Alaska cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do
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If you're eager to spot bald eagles in the wild, ride a dog sled atop an ice field or pan for gold after a hearty salmon feast, an Alaska cruise is calling your name. Dive into The Points Guy's Alaska cruise guide for all the planning tips you need for your dream cruise up north. Alaska's seafood is famous, and we bring the best to you with locally inspired dishes from the state’s best eateries. From ship to shore, the best is at your fingertips on our Alaska cruises. Our Princess fleet includes ships that range from our smaller vessels to large ships. From a balcony stateroom, marvel at the glaciers passing by before enjoying local seafood in one of our many eateries during your Alaska cruise.
Discover Alaska with Princess in 2023-2024
Some venture farther north into the Gulf of Alaska; these are often one-way cruises that begin and end at the ports near Anchorage. On a cruise to Alaska, live a nature lover's dream in the land where guests can catch postcard-worthy sights. With all the choices there are for cruises, you will, of course, be curious as to which one is best. Cruises offer much more to guests than just a ship; they offer a full experience, including dining, leisure activities, and outdoor excursions. Sink into refreshed suites and a new lounge, plus dining and entertainment venues. Take in Alaska’s evergreen fjords and thunderous glaciers on this Vista-class Alaska cruise ship.
What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise
Take off by dogsled across thousand-year-old ice as you soak in otherworldly sights. Trek across the majestic Mendenhall Glacier for breathtaking views of the wildest country. 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.
Unique Alaska Cruise Experiences
This just means if you are particularly prone to seasickness, maybe the inside passage is more your style. One thing that is great about the inside passage is that you are in relatively calm water.
Best Dishes to Try on Your Alaska Cruise
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. When planning a trip to Alaska, many travelers wonder if it's better to explore the state by land or by sea.
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At night be regaled by the fantastic shows in the theater or have fun in one of the ship’s casino rooms. Alaska has a rugged beauty with breathtaking natural views, and if you are looking to sail into the most northern state, you may be wondering what the best cruise from Vancouver to Alaska is. Almost every major cruise line has a presence in the state, so deciding which one is right for you can depend on a few factors. Our Princess fleet includes some of the best cruises from Vancouver.
Whale Watching on Alaska Cruises
Weeklong itineraries generally embark in either Seattle or Vancouver, British Columbia — though some itineraries originate in Juneau. A few lines, such as Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Cunard Line, offer 10-night Inside Passage cruises from Seattle or Vancouver. For booked guests, please see our travel planning details on how to book an airport transfer. Remove the hassle from air travel and give yourself the gift of flexibility, time and a thicker wallet with Princess EZair flights. We negotiate lower rates with the airlines, allow you to modify your flight up to 45 days prior with no penalty and protect you if your flight is late or canceled.
Should conditions not permit glacier viewing, don’t forget that there are shore excursions that include glacier viewings or even glacier landings. Mendenhall, outside of Juneau, and Exit Glacier, just outside of Seward, are easy to visit. Alaska cruises from Vancouver typically sail the Inside Passage calling at some of the popular ports in Southeast Alaska. Many itineraries include ports like Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Icy Strait Point. A few cruise lines call at lesser visited, but equally interesting ports, like Haines, Sitka, or Valdez.
Vancouver British Columbia Port Guide
On an Alaska cruise, take your pick of attractions in the port of Sitka. See how bald eagles and local bird populations receive first-class treatment at the Alaska Raptor Center. Encounter wildlife in their natural habitat at the Fortress of the Bear. 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. When you cruise to Alaska with Princess, sail through one of the most iconic locations in the Great Land — Glacier Bay National Park.
Most people tend to focus on the Caribbean for summer cruises, but an Alaska summer vacation can be a great option, too. Embark on a thrilling journey with young explorers through breathtaking landscapes. The best Alaska food to try on a cruise includes king crab, salmon, fry bread, birch syrup, wild berries and more. So, the best time to cruise to Alaska is truly an individual decision based on what you want out of the trip.
No matter how you arrive in Vancouver, it’s always a good idea to arrive at least a day prior to your cruise departure. For any of your transportation options, look for the directional signs in the airport. If you need assistance finding your way to your preferred method of transportation, look for the customer care volunteer ambassadors.
Nieuw Amsterdam's exceptional onboard experience earned "Best Cruise Ship Overall" at the Travvy Awards. Many flock to Alaska every year for a chance to witness the aurora borealis. Did you know they are more likely to display during high solar activity cycles? Find out how to pick the best time to see the northern lights in Alaska.
The trip can offer more than just views and be an excellent experience for outdoor and sports enthusiasts. Relax ship side as you breeze through some famous natural wonders like the Johnstone Strait and Misty Fjords National Monument. Explore the dynamic glaciers, soaring peaks and captivating history of the 49th state on our award-winning itineraries. On a cruise from Vancouver, unpack once and visit multiple Hawaiian Islands on a 15-day roundtrip adventure or a one-way itinerary ending in Honolulu.
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. On land, you'll likely spy bears and Dall sheep while eagles, puffins and a host of seabirds circle above. From the sweeping mountains of Juneau to the fish-bearing seas of Ketchikan, discover our Alaska cruise ports and set sail into the adventures that await you. Once the gateway to Alaska's Gold Rush, Skagway strikes a dramatic image nestled between the water's edge and mountains. Follow in the footsteps of miners with a ride on a scenic train along the famous White Pass route through coastal mountains. During your Alaska cruise, explore the Yukon's pristine wilderness, pan for gold with professionals or meet sled dog puppies in training.
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's capital city is interesting because no road leads from here to the rest of the state. 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. 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). Some lines also offer Alaska cruisetours that venture into Canada's Yukon, including a few Holland America tours that combine half a cruise with a cruisetour that starts or ends in Skagway.
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. Nearly every major cruise line has a presence in Alaska from May through mid-September, with some offering sailings as early as April or as late as October. Cold temperatures, icy waters and a long snowy season are not conducive to early spring and late fall cruises.
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