Ask An Expert Or Past Traveler
This is the final step we recommend for those seeking how to choose an Alaskan cruise, but it could also easily be your first! What are Alaskan cruises like? To truly find honest answers and your own best small ship Alaska cruise, it often involves talking with a trusted resource.
Contacting small ship Alaska cruise lines directly does not always answer critical questions about how much activity there is, what the cabins are like compared to other operators and so on. There are also now countless travel review websites on the internet. Many offer honest advice, but many need to be taken with a grain of salt. Use online reviews as a tool, but dont rush to judgment when you read a poor review. Often this is a result of a mismatch between the style of the traveler and the type of cruise they were on.
Thus, the best type of Alaska cruise review is a personal referral. Ask your booking agent to put you in touch with a past client that has traveled to Alaska on a comparable trip. Reputable Alaska small ship cruise agencies will gladly refer their past clients.
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Alaskan Cruises To Set Sail From Seattle After Congress Passes Bill For Ships To Bypass Canada
Holland America resumes Seattle to Alaska cruises after Congress passes bill for ships to bypass Canada
Holland America will resume Seattle-to-Alaska cruises starting July 24 after Congress passed a bill allowing ships to bypass Canada.
SEATTLE Cruise lines will resume Seattle-to-Alaska cruises after Congress passed a bill allowing ships to bypass Canada.
Holland American announced 10 sailings starting July 24, while Carnivals cruise lines will also return to Alaska starting in July.
The legislation, called the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act, is waiting for President Bidens signature.
The law would allow cruise ships to bypass Canada temporarily because Canada has banned cruise ships from its waters through February 2022. Its needed to counter an older law that requires foreign-based cruise ships to stop in another country when going between domestic ports.
Typically, the cruise lines would have stopped in Victoria or Vancouver, B.C., while en route to Alaska.
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Bookings for the Holland America cruises are open for 10 Saturday departures that will operate from July 24 through Oct. 2.
The seven-day Alaskan Explorer itinerary calls at Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Sitka and Ketchikan. They will cruise through Glacier Bay and Stephens Passage.
The cruise line said dining and entertainment will still be available on the ship.
Frequently Asked Questions About A Small Ship Alaska Cruise:
How many people will be onboard?
Small ships carry less than 100 guests. The average Princess cruise ship carries over 2,400 guests in Alaska.
What is the dress code?
The atmosphere on a small ship is casual for all meals. Other cruise lines have two formal nights, two coat and tie nights, and three casual dress nights. Small ship cruises are casual every night.
Are there open meal seatings? Can I choose my dining companions?
All meals on small ships are open dining. You can eat when you want and with whom you want. There are no “early” and “late” seating and set dinner arrangements and tables like you have on the big ships.
Are there casinos and shows onboard?
A small ship cruise emphasizes Alaska, not the onboard amenities. It’s nothing fancy. Just an up close and personal vacation where Alaska and it’s natural treasures provide the entertainment.
How close will the ship get to glaciers, whales and shoreline?
Very, very close. Your captain may follow a pod of whales, pull up so close to a glacier you could touch it, drift next to a waterfall or even anchor off a remote cove close enough for you to take the gangway ashore.
Will the ship vary its schedule to maximize whale watching or wildlife sightings?
Absolutely. Unlike the massive 100,000 ton cruise ships, a small ship can follow its own schedule to maximize wildlife sightings.
Will I experience narrow waterways such as Wrangell Narrows and Peril Straight?
How big are the “Small Ships” compared to the Big Ships?
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Princess Cruises Itineraries Begins July 25
Princess Cruises returns with departures July 25 through Sept. 26, 2021 on 7-day roundtrip Seattle cruises to Alaska aboard Majestic Princess. Travelers will sail to Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka, and visit Glacier Bay National Park.
We have been working towards this moment to return to service for over a year and starting with our Alaska cruise vacations is incredibly gratifying, said Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises.
The lines Indulge at Sea promotion offers up to $200 onboard spending per stateroom with incentive packaging including drinks and Wi-Fi, or with an optional no frills fare for the lowest stateroom rates.
