Cruise From Los Angeles To Alaska

Best For Multigenerational Groups

Cruise ship hits iceberg near Alaska

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.

When Do Cruises Go To Alaska

Nearly every major cruise line has a presence in Alaska from May through mid-September, with some offering sailings as early as April or as late as October. The season is short due to weather cold temperatures, icy waters and a long snowy season are not conducive to early spring and late fall cruises.

Alaska cruise weather can be chilly first thing in the morning and at night. However, if its a sunny summer day, temperatures can shoot into the 70s and even low 80s. It does rain a lot in Alaska, too its drier in the spring months than in the summer.

When you want to go will depend on which activities you want to do, how you feel about cool weather and rain, and the price. Cruises at the beginning and end of Alaskas cruise season are generally a bit cheaper than those in June, July and August.

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View All Cruises From Los Angeles

Los Angeles Port Facilities & Location

Cruises from Los Angeles depart from the Port of Los Angeles World Cruise Center, located south of Los Angeles. The cruise port is roughly a 30-minute drive away from the city center, though travel time fluctuates depending on traffic. Overnight parking and passenger shuttles are available at the terminal.

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Princess: Circle North Pacific Cruises

In addition to its 12-day Alaskan cruises, Princess offers a couple of longer voyages that take you to Alaska. Its epic, 60-day Circle North Pacific is a round trip from Los Angeles that begins with the same itinerary as its shorter Alaskan cruises, then adds Icy Strait Point and Kodiak Island. Leaving Alaska, the ship ventures west to Kushiro, Japan, a journey that takes five days at sea and crosses the international date line. Tokyo , Osaka and Hiroshima in Japan are also featured, followed by the ports of Incheon in Korea, Beijing and Shanghai in China three ports in Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City, and Manila in the Philippines. On the way back across the Pacific to California, youll call at Guam, then the Hawaiian ports of Honolulu and Kauai. A shorter cruise, the Circle North Pacific Segment, follows the same itinerary for 28 nights before ending in Shanghai.

Tip

The Alaskan cruise season runs from mid-May to late September. You can expect the weather in Los Angeles during these months to be hot, dry and sunny, but in Alaska, daytime temperatures might range from the 50s to low 80s. You should pack clothing to cover a wide range of weather conditions, along with plenty of sunscreen and bug spray.

References

Benefits Of Booking An Alaska Cruise During The Cheapest Months

Norwegian Mega Ship Completes First Cruise to Alaska

Booking an Alaska cruise during shoulder season can lead to benefits beyond a cheaper cruise fare.

Cruising to Alaska in the early season of late April and May can come with a lower chance of rain than late summer and fall. In addition, daylight hours are from around 4AM to 10PM in May, giving visitors plenty of time to enjoy Alaskas attractions. Temperatures can be quite comfortable as summer approaches, with highs in the 60s common in mid to late-May.

The early season also brings the chance to spot gray whales, bears, and orcas.

Cruising in September brings the start of fall foliage and snow capped mountain peaks. You may also have the chance to spot the northern lights in late September, although this is not guaranteed.

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Princess Adds More Round

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Sail north to Alaska without having to fly first on a new series of round-trip cruises from the Port of Los Angeles.

Princess Cruises announced this week that it will launch a full summer season of 14-day Alaska Inside Passage voyages in 2020, sailing round-trip from L.A.’s World Cruise Center in San Pedro. The voyages will take place in May, June and July.

Tickets go on sale Nov. 15.

Six new sailings are a contrast to the lines current schedule, which includes three round-trip San Pedro sailings to Alaska in 2019 all on less-attractive dates: April 23, 27 and Sept. 17.

Round-trip cruises are sought after by people who prefer not to fly and by those who enjoy spending more time at sea.

Most Alaska cruises depart from Seattle or from Vancouver or Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Many are weeklong cruises that end or begin in Anchorage, necessitating more air miles for Southern Californians.

Round-trip Alaska cruises departing from L.A. visit the Inside Passage plus Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Glacier Bay and Victoria, British Columbia, before returning to California.

Various Princess ships will sail the 2019 voyages. The 2020 voyages will be aboard Grand Princess, which holds 2,600 passengers. Prices are not yet set for the 2020 voyages.

Princess Cruises will celebrate 50 years of sailing to Alaska in 2019.

Info: Princess Cruises, 774-6237, or contact a travel agent

ALSO

Getting To Alaska By Cruise Ship

Without a doubt, getting to Alaska by cruise ship is immensely popular for Alaska visitors. While cruise passengers may never experience the authentic Alaska while on board, off shore excursions and cruise and land packaged vacations can give many an affordable, easy way to begin to explore Americas 49th state. The major Alaska cruise ports include Skagway, , Sitka and Ketchikan.

