Alaska Cruisetours Alaska Cruise & Land Tour

Table Of Content

• BRILLIANCE OF THE SEAS
• Hubbard Glacier Cruise Itineraries
• A sensory experience
• Best Alaska Cruises from Seattle
• Alaska Cruise Experience

If you prefer to stay grounded, you can find informative trolley tours of ports like Skagway. These cruise lines, especially on their newer ships, offer something for everyone — as well as a higher caliber of onboard dining than on the cheapest cruises. 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.

BRILLIANCE OF THE SEAS

Get to know wildlife, big and small, that call this wilderness home, like otters, eagles, bears and whales. This is Last Frontier pioneering with the cruise line voted Best Overall by Travel Weekly readers for 20 years running. 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.

Hubbard Glacier Cruise Itineraries

Alaskan cruise season starts with exciting offerings - Travel And Tour World

Alaskan cruise season starts with exciting offerings.

Posted: Fri, 12 Apr 2024 08:54:14 GMT [source]

Denali National Park boasts the continent’s highest peak, and Glacier Bay National Park is one of the world’s largest protected areas. You can discover even more magnificence during your Alaska cruisetour at Wrangell-St. Elias and Kenai Fjords National Parks, where one of the four largest ice caps in the world invites guests to explore its terrain. With Princess, you won’t just explore Alaska’s landscapes, you’ll live amidst them in our custom-built wilderness lodges. Located riverside next to some of the most renowned national parks, these warm and welcoming lodges are the perfect spot to bask in Alaska’s best attractions. As a part of your Alaska cruisetour, explore and unwind with comforting amenities and breathtaking scenery.

A sensory experience

Bring binoculars and scan both the shore and the waves for wildlife like brown bears and migrating whales while Park Rangers teach you the history and geology of the park. Whether you're interested in hiking through a forest, trekking to glaciers or a shopping spree downtown, the towns along Alaska's inside passage provide a variety of adventurous activities. Alaska cruise ports such as Juneau and Ketchikan are small cities with their own personalities. Anchorage is the state's largest city and a gateway to the rest of the state. Denali National Park takes you out of the city altogether, into a wilderness full of spruce forests and snow-capped mountain peaks. Enjoy an insider’s guide to discovering the best family cruises for your next vacation onboard Brilliance of the Seas.

Best Alaska Cruises from Seattle

It's a trip worth taking the time to plan and doing right — because who knows if or when you'll make it back to the Last Frontier. 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'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. 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.

There are hikes, kayaking, mountain biking, ziplining, and dog sledding for more energetic travelers. From Juneau, you can take an excursion to Mendenhall Glacier, where you can see fantastic views of the ice on a hike or join a kayak tour. From Seward, you could join a challenging hike to Exit Glacier, which flows slowly from the enormous Harding Icefield.

Why cruise Alaska?

HAL prides itself on having more permits for Glacier Bay National Park visits than any other cruise line. The cruise line also offers beloved live music programming, which I got to experience firsthand on a summer 2023 Alaska sailing. King's Blues Club, Billboard Onboard (a dueling piano bar), Lincoln Center Stage, and Rolling Stone Rock Room. After our shore excursions, we’d hop back on board the ship for drinks, dinner, and a nightcap at the dueling piano bar to jam out to hits from Billy Joel and Elton John.

Find Norwegian Encore Cruises to Alaska (with Prices) - Cruise Critic

Find Norwegian Encore Cruises to Alaska (with Prices).

Posted: Fri, 19 Apr 2024 03:14:20 GMT [source]

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. Explore the dynamic glaciers, soaring peaks and captivating history of the 49th state on our award-winning itineraries. Extend your Alaska cruise vacation, and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise. With a Cruise Plus Hotel Package, a Princess representative meets you at the airport and pier, transporting you to and from your hotel. The package includes the cost of your hotel stay, transportation, luggage handling and the services of the representative.

Adults can enjoy themselves on an Alaskan Disney Cruise, too, with adult-exclusive dining; an adult-only pool and hot tub; fitness center; and Senses Spa & Salon. With an expedition heritage that dates back to 1896, it’s no wonder Hurtigruten Expeditions found its way to Alaska. 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.

On our family Alaska cruise, we created lifetime memories by sharing glacier spotting, dog sledding, flightseeing and other adventures with our teens. Head to Kenai Fjords National Park in Seward for a whale watching tour. There's nothing like seeing these behemoths hurl themselves out of the water, to splash back into the sea. Don't pass up an opportunity to watch these giants feed and play in the water. The ship sails seven-night cruises from Seattle, visiting Dawes Glacier, Sitka and Icy Strait Point, as well as Juneau, Ketchikan and Victoria, British Columbia.

