The Return Of Cruising
I wasn’t at all surprised to see Harry Sommer enjoying the cruise with his family, as I knew he was aboard the Encore to celebrate the comeback cruise. I even had a chance to sit down with him for a few minutes where he shared his excitement about returning to cruising. Sommer had already sailed with the Greek cruise comeback, but his wife insisted they enjoy the Alaska cruise, too.
Restarting Cruises From Tampa
Jeff and Meagan Mapson share their experience cruising from Tampa on Serenade of the Seas, which was one of the first sailings to restart from Tampa.Share with me your thoughts, questions and comments via…You can subscribe to the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast via iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher or RSS.Source: royalcaribbeanblog.com
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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How Much It Costs To Cruise
A weeklong cruise to Alaska with NCL starts as low as $399 per person and includes meals in three different dining rooms, the buffet, and 24-hour pub fare, and daily entertainment.
Caribbean cruises start as low as $299 per person, while sailings along the Mexican Riviera start at $489 per person.
Cruisers can also take advantage of booking deals right now, and Norwegian offers a wonderful selection of cabins for solo travelers, which most cruise lines do not.
Smith Cove Pier 91 Cruise Terminal
- address – “Cruise Terminal 91 , 2001 West Garfield St., Seattle, Washington 98119 “
- GPS coordinates – pending
- 2 berths
- Pier 91 terminal serves the ships of Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, Princess, Disney and Royal Caribbean.
- Pier 91 cruise terminal was opened in 2009. It has mechanized gangway for embarkation/disembarkation from floor 2 .
Smith Cove Cruise Terminal is close to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and to downtown . The terminal is located on Pier #90 and Pier #91, at approx 2 mi from downtown in northwestern direction. This port used to serve as an industrial port and a resupply base and still looks a kind of industrial. The Smith Cove terminal offers car rental desk, concierge, luggage handling, retail kiosks, check-in and customs. Close there is a parking and shuttle minibus service which is free. The passengers can pick up a cell phone car lot. It has two cruise ship moorings.
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Cruise Ships That Are Sailing In Alaska This Summer
Thanks to the bipartisan support in the passing of the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act, cruise lines are now moving full speed ahead with planning Alaska cruises beginning in July 2021.
Norwegian Bliss in Seattle
To operate these cruises without first sailing test voyages required under the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions Conditional Sailing Order, cruise lines are requiring all eligible passengers to present proof of vaccination to sail. Currently, vaccinations in the United States are only available to kids 12 and over.
Royal Caribbean and Celebrity will allow younger passengers to cruise if they present a negative COVID-19 test prior to boarding. Carnival, Holland America, Norwegian, and Princess, however, are requiring all passengers to be fully vaccinated, meaning children under 12 will not be able to sail at all.
Glacier Bay National Park
These cruises also might be the best time for passengers who are less fond of sailing with kids to embark on ships that will be devoid of the youngest passengers, and likely have fewer teenagers than a typical summer voyage. And, due to the much later than normal start to the Alaska season, ships will be sailing later into September and even October than is typically the case. For those wanting to experience a cooler, drier Alaska by cruise, this year also presents a unique opportunity.
Here are all the ships currently scheduled to sail to Alaska in Summer 2021.
IN THIS ARTICLE
First Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship To Sail To Alaska In Two Years Departs Today
Another milestone in the cruise industry’s recovery has been reached today, with the official restart of cruises to Alaska.
Royal Caribbean’s 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 Caribbean’s 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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Extraordinary Journeys Departing From Seattle
If you’re looking for a truly unique experience that takes you to off-the-beaten-path ports you never thought possible, an Extraordinary Journey with Norwegian is your ideal match. In fact, each Extraordinary Journey is uniquely designed to inspire your imagination and instill a rush of excitement as you uncover hidden gems.
Some of the dazzling ports to explore on your 2022 Extraordinary Journey from Seattle include: Ketchikan, Alaska, , Seward, Alaska, Petropavlovsk, Russia, Hakodate, Japan, Tokyo, Japan.
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 weren’t required on the ship, they were required while visiting Alaskan ports
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Further Hawaii Sailings Remain Scheduled
Guests who are booked on the sailing are being notified about the cancellations and their compensation options. Carnival is offering a future cruise credit so that an alternative booking can be made with some savings.
Carnival Cruise Line has already changed the voyage and split up those 14 days. The ship will be departing on November 28 on a four-day Mexican Riviera cruise. The itinerary includes a call at Catalina Island and Ensenda, returning to Long Beach on December 2, 2021.
Carnival Cruise Ship in Honolulu
Carnival Miracle is still scheduled to operate its next cruise to Hawaii that departs on January 9, 2022. The ship will sail a 14-day voyage to Hawaii as part of its Carnival Journeys program. The program allows for more time in port and for guests to experience the cultures the ship visits. Theres also a cruise to Hawaii an additional three times in 2022 and even more in 2023.
Currently, there are no guests operations from Hawaii, with only ships visiting to take on fuel and supplies. Celebrity Solstice will be the next ship to make a supply stop with no guests at Honolulu on November 11. The first cruise ships are set to restart in Hawaii in early 2022.