The Seattle Cruise Season Restarts
ByAllison WilliamsApril 25, 2022
The Norwegian Bliss first parallel parked in front of downtown Seattle in 2018.
Image: Courtesy Port of Seattle
The big boats are back. When the Norwegian Bliss departed Seattle on Saturday as the first big cruise ship of the 2022 season, it marked the return of one of Seattle’s signature maritime industries. Like almost all cruise ships that depart Seattle, the Bliss will do a one-week tour of Southeast Alaska ports like Skagway and Ketchikan. But even before the Bliss returns for a second of more than 20 Alaska laps, Seattle will start to feel the effects.
Cruising is big business in Seattle. In 2019, the city saw its peak of cruise passengers, with 1.2 million passing through while that pales compared to, say, Miami’s almost seven million paying cruise customers annually, the impacts are still significant. The Norwegian Bliss was the first of 295 sailings scheduled for the Port of Seattle before the season ends in Octoberup from 213 in 2019 and the Port estimates that the economic impact of this year’s trips will be $887 million. That includes what the passengers spend in hotels and restaurants before departing, but also the fresh Washington food, flowers, wine, and more, loaded on the ships as they turn around.
As a smaller port, Seattle could be a leader in green initiatives. Calkins notes that by 2024, Pier 66 will have electric shore power, meaning all three Port berths allow cruise ships to plug in while docked.
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First Alaska Revenue Cruise Departs From Seattle
PublishedJul 20, 2021 3:24 PM by The Maritime Executive
The first, large foreign-flag cruise ship departed yesterday, July 19, for Alaska signaling the return of the cruise industry to the Port of Seattle and Alaska. Royal Caribbean Internationals cruise ship the Serenade of the Seas kicked off the abbreviated Alaska cruise season with the first departure by a large cruise ship to Alaska since September 2019.
“Cruising in Alaska is finally back, and we are excited to be the first to return, said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. Alaska is one of the most popular destinations among our guests. We are grateful for the support of our partners, senators. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and other government and health authorities. This is a return that is significantly felt by many, including those whose communities rely on cruise tourism.”
While smaller, American cruise ships had resumed the Alaska cruise season in May, the return of the large, foreign-flag ships required a special act of the U.S. Congress to waive American cabotage laws. Initially thought to be a long shot, the legislation passed due to the critical nature of tourism to Alaskas economy and the prospects of businesses having to forgo the second season of tourism after Canada announced its ports would be closed to cruise ships during the 2021 season.
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Small Ship Alaska Cruises From Seattle
If it’s Small Ship Alaska cruises from Seattle you’re searching for, look no further than Lindblad Expeditions & National Geographic.
The Lindblad Expeditions Alaska Adventure cruises allow you to see, do, & learn more than any other cruise line.
Choose between a 14 or 15 day adventure cruise aboard their expedition ships, the National Geographic Quest or Venture. These small ships have access to many more places than a larger cruise ship, giving the feeling ofbeing on a private yacht.
With only 100 guests on board, you have almost limitless access to the expedition staff, naturalists, and seasoned crew.
Oceania Cruises has another Small Ship Alaska Cruise option – The Oceania Regatta offers an experience that’s close to luxury without being all-inclusive. With only 684 passengers on board, 5 Star Dining, & an excellent Spa, what could be better?!
And oh boy, do you have options! There are many Alaska cruises from Seattle options available for a luxury Alaska cruise on the Oceania Regatta:
Prices for a 7 day Cruise begins around $2,000 per person and goes up from there.
Check out their fantastic eBrochure and be sure to check for special offers.
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Alaska Cruises From Seattle Alaskan Cruises From Seattle
There are five major cruise lines that offer cruises from Seattle. Cruises from Seattle are typically roundtrip, 7 night Alaska itineraries and usually include a glacier experience. In late September, at the end of the Alaska season, most cruises from Seattle are repositioning cruises to Hawaii, Asia, the Panama Canal and Caribbean.
