This is not a cruise you want to sleep through and even if that's your plan, you may have difficulty accomplishing it. The best time to sail in Alaskaand see natural wonders like the Hubbard Glacieris during the summer. For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPGs cruise newsletter. You can avoid the most common Alaska cruise mistakes with a little extra planning. Back on the vessel, after a gourmet meal and drinks, evening entertainment is viewing the deep fjords, glaciers, and abundant whales that make Alaska so magical. I also find that Alaska cruises are ideal for ordering room service meals. Spanning nearly 30-miles across, the fjord was named for Civil War general Benjamin Franklin Tracy and contains the magnificent twin Sawyer glaciers. Cruises Just 15 miles from Sewardwhere many WebActivity highlights in Juneau include whale watching, exploring Mendenhall Glacier, and riding the Goldbelt Tramway up Mount Roberts. WebBest Cruises to Glacier Bay. Alaska cruises are not like that. Cruise 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. Seeing glaciers is one of the experiences I think most Alaskans overlook or underestimate how much visitors enjoy. 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). The ultimate cruise ship experience! With Lindblad Expeditions, passengers will get up close and personal with nature. However, if whale-watching is one of your Alaska must-dos, Seward is a better option. All itineraries, whether its from San Francisco or Seattle, also include a stop in Victoria, the beautiful capital of British Columbia. This means your chance of seeing a glacier is just way higher if you cruise from Whittier. Alaska cruise Photo by Shutterstock The best time to cruise to Alaska The best time to take an Alaskan cruise is generally between May and September. Seabourn gives cruisers the chance to immerse themselves in Alaskas wilderness, nature, wildlife and historyall without having to forsake modern-day comforts. ), so from that perspective, my answer is: both Seward and Whittier have good cruise ports and it depends more on your Alaska itinerary once you disembark! 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. I'm 37 solo male wanting to do a solo round trip Alaska cruise - grateful for any recommendations- comfy room, some entertainment but importantly best cruise for seeing the sights as I've seen some poor reviews on that front in terms of people not being able to see what they expected or was promised! At my last count, there are 17 day cruises from Seward and only two from Whittier. WebBest Glaciers On An Alaska Cruise. Would you still recommend doing the 26 glacier tour, after doing the cruise? That's the kind of joy you cruise to Alaska to experience. Theres also complimentary pilates and yoga, a gym, jogging track, spa, observation library, and a slew of bars and restaurants. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Go for a hike? That said, however, the average starting price of the best Alaska cruises discussed in this post is $1,565 per person. Once you're on board your ship, it's time to put all the craziness of planning and packing behind you. Let us simplify it for you, How much does an Alaska summer vacation cost? Shed never kayaked before. northbound Alaska & Hubbard Glacier Cruise, Up to $400 OBC and EXCLUSIVE Savings + FREE Drinks, Tips, and WiFi, 75% Off 2nd Guest + Save Up to $800 + Up to $800 Onboard Credit + FREE Drinks, Tips, and WiFi. Book your Celebrity Cruise today! Roughly 50% of people visit Alaska by cruise each year, and may not care about seeing any more glaciers or whales when they visit. Because of its sheer size, it offers all possible entertainment types and amenities you can expect on a cruise ship. Selected shore and land excursions can also be 20% cheaper. Most notable are these five lines: Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean. This is where Phillips 26 Glacier Cruise can be the perfect option; as the name suggests, its a cruise focused on seeing the many glaciers visible in Alaskas 2. From a massive glacier in Alaska to molten lava tubes in Hawaii and the most surreal canyons in Utah, read on to find the next best natural wonder that should be on your must-see bucket list. 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). WebGet the latest deals for Glacier Bay cruises on Cruise Critic. Cruise Since Alaska cruises are basically coastal cruises, the route paralleling the Alaskan coastline, you might think that the coast side of the ship is best. The most spectacular of all, though, may be Alaskan glacier tours. 