The major cruise lines servicing Alaska include:

Large Cruise Ships

Carnival Cruise Line 2,124 Guests
Celebrity Cruises 1,814 2,850 Guests
Crystal Cruises 940 guests

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Top Sights & Attractions To See Before Cruises From Los Angeles

Hollywood Walk of Fame

If you love movies, you cant miss ambling down the Hollywood Walk of Fame before boarding one of our cruises from Los Angeles. There are over 2,600 stars along the 15 blocks of the boulevard, so you can easily spend hours searching for the names of your favorite movie stars. Next to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, youll also find the TCL Chinese Theater, where you can see how your own hands and feet size up to the over 200 handprints of Hollywood stars imprinted in concrete squares.

Griffith Observatory and Griffith Park

Griffith Park is the largest state park in California, covering over 4,300 acres. Enjoy panoramic views of the city skyline and leisurely hikes through the hills. Within the park, there are several attractions to enjoy, including the Los Angeles Zoo, golf courses, and the Griffith Observatory, a perfect place for stargazing and learning more about astronomy.

Venice Beach

Venice Beach is one of the citys most popular neighborhoods and a wonderful spot for people watching. Marvel at the skateboarders and street performers in the Venice Beach Boardwalk. Walk hand-in-hand with your sweetheart along the picturesque and quiet canals. Stop for lunch and go boutique shopping on the trendy Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Head to Muscle Beach, an area full of bodybuilders and fitness fans that help the beach live up to its name.

Best Cruise Lines For Extended Trips To Alaska

Princess Cruises 2022 Offerings

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 cruisetour package from either Holland America or Princess Cruises. 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. Princess even owns a handful of its own lodges.

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Cruise From Vancouver With Norwegian Cruise Line To Los Angeles

The total for two guests in an interior stateroom works out to $3,308.84 CAD including all taxes and fees, which works out to $1654.42 CAD per person. Since the cruise is nine days long, this works out to a per diem cost of $183.82.

Not only does that cost include your transportation on a beautiful five-star vessel, but it also includes meals, entertainment, snacks, and lodging.

While this price might seem steep, it includes a great deal, particularly because Norwegian is throwing in the “Free at Sea” promotion. The promo offers significant value, including:

Free, unlimited open bar: Enjoy all the spirits and cocktails, wines, draft beer, juice and pop for all guests 21 years or older.
Free specialty dining: Enjoy meals at the specialty dining venues for free
Free excursions: Receive $50 USD for shore excursion credit per tour
Free WIFI package: Stay connected to the internet you can use throughout the ship.

For folks who haven’t cruised, the WIFI packages can work out to be quick a bit of money. If you plan on checking emails, logging into social media, or surfing the web on board, you’ll need the WIFI package. If you plan on having drinks, they are not regularly included on almost any regular cruise line and end up being quite expensive.

Included in the stateroom total are the open bar gratuities as well as the ones for the specialty dining .

Book your cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line online.

Best Alaska Cruise Lines

Most big-ship and luxury cruise lines send at least one cruise ship to Alaska every summer. Some of the best Alaska cruise lines are Holland America and Princess because they have especially long histories in the region and offer cruises, as well as cruise and land tour combinations, on multiple ships each season.

If you want a more active trip in less touristed areas, a great choice would be a small-ship expedition line, including Alaska specialists such as Alaskan Dream Cruises and UnCruise Adventures.

Ships in all price ranges sail a variety of itineraries, so dont let budget stop you from visiting. If luxury is what youre after, you can find lines that will go overboard pampering you on your journey north.

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Best Alaska Cruises For Families With Kids

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Carnival, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian, Princess and Royal Caribbean all have extensive kids clubs aboard their ships that cater to all ages, from babies to teens. Little kids will adore meet-and-greets with beloved characters onboard Disney cruises or hanging with Dr. Seuss characters when sailing with Carnival. Older kids will love the rock climbing walls, video game stations, sports courts, go-karts and laser tag on Royal Caribbean and Disney ships.

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Los Angeles Cruises Port Guide

Though it is famous for its starlets and movie studios, Los Angeles extends far beyond Hollywood. This dynamic city is home to gorgeous natural wonders, funky neighborhoods, and excellent cuisine. Experience the glitz of Beverly Hills and its iconic Rodeo Drive. Stroll along the romantic Venice Beach canals. Relive your childhood with a trip to Disneyland. Go shopping in Santa Monica and surfing in Malibu. Hike up Griffith Park and enjoy an unbeatable view of the City of Angels.

Cruises from Los Angeles sail to the Mexican Riviera, where gorgeous beaches, fresh seafood, and natural wonders await. You can also sail along the California coast, where youll stop in beautiful destinations like Catalina Island, San Francisco, and Monterey. Or embark on a journey across the Panama Canal, stopping in tropical ports in Costa Rica, Colombia, and Mexico along the way.