Cruising Out Of Seattle To Alaska
For your Alaska cruise from Seattle, come early or stay longer in Seattle Southside. With over 60 hotels near the Seattle Airport to choose from, hundreds of places to dine and countless activities, Seattle Southside is the perfect place for a little pre- or post-vacation relaxation. So go aheadadd a day to your vacation and experience all there is in the Pacific Northwest.
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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
Legislation Raises Hopes For Seattle
Congress has voted to let large cruise ships sail directly from Washington state to Alaska without stopping in Canada, a step that could clear the way for cruises later this year.
The legislation approved by the House on Thursday goes to President Joe Biden, who is expected to sign it.
This legislation is literally a lifeline for so many of Alaskas small businesses that were struggling, and it means jobs for more Alaskans this summer,” said Sarah Leonard, president of the Alaska Travel Industry Association.
Carnival Corp. said it expects to resume sailing to Alaska in late July and running until early October. The company said its Carnival, Holland America and Princess lines will each operate one ship on round-trip voyages between Seattle and Alaska for fully vaccinated passengers.
A longstanding federal law prohibits foreign-flagged ships typically the big cruise liners from carrying passengers between two U.S. ports without stopping in another country. With Canada forbidding any cruise operations through next February, the law threatened to eliminate Alaskan voyages on large ships this year.
The House on Thursday passed a measure that waives the foreign-stop requirement through next February or until Canada lifts its ban on cruising. That will allow the big cruise ships to sail directly from Washington to Alaska without stopping at a Canadian port such as Victoria or Vancouver.
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Alaska Cruises From Seattle
Alaska cruises from Seattle sail roundtrip Inside Passage routes. They are popular for their ease of travel, especially for travelers connecting to Seattle from elsewhere in the continental U.S.
Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, and Royal Caribbean all offer roundtrip Alaska cruises that sail from Seattle. The specific itineraries vary, but generally cruises on this route spend two days at sea traveling between Seattle and Alaska, and one full day sailing through places like the Endicott Arm, Tracy Arm, or Glacier Bay National Park. Ports of call vary, but often include Skagway, , and Ketchikan. These cruises wrap up with a final port call in the British Columbian capital of Victoria before returning to Seattle.
If you’d like to see more of Alaska, check out Alaska cruises from Vancouver. These voyages include one-way glacier route cruises to Whittier or Seward that pair perfectly with pre-cruise or post-cruise Alaska land packages.
And while you’re at it, visit our Cruise Finder. You can use this easy tool to search for specific cruises based on the routes you’re interested in, sailing dates, and even cruise line. Through the finder you can also quickly request a quote for the compelling cruises you find.
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
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Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier
Cruise through Endicott Arm Fjord, where youll be awestruck by the ice-blue and stark-white beauty of the fjord, floating icebergs, waterfalls, and wildlife all around.
Keep your eyes peeled for brown bears on the shore, harbor seals in the water, and bald eagles soaring overhead. When your ship sails close to the 600-foot tall Dawes Glacier, one of the best glaciers in Alaska, youll get eye-popping views of active calving as your ship makes a complete turn for optimum viewing.
Bell Street Pier 66 Cruise Terminal
Terminal 66 was inaugurated in May 2000. In 2017 was completed the USD 30 million terminal expansion project.
NCL’s USD 30 million investment into Pier 66 allowed in Seattle to be homeported the ever-largest Alaskan ship – Norwegian Bliss. The liner started turnaround operations in June 2018 with 7-day Inside Passage cruises. To handle new ship’s capacity , Terminal 66 was expanded from 44,000 ft2 to 151,000 ft2 . On May 23, 2017, representatives from Port Seattle and NCLH-Norwegian celebrated the opening of the newly renovated Pier 66 Terminal. Upgrades included a mobile gangway , renovated check-in area and VIP lounge.
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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.
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 Carnival’s cruise lines will also return to Alaska starting in July.
The legislation, called the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act, is waiting for President Biden’s signature.
The law would allow cruise ships to bypass Canada temporarily because Canada has banned cruise ships from its waters through February 2022. It’s 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.
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Biden Signs Act To Restart Alaska Cruises From Seattle
PublishedMay 24, 2021 6:51 PM by The Maritime Executive
President Joe Biden signed into law the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act to permit foreign-flagged cruise ships to operate cruises to Alaska in 2021. Promoted as an important part of Alaskas recovery from the pandemic and part of the states efforts to rebuild its tourism industry, the act is also the first modern waiver of U.S. cabotage laws for the cruise industry.
Alaskas elected representatives proposed the act in March after Canada announced that its ports would remain closed to cruise ships until February 2022. Initially given little chance of passage, the act made it successfully through the U.S. Senate and then the U.S. House of Representatives in part because of its simplicity. It states that while the Canadian ports are closed, a cruise departing from Seattle for Alaska will be deemed a foreign voyage. The Passenger Vessel Services Act requires all non-U.S. passenger ships to stop at a foreign port when transporting Americans, even on a cruise, between two U.S. ports.
The Royal Caribbean Group also announced plans to position cruise ships to Alaska for the summer. Royal Caribbean Internationals cruise ship Serenade of the Seas will start sailing to Alaska in late July and a second ship, the Ovation of the Seas, will join her starting in August. In addition, the companys premium brand Celebrity Cruises will also be cruising in Alaska with its Celebrity Summit starting on July 23.