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. In 2019, there are twelve sailing dates, running from late-May through mid-September. Many of them are 7-day cruises, either round-trips from Seattle or one-way voyages along the rugged Northwest coasts. If youre flying in or out of Anchorage, know that all transportation options include several hours of travel from the ports of Seward and Whittier; you might consider overnighting in Anchorage either pre-or post-cruise to play it safe. Both the National Geographic Quest and National Geographic Venture make the sailing. Spend the day exploring the countless glaciers of Prince William Sound . Alaska Jazz up casual, neutral-colored slacks (even jeans) or skirts with jackets or scarves. Fishing is good during any monththere are just different species of salmon that peak as the weeks go by. Duration: 2.5 Youll also notice that when comparing cruises between the two waterways, any of the Kenai Fjords cruises that mention glaciers do it as part of a wildlife viewing cruise, whereas the most common Prince William Sound cruise is literally called the 26 Glacier Cruise. Want to see whales? Thats a long shot during cruising season. Specifically, there are 38 glaciers in Kenai Fjords and over 100 in Prince William Sound. The coldest part of your Alaska cruise will likely be while the ship cruises through can't-miss scenery. Trade out your hiking shoes for comfy flats or dress sneakers. This place is ornamented with onion-domed cathedrals, breath taking views of Mount Edgecumbe and a dormant volcano. The Complete Seward City Guide gives you all the info you need to plan your time in Seward, in one convenient place. The entire viewing season of northern light is from March to September. However, this is not the case anymore as people have started to consider [], Book A Cruise Now 1. You don't have to stick with ship-sponsored shore excursions in every port in 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). Powered by eTravel, LLC. Besides, if you are a photographer or love exploring nature, Alaska is the right place to be. Or how about riding in a sled pulled by sled dogs? Specializing in Alaska trips, UnCruise operates a fleet of super-tiny vessels the biggest carries just 86 people that are so small they can go to remote, outdoorsy parts of Southeast Alaska that no big ship could visit. Alaska Glacier Cruises Explained: All You Alaska Glacier Cruises Related: Cruise packing list: The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise. When it comes to day cruises, Seward has a lot more options. Spend seven days traveling from Vancouver, B.C. That more intimate experience commands a higher nightly rateanywhere between $250 and $1,500 a night. If your Alaska travel plans include a cruise, you might find yourself wondering about the fact that some cruise companies start and end in Whittier (Princess & Holland America), while others have a terminal in Seward (Royal Caribbean, also Holland America, Celebrity, Silversea, and Regent Seven Seas). You may even catch a glimpse of impressive 40-ton humpback whales breaching the waters around the fjord. In terms of destinations, this is one of the absolute best Alaska cruises you can do this season, taking in many Alaska cruise locations that other cruise lines dont visit. Passengers frequently have to pay extra (and usually at a premium) for things like specialty dining, alcoholic beverages, and off-boat activities. Mosquitoes in Alaska aren't always a nuisance, but they can be horrendous. Ive taken day cruises from both Seward (most recently in 2017) and Whittier (2021), and have seen what each waterway has to offer visitors under the best conditions (blue skies, calm waters ) and the worst (torrential downpour, 6-foot swells ). With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and respect to the past and present people of these lands. From camping to cruising, she's been writing about travel for 30-plus years. To avoid this problem, book your flights to arrive the day before your cruise departs rather than the same day. The company picked us up and dropped us off at the cruise ship. WebJuneau Prince William Sound (from Valdez) Portage Kenai Fjords & Resurrection Bay (from Seward) Ketchikan Zodiac & small group tours Great shore excursion during a cruise Rainforest Island Adventure 1 Map Website Season: Late April-early October $175 per 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 Lisa Maloney, author of Moon Alaska. If youre looking to get pampered and spoiled during your cruise to Alaska, theres arguably no better cruise line than Seabourn, one of the worlds top luxury cruise lines. is a Texas-based freelance writer and guidebook author. The northbound Alaska & Hubbard Glacier Cruise goes beyond most Alaska cruises itineraries. But, if you are aiming to see the northern lights, September might be the perfect time as the nights are generally darker during this time, providing maximum chances to view the northern lights. I once kayaked in Ketchikan with a woman on her first solo cruise in Alaska. When is the best time to cruise to Alaska for salmon fishing? Short cruises are ideal for people who want to get away over the weekend or are looking for some time off from their day to day routine. Although most individuals consider Alaska a snowy field, it has many