Catch A Bus Or Shuttle
Alaska has a pretty shit public transportation system, so dont expect to hop on a convenient bus from downtown Anchorage to Eagle River any time soon. But, we do take care of our tourists, and you have plenty of options to catch a motorcoach bus from Anchorage to Denali National Park. The Park Connection Shuttles people between Denali and Seward. Most shuttles operate daily, if not several times a day during the summer season. My former employer, Premier Alaska Tours, operates these shuttles, and they are fantastic.
If you are in Anchorage with time to kill and want to see the gorgeous Turnagain Arm including a scenic drive, a stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Girdwood, or Portage Glacier then book a shuttle day trip to see all the highlights of the Anchorage area with Turnagain Arm Shuttle.If you are looking to hike Anchorages Flat Top, then you can catch a shuttle from Anchorage to the trailhead and back with the Flat Top Shuttle. Ketchikan and Talkeetna have a tourist taxi service that acts as a shuttle service. There are dozens of options like this around Alaska, including Seward, Juneau, Fairbanks, and more. If you need help finding excellent shuttles or transportation hops near any of your destinations in Alaska, let me know!
World Class Logistics And Office Staff To Make Your Trip Easier
We make the planning easy! Free Anchorage pickup, single bill invoicing, help with trip insurance and “one stop” help for all of your traveling needs, from special dietary concerns to where to eat in Anchorage. We are here to help!
Our office staff has a combined 100+ years of experience arranging and providing exceptional trips for our guests. In addition- the folks you talk to on the phone will be the ones you meet at the resort…a comforting feeling when setting up a custom family reunion for a group of 30 or a once-in-a-lifetime fishing trip for you and your college fraternity brothers. Whichever package you select, we’ll walk you through the logistics, discuss your goals for the trip and make sure everything is set up for your success. You can call our office for support and to get questions answered at 866.411.BEAR866.411.BEAR FREE or of course email us at any time.
Onboard Amenities Are Reasonably Priced
Getting onboard ship is only half the battle. Naturally, you’ll want to drink, eat, and do all the things that are on offer — and doing so on a Carnival cruise to Alaska isn’t as expensive as some other mainstream lines.
Carnival’s all-inclusive beverage package, CHEERS!, can be pre-purchased online for about $59 per person, per day — a substantial savings from some lines that can charge upwards of $100 per person, per day for similar all-inclusive drinks packages.
If you prefer to go without the package, individual drinks are reasonably priced, too. A beer runs about $8, and a custom-crafted martini at the line’s trendy Alchemy Bar will run you about $14.
Brunch at the ship’s steakhouse will cost $25 per person , while dinner at this luxe venue will run $42 per person. That’s slightly more than Princess charges for its steakhouse , but less than what Royal Caribbean charges .
But Carnival ships offer plenty of inclusions, like meals in the formal dining room or the more causal lido buffet eatery, along with burgers at Guy’s Burger Joint , and the delicious, hand-made burritos and tacos at the BlueIguana Cantina. Bonus: the latter is typically open for breakfast, too.
Other venues, like Bonsai Sushi, are reasonably priced: lunch here will run you less than $15 for a delicious bento box with miso soup, salad, and sushi and sashimi.
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Best Large Ship Cruise: Royal Caribbean International
Dry docked in 2021 for a routine refurbishment, this Quantum Class ship holds 4,905 passengers and truly offers something for everyone.
Recreational activities like a flowrider surf simulator, iFly skydiving simulator, and rock climbing wall, high-tech virtual balcony views, and North Star, a glass observation capsule that rises 300 feet above sea level for birds eye views
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Luxury shopping options, such as Cartier, Kate Spade, and Michael Kors
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Adventure Ocean Kids Programs
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A robot will code your favorite cocktails at the Bionic Bar
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Formal nights with dress code
The best part about a mega-ship, like the Ovation of the Seas? Its literally impossible to be bored given the number of things there are to do, eat, and explore. For instance, there are 16 dining options , 10 bars and lounges, myriad activities and shows, a spa and fitness center, pool tables, and table tennis. Add to that guest lectures, outdoor movie nights, live music, an arcade and casino, theme nights, bumper cars, archery, and dance and sushi-making classes. Heck, you might just need a vacation after this vacation!
