April, May, and September offer more affordable options.
The city’s endearing downtown transports visitors to a small English village, with streets of colorful Victorian buildings and a plethora of pubs. Royal Caribbean ships tend to visit Skagway in the morning, travel the short distance to Haines in late afternoon, and remain docked in Haines for the evening. Many visitors opt to visit the nearby town of Hoonah while docked at Icy Strait Point. Only 1.5 miles from the port, Hoonah is home to less than 1,000 people and offers an authentic, small town Alaska experience.
Why Cruise Our Mid-Sized Ships
Alaska cruise routes can be broken down into two main categories, those that travel between Alaska and Vancouver, and those that travel between Alaska and Seattle. Alaska-Vancouver cruises have the most route options, while Seattle-Alaska cruises offer only roundtrip itineraries from Seattle. Sink into refreshed suites and a new lounge, plus dining and entertainment venues. Take in Alaska’s evergreen fjords and thunderous glaciers on this Vista-class Alaska cruise ship.
The city is full of activities for both water lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The possibilities are endless when cruising to or from the City of Angels. Let your inner rock star shine as you explore the many wonders of Los Angeles, California.
When you visit Alaska, you’ll want to pack very differently than you would for a Caribbean cruise. Alaska is one of the cruise destinations where we recommend booking a balcony accommodation. There’s nothing we love more than sipping a coffee on our balcony while admiring the picturesque views. You can increase your chances by visiting Denali National Park, where there’s less population and light pollution. Wildlife lovers should take a whale-watching tour in Sitka Sound or visit the Alaska Raptor Center and Fortress of the Bear rescue centers. Expedition voyages feature smaller ships with a greater focus on adventurous activities.
Guide to Disney's Alaska 2023 cruises Cruise.Blog - Cruise Blog
Guide to Disney's Alaska 2023 cruises Cruise.Blog.
Posted: Fri, 06 Jan 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Common targets for these vacations are Denali National Park, about 150 miles north of Anchorage, and Fairbanks, a former Gold Rush town some 200 miles northeast of Denali. Some cruise tours even cross the border into Canada, making stops as far east as Calgary, Jasper and Lake Louise, all popular points in the province of Alberta. You won’t leave the ship on a scenic day, but you’ll have an incredible view of Alaska’s scenery. Expedition cruise lines often include complimentary shore excursions and provide zodiacs, kayaks, and bikes for you to use. There are cruise lines of all price ranges sailing in Alaska, with budget-friendly lines like Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean and luxury cruise lines like Seabourn and Silversea Cruises. An Alaska cruise allows guests to explore multiple ports of call and experience the state through hands-on shore excursions.
Cruise ships dock in the center of downtown Ketchikan, making exploring the town’s attractions a breeze. At the southern end of Alaska’s Inside Passage is Ketchikan, a town of 8,000 people best known for its idyllic scenery, Native culture, and fishing. If you’d prefer to keep things simple, you can have a wonderful day walking around Skagway’s historic downtown. Packed with souvenir shops, saloons, restaurants, and unique architecture, strolling through downtown makes for a relaxing day in this Gold Rush town.
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. Cruises are typically offered in three-night, seven-night, and even up to 28-night cruises. On average, a seven-night cruise ranges from $500 to $5,000, depending on the cruise line and state room of your choice. The price typically includes all on-board expenses such as food, room, and on-ship activities.
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. You'll have up to two days of scenic cruising, in addition to sailing the Inside Passage.
Some of the most desirable cabins might be sold out; being flexible about your sail date or itinerary can help. Because Alaska has such a short season with a limited number of ships and is a dream trip for many, cruises are in high demand and people plan early. The best time to book an Alaska cruise is when a cruise line first opens bookings on that sailing, often more than a year in advance.
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. Older kids will love the rock climbing walls, video game stations, sports courts, go-karts and laser tag on Royal Caribbean and NCL ships. One nice thing about the Inside Passage is how calm the water is because you're sailing between land masses. If you worry about seasickness, an Inside Passage trip is the best Alaska cruise itinerary versus a sailing where your ship transits rougher, open waters. Nearly every major cruise line has a presence in Alaska from May through mid-September, with some offering sailings as early as April or as late as October.
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