Sunday, April 21, 2024

12 Things You Absolutely Need to Do on an Alaskan Cruise Fodors Travel Guide

alaska cruise stops

It is the largest tidewater glacier in North America and is still advancing to the sea, unlike many other glaciers. Be sure to visit in spring for the wildflower blooms, or summer to spot seals and whales. Top scenic cruising destinations in Alaska include Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Hubbard Glacier, Tracy Arm (Twin Sawyer Glaciers), Dawes Glacier at Endicott Arm and College Fjord.

Alaska Cruise Lines: From Holland America and Royal Caribbean to Small Ships like Silversea

Just 20 miles from Skagway is the small town of Haines, located in one of the deepest fjords of Alaska’s Inside Passage. It is one of the most quaint ports found on any Alaska cruise itinerary, and most ships only spend a few hours in the town. With whale watching, hiking, history, and mouthwatering cuisine to discover, it’s a favorite port stop among many cruisers. Juneau, although the capital of Alaska, is not the biggest city in the state–only 32,000 people call Juneau home.

Aleutian Islands

Guided wildlife tours take passengers to all the best viewing spots for Steller sea lions, birds, whales, and land mammals in the area. While the vessel will not technically “dock” at these two locations, it will “park” in the ocean within view of glaciers. This huge glacier is very active, calving all summer long, and towers over passing cruise ships. Sitting on the southern part of Baranof Island, Sitka is visited by relatively few cruise ships but a stop there is well worth it. You can also take some 14-day versions that depart from San Francisco or San Diego.

Alaska Cruise Lines: Mainstream and Luxury Options

Seas in Alaska are choppiest on Gulf of Alaska itineraries where waters are open. Alternatively, Inside Passage cruises in Alaska tend to be calmer as the waters are protected. While you might not be sunning yourself to a stunning shade of bronze on an Alaska cruise, you and everyone on board will want to take in the scenery.

It's important to us to pay our respects while offering to build mutual understanding across cultures. Much of the town is part of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Whittier is the other main embarkation and disembarkation port in Alaska. 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. 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.

QUANTUM OF THE SEAS

Norwegian Cruise Line cancels all port calls to Valdez for 2023, 2024 season - Alaska's News Source

Norwegian Cruise Line cancels all port calls to Valdez for 2023, 2024 season.

Posted: Fri, 16 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Get your adrenaline pumping with a zip-lining adventure through the lush rainforest, enjoying panoramic views of the coastline. Immerse yourself in the local Tlingit culture by visiting the Huna Heritage Center, where you can learn about traditional arts, crafts, and history. Indulge in the delicious local seafood, including the famous Alaskan king crab. Sitka offers a blend of wildlife encounters, stunning scenery, and rich Native American art and culture.

Whether you're curious about Alaska native culture or other Alaska traditions, here's how to make these an integral part of your trip up north. Embark on a thrilling journey with young explorers through breathtaking landscapes. On our family Alaska cruise, we created lifetime memories by sharing glacier spotting, dog sledding, flightseeing and other adventures with our teens. Enjoy an insider’s guide to discovering the best family cruises for your next vacation onboard Brilliance of the Seas.

alaska cruise stops

Alaska Food: Where to Find the Best Food in Alaska Royal Caribbean Cruises

With Vancouver at your fingertips, experience authentic European flair without ever leaving the Western hemisphere. Cruise on the Wilderness Explorer expedition vessel through Misty Fjords, a waterway that ancient glaciers carved out of the rugged landscape. Cruising College Fjord brings the famous 1899 Harriman expedition to life. The glacier-filled waters amazed the scientists and naturalists on the expedition. But the Harvard Glacier, the second-largest tidewater glacier in the Prince William Sound has perhaps the most dramatic face at one-and-a-half miles wide.

Q: Can you provide information about Vancouver, a popular Cruise Port in Alaska?

Because it is a fjord, the deep waters of Lynn Canal allow full-size cruise ships to visit Skagway. Since the town offers so much history and nearby natural beauty, it is a popular destination for some of the world’s most popular cruise lines. Small white boats, with slender fishing reels suspended over the stern, float together in uniform lines off the coast of Ketchikan. As the “Salmon Capital of the World”, this port of call harvests a collection of personalities, all yearning for the refreshing taste of salmon varieties. Fisherman donning nylon jumpsuits and rubber boots readily trot down the wooden pier to their aquatic abodes.

A popular choice with cruisers, you can spend time there spotting a variety of whale species, porpoises, sea lions and birds. Some Alaska cruises spend their entire itinerary at Glacier Bay National Park and understandably so. This UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is the largest in the world, home to dramatic glacier scenery and wildlife watching opportunities. Find out more about these must see Alaska cruise destinations including popular ports such as Ketchikan and Juneau along with stunning views. An Inside Passage cruise is a seven-night journey that typically departs from Seattle, Vancouver, or Juneau.

Visions of open roads and staggered mountains surround the tranquil town of Haines. This seemingly quiet port of call holds some of the most memorable and photo-worthy opportunities in the Great Land.

THE 25 BEST Cruises to Skagway, AK 2024 (with Prices) - Skagway Cruise Port Terminal on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic

THE 25 BEST Cruises to Skagway, AK 2024 (with Prices) - Skagway Cruise Port Terminal on Cruise Critic.

Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 15:35:20 GMT [source]

Programs like Princess Cruises' Cruisetours take the stress out of planning on-shore excursions and curate incredible itineraries for extensive, luxurious travel across the state. The capital of the state, Juneau is a major cruise and fishing port and this is reflected in the fantastic excursions and the great seafood restaurants that visitors can enjoy. Popular trips include exploring the Mendenhall Glacier area on foot or via various water sports activities. Ketchikan is the busiest of the Alaska ports for cruise ships, and with good reason.

alaska cruise stops

The price typically includes all on-board expenses such as food, room, and on-ship activities. Anchorage was previously one of Alaska’s busiest cruise ports, but few ships have returned after the events of 2020. Seeing the varied landscapes, abundant marine wildlife, and tidewater glaciers by cruise ship is one of the top ways to travel to and around Alaska.

Experience Holland America’s "Best of Juneau" Shore Excursion to decide for yourself. This Alaskan wilderness and bear search tour is offered on Chichagof Island, a one-of-a-kind location with the highest population of bears per square mile of any place on Earth. Depending on the season, catch the bears coming out of hibernation and looking for food; or later on in the season when the bears are mating and eating grasses on the tidal flats.

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