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As a traveler, I am just as comfortable bicycling through Italian olive groves and SCUBA diving the wall of sharks in French Polynesia as I am sipping bubbles in a Champagne house and dining at Michelin-starred restaurants. A family of four can expect to pay close to $5,100 for an interior stateroom for this 7-night itinerary. The Alaska cruise season on Disney Cruise Line runs from May through September, with the first sailing departing from Vancouver, Canada on May 15, 2023. Yet, many families opt to sail to Alaska and trade in their swimsuits and flip flops for rain jackets and gloves.
The Best Things to Do in Alaska Ports of Call
The itinerary includes Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and cruising Tracy Arm Fjord. As already mentioned, the majority of Alaska cruises are roundtrip, but some are one-way with southbound and northbound routes. These itineraries will venture further north beyond your typical ports in southeast Alaska. Cruisers who are veterans at Inside Passage itineraries on the big ships have really only seen a preview of the nooks and crannies of the region. Indigenous-owned Alaskan Dream Cruises operates small-ship sailings from Sitka, getting into the straits and narrows that the big ships won’t fit, and oftentimes determining itineraries by reports of sea life migrations and weather conditions. Whittier is closer to Anchorage, and some itineraries even take disembarking passengers directly to Denali or Talkeetna the same day.
Disney Fantasy vs. Norwegian Encore: Differences between Disney and NCL
When you cruise to Alaska from Seattle, encounter unique ports of call that are rich in history, culture and natural beauty. You can visit Alaska without a passport on a closed-loop sailing (one that begins and ends in the same U.S. port). Be sure to bring your passport if you plan on crossing the border from Skagway into Canada's Yukon Territory -- or exploring any Canadian port of call. Eric Goldring is a T+L A-List travel advisor specializing in expedition, small-ship, and medium-ship cruises.
About Alaska Cruises
The fun continues the minute cruisers disembark in each port, with excursions ranging from dogsledding to private helicopter tours. Back on board, Gabree recommends The Chef’s Table for a truly memorable meal — and I, too, can attest to this. While on board a Caribbean sailing with the cruise line, I had the chance to indulge in this chef- and sommelier-led multi-course food and wine pairing adventure. Four years later, I still find myself dreaming of the delicious circular-shaped dessert known as “The World” — the perfect combo of peanut butter ganache, chocolate mousse, and salted caramel gelato). While pulling into port one day, I remember digging into a hearty lunch of fish and chips featuring fresh-caught Alaskan halibut. (HAL is the first cruise line to serve fresh, certified-sustainable Alaskan seafood.) As of September, acclaimed chef Masaharu Morimoto is the Fresh Fish Ambassador as part of the line’s Global Fresh Fish Program.
Enjoy the Freedom to Cruise Alaska the Way You Like
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. We have more Alaska cruise port departures featuring Glacier Bay National Park than any other cruise line. All Alaska cruises include one or more glacier-viewing days, and you’ll get closer to ‘the giants’ on ships perfectly sized for the Great Land. Like everything else in Alaska, the Great Land’s national parks far exceed expectations.
Great experiences from the great land
If you've ever taken a Disney Cruise to the Caribbean, then you're probably familiar with the Pirates themed deck party that concludes with fireworks at sea. Instead, Disney offers Freezing the Night Away, which features characters from Frozen, including Anna, Elsa, and Olaf. Rain is more likely during the fall shoulder season, and wildlife is harder to spot. That being said, September presents cruisers with the possibility of seeing Alaska's Northern Lights; however, it is never guaranteed. Depending on how early you go, ships might have to adjust their routes when sailing through glaciers depending on how much ice has melted.
Explore the Great Land
THE 20 BEST 3 Day Cruises to Alaska (Prices & Itineraries) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE 20 BEST 3 Day Cruises to Alaska (Prices & Itineraries) on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Thu, 18 Apr 2024 20:08:52 GMT [source]
“If you are looking for a more casual and laid-back experience, Seattle-based UnCruise Adventures offers down-to-earth trips with enthusiastic naturalist guides, simple accommodations, and hearty local cuisine,” says Palmer. Per the pro, travelers can “choose between a menu of included excursions such as kayaking, paddleboarding, hiking, zodiac cruises, whale watching, and more.” All in all, UnCruise really does offer something for everyone. They’ll even offer last-minute specials right up until the time of sailing, but selection will be limited and the most popular shore excursions will have long wait lists. Below you can compare cruise itineraries for all ships sailing to Alaska for the next few years.
