alaska cruise excursions tips
The best of Alaska by boat: top 10 Alaska cruise tips. There are even more if you count all of the small ship and expedition vessels. The Best … … Mendenhall glacier feed the Mendenhall lake in Juneau, Alaska and is a must see on your Alaskan cruise. This port can get crowded in the heat of summer when several ships can call on the same day. A hat, gloves, scarf and warm jacket are really needed on the Glacier … Our port of embarkation was in Anchorage and the Alaska cruise ended it’s journey in Vancouver, Canada. Discover the best Alaska cruise excursions to help you make the most of your adventure! Shore excursions and onboard lectures will explain the cultures of the indigenous peoples of Alaska as well as more recent inhabitants, from the Russian community in Sitka to the fortune-seekers who moved to Skagway during the Klondike Gold Rush in the late 1890s. This post may contain compensated links. Anchorage. We were on our way once but our van broke down and we never made it. I say, If you’re going to spend the time and money, get out and experience Alaska! Each excursions looks absolutely amazing. I am so envious of.you! The vintage and nature mix is fascinating. Consider these Alaska cruise tips when planning your cruise, and your vacation will be magnificent. This is indeed a great adventure, you have blended elements of a cruise with an exciting adventure as well. That sounds amazing! I would especially like to do the Juneau adventure seeing whales and bald eagles. While planning our trip we were overwhelmed with all the available Alaska cruise excursions! Ports on these longer sailings may include Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point and Victoria, British Columbia. Sports enthusiasts and nature lovers head to Alaska for fishing charters, … Plan Some Adventurous Excursions (and factor that into the overall budget) Alaska is what I would call a splurge destination. Thanks for all the details. We want so badly to be posted out West next so we can have amazing journey’s like this. Canada's ban not only impacts ships in Canadian waters, it also puts a roadblock in the way of cruises in Alaska, New England, Washington state or the Great Lakes. Cruise Tips for Alaska Weather: Month by Month. See the Space Needle & Pike Place Market as Part of Your Alaska Cruise. You’ll have four sea days (for example, two days from San Francisco to Juneau) plus a day of scenic cruising at a spot like Tracy Arm (Twin Sawyer Glaciers), Endicott Arm, Hubbard Glacier or Glacier Bay National Park. See, How to enjoy shipboard credit and other cruise perks with the Amex Platinum, United celebrates ‘Pi Day’ with one-way flights for $31.40 or 3,140 miles, 9 things I learned in my first 6 months RVing full-time, Anchorage (Seward) to Vancouver (& reverse), Anchorage (Whittier) to Vancouver (& reverse), Anchorage (Whittier) to Vancouver (and reverse). Skagway. Alaska Shore Excursions. Your pictures are all so beautiful. During April and May, the daytime temperatures average in the high 40s to mid-50s Fahrenheit, with overnight lows in the 30s-to-40s range. Your deposit is always refundable, and you will lock in a … That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. If you can afford it, it’s worth it to get a stateroom with a balcony. Kevin had never cruised before so when I saw a great deal on an Alaskan cruise came up I thought it would be the perfect introduction to cruising. The boat docked within walking distance of downtown, so like the other three ports of call, there was no need to hire transportation. I’d love to do a cruise because it gives you the opportunity to see so many different places and do so many different things in a short space of time (and not have to stress about the travel plans!) Some people actually booked the same cruise, but going in the reverse direction, to return to the departure point. Alaska is a national treasure. Animal lovers and kids tend to really enjoy a visit to the Kroschel Center for Orphaned Animals. Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska and is known as The Gateway … I’ve never taken a cruise at all! 24 November 2014. Near the northern end of the Inside Passage, we stopped at our third port, the town of Skagway. The beauty of the land and its immense history; the thrill of seeing bears, moose and Dall sheep; and the mysteries of the surrounding marine life will astound you. Gorgeous pictures, great description. Princess Cruises and Holland American Line cruises are still heading to Alaska with land excursions following the cancellation of cruises. We found that in 3 of the 4 ports our originally planned excursions were canceled due to weather. Another thing that sets Sitka apart from other Alaskan ports is its Russian heritage. If you enjoyed reading the top 10 cruise shore excursions in Alaska, please share on Facebook and Twitter or pin for later on Pinterest. Suki Gear. Have bookmarked this for future ref. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. Our wetsuits kept us toasty and being able to say we snorkelled in Alaska made it worth it! You guys are making me want to go back to Alaska! Alaska is big. thank you for a great post! Read our cruise tips, advice articles, and let us find you the perfect cruise. Alaska Cruise Tips Pack more warm clothes than you think you will need! Thanks for sharing! It looks like you got to see a lot! Also, if you see an excursion you love which isn’t offered by your cruise company, be sure to check their website as the final resource on which cruise excursions are offered in Sitka. Such a dream of mine. Tips on Alaska Cruise Excursions. The Alaskan cruise normally ferries between Anchorage, Alaska and Vancouver, British Columbia along thousands of miles of untouched coastline. Earn 2x total points on up to $1,000 in grocery store purchases per month from November 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021. Many of the buildings have had their storefronts restored to resemble what they would have looked like during the gold rush days. Alaska Cruise Southbound Trip Tips. The Points Guy will not sell your email. White Pass & Yukon Route Railway . I should definitely try visiting next time, Wow this looks like an amazing trip – I have a bit of a negative association with cruises, all food and lazing about, but I never thought about all the onshore activities. But in Alaska you’ll also find magnificent mountains (often snow-capped, even in the summertime), lush forests, waterfalls, fjords and calving glaciers. A sea lion swimming in Creek Street in Ketchikan, Alaska. If you are on more of a budget and/or you don’t want something that’s too strenuous, then we recommend the following day trips you can do on your own. If you want to cruise Alaska but also see some of the interior and enjoy a stay in a lodge or hotel, go for a cruise-tour package from either Holland America or Princess Cruises. We did all of the same excursions you’ve mentioned, and a few more. Ever stood on a glacier? Cruising isn’t popular for Filipinos, since there’s the idea that it’s expensive and majority of the time the guests will be in the ship instead of seeing wonderful views on land. For each port of call, we decided to explore the town and then join one of the adventure tours being offered. My aunt and uncle plus their two full grown children just went on a cruise to Alaska all together! But all the more reason to take care of our planet as best as we can. The following day we cruised north into the town of Juneau. I’m actually not a huge fan of them, but I might give them another try after seeing these pictures. Cruises - Alaska cruise excursions tips & logistics help - Hi guys! Thanks for all the suggestions, I’ll be referring to them more when I get the chance to go on an Alaska cruise. I really want to visit Alaska! Good effort. Depending on the cruise line, you may also be stopping at other cities along Alaska’s shoreline. She strives to instil her love of learning about different cultures and seeing new and old places to her husband Kevin and their two young boys. While planning our trip we were overwhelmed with all the available Alaska cruise excursions! I will most likely go when I win the Denali road lottery one year and knock two parks out that trip. You can also visit a waterfall, hike the Chilkoot Trail, explore Glacier Point by ATV, helicopter flight-see the area’s glaciers or rock climb and rappel. The scenery along the way was breathtaking! Videos, photos, and hundreds of expert advice articles. I still was able to see the Mendenhall Glacier though. The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. These cruises are best suited to travelers who love days at sea. Our Top 9 Favorite Alaska Excursions for 2020; 8 Things Your Cruise Ship Won’t Tell You About Shore Excursions; Giving Back to Protect the Last Frontier; 7 High-Demand Alaska Cruise Tours You’ll Want to Book Early; My Alaska Travel Tips: How to Get the Perfect Alaska Cruise … The eagle shot is stunning. Alaska excursions can get awfully expensive. The buildings there once made up Ketchikan’s notorious red light district. However, there may be inaccuracies or schedule changes that I haven’t yet added. Most itineraries are seven nights, but you’ll find a handful that are longer. Thanks for all the information. Note: To the best of my knowledge, the cruise excursions listed in this post are accurate for the 2020 Alaska cruise season. Finally, you’ll find some San Francisco round-trip itineraries — usually 10 nights long — as well as longer sailings between San Francisco and Vancouver. I loved the railway. Related: How to book a cruise using miles and points. