What Cruise Ships Go To Alaska

Cruises Slowly Return To Alaska: What You Need To Know

After nearly a two year pause, cruises are slowing returning to the water, allowing destinations like Alaska to open for travel and restart their economy.

A number of safety precautions have been put into place. Travel enthusiast Dana Rebmann joins us to explain.

Its been a slow return for the cruise industry and the economic impact is especially notable in Alaska, where more than half of the states visitors would typically arrive on large cruise ships.

Alaskan Cruises Holland America Line has been cruising to Alaska for nearly 75 years.

This summer it has one ship, the Nieuw Amsterdam, sailing an abbreviated schedule from Seattle.

It started at the end of July and is set to end in early October.

Its sailing with an average 30 % less capacity.

Guests 12 and older must be fully vaccinated and have a negative medically supervised COVID-19 test taken within two days of embarkation, and face masks are required in indoor public spaces.

To anyone who has been to Alaska before, the ports are noticeable quieter, but theres also a sense of gratitude to see travelers returning from local hospitality workers and tour operators.

So much about a trip to Alaska is about being outside. In Juneau, theres a long list of ways you can see Mendenhall Glacier. You can go hiking, kayaking, and river rafting.

The guide is the only one with paddles, but that doesnt mean you cant get wet as youre taking in the scenery.

Top Alaskan Ports Of Call

No matter which type of itinerary you select, youll likely visit a mix of these ports. Like so many places around the world, many of these ports now cater to the cruise market. If you want to see nature at its finest, go beyond the immediate port area. And if you want to see some of Alaskas most rustic and charming villages, book a voyage with a line like Alaskan Dream Cruises and UnCruise that visits destinations like Baranof Island, Chichagof Island, Petersburg and Wrangell.

Advantages Of Visiting Alaska In September

• Pack warm clothes and enjoy Septembers cool temperatures that vary between 35-55 degrees. If youre on an arctic tour, pack winter coats, as youll experience daytime temperatures of 28-33 degrees.
• Looking for a bargain? September increases your odds of finding low-cost tours and other Alaska cruise deals.
• Elk, caribou, bears, moose, and deer can be spotted across the wilderness. Above, raptors and gulls migrate south and bald eagles hunt for prey. Below, harbor seals and sea lions dot the beach, and pods of gray whales pass your cruise ship.

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Carnival Alaska Cruise Past Guests

Carnival’s “VIFP Club” rewards Very Important Fun People even before they have sailed. Join the VIPF Club online even before booking your first cruise and gain access to special promotions and members-only fares. If you’ve already sailed with Carnival, you’re already a member – you just need to activate your account online. The more you cruise, the more VIPF points you earn , and the more rewards you receive. These start with members-only offers and can include priority check-in and boarding, complimentary brunch beverages, priority spa and dining reservations, and more.

See The Wilds Of A Great Frontier

Immerse yourself in a world of Tlingit heritage with hints of Russia, where an outpost atmosphere prevails in mountain-ringed seaside towns. As you cruise this pristine wilderness of misty fjords, lush forest and gleaming walls of ice, pan for gold like prospectors of old, meet local Tlingit, and hear tales both tall and true of a region where a Wild West spirit is very much alive.

Immerse yourself in a world of Tlingit heritage with hints of Russia, where an outpost atmosphere prevails in mountain-ringed seaside towns. As you cruise this pristine wilderness of misty fjords, lush forest and gleaming walls of ice, pan for gold like prospectors of old, meet local Tlingit, and hear tales both tall and true of a region where a Wild West spirit is very much alive.

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Best Overall: Norwegian Cruise Line

Courtesy of; Norwegian Cruise Line

• Ship Name: Norwegian Bliss
• Itinerary: Seattle, Ketchikan, Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Victoria

Norwegian boasts that it has the youngest fleet cruising to Alaska,” and the Norwegian Bliss is NCLs newest ship . Bliss has buzzworthy features like laser tag, a race track on the top deck, and thrilling waterslides that overhang the sides of the ship. The ship has accommodations for every type of cruiser, including solo staterooms and elegant suites in the Haven, a luxurious enclave. Another perk of this cruise is that is sails round-trip from Seattle, so guests can drive or fly into the same port for departure and arrival .;Bliss also has a beautiful observation lounge ideal when sailing the Inside Passage.;

Picking Your Activities And Excursions

Perhaps the hardest part of the cruise is deciding which activities to take and making sure that you get the ones that you want. In your cabin you will find a detailed document with all the excursions available and there are a lot!

