What's the Best Cruise Line for Alaska? Some of the smallest boats hold between 12 and 100 passengers, and many of them are all-inclusive (or at least inclusive of almost everything except alcohol). You can shed the jacket as temperatures allow, then lose the vest if it gets even warmer. WebOBC has no cash value, is applicable to cruise only, non-transferable, not redeemable for cash, and will expire if not used by 10:00 PM on the final night of the cruise. Alaska Related: Top 10 things to do in Juneau, Alaska Best Cruise Sleep apps and eye masks may help with the daylight situation. Additionally, Windstars smaller ship are able to get closer to the shore than any other cruise ships, providing world-class wildlife viewing. The best time to sail in Alaskaand see natural wonders like the Hubbard Glacieris during the summer. The final destination on this epic Alaska cruise is the massive Hubbard Glacier. Sure, you want to capture the amazing scenery, but you know what? You dont want to screw it up because you might not get the chance for a do-over. Ask a question. WebGet up close and personal to the natural beauty of Alaska as we cruise to Mendenhall Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park, and more. Im also a not-so-secret space nerd and speak fluent emoji! One exception: If you want to do a bear-watching shore excursion, prime bear season is not until late June or early July. When it comes to day cruises, Seward has a lot more options. You can find multiple seawater glaciers, and if you have never seen whales, this is undoubtedly one of the best places for that as well. The photos you'll enjoy most when you look back next year are the ones of your travel partners enjoying the trip. Besides this list of best places to see on an Alaska cruise, you can also consider other places, such as . When most travelers consider the possibility of viewing a glacier, two things are Hubbard Glacier. There are also hiking trails near Whittier, including the Portage Pass Trail though youll need a car to reach most of them. Due to the remote location, most visitors arrive at Hubbard Glacier by cruise ship. Each of their cruises features a combination of wildlife, outdoor adventures, massive glaciers and towering mountains. Alaska Glacier Cruises It runs roughly from May through September. THE 25 BEST Cruises to Glacier Bay, AK 2023 (with Prices Excellent article. In a partnership with Glacier Bay rangers, every Princess Alaska cruise allows kids to spend the day becoming junior park rangers and learning about Alaska's many national parks and wildlife. Or how about riding in a sled pulled by sled dogs? When you book a cruise to Alaska, you'll enjoy a relaxing and memorable vacation with all the comforts and amenities of Princess Cruises at your beck and call. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Here are some of the incredible glaciers waiting for you in Alaska. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. You will encounter slippery slopes and rocky roads and that's just walking through Alaska port towns. WebHere are some of the incredible glaciers waiting for you in Alaska. Highlights plus less visited destinations. Generally speaking, the larger the ship, the cheaper the initial price tag. The main difference between the two is that the NW tour focuses more on potential for sealife/whales while the Holgate/Aialik one will have more glacier time. Tick off Alaskas must-see destinations from your adventure bucket list. Try a mid-season sailing that visits Glacier Bay National Park. The Inside Passage is popular for a reason. Quantum of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas all travel along the spectacular coast of northwestern North America. You can unsubscribe at any time. For me, the best glacier cruise would include both Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay, but if forced to choose, it would be Glacier Bay. While this itinerary is similar to many other week-long Alaska cruises, what sets this Alaska Highlights Cruise apart is the ship itself. Best glacier day cruise - Alaska Forum Web4 Best Glaciers to Add to Your Alaska Itinerary (No Cruise Needed!) Hiking on Alaska Glacier Tours | Royal Caribbean Cruises Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain. See a glacier! WebHead deeper into the frozen wilderness with one of our Alaska Cruisetours on board Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Spirit, combining your cruise with an immersive land vacation that goes beyond the expected. Cruises Another itinerary that focuses on lesser-visited ports is French line Ponants 15-day sailing starting in Nome, Alaskas erstwhile gold-rush outpost on the sparsely populated western coast. Some stick to a manageable six-day itinerary within the popular and more easily accessible southeast region, while others head out on epic three-week sailings that cross multiple time zones. The largest state in the U.S., Alaska is huge in size but also in cruise opportunities. You can reach Whittier by train in roughly two hours on the Alaska Railroad, or drive from Anchorage in about 90 minutes. Note: you can also do this cruise in a southbound direction. Ships also do a lot of maneuvering, including turning complete circles designed to give everyone on board access to the amazing views. Glacier Viewing on Alaska Glacier Tours If you have your heart set on seeing these animals, be sure to plan a trip to Denali National Park to spot Alaskas Big Five (including moose and bear). To give you a sense of the towering height of the glacier, it looms over passing cruise ships by nearly 40 stories. I agree, Discover exclusive cruise offers from our. Both the National Geographic Quest and National Geographic Venture make the sailing. Does this mean you shouldn't take advantage of last-minute Alaska cruise deals if you find them? Day 6 - Exit Glacier 5:36 pm. The best time to visit also depends on your tolerance for the cold and for other travelers. to Anchorage (Whittier), stopping in historic port cities like Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway. With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and respect to the past and present people of these lands. One, most cameras dropped into the depths of an Alaskan bay pose a less traumatic loss than most smartphones. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. In addition to that convenience, they distinguish themselves with their world-class cruise ships, combined with exclusive Direct-to-the-Wilderness railway service in Alaska. Web3. Keep an eye out for any glacial calving, as the glacier often drops 10-story tall icebergs into the waters! Mosquitoes in Alaska aren't always a nuisance, but they can be horrendous. Docked: 7:30AM to 8:00PM. Alaska Glacier Cruises Whats appealing about this Windstar Cruises itinerary is that its a good mix of Alaskas natural landscapes and coastal cityscapes. Early- and late-season cruises might be unable to access the glaciers on their itineraries due to ice floes. Docked: 2:00PM to 8:30PM. First time cruising? Bailey Berg is the associate travel news editor at AFAR, where she covers breaking news, trends, tips, sustainability, the outdoors, and more. Her first cruise was on Carnivals second ship, Carnivale. Enjoy cozy comforts on the high-speed catamaran and wander its outdoor decks as you come within 300 feet of massive tidewater glaciers. Shorter options of 5 days are available, too, as are longer sailings of up to 10 days. This means whales have to travel only about a quarter of the distance to be close to Seward compared to whittier (or a better way to say it is that our boats have to go about a quarter of the distance to reach more common whale waters). These sailings take place on the intimate 86-passenger Wilderness Legacy, with cozy but comfortable cabins and unlimited activities and beverages. Our cruise experts will help you to plan your perfect cruise vacation! Hiking on Alaska Glacier Tours There are several different factors that determine the cost of cruises to Alaska. So, Alaska is a one-stop destination for glaciers, mountains, food and everything an explorer can ask for. The ultimate cruise ship experience! From the time of year to natural circumstances, the location of your stateroom, and the cruise line you choose, the price range is quite wide. Re: Best glacier day cruise. Glacier One day might involve kayaking in Patterson Bay followed by a brisk snorkeling session. AFAR participates in affiliate marketing programs, which means we may earn a commission if you purchase an item featured on our site. 2023 AFAR Media. Glacier Viewing on Alaska Glacier Tours - Princess Cruises Only select cruise lines, including Princess Cruises and Holland America, can visit Glacier Bay. Mix in boat rides and glacier watching from the ship at 6 a.m., and you have a complicated packing job ahead of you. Find and plan your next cruise to Glacier Bay with cabin price comparison, variety of departure ports and dates to Then Sitka, a former Russian colony, and Kake, a little-visited Indigenous community known for having the tallest totem pole in the world. As you now know, there are differences between the two towns, so you might wonder: which cruise port is better, Seward or Whittier? Dont wimp out in an observation lounge. Choose a round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise. The best time to go to Alaska on a cruise is between May and September. A kid broke an arm on the ship and needed surgery, so a family of five disembarked in Ketchikan not exactly a cheap end to their vacation, I'm guessing. That more intimate experience commands a higher nightly rateanywhere between $250 and $1,500 a night. You'll be covered for medical expenses but not the other expenses associated with any injury that interrupts your cruise. Great blog! On the other hand, Seward is much larger and home to roughly 2,773 people. Once home, youll remember your epic vacation every time you snuggle up on the couch. Those things might be excessive for a stroll through town, but important in the wind on a whale-watching boat. Note that this is the average cost of the cheapest time of each cruise. BEST Cruises to Glacier Bay 4. Summer really doesnt last much longer than July through August. As youve read, they are definitely different and have two different experiences to offer. You'll gain access to exclusive savings. Cruises WebBest Alaska Glacier Cruises. But it may not be ideal for you: Here are the factors to consider, so that you can zero in on your own peak cruise time: For both cruising and land-based tours, May and September are the shoulder seasons in Alaska, with better deals and fewer crowds. Note, however, that the Alaska cruise season is shorter than other destinations. Find a cruise and book cruises direct - no booking fee! That said, however, the average starting price of the best Alaska cruises discussed in this post is $1,565 per person. in Alaska Cruises In the end, theres no right answer to whether you should visit Whittier or Seward on a day cruise or as a cruise port. I understand I may opt out at any time using the unsubscribe link provided in all communications. These voyages offer a more intimate and close-up Alaska experience, with outings on kayaks and Zodiac boats that launch directly from the ship. Best Glacier WebICE, ICE, BABY! You can witness fjords, glaciers, streams and rivers here. With more than 2,500 islands, mountainsides that tickle coastal waterways, a robust seasonal whale population (as well as the opportunity to spot moose, bears, and eagles, among other wildlife), and rich local culture in truly remote communities, some only accessible by water, its easy to see why so many travelers decide to sail in Alaska. Unfortunately, its easier than you think to make Alaska cruise mistakes that can ruin a trip or prevent you from experiencing Alaska to the fullest. In this post, I promote travel to a destination that is the traditional lands of the Alutiiq (Sugpiaq) peoples. Here you can go on an adventure on a fishing boat and taste the local fish delicacies