other things to offer. Glacier Bay National Park. As such, youll see twice as much in the same time as 7-night return cruises to Alaska! Dont forget to taste local seafood, either, with Juneaus king crabs, salmon, and halibut among the best in the world. Alaska cruises. Your questions answered | Royal Caribbean Blog Best things to do in Alaska with teenagers and tweenagers. How much time you spend on the water, on the ship or on land, however, is up to youtheres plenty to choose from. Which is Better for Seeing Other Sea Life. Numerous picturesque hiking trails make Sitka one of the best places to visit on an Alaska cruise. The regions unpredictable weather means it can be rainy and 50 degrees one day, then sunny and 85 degrees the next. After a day at sea, the first stop is St. Matthew Island, in the Bering Sea, almost equidistant from mainland Alaska and Russia. Bailey Berg is the associate travel news editor at AFAR, where she covers breaking news, trends, tips, sustainability, the outdoors, and more. If youre looking to eschew the cruise ship behemoths for something more intimate, this is itAlaska Dream Cruises Kruzof Explorer holds only 12 passengers. 2-5 day small ship explorations. You dont want to screw it up because you might not get the chance for a do-over. Re: Best glacier day cruise. Because Lindblad Expeditions partners with National Geographic, theres always a professional photographer on board to help travelers best capture their trip, as well as naturalists and expert guides to put what passengers see on the voyage into a more informative context. First time cruising? WebFeatured on GOOD MORNING AMERICA -- travel back to the Ice Ages with Alaska's original glacier helicopter tour! Early- and late-season cruises might be unable to access the glaciers on their itineraries due to ice floes. Book your shore excursions independently. Shorter options of 5 days are available, too, as are longer sailings of up to 10 days. 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. 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. While Kenai Fjords (Seward) has some glaciers including tidewater glaciers , there are far more visible and easily accessible tidewater glaciers (by boat anyway!) 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. Alaska WebFar and away the most popular Alaska glacier tours are half-day wildlife and glacier cruises into either Prince William Sound from Whittier or Kenai Fjords from Seward. features cruise bookings, along with many Hiking on Alaska Glacier Tours Enormous snow-capped mountains set behind the Hubbard Glacier make glacier viewing even more impressive. Web4 Best Glaciers to Add to Your Alaska Itinerary (No Cruise Needed!) Ketchikan is the salmon capital of the world, and while most cruises stop there, a few dont, so make sure its on the itinerary if you wish to fish. Though its the second-largest island in the entire United States, its rare that cruise ships visit, mainly because it lacks the infrastructure for big ships. On top of that, they also operate Princess Wilderness Lodges near some of Alaskas most spectacular national parks. Your thoughts? So if you want to do a day cruise and explore beyond the cruise, Seward is the way to go. Tick off Alaskas must-see destinations from your adventure bucket list. Cruises One, most cameras dropped into the depths of an Alaskan bay pose a less traumatic loss than most smartphones. Early- and late-season cruises might be unable to access the glaciers on their itineraries due to ice floes. Red Kayak Floating Among Icebergs ICY EXPEDITIONS The largest state in the U.S., Alaska is huge in size but also in cruise opportunities. Other items on the agenda include exploring the pristine west coast of Chichagof Island, seeing the summer fishing camp of the Tlingit people at Klawock (where there are also 21 totem poles), and walking a rain forest path to the natural hot spring pools of Baranof Warm Springs. If you think it can't happen to you, listen to my most recent flight horror story. See our top recommended tours. Read more in my Privacy Policy. WebBest Alaska Glaciers Matanuska Glacier: Hike or Drive. Copyright 2023 CruiseBooking.com. These sailings take place on the 264-passenger LAustral, a high-end expedition-style ship that boasts a theater, gym, spa (with hammam), panoramic lounge, and pool. The crown jewel of Seward attractions is the Alaska SeaLife Center, where you can get up close and personal with rehabilitated and rescued animals from the areas waterways. The vast wilderness, multiple glaciers, hiking trails, and incredible mountains are perfect seafaring destinations. Find the right card for you. Very informative !! The photos you'll enjoy most when you look back next year are the ones of your travel partners enjoying the trip. What Silversea does well is creating an onboard experience that is luxurious and one-of-a-kind but doesnt distract from the real star of the show: Alaska. To give you a sense of