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Extend your cruise vacation, and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise. Travel back in time and pan for gold like a prospector during the Gold Rush. Snuggle sled dog puppies in the ship's Piazza, or see the Northern Lights in the planetarium. At the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, explore our treehouse and enjoy unmatched views of Denali. Dive deeper into what makes the Great Land special on your cruise to Alaska. Rush across the snow on a dog sled with a professional musher, fly fish for salmon in fresh rivers and soar over miles of glacial tundra in a helicopter.
My (Somewhat) Disappointing Alaska Cruise on the Grand Princess - Upgraded Points
My (Somewhat) Disappointing Alaska Cruise on the Grand Princess.
Posted: Fri, 05 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Planning an Alaska Cruise Itinerary with Kids
Find out how to pick the best time to see the northern lights in Alaska. With more than 20 animal sanctuaries and sightseeing excursions, we bring you closer to creatures great and small. Learn about the Big Five and other amazing animals you might spot. With over 27,000 glaciers, Alaska is one of the best places to see these majestic pieces of nature up close.
One of the biggest reasons people visit
Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. The population of Haines remains less than 2,000, according to the United States Census Bureau, and it isn't yet as touristy as some of the other Alaskan ports, such as nearby Skagway. It's known for great fishing (salmon, halibut and trout) and an eagle preserve — because eagles know where the best fish can be found.
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Since small ships are easily able to fit into more Alaska ports due to size, the demand for smaller ships is greater than for larger ones. With glass-domed railcars, our exclusive Direct-to-the-Wilderness® rail service takes you into the heart of Alaska without juggling multiple tickets or confusing transfers. Enjoy convenience and comfort from ship to train and then directly to your Princess Wilderness Lodge in the Denali-area.
We’ve been sharing the wonders of Alaska longer than any other cruise line. See the best of the Great Land’s glaciers, coastal towns and wildlife on board perfectly sized ships offering superior service and exclusive programming. In general, waiting until the last minute is not the best idea, unless you live in Seattle or Vancouver and don't need to book flights. 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. If you're interested in Alaska's gold rush history, Skagway — 90 miles northwest of Juneau — is a port you shouldn't miss. In fact, it's the gateway to the Klondike and Dawson mining district in Canada's Yukon territory, where prospectors searched for gold in the late 1890s.
Shore excursions can significantly impact your Alaskan cruise prices. Prices can range from as low as $70 for a simple walking tour to over $600 for more extravagant experiences like a helicopter tour. Budgeting for these activities is essential, especially if you plan to participate in multiple excursions. Travel the Inside Passage on 10 or 11-day Alaska cruises from San Francisco and allow the natural landscapes to inspire your day’s adventures. Begin by sailing beneath the Golden Gate Bridge and along the Pacific Coast. 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.
The Best Way to Experience Alaska is with Norwegian
No one does seafood quite like Alaska—which is why we brought the best of the Great Land on board, so you can experience it all with Princess. Our award-winning North to Alaska program brings local personalities, culture and cuisine on board and ashore to immerse you in all things Alaska during your cruise to the Great Land. They groan, creak and shudder on their march to the sea, punctuated by the booms and crashes of "white thunder" — a sound that echoes across the water when ice calves into the ocean below. On an Alaska cruise, let us show you Glacier Bay National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier, College Fjord or Hubbard Glacier. The largest tidewater glacier in North America, Hubbard Glacier has been moving its mass towards the ocean at a rate faster than most of its kind. Towering above the water over 30 stories, the glacier often calves 100-foot chunks of ice into the ocean.
Best Alaska Cruises from Seattle
The worst months to cruise to Alaska - Royal Caribbean Blog
The worst months to cruise to Alaska.
Posted: Mon, 18 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
We offer you a variety of excursions to choose from, in every port you'll visit. Active travelers can explore Alaska by sea kayak or canoe, hike on glaciers and through rainforests, zip line, bike, ride an ATV and even snorkel (you'll need a dry suit). For these itineraries, you'll need to fly into or out of Anchorage and take a train or bus to/from the cruise departure ports, which can take an hour or two. You can book the transportation on your own or through your cruise line. Popular Inside Passage ports of call include Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Haines and Skagway.
Whichever ship you choose, Alaska and the vacation of a lifetime await. AlaskaCruises.com is your best online source for everything you need to know about 2024 and 2025 Alaska Cruises and Alaskan Cruise Vacations. 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. You'll have your pick of itineraries and cabins — balcony cabins are popular in this scenic destination — and often the best fares.
For those wanting a more luxurious experience, balcony cabins and suites can cost anywhere from $100 to $300 and $250 or more per person per day, respectively. Going to Alaska can be a fun and memorable experience, especially in the summer months. Once you have the funds, book your cruise promptly as they tend to fill up quickly. Don’t just see the Great Land’s glaciers, feel them come alive on an Alaska cruisetour.
In the next section, we’ll share some tips on how to save money without compromising the quality of your experience. Many cruisers opt for an Unlimited Beverage Package to make their onboard experience more enjoyable. You’ll have to pay the difference if you order a more expensive drink. There's nothing like an amazing adventure during an Alaskan vacation, and if you're looking for things to do then dog sledding is a bucket-list experience. 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.
This is to compensate for shipping the items to the remote location of Alaska. If you travel to Southeast Alaska, you will encounter many gift shops. In terms of jewelry, there are many options with streets completely lined with stores. This is the one product that allows guests to negotiate on price.
Alaska cruise weather can be chilly (in the 40s to 50s) first thing in the morning and at night. However, if it's a sunny summer day, temperatures can shoot into the 70s and even low 80s. It also rains a lot in Alaska; it's drier in the spring than in the summer. The cheapest months to cruise to Alaska are generally May and September, which are considered the shoulder seasons. However, the weather can be less predictable during these months.
With over three acres of windows and glass exterior viewing elevators, you can watch for whales along Alaska’s Inside Passage when you aren’t wandering wilderness paths from Ketchikan to Juneau. And for the ultimate outdoor adventure, take a CruiseTour into Alaska’s interior where you can hang with huskies in Denali, and scale glaciers in Alyeska. Planes are plentiful in Alaska, where they're a common form of transportation across the state.
The duration of your journey is another factor that affects Alaskan cruise prices. Most Alaskan cruise tours run for 7 to 12 nights; the longer you stay, the more you’ll pay. Here, you can check our Alaska cruise review to see which port of calls we visited. Longer cruises often offer a more comprehensive experience, allowing you to explore more destinations. 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.
Enjoy an insider’s guide to discovering the best family cruises for your next vacation onboard Brilliance of the Seas. If you're interested in the Midnight Sun, the longest day of the year is June 21, when you can experience close to 20 or more hours of sunlight in some parts of the state. If you're more interested in the Alaska Northern Lights, the earlier sunset in later summer will allow more contrast and better views of this natural wonder.