My suggestion is to go through the activity packet and star the ones you think appeal to you, and there are usually a few slightly different variations of each trip. For example, there will be whale watching, whale watching with lunch, and also whale watching with both a glacier trek and lunch, so its hard to know what to select. Read these carefully and choose the one that sounds best, keeping in mind the price and time of each excursion.

Once you have your general picks, head down to the activities desk and have a chat with one of the representatives. They usually have their favourites and will help you decide between the myriad of options available.

In Alaska, I suggest that you do the following activities on the port days:

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The Best Alaska Itineraries

My first visit to Alaska started in Anchorage, where we took the Alaska Railroad to Whittier to board Regent Seven Seas Mariner to explore Prince William Sound, Kodiak and the remote Dutch Harbor before heading to Russias Kamchatka Peninsula and the northern islands of Japan.

What I saw in Alaska took my breath away, and weve returned several times since. While that particular cruise was aboard a pricey luxury line, there are ships in all price ranges sailing a variety of itineraries, so dont let budget stop you from visiting.

Carnival Cruises Customer Testimonials

• Found Ian to be very friendly and helpful especially since we had to cancel our first booking due to my husband’s medical condition. Ian was…A Smith, Munster, WA
• Jeanne Ryan is great. Always very pleasant when I spoke with her. She had our documents delivered in a timely manner and was there to answer…K Cooney, Port Richey, FL
• Mr. Oden was extremely helpful when booking my trip and very attentive to my needs. He always responded to my emails and was always trying to…R Klimpl, Kailua, HI

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.

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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.

Advantages Of Visiting Alaska In August

• Warm weather, with temperatures between 45-65 degrees and 18 hours of daylight.
• Abundant fishing opportunities, as halibut, northern pike, rainbow trout, and salmon are all in season.
• Numerous cruise and land tour packages on offer, giving you access to the breathtaking fall foliage of the Last Frontier.
• As for wildlife, August is peak migration season for songbirds and youll see numerous caribou, bears, beavers, orca, and loons on your adventure.

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Selecting A Cabin Type

For most people cabin selection will be based on your budget but there are a few things to consider when selecting your room and whether its worth upping your budget a little to get a room you truly love. There are a variety of state rooms, and I think the first choice is whether you want an interior room , a sea view room , a balcony room or a suite with balcony.

If you are claustrophobic or get a little seasick, then going for a room with a window or balcony is essential. We enjoyed a balcony room and found this was such a great way to be able to enjoy the sailing days, relaxing on the balcony, book in hand, waiting for a whale to swim by!

The second consideration is which part of the boat you want to be on, the back, middle or front. Honestly, I personally dont think this is as much of a consideration as selecting which room type you go for. The selection of which location is usually based on what you want to be close to, but with activities on board all over the boat you will be walking from one end to the other no matter what.

One thing to check if possible is that you are not in a middle corner room. Our room was on a corner in the middle of the ship where the next section of cabin rooms and balconies jutted out farther than ours to one side. This meant we had a large wall next to our balcony completely obscuring the view to the left and front of the boat so could not see anything ahead of us when we were sailing.

Royal Caribbean Sets Sail For Alaska For The First Time Since 2019

Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas was the first major cruise ship to return to the state since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

Royal Caribbean set sail for Alaska on Tuesday as the first major cruise ship to make its way to the state since September 2019.

The cruise line set off from Seattle on its Serenade of the Seas on a 7-night journey to The Last Frontier with planned stops in Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan, according to the company. The ship features breathtaking views with its ocean-facing glass elevators and the chance to take in the scenery from a rock climbing wall 40 feet above the sea.

“Cruising in Alaska is finally back, and we are excited to be the first to return,” Michael Bayley, the president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, said in a statement, adding “Alaska is one of the most popular destinations among our guests.”

The ship was allowed to leave from Seattle after President Joe Biden signed the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act into law, nullifying a century-old law that required large foreign-flagged ships to first stop in Canada. The legislation was required after Canada initially extended its ban on cruise ships until February 2022, but last week the country said cruise ships could resume sailing on Nov. 1.