the towering height of the glacier, it looms over passing cruise ships by nearly 40 stories. Glacier Bay National Park and Reserve is one of Alaskas cherished national parks, but you cannot visit the park on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Also best seen from a plane are piedmont glaciers, where several glaciers join at the foot of a mountain range to create a fan-like pattern of ice and rock. Determining which ships go to Glacier Bay is often an importan. The more specific you are, the quicker we can get back to you. We have the answers so your first time will be nothing but smooth sailing. If you want to see whales and/or glaciers and other sea life, youre in luck: both Seward and Whittier offer plenty of opportunities to see other sea life. You can see a break-down of the individual months in our best time to cruise to Alaska post. Holland America Line and Princess Cruises have a large UnCruise . Denali National Park doesnt open up until mid-May. Big ship or small ship? Dont wimp out in an observation lounge. If youre concerned about seasickness and rough water, you need to take a shorter tour such as the 4-5 hour Resurrection Bay options. Youll explore basically the entire Alaska panhandle, which is home to some of North Americas most breathtaking coastline, including deep fjords, calving glaciers, and coastal mountains and forests. Booking an Alaskan cruise with Princess Cruises will allow you to come back new to a remote region of the world famous for its vast wildernesses, diverse animal populations, deep blue skies and pristine natural beauty. Alaska Sailing down it gives you a view into some of the most dramatic vistas in the north. Hubbard Glacier. 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. However, the peak season (July and August) is divine. Holland America Line: Among the best cruise lines for Alaskan food and culture, good for older cruisers. Some are as rugged as the 49th state, and others are pure opulence. An Alaska cruise is the ideal time to hit pause on your digital life. Out of all other places in Alaska, this one is remarkable and one of the favourites among cruisers. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. You will encounter slippery slopes and rocky roads and that's just walking through Alaska port towns. Big ships often have more for kids to do on board, which might be more important than where the ship goes. Alaska Day Cruises | Best Glacier & Wildlife Cruises When is the best time to cruise to Alaska for maximum daylight? Summer really doesnt last much longer than July through August. For the most Midnight Sun, come 3 weeks before or after the summer solstice and longest day of the year, June 21. Your email address will not be published. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. 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. Start with these stories: The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. Hiking on Alaska Glacier Tours | Royal Caribbean Cruises For its sophomore season in Alaska, Hurtigruten Expeditions is not holding back. Day 4: Denali NP 9:34 pm. You'll have the chance to observe glacial calving as sizable chunks of ice fall into the water. Carnival Cruises is perhaps the only cruise line to offer more cruises to Alaska from San Francisco than any other departure port. Highlights plus less visited destinations. If youd like to know something else, please dont hesitate to contact us. WebJuneau Prince William Sound (from Valdez) Portage Kenai Fjords & Resurrection Bay (from Seward) Ketchikan Zodiac & small group tours Great shore excursion during a cruise Theres nothing wrong with those itineraries, but they do tend to focus more on touristy downtowns and less on the great outdoors. Each of their cruises features a combination of wildlife, outdoor adventures, massive glaciers and towering mountains. One day might involve kayaking in Patterson Bay followed by a brisk snorkeling session. You don't want to find yourself stuck in an airport because of a flight delay when you should be boarding your cruise. This includes crowd-pleasers like sea otters and puffins, as well as others like seals (more common near glaciers, so perhaps a bit better in Whittier), sea lions (active in communities all over the waterways of both Prince William Sound and Kenai Fjords), and seemingly countless species of sea birds. Alaska solo cruise - late September - Alaska Forum - Tripadvisor I started this site to share my travel stories and inspiration to help you complete bucket list trips. Board a modern turbine-powered helicopter for a flight to the world-famous Mendenhall Glacier! easy roundtrip hike). If we were to pick one mega-ship operator to see Alaska on, it would be Norwegian Cruise Line. Most of their voyages start in Vancouver, British Columbia, but where they end depends on you. Perhaps as interesting as the itinerary is the fact that the vessel, the 528-passenger MS Roald Amundsen, is battery hybrid-powered.