to learn their way of life. Next is St. Paul Island, where volcanoes and crater lakes are on the agenda, followed by Dutch Harbor, an Aleutian Islands community known for its prodigious number of bald eagles. Hiking on the Best Glaciers in Alaska: Take an Adventure Cruise By Robert Schrader | Published on March 26, 2022 As I walked on top the slick, white ice of one of the best glaciers in Alaska to tour , one thing surprised me in particular: how safe I felt. Glacier Bay National Park. Dont forget to taste local seafood, either, with Juneaus king crabs, salmon, and halibut among the best in the world. Pack insect repellant and full-coverage clothing as though you were planning to visit a rainforest because you are. Details: Part of a national park and preserve covering over 3 million acres, encompassing more than 1,000 glaciers, seven of which are Which of the Seward day cruises would be best for the least chance of rough water? It is a 2.5-hour drive (or 4.25-hour train ride) from Anchorage. That includes hearing the white thunder of a glacier calving into the ocean and watching the joyful splash of a whale breaching above it plus so many others. Juneau is the capital city of the state of Alaska and is the second-largest city in the US by area. When is the best time to visit Alaska via land and sea? Prepare by packing motion sickness relief bands you place on pressure points on your wrists, prescription scopolamine transdermal patches, ginger candies, over-the-counter seasickness medications and herbal motion sickness patches. Alaska does. Many towns across Alaska offer activities such as white-water rafting, ziplining, and more high excitement activities like off-roading (ATVing). Or, float at the face of Portage Glacier just minutes after leaving the dock. Over the course of nine days, this sailing on the 1,976-passenger Norwegian Sun visits seven ports, including Sitka, Ice Strait Point, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Victoria (in British Columbia), and spends a full day puttering around the otherworldly Hubbard Glacier. Cruises depart from either Seattle or Vancouver, while Holland Americas Land+Sea Cruise Tours can take you to Denali or even deep into the Yukon. Those shoulder-season trips are chilly (theres a good chance youll see snow in some places and will need to bundle up more), but there are significantly fewer tourists to do battle with during shore excursions. Don't be surprised if you feel seasick in Alaska's waters, even if no other cruise has made you feel that way. SEE HOW TO INCORPORATE THESE ACTIVITIES INTO YOUR VACATION! However, its far less likely youll see wildlife on these tours, and the glaciers are generally much further from the boat when you see them. Just 15 miles from Sewardwhere many While less common, it is possible to spot moose and bear near the shorelines too, but very rare. It's worse in mid-summer, but even on shoulder season sailings, you may not find space on the excursions you hoped to do if you wait until you're on the ship to book. What makes Alaska Dream Cruises so special is the fact that its the only Indigenous-owned cruise company in the United Statesand that heritage presents itself in an authentic way throughout the sailings. Boutique, small ship adventure cruises in Alaska's Inside Passage, Cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage. For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPGs cruise newsletter. There are plenty of things to do in Seward and shuttles that take you to Exit Glacier, the only part of Kenai Fjords National Park that is accessible by land. She prefers shore excursions involving history, wine or wildlife. Whether youre in that half of prospective visitors or not, youre likely doing research to try and see whales, glaciers, or both and might be getting confused about where Whittier or Seward to book the best cruise to do that. Snap those babies up just come prepared with a list of second and third choices of excursions, just in case. 1. As one of the most popular cruise destinations in the USA, Alaska is served by several, if not most, major cruise lines. Alaska Glacier Cruises Explained: All You It was named for Gardiner Hubbard, Dawes Glacier. Re: Best glacier day cruise. This seven-night cruise takes in most of the iconic highlights in coastal Alaska. Mega-cruises (with cruise lines such Princess, Carnival, Celebrity, Disney, and Holland America) can go for as little as $100 a night (so roughly $600 per person for a six-night sailing). Glacier When thinking about going on an Alaska cruise, you might have some questions. Besides these, this city is teeming with wildlife and provides myriad opportunities for outdoor activities. Theres nothing wrong with those itineraries, but they do tend to focus more on touristy downtowns and less on the great outdoors. Its also one of the more family-friendly lines sailing in Alaska, considering there are kids clubs and programming specifically geared at youngsters. The answer is a resounding yes. See our top recommended tours. Want to see the northern lights? 26 Glacier Cruise Review: The Best Way to See Glaciers - Valerie Early- and late-season cruises might be unable to access the glaciers on their itineraries due to ice floes. The final layers of outerwear should be lightweight because you may need to stuff them in your backpack for half the day as the temperature rises. other in-destination services from a broad If youd like to venture beyond the cruise classics like the Caribbean, Hawaii or Mediterranean, why not head up north and explore coastal Alaska on one of this years best Alaska cruises. If youre planning a cruise to Alaska, its natural to have questions about cruising to the 49th state. The fjord appears like a group of frozen rivers cascading down the mountainside to the blue waters. It was one of the best experiences of the entire cruise. Seeing glaciers is one of the experiences I think most Alaskans overlook or underestimate how much visitors enjoy.
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