Cruise down the Chena River on a sternwheeler riverboat, pan for gold at Gold Dredge 8 or ride ATVs through surrounding forests underneath the midnight sun. All of our Alaska cruisetours include a stay at our premier Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge®, just one mile from the entrance of Denali National Park overlooking the Nenana River. Access some of the most stunning sights on earth — wilderness, wildlife and untamed land.

The luxury adults-only line is also all-inclusive, covering meals, activities, most beverages, Wi-Fi, port taxes and fees, spa access, and one complimentary excursion in every port of call. Cruisers can bask in the mountain and glacier views from the comfort of their private balcony — and, if they’re lucky, they may even spot a whale or two. Finally, in addition to classic ports like Juneau and Ketchikan, Viking Ocean Cruises’ Alaska itinerary also calls on Valdez, which is chock-full of natural beauty and outdoor adventure. Most Alaska itineraries include some "scenic cruising," where your ship sails past incredible natural sights. Some activities are included in the cost of the cruisetour; other outings can be booked like shore excursions depending on your interest and budget.

On an Alaska cruise, you’ll experience everything from raw, untamed natural wonders on an extravagant scale to rich history, buzzing cities, vibrant and delicious cuisine, and a warm welcome. Sail the Inside Passage, watching for bears foraging on stony beaches, or gaze in wonder at the towering, blue-white wall of the mighty Hubbard Glacier. Go back in time to the Klondike Gold Rush on cruises to Skagway, Alaska, once the primary gateway to the goldfields. Take a trip on the scenic railroad and still have time to dine and shop. Stretch out your Alaska cruise vacation with convenient weekend departures.

Princess Cruises Announces 2023 Alaska Cruises & Cruisetours

Table Of Content

• Glacier Bay National Park
• Shore Excursions
• See Denali on an Alaska cruisetour
• Alaska Explorers Youth Program
• Explore Denali National Park on an Alaska land and sea package
• Inside Passage Roundtrip Seattle

Look out for exhibits on board featuring unique facts on the wildlife, terrain, history and adventures of Alaska. And Panning for Gold, along with episodes of Deadliest Catch and The Klondike mini-series will be featured. In partnership with the Glacier Bay National Park Rangers and the Discovery Channel, kids and teens can explore their adventurous side with activities such as our Jr.

Find Royal Princess Cruises to Alaska (with Prices) - Cruise Critic

Find Royal Princess Cruises to Alaska (with Prices).

Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 15:51:33 GMT [source]

Glacier Bay National Park

Or board a gold rush-era train that takes you through Yukon territory and brings you up close to some of Alaska's most historical sites. Wildlife enthusiasts will be thrilled with the opportunities to observe these incredible creatures in their natural habitats. This 13-night cruisetour also features a visit to Alaska’s premier Wildlife Conservation Center. The information was broadcast across the ship and on individual stateroom TV’s, and we were given a schedule of when we would reach certain highlights (like the breathtaking Margerie Glacier).

Shore Excursions

Learn tips and tricks on how you can take your own frameable Alaska snapshots. 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.

See Denali on an Alaska cruisetour

Launched in 2022, the Discovery Princess has a capacity of 3,660 guests and 1,346 crew. It is the newest of the Royal class of ships, the largest in the Princess fleet. Princess Cruises will offer several sailings to Alaska in 2023, adding the Sapphire Princess this season, for a total of seven ships. Tours fill up fast in Alaska, and that’s especially true for some popular ones like helicopter excursions that land on a glacier.

Enjoy two glacier-viewing experiences on every itinerary — including Glacier Bay National Park, and Hubbard Glacier or College Fjord. Combine a cruise + train + lodge + Denali for an in-depth Alaska experience. With national parks and four of North America’s tallest mountains, Alaska’s wilderness has been preserved for generations. Denali National Park is larger than Vermont and home to the highest peak on the continent.

From a balcony stateroom, marvel at the glaciers passing by before enjoying local seafood in one of our many eateries during your Voyage of the Glaciers cruise. Known for its timber, Ketchikan hosts the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, where athletes throw, race and chop their way to victory. Explore one of the world’s oldest collection of totem poles at the Totem Pole Heritage Center, or stroll along Creek Street. As the salmon capital of the world, Ketchikan’s waters make for incredible fishing.