Interior staterooms are budget-friendly options with plenty of space and thoughtful touches, or you can upgrade to ocean view, balcony, or suite categories for some extra perks . And theres no better spot for taking in Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier than the North Star observation deck.
Afognak Wilderness Lodge Kodiak Island Alaska
The Afognak Wilderness Lodge is one of the best all-inclusive resorts in Alaska for families because it almost seems to have been created with families in mind especially those looking to have a wild, fun-filled vacation!
Each of their cabins has two bedrooms, so most families of up to 5 dont have to worry about whether they are booking a room without enough space for the whole family.
Additionally, similar to Kachemak above, this lodge only takes up to 12 guests, ensuring a private, intimate vacation focused on your loved ones.
The other family-focused factor at Afognak is their family-style mealtimes in their gourmet restaurant.
This lodge is also in a remote area of Afognak, and youll have to take a 20-minute floatplane ride to get there, which may be a unique and exciting experience for both you and the kids!
Fishing is the major activity at this lodge, and hiking to see brown bears in the wild. Families interested in photography will also appreciate this lodge due to their photography-specific expeditions to even more remote island areas.
Given the family-oriented atmosphere, it should come as no surprise that the staff at Afognak are friendly, open, and generally make guests feel like theyre part of the Afognak family right away.
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Saga Cruises For The 50
Saga Cruises, a British boutique cruise line, offers small-ship sailings exclusively to passengers over 50 years of age. Fares include all meals at any restaurant, gratuities, Wi-Fi, most drinks , fitness classes, transfers to and from the ship and shuttles into town from port.
The line has two ocean ships, the 999-passenger Spirit of Discovery and the 999-passenger Spirit of Adventure, both with all balcony staterooms. Saga cruise itineraries include the Baltic, the British Isles, the Canaries, and the Caribbean.
Saga river cruises feature the same level of included perks on adults-only sailings aboard Spirit of the Danube and Spirit of the Rhine.
Viking World Horizons Cruises
Best for: Retirees
Do you have a third of the year to explore the globeand a sizable pension and retirement nest egg to pay for an adventure like this? If so, book this all-inclusive cruise. Theres a lot to love about Viking Cruise Lines: a contemporary, Scandinavian style smaller ships that can get into ports larger ocean liners ships cant reach no casinos and no kids under 18. You also wont find umbrella drinks or intrusive photographers roaming the decks, or any interior stateroomseveryone gets a room with a view and a veranda to sail the world for more than 100 days.
Whats included: On its all-inclusive 136-day World Cruises and 119-day World Horizons sailing tours in 2022, Viking offers free round-trip, business-class airfare and transfers to and from port, visa services, and a $2,000 shore excursion credit. Youll also get 48 guided tours during the stops in 22 countries, a $1,000 onboard credit, 24-hour room service, one shore excursion in each port, and a culture curriculum. After seeing the world, you may be ready to dial things down with an intimate romantic cruise.
Where you can cruise: The Viking World cruise will take you to 27 countries, and World Horizons visits 22, leaving Los Angeles and arriving in London 119 later. Along the way, you will experience just about half of the globe, including New Zealand, India, Jordan, and Greece.
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Entertainment Enthusiasts Crystal On Broadway
Travelers are treated to Broadway-style performances while cruising Alaskas coast on Crystal Cruises luxury Crystal on Broadway voyages. Five different Alaskan itineraries are available, giving travelers plenty of port options throughout Alaska and Canada, with one trip extending as far south as Los Angeles, California.