Fla. Seller of Travel Reg. No. ST42496CST No. 2100614-50
International Callers
WMPH Vacations and AlaskaCruises.com are located in Delray Beach, Florida. You may book online or contact us directly. Our business hours and toll-free phone numbers from the following countries are listed below:
Please note that all prices on our website are in US dollars, and travel purchases must be completed with a major credit card.Unless you are considering one of our custom cruise itineraries, certain cruise lines prohibit US-based travel agencies from selling to non-US residents.
All passengers regardless of their home country, citizenship or country of residency are responsible for obtaining the proper documentation for travel. This includes passports and visas for any country they may visit during their trip.
Pricing Terms and Conditions
In Port: Ketchikan Alaska
During my sailing, NCL unveiled a new port just outside of Ketchikan, Alaska. During the ribbon-cutting at The Mill at Ward Cove, local tribal members joined the celebration and guests seemed to really love the new facility, which offered quick access to area attractions like Tongass National Forest.
While masks werent required on the ship, they were required while visiting Alaskan ports
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The Small Ship Advantage
A cruise on a small ship is not filled with elaborate distractions, sleek resorts and packaged tours. Rather, small ships are perfect for intimate exploration of off-the-beaten track waterways, narrow channels and tiny ports that passengers on large ships will never see. When Lindblad Expeditions guests visit a small port in Alaska’s Inside Passage they don’t overwhelm the local communities. Their largest vessel hosts just 62 guests.
Small ship guests would rather watch for whales in Frederick Sound than spend the afternoon in a casino. They linger outside on deck as the Captain noses under a waterfall, rather than watch a video. On a small ship, the focus is very often outside, on what Nature has provided for entertainment, rather than on amusements provided to occupy your attention on board.
Your time is spent wisely, too. Rather than making a beeline from port to port, small ship Captains have the flexibility – and the inclination – to linger when whales are putting on a show, a glacier is calving spectacularly, or to seek out sea otters when a nearby fisherman radios the word.
On a small ship cruise, you are not just a visitor. You are a participant. Whether kayaking next to a glacier, hiking in a rain forest in Alaska, or enjoying a spectacular spring garden in British Columbia, a small-ship cruise is an engaging experience for all the senses.
Alaska Small Ship Cruises
If you’ve traveled with big ship cruise lines in the past, it’s time to forget everything you thought you knew about cruising. And if you’ve avoided cruising because you thought it would be like traveling in a floating mall, it’s time to think again. This is something else altogether.Small ship cruises let you experience Alaska – up close and personally.
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Norwegian Cruise Line Will Offer 70% Off 2nd Guest Free Drinks Shore Excursions Wifi And More
Norwegian Cruise Line has announced the biggest sale in their history that has 70% off the second guest in a stateroom along with seven free offers that include drinks, WiFi, and shore excursions.Norwegian Cruise Lines newest cruise deals will offer up to $4,250 in savings on your next cruise. Cruises included in this deal run through the summer of 2024 as the cruise line launches deals
Alaska Cruises Small Ships Versus Big Ships
Some people automatically think that bigger is better. At small ship cruiselines, they think differently. They believe that close is better than far away…that personal is better than mass produced…that a few like-minded friends are better than thousands of strangers. No waiting in line. No trying to find a window seat. No crowds.
That’s why each of their ships only hold around 100 guests, and why almost all of their cabins face outside with large windows or portholes. That’s why they serve delicious informal meals in comfortable dining rooms where you can sit wherever and with whomever you like.
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Choose Your Small Cruise Ship To Alaska
Once you have an understanding of where you want to cruise and what style of travel you seek, next in your how to choose an Alaskan cruise quest is selecting your small ship. Among our selection of vessels ranging from 8 to just over 100 guests, find more than 25 small cruise ships in Alaska, ranging from high-tech expedition ships to family-owned yachts.
There are numerous considerations for choosing your ship when you are looking at the options for small ship Alaska cruises. Size is certainly one of them, and style is another. Considerations include private balconies, the onboard programming, the crew-to-guest ratio, the adventure equipment aboard, family-friendly programming and so on.