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Juneau. A RED VENTURES COMPANY. You can go to a dogsled camp, pan for gold or take a helicopter and land on Mendenhall Glacier. The Sitka National Historic Park which is filled with beautifully carved totem poles. Amazing Things to do in Manitoulin Island in 2021, What to See at the Paracas National Reserve in Paracas Peru. Take time to see the Space Needle and Pike Place Market in Seattle, … Looks like you made the most of the location , That was my impression of cruises before we did this as well, but this one gave us ample opportunity to get out and have some amazing adventures. Whether you are taking part in an Alaska cruise from Vancouver or Anchorage, there are some incredible options for adventure. Calving glaciers, miles of untouched wilderness, whales and orcas, and Egyptian-cotton sheets – no wonder an Alaskan cruise is on many a bucket list. And Alaska expedition cruises are one of the best ways to experience these natural wonders. However, there may be inaccuracies or schedule changes that I haven’t yet added. The town of Sitka was the first port of call on our Alaska Cruise. It rained like crazy the day we visited Kodiak, but we didn’t mind since we had the right gear. It would have been so cold. . Juneau is the Capital city of Alaska and is surrounded by ocean, glaciers, ice fields, and mountains. I haven’t been in a cruise yet. My friends and I were talking about doing an Alaskan cruise (probably a similar one to yours because we were looking at one that ended in Vancouver too) a year or two back but it was very expensive for us to get to the starting point from SE Asia. I live in the Pacific Northwest so we see a LOT of these cruises come and go. Cruising Alaska is one of the most incredible experiences imaginable. One nice thing about the Inside Passage is how calm the water is, since you’re sailing between land masses. At the Alaska Raptor Rehabilitation Center were we were able to get an up-close and personal look at some bald eagles and other birds of prey such as falcons, hawks, and owls. It was to celebrate one of my cousin’s graduation from their Masters. But you can also book a voyage with Carnival, Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and others. Don't stop the fun once your Princess Alaskan Cruise ends. Mainstream: Just about all of the mass-market cruise lines offer sailings in Alaska. Love Lucy x. P.S. Book a balcony room. Get unlimited deliveries with a $0 delivery fee and reduced service fees on eligible orders over $12 for a minimum of one year with DashPass, DoorDash's subscription service. Additionally, you’ll have up to two days of “scenic cruising,” where you can enjoy the landscapes but won’t go ashore. As with doctors, it’s always good to get a second opinion. You’ll see from our chart below that dozens of ships are sailing Alaska in 2020. Going on a cruise there seems a good move. Ahhh! Cruising Along the Inside Passage Alaska. We were able to sign up for other activities easily. Alaska cruises are not pleasure cruises like in the Caribbean. Loved it! Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Alaska is a national treasure. Guided fly fishing and a sea otter quest are also available, along with Tongass National Forest nature hikes, a bike and hike combo tour and local pub crawls. Thinking of getting over to west Canada next year, and adding Alaska to the trip seems to sound like a plan. Sitka is the home of the indigenous Kiksadi Clan of the Tlingit people. The cruises do allow you to see and experience more of Alaska in a short amount of time. This was our itinerary on the Ruby Princess, a 7-day cruise from Seattle titled “Inside Passage with Tracy Arm Fjord”.We mostly traveled during the night, arriving at a new port very early each morning. This is why I heard so many people … I’ve never cruised, and I’m not sure I will, but this is one of the more enticing cruises I’ve seen! Includes eligible pick-up and delivery services. If you worry about seasickness, an Inside Passage trip is a safe bet, versus an itinerary where your ship transits rougher, open waters. I bet you’ll want to return to see it all over again, too, because I know I do. Like all Alaskan glaciers, the Mendenhall Glacier is in retreat. Alaska is for sure a place we shall add to our bucket list, can’t believe we totally forget about it. Prices are usually in the same range