In addition to the Serenade of the Seas, Royal Caribbean will sail its Ovation of the Seas from Seattle to Alaska on Aug. 13.

On Aug. 1, the company will drop the age for those required to be vaccinated to 12.

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Packing For An Alaska Cruise

First things first, before you even start thinking about what items to pack you probably are wondering if you can take a suitcase, or if you should have a soft bag for a cruise. Cruise cabins are not huge, but they are well designed to maximise the space and provide large wardrobes, plenty of drawers and usually space to store your hard shell suitcases.

On our recent cruise with Carnival we had two large suitcases and we had plenty of space to hang up all of our clothes and store the cases in the wardrobe. However, if you prefer travelling with a soft bag this will also ensure you can tuck it away in a wardrobe too.

In terms of clothing for an Alaska Cruise, definitely bring warm items and most importantly a windbreaker jacket. Even when the sun is shining and warm , the wind on the upper decks can be chilly. One of the best parts of an Alaskan cruise is that there is usually a beautiful landscape to enjoy as you sail so you will want to be on deck for most of it.

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Bring some hats, gloves, good walking shoes or boots, and other warm weather gear for your day trips. A rain jacket and umbrella is also advised as Alaska weather can often be overcast and rainy so be prepared for that.

Helpful Tips Before You Go

• Be aware of the unusual length of days and nights in these northern latitudes. In May or June, the sun doesnt set until after 11pm giving you more time to see more of Alaska.
• In Alaska, some of the best tasting water comes right out of the tap. Thats because its glacial watercrisp, clean and clear.
• Much of Alaska is covered by a rainforest, so pack water-resistant clothing.
• Temperatures can vary based on what you are doing . Wearing layers can help keep you comfortable throughout the day no matter what the activity.
• Book Flights by Celebrity® to be protected in case there is any cancellation.
• Research the shore excursions and book them in advance, pre-cruise. The popular shore excursions get sold out fast.
• All destinations in Alaska take U.S. dollars and most take credit cards but be sure to check before your purchase.

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Royal Caribbeans Serenade Of The Seas

• Sailing Mondays July 19 to September 20, 2021
• 7-night cruises visiting Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point and scenic cruising at Endicott Arm Fjord and Dawes Glacier
• Requirements: Passengers 16 and older must be vaccinated against COVID-19 for all sailings; beginning August 1, all passengers 12 and older must be vaccinated. Underage passengers will be tested for COVID-19 prior to sailing.

Kiny: Murkowski To Introduce Bill Providing Permanant Exemption From Pvsa For Alaska Cruises

Alaska U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski unveiled a new bill she will be introducing this week to permanently exempt Alaska cruise ships carrying more than 1000 passengers from the Passenger Vessel Services Act, or PVSA.

According to a release from the Senator’s office, Alaska hosted over 1.3 million visitors by way of cruise ships in 2019. That number came to a halt in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The tourism industry in Alaska typically generates more than $214 million in state and municipal revenue, more than $1.4 billion in payroll, and $2.2 billion in visitor spending, all of which saw a significant decline during the pandemic.

The PVSA was suspended during the 2021 season after the U.S. Congress approved a measure from the Alaska delegation to temporarily allow cruise ships to go from one American port directly to another.

During the Southeast Conference’s annual meeting in Haines, Senator Lisa Murkowski spoke on the new bill she intends to introduce. She said the restraints that the Passenger Vessel Services Act caused for tourism should never happen again.

“What happened last spring should really never have taken place to begin with,” she said. “The PVSA, I believe, was well intentioned, it was designed to protect American jobs and businesses, we get that, but what we saw play out was this unintended consequence of putting Alaskan businesses at the mercy of the Canadian government.”

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Accommodations On Carnival Alaska Cruises

Carnival Cruise Line offers many stateroom options so you can be sure to find one that matches your desires and budget. Choose from interior, ocean view, balcony, suite, or penthouse suites, or connecting staterooms for families and friends traveling together. Cruises are a time to relax, so where you lay your head down at night is important. That’s why Carnival’s Comfort beds include high thread-count linens and duvets, high quality mattresses and custom pillows, and each guest receives cotton towels and a terry cloth bathrobe. In every room, you can enjoy 24-hour room service , a 24-hour room steward, and nightly turndown service. Other stateroom amenities include a television, individual climate control, and a telephone.