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A visit to the Baranof Castle State Historic Site is an option for spending the day in Sitka, which was where the formal transfer ceremony of Alaska from Russia to the United States took place. Strolling along the forest at the Sitka National Historical Park is a popular activity, too, which preserves the site of a battle between the Tlingit people and Russian traders. An Alaska cruise will take you on a journey to visit some of the most magnificent natural beauty and local culture you'll find anywhere in the world.
things to know before you book an Alaska cruise
Be sure to look down, too, and you may see wildlife ambling across the mountain's slope. Experience the authentic interior of Alaska in supreme comfort, with luxury transportation and accommodations. Explore more while spending less with Alaska Cruise Tours deals onboard our best cruise ships. Plan your romantic Alaskan cruise with our adventurer’s guide to discovering the coziest vacation spots and most scenic restaurants for couples traveling in Alaska.
ADVENTURE ON THE WILD SIDE
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. Therefore, ships like Radiance of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, and Brilliance of the Seas sail out of Vancouver instead. Deciding whether to start your cruise in Seattle, Vancouver, or Seward is one of the first decisions you make when planning an Alaska cruise. There’s also the opportunity to spot harbor seals, wolves, brown bears, and other wildlife that call these areas home.
Specialty Dining Packages
Find Norwegian Encore Cruises to Alaska (with Prices) - Cruise Critic
Find Norwegian Encore Cruises to Alaska (with Prices).
Posted: Fri, 19 Apr 2024 03:14:20 GMT [source]
Royal Caribbean sends 4-5 cruise ships to Alaska each summer, with each ship offering a different layout, amenities, dining options, entertainment, and stateroom options. Some of Royal Caribbean’s smallest and largest cruise ships sail to Alaska, so it’s important to consider which ship works best for you before booking an Alaska cruise. In addition to port stops—where guests disembark the ship—most itineraries include a scenic viewing day of a glacier. During these visits, your cruise ship will sail into a fjord and stop within sight of one of Alaska’s magnificent glaciers, such as Hubbard Glacier or Dawes Glacier.
With western-themed architecture and eclectic decor, The Red Dog Saloon is certainly unique. It’s not uncommon for the saloon to be filled with cruisers enjoying live music, drinks, and food before getting back onboard the ship. On the first day or two of your cruise, we recommend exploring the ship to make note of areas from which you can view the scenery once you get to Alaska. The pool deck is a popular option, but you may find some hidden gems throughout the ship. A unique aspect to an Alaska cruise is that you can see land for the majority of the sailing. They mainly sail through Alaska’s inside passage, where fjords, waterfalls, and mountains dot the landscape on both sides of the ship.
Comparing the Royal Caribbean ships sailing in Alaska in 2023
Cruises leaving Vancouver do not need to stop in Victoria, meaning your cruise itinerary will visit more ports in Alaska compared to those leaving Seattle. All Alaska cruises departing Seattle must include a port stop in Victoria, British Columbia to meet the requirements of the Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA). There’s no right or wrong itinerary to book for Alaska, but it’s important to know what to expect in each port before booking one cruise over the other.
Disadvantages of a one-way Alaska cruise
Other times, you might prefer to take advantage of the thrilling adventures an area has to offer. Doing research will help you pack correctly, plan your travel logistics without any issues, and book that once-in-a-lifetime excursion you’ve dreamed about for years. In Alaska, on the other hand, you will want to lower your expectations when it comes to weather.
On northbound cruises, you'll get the best views of the glaciers on the starboard side of the ship; when you're sailing southward, the port side is the way to go. Nothing compares to glacier cruises on Radiance of the Seas and Brilliance of the Seas . Go all out on CruiseTours that take you deeper into the Last Frontier, with excursions into the wilds of Denali National Park, train rides with sweeping views of Alaska’s rugged interior, and more.
Night Pacific Coastal Cruise
You can still have an amazing Alaska cruise by depending on public areas to enjoy the view. Royal Caribbean's ships feature ample deck space to enjoy the view any time of the day. Moreover, the price of a balcony room may be much more expensive than an interior room. You may decide that it is a better investment to book the cheaper room and use the money saved to invest in an amazing shore excursion. If so, selecting a larger ship like Quantum of the Seas or Ovation of the Seas may be the best option. These Quantum Class ships feature the Seaplex, an indoor sports court that offers activities like bumper cars, soccer, pickleball, and more.
If relaxing is more your style, you’ll find the indoor Solarium or Two70 entertainment venue to be the perfect spaces to kick back with a view. Nothing back there to placate the masses longing for an affordable balcony overlooking the wake of the ship. That's in addition to the shallow pools and hot tubs in the adults-only, forward-facing Solarium with its incredible ocean views. A bit of research and preparation will get you far when deciding what to bring on an Alaska cruise.
Or, if in Ketchikan, put on your hiking points and summit Deer Mountain for unbeatable views of the nearby islands. The best way to see Alaska’s cruise ports on a budget is to explore on your own instead of booking a tour. Many cruisers to Alaska dream of seeing the northern lights while visiting the state, but the northern lights viewing season does not coordinate well with the summer cruise season.
Glaciers can put on quite a show as they shed massive chunks of ice (a process called calving), splashing into the water below. A cruise to Alaska is also a great opportunity to see the region's abundant wildlife, including many marine animals, such as whales, sea lions, and otters. As one of the largest cruise lines in the world, Royal Caribbean offers cruisers great value, with tons of amenities and activities onboard. The cruise line pushes the envelope with industry-leading advancements and ships that are designed to sail in cooler climates, making for the ultimate Alaska cruise vacation. Royal Caribbean offers two quite different classes of ships sailing a variety of itineraries in Alaska. There are also slight differences between the individual ships themselves, even within the same class.
Daylight hours will increase each day leading up to the summer solstice, with daylight hours from 4AM to 10PM in late May. Sailing from Seattle will likely offer an Alaska cruise vacation on Royal Caribbean's big ships and is your best bet for someone new to the itinerary. Only select cruise lines, including Princess Cruises and Holland America, can visit Glacier Bay. The national park issues permits to cruise lines, and Royal Caribbean does not currently have a permit.
Arriving one day ahead of time and staying in a hotel the night before your cruise will give you buffer time in the chance you encounter unexpected delays. During these months, you may find fewer families and passengers onboard and lower prices. In addition, you may have a greater chance of seeing the northern lights as fall begins in September. 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.
Canada does not permit entry to any visitors with criminal records, regardless of how long ago the crime occurred. As soon as your ship leaves port and enters international waters, the casino will open. Our local Alaska expert Mollie wrote a great piece about where to eat like a local on your Alaska cruise.
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