as other major … An adventure indeed! Everytime I see photos of Alaska it makes me want to get on a plane immediately and just go! Thanks for the great read!!! . Other itineraries begin in one city and end in another. If you’ve got active kids who have an interest in nature and the environment, an expedition voyage could be exactly what will keep them engaged and off their devices. Sailing with grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles and kids? A balcony is THE way to see Alaska. That sounds like a great time! We had hoped to hike on one of the glaciers and experience a helicopter ride through one of the canyons. Tours include panning for gold, a snowshoeing expedition and rides on the White Pass Rail. Discover the 6 top Alaska cruise tips that you need to know to make the most of your Alaskan cruise. Last updated December 3, 2019. Look to UnCruise Adventures, Alaskan Dream Cruises, Hurtigruten, Lindblad Expeditions (National Geographic sailings), Ponant or Silversea’s expedition ships (Silver Cloud and Silver Explorer). Also, remember that cruise fares fluctuate over time. *Bonus value is an estimated value calculated by TPG and not the card issuer. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. It’s too bad it’s retreating. No, that’s not a … And this just includes the mass-market and luxury ships. Haines shore excursions: Try a zip line, go kayaking, learn about eagles and other raptors, fish Chilkoot Lake, see Glacier Point by ATV, go hiking or play golf. No matter what style of cruise you’re looking from, you’ll find it in Alaska. The waters before you enter the Inside Passage can be calm, rough or anything in between, depending on when you go and luck of the draw. Do you have questions about Alaska Cruises? The personalized service and all-inclusive nature of luxury voyages may also be attractive to anyone celebrating a milestone, such as an anniversary, big birthday or retirement. We snorkeled over an amazing kelp forest where we saw fish and various invertebrates. It’s one of the most beautiful places in the world, and though it can be remote and rugged, you don’t need to forgo comfort or even luxury to explore the Last Frontier when you do so by cruise ship. Anyone else looking to really explore Alaska should also consider an expedition cruise where you’ll hop aboard skiffs for up-close looks at glaciers, go hiking in Tongass National Forest and kayak the calm waters of the Inside Passage. An Alaskan cruise is on my bucket list too! Pick the Best Time to Cruise to Alaska. Plan your Alaska vacation with Alaska Tour & Travel. 7 Tips for Your Upcoming Disney Alaska Cruise Vacation. The post is so nice! For a short week away or a true getaway, this is how the adventurous commit their vacations! I have always dreamt of going to Alaska, and I know for a fact that it is such a rare and lucky trip to have if you can actually plan it. Just kidding， I hope.that you enjoyed the trip.in total，well I enjoyed the beautiful pictures！, Those are some beautiful places you’ve seen, and the wildlife in their natural habitat! Thanks for all of this info. This is a great post! This was our first (and so far, only) cruise together, but it is one of the best ways to see Alaska due to it’s remoteness. Whale watching is still on my bucket list, and now I’m really thinking of going to Alaska to do it! I think a cruise sounds like fun but I hate cruise ships. Related: Which cruise ship cabin category should your family book? If you didn’t get to enjoy a dogsled experience yet, do it in Skagway. Splurge on a Room with a Balcony. Oh no! It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered. I didn’t realize how many cool ports a cruise would stop in! I am not a big cruise fan, but I love Alaska. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. What a great way to see Alaska! Those are at the top of my list for a trip to Alaska! For the snorkelling, it wasn’t too bad actually! Princess Cruises offers North to Alaska, an enrichment program that focuses on local customs, cuisine and guest speakers. And sadly I have never been to Alaska. We had the time of our LIVES cruising Alaska and YOU WILL TOO! Alaskan cruise itineraries go on sale up to 2 years in advance. Look to the luxury brands such as Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea and Viking. absolutely an adventure. That’s a lot of information to parse as you determine which ship is right for you, so consider a cruise line that caters to your specific needs or interests. It was pretty incredible watching the humpback whales bubble net fishing as well we saw them perform some pretty awesome acrobatics! . Your email address will not be published. In the