Find relaxation and fun aboard the Crystal Symphony, the ship of choice for Crystal on Broadway. The swanky Galaxy Lounge is home to world-class Broadway-style productions and stage shows that are performed twice nightly. Among the live shows are comedy revues, classical recitals, award-winning keynote speakers and celebrity guest performances. Other entertainment options include an intimate piano bar, luxurious casino and dining spaces with stunning ocean views. Shore excursions are plentiful, with choices like whale watching, helicopter tours, hiking and more. This cruise is perfect for the traveler in search of top-notch onboard activities as they explore Alaska.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises Offer The Most Base Fare Inclusions
Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers the most inclusions of any luxury line in its base fares. That means all tips, drinks , a wide array of shore excursions in every port, shuttles into town when needed, main dining rooms and specialty dining, one account of unlimited Wi-Fi per suite, as well as airfare and airport transfers. Regent’s five ships , range in size from 490 to 750 passengers.
You can expect some kids on Regent Seven Seas’ Alaska and European cruises in the summer, so if you’re set on cruising at that time of year, opt for longer cruises that shy away from places with more family-friendly excursions.
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Best Cruise Lines For Adventure
Active travelers may prefer expedition-style voyages on smaller ships that include more time for adventurous activities, such as hiking in the Tongass National Forest, wildlife and glacier viewing from Zodiac rafts or kayaks, or even overnight camping. These ships often feature complimentary shore excursions, kayaks and bikes for guest use and onboard scientists and naturalists.
If youve got active teens who have an interest in nature and the environment, an expedition voyage could be exactly what will keep them engaged and off their devices. Just expect the majority of your shipmates to be older adults.
Look to UnCruise Adventures, Alaskan Dream Cruises, Hurtigruten, Lindblad Expeditions and Ponant for the best adventure cruises.
Best Excursions: Crystal Cruises
Crystal has greatly expanded its luxury cruise brand to include ocean and river cruise ships, yachts, expedition ships, and even a private jet charter. The company also offers some extremely exclusive, high-end shore excursions, as well as volunteer excursions so passengers will feel more involved in the ports of call. The company has an impressive 2,000 excursions to choose from in ports all over the world. Onboard Crystal Cruises theres trivia, magic and comedy shows, movies, live music, theater performances, and the fabulous Crystal spa. The two ocean-going ships, Serenity and Symphony, carry around 900 guests, and offer butler service in suites and all-inclusive pricing.
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Cruise With A Small Sustainable Alaskan Cruise
If you still have your heart set on a cruise, then I suggest opting for a small local Alaskan-owned cruise company. Sail with Dream Alaskan Cruises on a 7-10 day adventure with a small group of up to 70 people. Local Alaskans will take you to small Native Villages, remote and rural towns, hidden wildlife sanctuaries, and more. A local small-group cruise is perhaps the best way to see the beauty of southeast Alaska while avoiding the large crowds of mega cruises and ensuring your money goes right back into the community. This is the perfect sustainable ecotourism option for an authentic tour of Alaskas southeast without all the crowds.
Alaskan Itineraries Are More Varied On Carnival Cruise Line
This might just be Carnival’s best-kept secret. Where other lines take a ship and put it on a seven-day run that never varies, Carnival offers several departure ports and itinerary lengths that vary depending on vessel and departure date.
In 2022, three Carnival ships are bound for Alaska — the largest deployment in the line’s history.
Carnival Spirit sails from Seattle, offering six, seven and eight-day Alaska cruise itineraries between now and the end of the season in September. A six-day sailing starts at a little over $400 per person as of this writing, in an inside cabin.
In addition to Carnival Spirit offering Alaska cruises from Seattle, sister-ship Carnival Miracle sails to the Last Frontier roundtrip from San Francisco.
The slightly larger 2008-built Carnival Splendor joins Carnival Spirit in sailing from Seattle, operating a weeklong itinerary that includes Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Ketchikan, Victoria and Tracy Arm Fjord.
Fortunately, Carnival’s new triple-threat Alaskan cruise season isn’t just a one-off. Next year, the line will continue to send three of its cruise ships to the Last Frontier.