Itineraries

Princess Cruise To Operate Worldwide In 2023

The addition of the California coastline, Mexico, and Hawaii in the summer months is a further expansion for Princess Cruises. Although the cruise line typically focuses on the Alaska Cruise season in the summer months, worldwide itineraries will be available for those who would like to explore further.

Besides the seven cruise ships in Alaska in the summer of 2023 and Emerald Princess operating from Los Angeles, the US is still a popular country where guests can sail onboard a Princess Cruise ship, with Caribbean Princess operating a series of cruises in New England and the Caribbean.

Cruises will also return to Asia, with Diamond Princess sailing in Japan. Coral Princess will cover the Pacific on a 35-Day Hawaii, Tahiti & South Pacific cruise. This ship, which recently experienced some issues in Australia, will also offer a 107-day World Cruise, sailing roundtrip from Sydney, Australia.

Enchanted Princess, Island Princess, and Sky Princess will be operating in Europe and around the British Isles in the summer of 2023.

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When To Book An Alaska Cruise

The best time to book an Alaska cruise is right when a cruise line first opens bookings on that sailing, often more than a year in advance. Youll have your pick of itineraries and cabins balcony cabins are very popular in this scenic destination and often the best fares. Because Alaska has such a short season with a limited number of ships and is a dream trip for many, cruises are in high demand and people plan early.

If you wait to book, youre not entirely out of luck. Cruise lines often run sales in the fall or in the early months of the year . You can take advantage of discounted fares, free upgrades or complimentary add-ons, such as Wi-Fi, gratuities, restaurant meals, beverage packages and tours. Some of the most desirable cabins might be sold out being flexible about your sail date or itinerary can help.

In general, waiting until the last minute is not the best idea, unless you live in Seattle or Vancouver and dont need to book flights. While some less preferred sail dates or cabin categories may have availability a few months out spurring cruise lines to drop rates, you might have trouble finding affordable airfare and pre- or post-cruise hotel accommodations that do not eat up your cruise savings.

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Things To Do In Alaska

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Alaska cruises offer a wide range of activities in port, with options for active travelers, wildlife lovers, history buffs and shoppers. Whether youre traveling with young kids or require more sedentary recreation, the Alaska cruise ports wont disappoint.

Wildlife tours are available in every port. Hop a bus, kayak, boat or plane to look for bears, eagles, whales, sea otters and other wildlife. Note that moose dont regularly show up in the Inside Passage youll need to head more north to find them.

Book a fishing trip to try your hand at catching salmon or halibut, or go out crab fishing for a glimpse into that type of work.

Active travelers can explore Alaska by sea kayak or canoe, hike on glaciers and through rainforests, zip line, bike, ride an ATV and even snorkel . You can even opt for a round of golf at the course in Haines.

In Alaska, sightseeing doesnt only take place on the ground. Floatplane and helicopter tours take you around scenic areas like Misty Fjords or land you on a glacier, perhaps for a dogsledding or hiking adventure on the ice. If you prefer to stay grounded, you can find informative trolley tours of ports like Skagway.

Shopping abounds, and you can buy everything from diamond jewelry to T-shirts and other souvenirs. Youll need to look carefully for Alaskan-owned stores selling local handicrafts, but theyre worth seeking out.

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Misty Fjords National Monument

isty Fjords National Monument encompasses more than 2 million acres/810,000 hectares of old-growth forest, granite mountains, waterfalls, islands, lakes, rivers and coastal habitat. Boats and cruise ships thread their way through extremely narrow channels to provide access to these remote areas, which begin about 20 mi/32 km southeast of Ketchikan.

Things To Do In Los Angeles

Play on the Santa Monica Pier

For a fun-filled day in Los Angeles, head to Santa Monica, a scenic neighborhood that is home to a long pier stretching out into the Pacific Ocean. Stop by Santa Monica Piers carnival, where you can ride the Ferris wheel, try your hand at carnival-style games, and grab a bite to eat. From the piers vantage point, youll be privy to gorgeous views of the ocean and Californias coastline.

Explore Malibu

Escape the hustle and bustle of LA and drive up the coast to the laid-back city of Malibu. Enjoy lunch at the end of the historic Malibu Pier at a farmhouse-style restaurant, then head down to the sand and check out Malibus gorgeous and rugged beaches, known for their light golden sand and rocky formations that jut out into the ocean.

Take a Picture of the Hollywood Sign

A trip to Los Angeles isnt complete until you see the citys famous Hollywood sign. Set high up on a hill overlooking the city, the Hollywood Sign is visible from several vantage points. If youre looking for a way to get closer, go on a shore excursion that includes a nearby photo op, where youll be able to pose in front of the iconic sign.