Table Of Content
Holland America Line (HAL) — which recently snapped up a 2023 World’s Best Award in the large-ship ocean cruise line category — has been cruising Alaska for over 75 years. HAL prides itself on having more permits for Glacier Bay National Park visits than any other cruise line. The cruise line also offers beloved live music programming, which I got to experience firsthand on a summer 2023 Alaska sailing.
Best cruise lines for adventure-seekers
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. 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.
Scenic cruising
Most itineraries are seven nights, but you'll find a handful that are longer. You'll find magnificent mountains (often snow-capped, even in the summertime), lush forests, waterfalls, fjords and calving glaciers. If it's marine life you've come to see, you'll find it in abundance, from whales and dolphins to sea lions and harbor seals. On land, you'll likely spy bears and Dall sheep while eagles, puffins and a host of seabirds circle above.
Alaska cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do
The waters before you enter the Inside Passage can be calm, rough or anything in between, depending on when you go. 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. This is not nearly as boring as you might think since you'll see incredible sights like Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve or Hubbard Glacier.
NORTHBOUND
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. You may also find one-way repositioning cruises between southern California ports (Los Angeles and San Diego) and Vancouver at the beginning or end of a ship's Alaska cruise season.
Because Gulf of Alaska cruises sail farther north, scenic destinations may include College Fjord, in addition to Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier. This luxury cruise line offers classic and expedition-style cruising, the latter of which takes aboard the 274-passenger Silver Wind. (Classic cruises, on the other hand, take place on board Silver Muse, Silver Nova, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper, or Silver Moon).
Alaska cruisetours combine our top-rated Voyage of the Glaciers cruise with three to ten nights on land exploring Denali National Park. Travel aboard our exclusive Direct-to-the-Wilderness® train and unwind at Princess Wilderness Lodges®. Every year Princess introduces more people to Denali National Park than any other cruise line. 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. Now that we’ve covered the basics of all things Alaska cruising, keep reading to discover the best Alaska cruises for every type of traveler, featuring expert insight and award-winning picks. Eric Goldring is a T+L A-List travel advisor specializing in expedition, small-ship, and medium-ship cruises.
The Best Way to Experience Alaska is with Norwegian
Outside of a flightseeing tour, the Alyeska Aerial Tram in Girdwood delivers Alaska's best panoramic views in a matter of minutes. From the Alyeska Resort at the base of Mount Alyeska, you'll ascend 2,300 feet to the summit. From the tram, you can see for miles, with even more expansive vistas from the mountaintop observation deck. The panorama includes the seven hanging glaciers and the snow-capped peaks of the Chugach Mountains, the forested Chugach valley and out to the sparkling waters of the Turnagain Arm waterway. Be sure to look down, too, and you may see wildlife ambling across the mountain's slope. Alaska’s biggest city, Anchorage, is set between the sparkling waters of Cook Inlet and the dramatic snow-capped Chugach Mountains.
Holland America Line to Introduce 'Glacier Day' on 2024 Alaska... - Cruiseline.com
Holland America Line to Introduce 'Glacier Day' on 2024 Alaska....
Posted: Wed, 17 Apr 2024 18:57:14 GMT [source]
Weekly Alaska Cruises May to September
The luxury cruise lines are your best bet if you're a couple and enjoy spacious suites, gourmet food, pampering (many luxe lines hire butlers to cater to every passenger) and the opportunity to meet other like-minded cruisers. The personalized service and all-inclusive nature of luxury voyages may also be attractive to anyone celebrating a milestone, such as an anniversary, big birthday or retirement. One nice thing about the Inside Passage is how calm the water is because you're sailing between land masses.
See how bald eagles and local bird populations receive first-class treatment at the Alaska Raptor Center. Encounter wildlife in their natural habitat at the Fortress of the Bear. Or experience the culture of Russian Alaska on a visit to St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Church, and relive Native history at the Sheldon Jackson Museum. Icy Strait Point is home to the remote Tlingit village of Hoonah, home to fewer than 800 people and a deep Native history. The nearby Spasski River Valley holds one of the world’s largest populations of brown bears, who are often found hunting for salmon in the rivers.
That's why Royal Caribbean overnights in the best accommodations in the heart of every destination. These lodges and hotels allow for easy access both to the great outdoors and the communities where you can get a taste of local life. Cynthia J. Drake is an award-winning freelance writer in Austin, Texas, whose work has appeared in Good Housekeeping, Wine Enthusiast, House Beautiful, Southern Living, Cruise Critic, AAA, Texas Monthly, and others. She specializes in writing about food, cruise travel, family travel, and off-the-beaten-path destinations.
As you voyage into the Inside Passage, enjoy one of the best ways to explore the fjords, small towns and natural landmarks with your favorite people. This World’s Best Award-winning cruise line combines the best of expedition-style and luxury cruising, making it a popular pick amongst well-heeled, adventure-seeking travelers. According to Goldring, both Seabourn Quest and Seabourn Odyssey offer similar Alaska itineraries in 2024; however, it will be the latter’s final sailing since it was sold.
The foodie feast will serve Ivar’s Northwest-Style Clam Chowder, Dungeness Cruise Clusters, Alaska Salmon, Penn Cove Clams, Penn Cove Mussels and a Shrimp Bucket, with Triple Berry Crisp and vanilla ice cream for dessert. We'll go through the cruise options available in the state, focusing primarily on those that provide a true in-depth experience. For even more information, pick up a copy of Frommer's Alaska Cruises & Ports of Call (Wiley Publishing, Inc.). But InnerSea Discoveries, which debuted a new line of small ships last year, is back, and so is new small-ship line Alaskan Dream. September weather in Alaska may be unpredictable but with the right preparation you can enjoy all the exciting events.
Rain gear, such as a rain jacket, poncho, and umbrella, are all recommended items to pack in your day bag. You'll never know when the showers will hit, even if the day appears to be sunny as you're heading out. More so than other cruises, we found binoculars to be an invaluable item to pack for our Alaska trip.
Whether you're a history buff or a nature nut, there are numerous bucket list destinations to experience while traveling on your Alaska cruise vacation. For all the beer lovers planning an Alaskan cruise vacation, we’ve curated the ultimate zythophile guide to visiting 5 of the best craft breweries in Alaska. Ever wanted to go on an Alaska glacier tour to experience hiking in its open nature?
No comments:
Post a Comment