statement released on the companies website, the cruise line states it will not be canceling any voyages to Alaska. Ooh! Have you ever thought about combining adventure travel with cruising? It was an amazing experience that allowed us to get up close and personal with some bald eagles in the wild all the while surrounded by the beauty of the Mendenhall Glacier. We had several Alaska cruise excursions planned to keep us busy. Princess Cruises offers North to Alaska, an enrichment program that focuses on local customs, cuisine and guest speakers. Great information and beautiful photos! Once a budget is set, then decide if one big excursion … What to do in Ketchikan: The main draws include opportunities to visit Saxman Native Village and learn about the totem poles in the area, or enjoy The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show. We were able to see all the fish (including some flying fish) and jellyfish that could be found in the area. Book a complete vacation package or individual hotels, day tours, cruises, bus & train trips. We have answers. See St. Michael’s Orthodox Cathedral with its onion dome and the Russian Bishop’s House. Your photos really capture the beauty of the area. It’s known for great fishing (salmon, halibut and trout) and an eagle preserve — because, hey, eagles know where the best fish can be found! The final port of call in our Alaskan cruise was the city of Ketchikan. Skagway is easy to explore by foot. Each port has its own charms and activities. Our top 10 favorite Alaskan adventures, perfect for tourists and cruisers ready for an excursion. That sounds like an amazing time. Nights and mornings can be chilly (in the 40s to 50s) but if it’s a sunny day, temperatures can shoot into the 70s and even low 80s. I totally understand! The afternoon saw us sea kayaking in Auke Bay. Alaska looks amazing and I have always wanted to do more cruising. I can imagine very well why this was so high on your list. I also dream of going to Alaska! In addition, during our wildlife quest, we also saw bald eagles, seals, dolphins, and whales. Consult this list, and then check the chart to find a vessel that might fit your own preferences, from ships with the fewest (or the most) passengers to those with the least expensive cruise fares to the ones offering exactly the itinerary you want. The large windows on the vintage style locomotives allowed us to take pictures of sights such as Bridal Veil Falls, Inspiration Point, and Dead Horse Gulch. I visited Juneau years ago, but during the off season so there were no tourists. Oct 22, 2019 - Our Alaska Cruise tips and tricks will help make sure you have an unforgettable adventure! What I saw in Alaska took my breath away, and we’ve returned several times since. Dec 24, 2019 - Our Alaska Cruise tips and tricks will help make sure you have an unforgettable adventure! Cheers! Our last Alaskan cruise excursion would have us diving into the frigid North Pacific to get a glimpse of the underwater world. Cruise lines will offer you all kinds of reasons for booking your Alaska excursion with them, but there are some things they just can’t or won’t tell you since they don’t profit from you booking Alaska shore excursions on your own! I also dream of going to Alaska, I mean who doesn’t? Look at Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, Scenic, Seabourn, Silversea (Muse is its luxury ship in Alaska and it also sails two expedition ships, Silver Cloud and Silver Explorer), Windstar Cruises and Viking Ocean. Our Top 9 Favorite Alaska Excursions for 2020; 8 Things Your Cruise Ship Won’t Tell You About Shore Excursions; Giving Back to Protect the Last Frontier ; 7 High-Demand Alaska Cruise Tours You’ll Want to Book Early; My Alaska Travel Tips: How to Get the Perfect Alaska Cruise Photos; Mendenhall Ice Caves & Beyond: Juneau Glacier Tours Explained; Close; Specials; $0.00 0. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In the 18th century, Russians established an outpost in Sitka and remnants of the Russian influence on Alaskan culture are still evident. If views are a key component to your cruise vacation, ascend high above the port … Stephen’s Passage is the summer feeding ground for humpback whales. I was only 16 when I went on a cruise there with my family, so I feel like it would be a whole different experience now. Alaska Cruise Tips: Articles and Videos Find articles and videos with Alaska cruise tips to help make the most of your adventure. In 2019, the 49th state celebrated 60 years of statehood, and that anniversary renewed interest in this region — so much so that you need to book early and think strategically if you’re looking for a deal. Highlights of Icy