Princess Cruises Salutes 65th Anniversary of Alaska Statehood as Leading Cruise Line Readies for Another Record ... - PR Newswire

Princess Cruises Salutes 65th Anniversary of Alaska Statehood as Leading Cruise Line Readies for Another Record ....

Posted: Wed, 03 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Our Gold Magellan award-winning North to Alaska program brings local personalities, culture and Alaska seafood on board and on land to immerse you in the history and traditions of the 49th state. From savoring fresh Alaska seafood to meeting local celebrities, our North to Alaska program allows you to see, feel and taste the best of the Great Land. With over 17 million acres of land, Tongass National Forest is home to a collection of landscapes and wildlife.

Alaska Cruise Onboard Experience

At first glance many mistake Victoria for an English coastal city or northern European town. Full of greenery, pubs and Victorian architecture, it's difficult to believe that this was a tent city full of rough and tumble miners just 150 years ago. On a cruise to Alaska, explore the Butchart Gardens, tour the pub scene and taste some of the local brews or sail the bay for a whale-watching adventure. See how bald eagles and local bird populations receive first-class treatment at the Alaska Raptor Center. Or experience the culture of Russian Alaska on a visit to St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Church, and relive Native history at the Sheldon Jackson Museum.

Inside Passage Roundtrip Seattle

Valdez is situated in Prince William Sound and serves as the gateway to the interior of Alaska. Often referred to as the "Little Switzerland", Valdez is known for its breathtaking panorama of snow-capped mountains and glaciers. 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. With its roaring glaciers, rugged mountains and deep fjords, Glacier Bay National Park feels like a dream.

Cruises include scenic cruising of Glacier Bay National Park as well as College Fjord and the Hubbard Glacier. For 2023, Sapphire Princess will be sailing out of both Vancouver and Anchorage (Whittier), visiting Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Anchorage, Icy Strait Point and Sitka, Alaska. There is plenty of scenic cruising, such as Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier, Hubbard Glacier, and Glacier Bay National Park. Princess also offers a North to Alaska program, which includes special excursions like the chance to head out on the water and experience what it’s like on the Discovery Channel program, Deadliest Catch. The park rangers also set up a small shop on board and hosted a Junior Ranger program for any children on the ship. Between the weather and the dress code, the clothes you need for your land tour may be very different from the clothes you need on the ship.

I may have started out slow and a bit hesitant, but by the end I was zooming through the backroads, hurtling myself into puddles, mud-splattered and smiling from ear to ear. It’s important to pack everything from a warm jacket and light sweaters to a T-shirt and shorts. Others were just starting their vacations, but I was already deep into exploring, and ready to continue.

It’s important to book as far in advance as you can to ensure your vacation isn’t affected by your first option being sold out. On my trip we saw multiple humpback whales during a whale watching excursion, for example, but we didn’t see any orca. The day before, however, another group had seen a whole pod of orca on a different excursion. The weather in Alaska changes quickly and dramatically and can vary widely depending on where in the state you are. On one day alone in Denali National Park on the land portion of our tour, it rained and snowed before the sun peeked out from behind the clouds all in a matter of an hour. And in the south on the cruise portion, I was hot walking around Juneau in a T-shirt.

Visit the Chugach National Forest, the second largest national forest in the United States. Or visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and see brown bears, moose and bison living in a protected habitat that perfectly emulates the wild. It will visit a number of ports, including Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Seattle, Icy Strait Point and Sitka, Alaska, and Victoria, British Columbia. Cruisers will also enjoy scenic cruising of Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier, Hubbard Glacier, and Glacier Bay National Park.

With an overwhelming world of choices, we understand you may need some personal assistance to plan your perfect vacation. From finding the right destination to choosing the best departure date, we're here to help. Plus, our experienced travel consultants have access to exclusive vacation deals to make sure you get the best value for your time and money.

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. 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. Tour a working Alaska homestead and learn how the Great Land’s residents have become so self-sufficient. Or land in a helicopter on a glacier beneath the tallest peak in North America on your Alaska cruisetour.

I also saw a lot more wildlife on the land portion, which meant any animals I saw during the cruise were just a bonus. Cut from age-old glacial movements, Endicott Arm is a narrow fjord over thirty miles long. Sailing down it gives you a view into some of the most dramatic vistas in the north. See the Alaska glaciers of Endicott Arm, including Dawes Glacier, and revel in the walls of ice that stretch stories above the waterline. Or delight in the cliffsides that are decorated with forests and wildlife. Fly-fish for Arctic grayling in one of the rivers near this Alaska national park.