The lure of seeing glaciers up close, sailing through fjords bordered by verdant forests, as well as viewing nearby humpback whales, eagles and brown bears draws many people to take an Alaskan cruise. Alaska travel and vacations are simplified by taking a cruise.
When to Take an Alaskan Cruise
Early to mid-May through late September is when most Alaskan cruises are offered. A few tips about cruising in Alaska:
- Affordable fares are available in May and September.
- Fewer visitors come to Alaska in May and September.
- More sun and less rain occur in May and early June, but temperatures are lower.
- July travel in Alaska affords 18 to 24 hours of daylight.
Alaskan Cruise Itineraries
Cruise lines traveling to Alaska offer four basic itineraries for viewing glaciers, wildlife and national parks:
- The traditional Inside Passage round-trip tour is usually 8 days and 7 nights, leaving from Seattle or Vancouver, B.C.
- Longer Inside Passage trips leave from San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego.
- Inside Passage cruise trips sail through the southeast Alaska panhandle, stopping at Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Juneau, Sitka, Haines and Skagway.
- Alaska cruises can also be done by sailing one way and flying another. Most of these cruises begin in Vancouver or Seattle and sail to Whittier, Seward or Anchorage via the southeast Alaska panhandle, Gulf of Alaska and Prince William Sound.
- Alaska-only cruising trips begin and end within Alaskan waters, exploring remote wilderness waterways and fjords for adventure travel with whale watching, kayaking and hiking.
- Expedition voyages go on round-trip tours from Alaskan ports to Russian Siberia.
Sizes of Alaskan Cruise Ships
The two largest types of Alaskan cruise ships carry the most passengers:
- Large to mega lines accommodate 1,000 to 2,670 passengers.
- Mid-sized ships carry 300 to 1,000 passengers.
- Smaller cruise ships serve from 12 to 200 passengers.
- Many of the large and mid-sized vessels have swimming pools, theaters, stage shows, casinos, fitness centers, boutiques, cocktail lounges and various dining options.
- On-board naturalists on all ships enhance the Alaska travel experience through lectures and port programs.
- Larger ships may offer adventure travel in Alaska when in port, such as fishing, kayaking and close-up tours of glaciers.
- Port tours include guided or walking tours of Alaskan gold-rush towns, mountain tram rides, sled dog tours, flightseeing by plane or helicopter, salmon fishing or close-up glacier viewing.
Alaska Cruise Lines
From large to mega cruise ships to mid-size cruise vessels, there are many Alaskan cruises to choose from:
- Carnival Cruiselines, the world’s largest, departs from Seattle for Inside Passage week-long round trips to southeast Alaska.
- Celebrity Cruises offers 2-week, 12-day and 1-week round-trip cruises, departing from San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., to southeast Alaska.
- Holland America Line has several round-trip, 15-day and 8-day cruises to Alaska’s Inside Passage from Seattle and Vancouver.
- Norwegian Cruiseline has 8-day, round-trip voyages from Seattle to the Inside Passage of Alaska.
- Princess Cruises offers week-long, round trips to Alaska’s Inside Passage fromSeattle and Vancouver. San Francisco is the departure for 10-day voyages in Alaska’s Inside Passage.
- Royal Caribbean International has 2-week and 1-week cruises to Alaska from San Diego, Seattle or Vancouver.
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers mid-size cruise ships for 2-week and 1-week round-trip and one-way trips for Alaskan glacier viewing, departing from San Francisco and Vancouver.
- Silversea Cruises has mid-size, luxury ships for 2-week 10-day and 8-day, round-trip tours from Los Angeles, San Francisco and Vancouver to southeast Alaska.
Cruise lines offer something for everyone traveling to Alaska, with excursions and tours available from various ports. Big scenery, wildlife and adventure travel make an Alaska vacation unforgettable.
Susan Lynne Hamilton - Award-winning writer Susan Lynne Hamilton is the Topic Editor of Suite 101's Northwest U.S. travel section, showcasing its rich ...
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