The newly-acquired Carnival Luminosa will also sail to Alaska in 2023, though exact itineraries have yet to be announced, though it is likely Carnival Luminosa will take up Carnival Splendor’s current weeklong sailings roundtrip from Seattle.
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Best For Couples And Big Celebrations
The luxury cruise lines are your best bet if youre a couple and enjoy spacious suites, gourmet food, pampering and the opportunity to meet other like-minded cruisers. 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.
Look at Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, Scenic, Seabourn, Silversea, Windstar Cruises and Viking.
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Best Luxury Expedition: Ponant
With cruise roots dating back to 1988, Ponant shifted its direction in 2009 and took the luxury cruise industry by storm with the introduction of Le Boréal, followed by four sister ships. The French-influenced cruise line blends modern technology with traditional French luxury in its yacht expedition vessels that boast more space and fewer passengers. Better yet, there are some cutting-edge industry firsts like an underwater viewing lounge with reinforced glass to gaze out below the water line, all while ocean sounds and visuals are projected. The current fleet consists of the four sister ships and six small-sized Ponant Explorers. Dining onboard features French cuisine with plenty of open-air venues. Plus theres a spa, fitness center, theater, and heated saltwater pools and solariums.
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Sail The Seas With Alaska Marine Highway
If you had your heart set on seeing Southeast Alaska, including Juneau, Sitka Ketchikan, and more, then dont despair, do as the Alaskans do, and take advantage of our Alaska Marine Highway System. The marine highway is 3,500 miles of ferry routes that connect 35 communities, including connections to Canada and Washington State. You can access the ferry system from most coastal regions in the south including, Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Islands all the way to Bellingham, Washington. The Marine Highway also offers short-day trip ferries and shuttle ferries, so you can create a home base and take a short day or overnight trip to see your surroundings.
You can easily fly to Juneau, where you can use the ferry to access Skagway, Hoonah, and Sitka. Then from Juneau, you can make your way down to Ketchikan, where you could fly back to Washington or settle in for a long ferry ride to Bellingham. The ferry can eat up days of your itinerary. For example, getting from Juneau to Ketchikan is 20 hours, so if youre not up for a night on the ferry, then just stick to Juneau and utilize the day and shuttle ferries to see plenty of amazing spots in southeast Alaska.
Best For Multigenerational Groups
Sailing with grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles and kids? Try Celebrity Cruises, Holland America and Princess Cruises. These cruise lines, especially on their newer ships, offer something for everyone, as well as a higher caliber of onboard dining than on the cheapest cruises. Kids can hang out in the youth lounges while parents hit the spa or try a wine tasting class. Everyone can come back together for dinner and evening entertainment or onboard activities suitable for all ages.
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Top Cruises From Seattle To Alaska
In search of your next adventure? How would you feel about embarking on an Alaska cruise leaving from Seattle?
Joining an Alaskan cruise enables you to experience the dynamic energy of the Emerald City before boarding and heading into the wild, natural beauty of Americans Last Frontier.
If youre looking for the best Alaska cruises from Seattle, continue reading for AAAs top suggestions or contact us to speak directly with one of our knowledgeable travel agents about your upcoming trip.
Whether youre looking for short Alaska cruises from Seattle or ones that are over a week long, AAA has numerous cruise options for you to choose from each one capable of delivering memories that will last a lifetime.
Join a 7-Day Alaska Cruise From Seattle by Royal Caribbean International
Experience Glacier Bay On This 7-Day Cruise by Princess Cruises
Savor Delicious Food & Rugged Alaskan Coastline on This 8-Night Cruise by Carnival Cruise Line
Join an Exciting 7-Night Celebrity Cruise to Alaska From Seattle
Enjoy Food & Excursions On This 7-Night Cruise by Holland America Line
Relax on Decadent Alaska Cruises From Seattle by Oceania Cruises
Enjoy Roundtrip Alaska Cruises From Seattle by Norwegian Cruise Line
Benefits of Doing an Alaska Cruise From Seattle
Small Ship Alaska Cruises From Seattle