Strait include bear viewing, salmon fishing, and whale watching. If you want to see nature at its finest, go beyond the immediate port area. I have no idea why, but I have always been fascinated by them! Icy Strait on Chicagof Island offers true wilderness for great wildlife viewing and adventures. I scroll all the photos first before I even read all the article. Along the way, there are sights like Glacier Bay National Park, Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Juneau is the Alaskan state capital and features both the Alaska state museum and Alaska state capitol building within walking distance of the port. One thing I learned quickly about Alaska is that the natural beauty exists everywhere… nothing disappointed me. Going to pin this for later in the hope thay I get a chance to go someday. Alaska Shore Excursions By Town. We spent most of our time along Creek Street. Shore Excursion Tips Common Alaska excursions include fishing, kayaking, rafting, dog sledding, nature boat tours and whale watching. Tips for Going on an Alaska Cruise. I am so muct motiavted now to visit. Book your Alaska shore excursion with ShoreTrips today. I’d like to go to one in the future though. It does rain a lot in Alaska, too, so be prepared. Instead of touring downtown, we opted to take a cab for a trip 20 km out of town to view the magnificent Mendenhall Glacier. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page. Great photos. Like, really big. Ashley Marquez, Leaf Group . Cruising Alaska takes visitors along beautiful fjords, salmon-filled rivers, and massive glaciers. It wasn’t so much about turning them down, so much as it was the weather not allowing us to participate. Focus your excursion choices on the specialty of the port. Commercial fishing is still a major player here. Related: The best credit cards for booking cruises. The Otter adventure in Sitka was definitely one of my favs. The weather had not been kind to us, and our adventure was scrubbed due to dangerous conditions. © 2021 THE POINTS GUY, LLC. Especially seeing a humpback whale and the car in Skagway is awesome. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Activate by 12/31/21. Remember to bring your woolies as Alaska can get pretty chilly, even mid-summer. Instead, we had to settle with viewing the glacier from afar from the viewing platform at the welcome center. This is not nearly as boring as you might think, since you’ll see some incredible sights, like Hubbard Glacier or Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. Continuing with our Klondike Gold Rush theme, we boarded the Whitepass and Yukon Route Railway for a three-hour journey along the gold rush route culminating at the Whitepass summit near Fraser, British Columbia. Hopefully this round-up of commonly asked questions helps you navigate your Alaska cruise planning. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Lonely Planet Writer. Both have fantastic itineraries that take passengers not only to the Inside Passage, but also Anchorage, Denali National Park, the Yukon, Kenai Peninsula, Talkeetna and Fairbanks. Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Our one week Carnival Alaska cruise was a bucket list item for both Kevin and I. What to do in Juneau: Look for kayak and bike adventures, a ride in the sky on the Mount Roberts Tramway (the pickup point is right at the cruise port), wildlife-viewing trips (whale, bears and more), fishing outings, glacier visits (Mendenhall, Taku and Tracy Arm Fjord) and even fun culinary trips such as an Alaska salmon bake or a craft beer tasting. The spectacular views certainly didn’t disappoint us! As for our kids, this trip was taken pre-kids , Alaska is not the first place that you think of when visiting the Us and I have never been there in spite of living in the Us for few months. Not many people get to go there, you guys are lucky! Sports enthusiasts and nature lovers head to Alaska for fishing charters, seaplane sightseeing, bird- and bear-watching trips, sea kayaking, hikes (on glaciers and through rainforests) and more. The Alaska cruise season typically runs from April through September. Alaska is a nature lovers paradise! It's fun to go at the last minute on an expensive and impulsive excursion during the cruise. that’s really stunning! Ocean cruise ships have … When you look at cruise itineraries, you’ll see certain embarkation/debarkation ports listed like this: Anchorage (Seward), for example. Oh, I can’t wait to see some of these beautiful sights. Best of luck getting your reservation! When we sailed from Anchorage (Whittier), for example, Regent included a transfer from our hotel in Anchorage to Whittier aboard the Alaska Railroad.