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Those shoulder-season trips are chilly (there’s a good chance you’ll see snow in places and will need to bundle up more), but there are significantly fewer tourists to do battle with during shore excursions. The sun hardly sets, the landscapes (save for the glaciers) are verdant, and the waterways are choked with playful whales getting their fill before winter. Generally speaking, the larger the ship, the cheaper the initial price tag. Mega-cruises (with cruise lines such Princess, Carnival, Celebrity, Disney, and Holland America) can go for as little as $100 a night (so roughly $600 per person for a six-night sailing). These resorts at sea, however, are often not all-inclusive, so be sure to check the fine print before putting your credit card down. Passengers frequently have to pay extra (and usually at a premium) for things like specialty dining, alcoholic beverages, and off-boat activities.
Sleeping on Discovery Princess
The 8 Best Alaska Cruises to Take in 2024 - AFAR Media
The 8 Best Alaska Cruises to Take in 2024.
Posted: Wed, 27 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Some activities are included in the cost of the cruisetour; other outings can be booked like shore excursions depending on your interest and budget. If you're hoping to see the northern lights, booking a cruisetour in September might be your best bet to see the aurora on a cruise vacation. You'll have up to two days of scenic cruising, in addition to sailing the Inside Passage.
Sleeping on Quantum of the Seas
The 450-passenger Seabourn Odyssey throws a dash of adventure into its luxurious surroundings. The line will send six ships to Alaska in 2024, with tour offerings to Denali, Fairbanks and Anchorage. However, it's the 2,650-passenger Koningsdam that offers some of the most interesting cruise tour itineraries out there. Some travelers demand luxury Alaska cruises, while others don't mind going less fancy if it means close encounters with bears and other creatures in the wilderness. Some look for romance, while others want to introduce the kids or grandkids to glaciers and eagles, gold panning and sled dogs.
Featured Alaska Cruise Itineraries
You’ll find stunning ships like Seabourn Odyssey with only 229 suite cabins, guaranteeing a small-ship experience with big-time amenities. Everyone can have the chance to get out and explore on Zodiac boats or other water sports equipment. Seven Seas Explorer is offering seven-night cruises, sailing between Vancouver and Seward from May through mid-September 2024. Fares for a July 17, 2024, "Summer on the Frontier" cruise start at $6,799 per person. If you have your heart set on visiting Glacier Bay National Park, make sure that your cruise line has it listed on the schedule. "Only seven lines were awarded the Glacier Bay contract by the National Park Service," Cicero said.
The Best Alaska Cruises
If you are traveling with your own vehicle, four-legged family members are welcome. On a Seabourn voyage, passengers share the journey with scientists, naturalists, and others who expand the Alaskan experience with history, culture, and the natural world. The former has a popular Gold Rush tour from Skagway into the Canadian Yukon as well as Fairbanks, Denali, and Anchorage land tour options. The choice for those who enjoy specialty cuisine on a small(er) ship is Oceania Cruises. Chef-inspired and chef-created dishes throughout the journey make this a top-rated line for foodies.
Why Cruise Our Mid-Sized Ships
The MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen embark on 14- to 19-day Alaskan voyages between May and September. A trip to Alaska is at the top of many travelers’ bucket lists, and for good reason. The Alaska’s Winter Sports & Northern Lights sailing takes place when most cruise lines can’t sail to Alaska. These trips take place as early as February and March and allow passengers to witness the Northern Lights and even enjoy some winter activities as skiing and ice skating. The 2,700 capacity Disney Wonder is the current ship sailing on Alaskan itineraries.
When to book an Alaska cruise
She manages the experience portion of the Good Housekeeping Family Travel Awards. She has sailed on four cruise lines with her family and toured several others. She recently was a featured speaker at several travel industry conferences, including PRSA, Mid-Atlantic Tourism Alliance and the Family Travel Association.
If you’re looking for the most adventure, these cruise lines take things up a notch as part of their excursion programs. When you return to the Seabourn ship, everything is included, from onboard bubbles to all kinds of drinks. In addition, specialty restaurants, minibars and even gratuities are part of the package.
There are also fewer departures out of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and even Alaska homeports of Ketchikan, Juneau, and Anchorage. Deciding on the best cruise line for Alaska depends on a number of factors, and, of course, getting a good deal on the price. For those looking for a couples retreat, Viking Cruises cater exclusively to adults. The minimum age is 18, and the ship is designed for a luxurious and tranquil experience, so you can truly get away from it all. While this singular offering makes choosing your Viking Alaska blissfully straightforward, you can opt for pre- and/or post-cruise extensions in Vancouver, Anchorage, Denali, and beyond.
Most big-ship and luxury cruise lines send at least one cruise ship to Alaska every summer. Some of the best Alaska cruise lines are Holland America and Princess because they have especially long histories in the region and offer cruises, as well as cruise and land tour combinations, on multiple ships each season. Below you can compare cruise itineraries for all ships sailing to Alaska for the next few years. With the Alaskan sailing season only six to seven months long, it’s a good idea to start planning now! Cruisers of all ages will enjoy the scenery, wildlife, and once in a lifetime shore excursions available on many Alaskan cruises.
The tradeoff between lots of fun activities is sharing them with nearly 5,000 other people. Another great option for finding a good cruise deal is to book an open-jaw cruise. These sailings start in one city but end in another and can lead to better deals, even during summer.
Viking Orion's 10-night cruise between Vancouver and Seward includes scenic sailing of the Inside Passage and Yakutat Bay and a stop at rarely visited Valdez. These riveting outings transport you far from crowded ports and touristy shops to pristine forests and lakes or to bucket-list adventures like dog-mushing, glacier-trekking and bear-viewing. Of course, the cost is folded into a luxury cruise's higher prices, but you'll likely see and experience far more when the activities are included in your fare. This luxury cruise line offers classic and expedition-style cruising, the latter of which takes aboard the 274-passenger Silver Wind.
The line always stations one or two Quantum-class ships in Alaska for the season. Adults can linger in the glass-walled Solarium, relaxing in the indoor pools and whirlpools, while their kids zoom around the SeaPlex in bumper cars. Celebrity Cruises offers trips to Alaska ranging from six to 13 nights at various price points. You can choose from itineraries that sail to Dawes Glacier, Hubbard Glacier, Denali National Park and Preserve and other areas of Alaska. No matter which itinerary you choose, you’ll be able to experience the scenery, wildlife and culture of the 49th state. While Princess Cruises welcomes all passengers, it’s nicknamed “The Love Boat,” offering amenities and excursions geared toward couples.
Nieuw Amsterdam's exceptional onboard experience earned "Best Cruise Ship Overall" at the Travvy Awards. Many flock to Alaska every year for a chance to witness the aurora borealis. Did you know they are more likely to display during high solar activity cycles? With more than 20 animal sanctuaries and sightseeing excursions, we bring you closer to creatures great and small. Impact on your credit may vary, as credit scores are independently determined by credit bureaus based on a number of factors including the financial decisions you make with other financial services organizations. By understanding what different types of cruises are available, you can more easily discover the best Alaskan cruise line to fit your needs.