Larger expedition-style Alaskan cruise ships in the 50 to 100 passenger range typically have larger cabins, many with view windows, more deck space for watching wildlife and more common areas. Not to mention additional adventure gear aboard and more guides to diversify your experience. Smaller motor yachts carry 8 to 22 guests and range from rustic floating B& Bs to luxurious yachts. Paying attention to the varied amenities, cabin sizes and other features that are important to you is key in choosing among the many small cruise ships to Alaska.
Port Of Call: Icy Strait Point
In Icy Strait Point, guests will see an incredible new gondola that transports visitors for free from the cruise arrival area to a restored cannery and museum, sharing local history and the Tlingit native culture. Here guests can peruse arts and crafts, savor local salmon, and tour the Hoonah Packing Company facilities of 1912.
For adventure seekers, Icy Strait Point is also home to a brand-new zipline course. As the worlds largest zip ride, guests will take in a scenic mountain descent of 1,330 feet with speeds of up to 60 miles per hour. Theres also an adventure park with ropes course, ATV and kayak adventures, whale watching excursions, and hiking trails.
Guests opting to explore the area without an excursion will want to stroll the Hoonah Veterans Memorial Sea Walk which offers a pleasant 1.3-mile route into the small town of Hoonah. Once in town, there are independent shops to peruse, a brewpub, seafood restaurant and the Yaakw Kahidi Cultural Center where visitors are invited to learn about traditional canoe and totem carvings. In lieu of walking, Hoonah also offers an affordable shuttle to and from town.
Mount Roberts Tramway in Juneau, Alaska
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Alaska Set For Record Cruise Ship Season This Summer
Alaska is set for a huge season in 2022 with 60 cruise ships expected to operated in the region, according to the
From large contemporary cruise ships, to luxury and coastal vessels, the destination is expected to have a record season.
Here is Cruise Industry News exclusive summary of some of the key players:
Princess CruisesShips: Six Discovery Princess, Majestic Princess, Royal Princess, Ruby Princess, Crown Princess and Grand PrincessSailing Season: April 30 to September 17Homeports: Seattle, Whittier and San Francisco Vancouver Itinerary highlights: Ketchikan, Juneau, Tracy Arm Fjord, Hubbard Glacier, Skagway, Juneau, Haines, Victoria and more
One of the major players in the destination, Princess Cruises is deploying six ships to Alaska in 2022.
The program includes the new Discovery Princess, and is set to become the newest ship sailing in the Last Frontier this year.
Holland America LineShips: Six Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Eurodam, Noordam, Westerdam and ZuiderdamSailing Season: April 30 to October 1Homeports:Whittier and Seattle Vancouver Itinerary highlights: Skagway, Tracy Arm Fjord, Ketchikan, Juneau, Hubbard Glacier, Valdez, Prince Rupert, Kodiak, Anchorage, Glacier Bay, Icy Strait Point and more
After returning to the region with a limited season in 2021, Holland America Line is ready to sail a full six-ship program in Alaska this year.
Stretching from April 22 to October 16, the companys program is also one of the longest in the region.
First Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship To Sail To Alaska In Two Years Departs Today
Another milestone in the cruise industrys recovery has been reached today, with the official restart of cruises to Alaska.
Royal Caribbeans Serenade of the Seas is scheduled to depart Seattle on July 19.
After more than a year with cruising on pause, Serenade will sail from Pier 91 in Seattle a change from its previously scheduled homeport in Vancouver.
The significance of this first sailing is as large for the cruise industry as it is for the people of Alaska.
Just like cruises to the Caribbean, cruises to Alaska have been shutdown since 2020.
Without cruise tourists to Alaska since late 2019, the economic impact has been massive.
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy has incurred a $3.3 billion loss in tourist dollars over that timeframe.
For Royal Caribbean, this is another ship back in service and another ship that has received approval from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions to sail again.
Each of Royal Caribbeans cruise ships must perform a test cruise, where various health protocols and social distancing rules are tested out to demonstrate the ship can be operated safely.
Serenade of the Seas conducted her 4-night test cruise back on July 7 with 300 fully vaccinated passengers onboard.
The week-long itinerary features a lineup of ports of call, including Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point, Alaska, as well as Endicott Arm fjord and Dawes Glacier.
After August 1, that requirement drops to 12 years old.
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