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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. Planning a cruise to Alaska involves careful budgeting to ensure you have an unforgettable experience without breaking the bank. The cost of an Alaska cruise can vary greatly depending on factors such as the cruise line, itinerary, and cabin type.
Seattle, WA
Travel down the Seward Highway — an "All-American Road" — and relish in dramatic views of Alaska's untouched landscapes. Or, soar 2,300 feet aboard the Mt. Alyeska Tram to marvel in aerial views of the naturally sculpted glaciers within Prince William Sound. Voyage through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel and discover the many worlds waiting for you. With less than 1,000 residents, Skagway boasts small-town charm with big-city riches. Offering the shortest route to the Klondike, this port of call was a popular choice among gold-rushers. But, many travelers overlooked the real treasures of Skagway — the rustic Victorian architecture, the winding wooden railways and violet-spotted fields beneath the snow-capped mountains.
Sitka Alaska
For a view of the city and cruise port, take a ride in the sky on the Mount Roberts Tramway. Various wildlife-viewing trips (whale, bears and more) and visits to dogsled camps and salmon bakes leave from Juneau. Finally, you'll find some San Francisco round-trip itineraries — usually 10 or 11 nights long — as well as longer sailings between San Francisco and Vancouver. 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.
Alaska cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do
But the rough terrain makes it challenging to navigate by land, so it’s best to explore Alaska by cruise ship. Floatplane and helicopter tours take you around scenic areas like Misty Fjords or land you on a glacier, perhaps for a dogsledding or hiking adventure on the ice. If you prefer to stay grounded, you can find informative trolley tours of ports like Skagway. Hop a bus, kayak, boat or plane to look for bears, eagles, whales, sea otters and other wildlife.
Roundtrip Alaska Cruise from Vancouver
This port of call has festivals year-round celebrating this island town’s natural and cultural heritage. Check with the Visitor Center for maps, festival schedules, and insider tips for exploring the town and surrounding wilderness areas. Just be sure to book your excursions in advance, as many of the more unique experiences will sell out quickly in the bigger ports. The best excursions focus on the abundance of beautiful parks in the area, including Resolution Park, Eklutna Historical Park, and Earthquake Park. Expect stunning scenery with guided tours filling in the fascinating heritage of the region. Visitors may enjoy tours to spot black bears and bald eagles, while there is a 60-foot totem pole worth seeing too.
Alaska's Glaciers
This is a destination that speaks to visitors through its history, wild natural beauty, fresh seafood and the native culture of the Tlingit and Haida people. In the past, cruise lines sent their older and smaller cruise ships for Alaskan itineraries. But with younger crowds and growing demand for cruises to Alaska, cruise lines have started to offer some of their latest ships. In addition to visiting some of the ports along Alaska’s Inside Passage, itineraries also include up to two scenic cruising days. The scenic destinations may include College Fjord, Glacier Bay, or Hubbard Glacier. While cruising through the Inside Passage, the islands create a natural break from the open ocean, calming the water.
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It is even smaller than Seward, a little enclave within the big, marine landscape of Prince William Sound. Most seven-day cruises that list Anchorage on their itinerary actually call on Whittier, which is about an hour away by motorcoach or 2.5 hours by train. This is a highlight and represents why cruising is the best way to experience this region of Alaska. The two best locations are Tracy Arm Fjord and Glacier Bay National Park. Due to their popularity, balcony cabins on Alaskan cruises are more expensive than traditional Caribbean sailings.
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For unique experiences, you may want to try smaller expedition cruise ships like Alaskan Dream Cruises and Uncruise Adventure. There are cruise lines of all price ranges sailing in Alaska, with budget-friendly lines like Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean and luxury cruise lines like Seabourn and Silversea Cruises. Most cruise tours begin as one-way Alaska Gulf cruises before passengers embark on a bus tour through northern Alaska. Some cruise tours bring travelers into Canada’s Yukon territory, and there are even some round-trip cruise tours. For smaller crowds and lower cruise fares, you’ll want to sail at the beginning or end of the cruise season (May, June, or September). The beauty of the land and its immense history; the thrill of seeing bears, moose and bald eagles; and the mysteries of the surrounding marine life will astound you.
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The rugged beauty of Alaska and its glaciers is truly stunning, and a cruise is a great way to explore our 49th state. If you’re traveling on a small ship, your ship may call at Wrangell, Petersburg or go ashore at Bartlett Cove in Glacier Bay National Park. Learn more here about Wrangell, here about Petersburg and here about Glacier Bay. July is the most popular time for cruising in Alaska and it is still the height of summer with long days. Some companies offer cruises slightly earlier or later than this, but this is the heart of the season.
It's located at the base of Mount Juneau, and you can only get there via boat or small plane — even residents have to bring their cars to Juneau via ferry. Home to Mendenhall Glacier, this is a popular port for hikes by, kayak tours to and helicopter landings on the glacier. 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. 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. 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.
In fact, it's the gateway to the Klondike and Dawson's mining district in Canada's Yukon territory, where prospectors searched for gold in the late 1890s. The historic district still has a Wild West feel, though that's been a bit commercialized for the modern era. This port can get crowded in summer when several ships can call on the same day. Alaska's capital city is interesting because no road leads from here to the rest of the state.
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. A favorite stop among history buffs, you can pan for gold with miners or take a sternwheeler into the heart of Alaska. Hubbard Glacier is the largest tidewater glacier in North America; it’s over 400 feet tall and 6 miles wide, and it’s rapidly advancing at around 80 feet per year. Its enormous size makes the glacier a highlight on any Alaska cruise itinerary.
Nibble on the delicate meat of Dungeness crab or savor in the flakiness of fresh-caught salmon. Home to one of the largest concentrations of brown bears in the world, this unique destination hosts an abundance of wildlife in its forest-lined terrains. There are several options for those looking to enjoy Alaska’s stunning ports of call during the season that typically runs from the end of April through Summer. Most cruise ships will depart from Vancouver in British Columbia or Seattle, Washington. There are also some limited sailings, such as departures out of San Francisco and even Los Angeles.
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