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As your ship sails away from each port of call in Alaska, you will be rewarded with stunning views of the Inside Passage, and you won’t want to miss sailaway each evening. However, sailaway times often overlap with the early dining time, meaning you’ll miss these scenic sailings if you're in the Main Dining Room. One of the best ways to become acquainted with Royal Caribbean’s cruise ships is to watch a full tour of the ship on YouTube. On our YouTube channel, we have full, high definition tours of each Royal Caribbean ship sailing to Alaska. Whether you’re confused about what to pack or overwhelmed with the dozens of shore excursion offerings, the planning process can quickly seem more stressful than enjoyable. If you value being able to see scenery more up close and have the budget to spend on an extra excursion, there’s no harm in booking the tour.
Alaska Souvenirs to Take Home With You So You Never Forget Your Trip Royal Caribbean Cruises
If you’re on the opposite end of the budget spectrum, there’s nothing wrong with booking a suite. Staying in a suite on a Royal Caribbean cruise can make your Alaska experience even more enjoyable by providing extra space and amenities like private restaurants and priority embarkation. Visiting Alaska in the early season will come with several differences compared to visiting in the peak season. While we can’t say for sure whether or not you’ll be able to convince someone to go on an Alaska cruise, it might not be as challenging as you think.
GREAT CRUISES NEAR ME
If you are choosing between a glacier excursion and an excursion in another cruise port, though, we advise booking an excursion in a different port instead. Northbound itineraries travel from Vancouver to Seward, which means guests enjoy a 7-night cruise before starting the land portion of their trip. Royal Caribbean offers these tours during the summer cruise season, and they can be booked directly through the cruise line as part of your overall cruise fare. Land tours range from 2 to 6 extra nights before or after a 7-night sailing. The tours are guided and include accommodation at charming lodges and hotels, a scenic train ride, and visits to destinations including Denali and Fairbanks.
Alaska cruises from Seattle Guide & Review
Alaska Cruise Tours are a combination of a one way cruise and a land tour of Alaska. Land tours range from an extra 2-5 nights on land in addition to your time on a cruise ship. Exploring ports through independent tour operators or on your own is another option. All Alaska cruise ports have complimentary attractions and nature activities right near where the ship docks, so it’s not always necessary to book an excursion.
The caveat is that you cannot see the hotel name and are only given the number of stars and approximate location of the hotel, thus leading to a “blind” booking. As far as wildlife, you may catch a glimpse of Alaska’s annual salmon run as well as bears, and it’s possible to see whales in Alaska’s waters, too. If on a one-way itinerary, you may also encounter rougher seas while crossing the Gulf of Alaska to and from Seward. If you really can’t convince your wife to cruise to Alaska, you can always book a solo cruise (although she may not be too happy about that!). To make your Alaska cruise planning process easier, here are the answers to your top Alaska cruise questions.
From spending the day exploring historic ports to enjoying wonderful dining and entertainment each evening onboard, it’s easy to see why Alaska cruises are so popular. Alaska cruises from Seattle visit many of the 49th state’s most beautiful destinations while offering all the comforts found in a cruise vacation. The city makes a convenient start point for embarking on a much-anticipated adventure. If you’re on a one-way itinerary, it’s possible to encounter inclement weather while sailing through the Gulf of Alaska to (or from) Seward. Again, packing motion-sickness remedies is recommended, although you can always find some onboard if you forget. Depending on your itinerary, you will visit three or four ports in Alaska on your cruise.
What is the best way to see the ports on a budget?
Unsurprisingly, Alaska cruises are among the most popular cruise itineraries Royal Caribbean offers. There are plenty of ways to explore Alaska’s nature without breaking a sweat, though. After all, most excursions and activities focus on exploring the outdoors. For something relaxing and scenic, book a ticket on the White Pass & Yukon Railway in Skagway.
A look at the 2024 Alaska cruises
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. At the conclusion of the Alaska cruise season, the ships reverse the itinerary and sail from Vancouver to Hawaii. Plus, by arriving in Seattle a day early, you’ll have more time to enjoy the city’s attractions. Whether admiring skyline views from the Space Needle or eating your way through Pike Place Market, there are plenty of ways to keep busy in Seattle before your cruise begins. Ultimately, there are no bad choices for which cruise to choose for Alaska. You will find stunning views and really fun explorations in any of the ports.
The time of year you sail can impact your cruise experience
Both ships make their required Canadian port of call at Victoria, sometimes mid-day, but often in the evening. Ovation's itineraries include as many as four sea days when you count the scenic cruising days. With the multi night land tour, you’ll enjoy the best of Alaska in port and inland towns. Pioneer America’s Last Frontier onboard Ovation of the Seas®, one of the world's most groundbreaking ships and among the boldest ships to ever sail Alaska.
Should I cruise on Princess to Alaska? I booked a sailing to see for myself - Cruise Blog
Should I cruise on Princess to Alaska? I booked a sailing to see for myself.
Posted: Thu, 10 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
You’re going to want to start planning early, though, as these adventures are popular — the sooner you book, the better the cruise deals. Whether you’re traveling with kids or looking for an unforgettable couple’s adventure, a vacation like this delivers on every level. From Alaska’s incredible natural wonders and awe-inspiring landscapes, to its rich cultural heritage and history, nothing beats a cruise to this wild northern paradise. The itineraries of both Radiance-class ships go a bit farther north than the larger ships, allowing both ships time at Hubbard Glacier on at least some of the sailings. On its one-way route, Radiance has two sea days -- the least sea days of all the itineraries. The real differences are in what these smaller ships offer -- and don’t offer -- for those who choose to cruise on them.
Cultural excursions are another option, where guests can learn more about the Huna Tlingit people through song and dance at Icy Strait Point’s Native Heritage Center Theater. Sail into the Last Frontier from Seward or Vancouver onboard Radiance of the Seas®. With over three acres of windows and glass exterior viewing lifts, 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. Despite not visiting Glacier Bay, Royal Caribbean puts an incredible product out with their Alaska cruises. The casino is open on an Alaska cruise when your cruise ship is sailing through international waters.
Discover the top tips for planning a cruise to Alaska and uncover the best times of the year to spot Alaskas wildlife, locate must-see attractions, find Alaskan cruise deals and more. 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. There's nothing like seeing these behemoths hurl themselves out of the water, to splash back into the sea.
At the time of this article's posting, Radiance of the Seas Hawaii itineraries are not listed yet. While you could roll the dice and hope for a better last-minute deal on an Alaska cruise, the cabin selections will be paltry at best. If you are looking to see the most stunning scenery, a cruise that takes you to further north is the way to go. Where your ship goes in Alaska is also a major consideration, because there are a few different itineraries you can choose.
Stressing over making it to the airport in time is not worth it; instead, the general rule of thumb is to avoid booking flights before noon. More often than not, flight prices will increase significantly as your travel date approaches. Waiting to see if the price drops almost always results in paying more for your flight, so it’s important to get your flights booked to avoid wasting money. The last thing you want to happen is have your dream excursion sell out, leaving you scrambling to find other plans.
Or cozy up with a warm Irish coffee as you listen to live music from a local guitarist. And, just as the name implies, these bike tours end with a stop at a brewery in downtown Juneau. There are a few ways to prepare so your cruise goes as smoothly as possible. Smaller ships tend to sail from Vancouver whereas larger ships sail out of Seattle. This is due to the fact that Quantum Class ships are unable to fit under Vancouver’s Lion Gate Bridge outside of a very low-tide.
