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When it comes to longevity, Holland America is the cruise line that tops everyone else. For over 75 years now, Holland America Line has been transporting passengers along Alaska’s coastline and has the awards to prove its commitment to its passengers. Two of the most well-known cruise lines to Alaska are Holland America and Princess Cruises, and we will start with these two lines first.
Best Small Ship
Spas, distinctive design elements, and even bathrooms with heated floors are included on a Viking cruise. Cruises to Alaska with Celebrity depart from Seattle and Vancouver, and Princess sails from San Francisco, Seattle, and Vancouver. Holland America, which has medium and larger ships, often sails from Vancouver and Seattle.
Best Alaska cruises for families with kids
Cheaper fares can be usually found on mainstream lines like Royal Caribbean and NCL, while Cunard, Disney and Seabourn will be more expensive. 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. Sitka's Russian heritage also sets it apart from other Alaskan ports on your cruise itinerary. See St. Michael's Orthodox Cathedral with its onion dome and the Russian Bishop's House. Hop a bus, kayak, boat or plane to look for bears, eagles, whales, sea otters and other wildlife.
The Best Time to Cruise Alaska: Crowds, Weather and Cost Are All Factors
The 684-passenger ship features creations of celebrity chef Jacques Pepin in the main dining room and two surcharge-free specialty restaurants. No formal nights mean the pressure to dress up for dinner is dictated by fellow passengers, not the cruise line. Radiance of the Seas offers Royal Caribbean's best in a more modest size, without sacrificing the variety of dining venues, great kids' programs and adrenaline-pumping activities the line is known for.
Choose this ship if your priority is to relax, and you don’t need an extensive daily schedule while cruising between ports. One of the best features of Radiance of the Seas for a cruise to Alaska is the adults-only indoor pool in the Solarium. Most ships on this list only have outdoor pools, hardly suited to the colder temperatures of Alaska – so if you want to relax poolside, Radiance of the Seas could be the ideal choice. While the most popular cruise regions in the world will likely always remain the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, there are some amazing destinations beyond those regions, including Alaska. Dawn Gabree is a travel advisor who specializes in Alaska cruises at Travels by Danielle.
Alaska Cruise Tips for the Perfect Cruise Experience
Consider this carefully when choosing which side of the ship to book for your Alaska cruise. Guests can explore the small fishing town of Petersburg or search for orca and humpback whales in Frederick Sound. Lindblad has special permits to bring passengers into the wilderness of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve and the Tongass National Forest, beyond what the big ships can offer. A hike on Chichagof Island is the perfect opportunity to spot bald eagles in the wild.
This is also one of the few cruise lines that sails out of San Francisco on two of the line’s smaller ships, Ruby Princess and Crown Princess. Don’t be surprised if it rains during your cruise, especially if you go during the peak season, but that’s just part of Alaskan weather. This sometimes means shore excursions will get canceled or postponed, so always have a backup plan. Oceania currently offers 30+ Alaska cruise options, plus Pre- and Post-Cruise Land Programs that let cruisers explore places like Anchorage and Denali in Alaska and Calgary in Canada. For cruisers 5–12 years old, it also offers the Alaska Youth Explorer Program, which is staffed by camp counselors and centers around Alaska-inspired activities and programming.
Large Cruise Lines
Powered by Princess Cruises, you’ll hit seven different ports across 14 days, and have multiple opportunities for scenic cruising. The northwestern-most state has gained huge notoriety as one of the most beautiful destinations to visit because of its serene mix of natural features. There are so many different kinds of destinations to hit, it’s tough to pick only a few. An 18-night Alaskan sailing with the line will take you to off-the beaten-path places like Wrangell, Kodiak, Chignik, Unga Island, St Paul Island, St Matthew Island and Nome. At $10,000 to $13,000 per person for ocean-view cabins on an 18-night sailing it might be out of the reach of some, but if you truly want an expedition to Alaska, Hurtigruten is among the best. The line has billed itself as “ultra-luxury with expedition-style flair” so passengers can really immerse themselves in these Alaskan ports of call with up-close adventures.
Off Season Cruises in Alaska?
Seabourn Odyssey is currently the cruise ship dedicated to Alaska for the line and it offers 7-15 night sailings in the area. The 32,000 gross ton vessel has a capacity of 450 guests and has one of the best crew to passenger ratios in the industry along with Regent Seven Seas. Royal Caribbean offers some of the largest ships to the region as well, with two Quantum-class ships (Quantum and Ovation of the Seas) sailing to some of the larger ports in Alaska like Juneau, Skagway, and Sitka. These ships carry over 4,000 passengers at double-capacity so it also means some of the tours taken through the ship may be fairly large groups. Passengers are loyal to Norwegian for its beautiful ships, top-notch service and innovative amenities. Return visitors who still want that big ship experience might try a different category of cruise line.
The 11 Best Alaska Cruise Excursions in 2024, From Whale Watching to Glacier Tours Condé Nast Traveler - Condé Nast Traveler
The 11 Best Alaska Cruise Excursions in 2024, From Whale Watching to Glacier Tours Condé Nast Traveler.
Posted: Thu, 07 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Before listing the best cruises to Alaska, it is important to consider the different kinds of cruises to Alaska that you can take. But if you’re focused on a conventional cruise, know that each cruise line has its own policies, perks—and, truly, its own personality. Here’s the skinny on each major cruise line, so you can see which one might be the best fit for your personality. Some of the lowest cost Carnival sailings currently start at $564 per person for an interior stateroom on a 7-night sailing. On most 7-night sailings with UnCruise prices start around $4,000 to $6,000 per person. MS Roald Amundsen carries 530 guests on its 21,000 gross ton frame and is currently the ship sailing to Alaska for the Norwegian owned company.
Of the best midsize cruise ships to Alaska, Celebrity Summit comes out on top (no pun intended). Viking’s ships are all quite new and so offer guests beautiful accommodation options and public areas to unwind. The service is outstanding too, but what really stands out is the quality of the excursions. Viking is fantastic for planning unique tours and bringing experts onto the ships to bring each destination to life, which for Alaska is perfect. Regardless of the ship, passengers can expect a wide range of entertainment offerings, an abundance of bars, restaurants, and lounges, and a handful of accommodation options. The fun continues the minute cruisers disembark in each port, with excursions ranging from dogsledding to private helicopter tours.
If you want an equal dose of Disney and Alaska, this is the cruise for your crew. All routes head to Stikine Icecap so guests can observe stunning glaciers, cliffs, waterfalls and wildlife. Disney lovers will have the time of their lives sailing roundtrip from Vancouver to Alaska aboard the Disney Wonder. "It was the best experience ever," said a mom of two young adults who sailed on the ship in May 2023. No matter your budget, age or travel interest, plenty of cruise options ply the waters around Alaska.
Celebrity typically attracts sophisticated young adults and middle-aged couples, though you'll notice more families during the summer holiday. You’ll find three main dining rooms, plus a pizzeria, gastropub, Italian restaurant, chop house, and Mediterranean bistro. Or, kick things up a notch with a Chef’s Table Lumiere experience of multiple courses with wine pairings.
That’s substantial savings for choosing a one-way cruise on an older ship over a roundtrip itinerary. When taking the kids to a destination with so much to explore out in nature, you’ll want to give as much consideration to the onboard experience as you do to what you’ll do on land. If you’re looking for the most adventure, these cruise lines take things up a notch as part of their excursion programs.