Cruise Tracy Arm Fjord
It is also well-known for its role in the transportation of crude oil from the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, which ends in Valdez. Explore the charming waterfront area and take in the flavors of Valdez through culinary experiences at restaurants such as the Valdez Brewery and the Fat Mermaid. Once the gateway to Alaska's Gold Rush, Skagway strikes a dramatic image nestled between the water's edge and mountains.
Carnival Spirit will join Carnival Luminosa in Seattle sailing 7-day roundtrip cruises. Additionally, Carnival Miracle will operate 10-day cruises to Alaska from its seasonal homeport of San Francisco. Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth is operating roundtrip Vancouver sailings, bringing onboard topflight lecturers ranging from adventure traveler Bear Grylls to undersea archaeologist Mensun Bound on select voyages. Head deeper into the frozen wilderness with one of our Alaska Cruisetours on board Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Spirit, combining your cruise with an immersive land vacation that goes beyond the expected. Spanning from 11- to 14-days, these cruise vacation packages include overnight stays in Denali, Anchorage, Fairbanks, Homer, Talkeetna, and Valdez.
You will then want to start exploring all there is to do in your ports of call. You can start by reviewing some of our guides listed below for popular ports of call. One itinerary includes Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Victoria, in addition to cruising Glacier Bay National Park, while the other itinerary cruises Endicott Arm and the Dawes Glacier instead. Disney Wonder features plenty of Disney touches in its décor, dining, and entertainment. With character meet and greets, the only cruise line with fireworks at sea, and first-run Disney movies, there will be plenty to keep the whole family busy between ports of call.
There is also the option to add-on a Cruisetour with visits to Anchorage, Denali, Fairbanks, or even Homer. With personal service, well-executed dining, and diverse entertainment, Holland America Line’s Nieuw Amsterdam is an ideal backdrop to the amazing vistas of the Alaskan wilderness. Of course, you can also bucket your cruise on Nieuw Amsterdam with a pre-cruise or post-cruise land tour to Denali National Park. When you are not exploring the Last Frontier, Koningsdam offers plenty of top-notch amenities, entertainment, and dining as well. There’s theater performances on the World Stage, BB King’s Blues Club, Billboard Onboard, and Lincoln Center Stage showcasing amazing musicians.
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.
Embark on an unforgettable Alaska cruisetour to the Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge®, where you can take in the beauty of Wrangell-St. Snow-covered mountains dominate the skyline while rivers feed the earth below. Explore your surroundings on a Copper River rafting trip, or fish for Alaska salmon in the mesmerizing waters. Enchantment of the Seas will sail from Vancouver and offer 7-night cruises, including some multi-glacier cruises that visit Hubbard Glacier in addition to Dawes Glacier. The 8 deck Star Breeze holds just over 300 passengers, making it the perfect ship to access lesser visited areas in this region. From a pool, whirlpools, and a spa to bars, lounges, and a variety of dining options, cruisers will still have plenty to enjoy when not taking in the beautiful scenery.
Likewise, Quantum of the Seas will sail to Alaska and offer 7-night cruises from Seattle. Ovation of the Seas will return to Alaska in 2023, offering 7- and 8-night Alaska glacier cruises from Seattle. Drop us an anchor below to share your picks for the best Alaska cruises 2023. When you finally decide on a ship from our best Alaska Cruises 2023, that’s just the beginning of the excitement.
From the diverse history and culture, to breathtaking scenery, exciting port adventures, abundant wildlife, and delicious seafood, Alaska has something to offer everyone. Between the natural masterpieces and the animate personalities, every part of Alaska tells an extraordinary story. On an Alaska cruisetour with Princess, discover what makes the Great Land so special, and craft your own tales of your time on land and sea.
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. Guests learn about the cultural heritage of remote communities and focus binoculars to spot bears, whales, caribou, moose, deer, wolves, birds and more.
