What Is The Best Cruise Ship To Alaska

Choosing Your Alaska Small Ship

Once you have an understanding of where you want to cruise and what style of travel you seek, it is time to consider your small ship. Our Alaska small ships are handpicked and scrutinized for safety, service, itinerary and expedition leaders. We are Alaska cruise experts who have cruised aboard or personally inspected every ship on our website, and we are here to make sure you choose the correct ship for your interests, ability and budget. If you have any questions about ships please do not hesitate to call us. See;Small Ship vs Big Ship What is the Difference;for further details.

Best Large Cruise: Royal Caribbean

Courtesy of;;Royal Caribbean

• Ship: Ovation of the Seas
• Duration: 7 nights
• Itinerary: Alaska Inside Passage, Juneau, Skagway, Victoria

If youre looking for a cruise to Alaska with all the theme-park-like attractions, then the Ovation of the Seas will not disappoint. Built in 2016, Ovation is currently ranked as one of the 10 largest cruise ships in the world with onboard features like a skydiving simulator, a cocktail bar tended by robots, aerial performances in the theater, and the North Star, a moving observation pod with surreal views. The first two days of the voyage are spent at sea so theres plenty of time to explore the ship and try different activities. Or, dine at specialty restaurants like Chops Grille, Royal Caribbeans iconic steakhouse; Wonderland, an eclectic array of dishes, or Giovannis table, a favorite Italian restaurant.;

Getting To Your Alaska Cruise

There are a variety of ports where Alaska cruises begin and end including Juneau, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Sitka and Anchorage. A cruise from Vancouver to Alaska by small ship can also be arranged. Flights to Juneau and Anchorage are common while smaller ports of call may require a bit more planning. Travelers connecting from the west coast of North America will have little difficulty getting to Alaska and embarking their ship the same day . Travelers east of the Rockies will require a pre-cruise overnight in order to safely embark their ship on time. Many major airlines offer flights to Anchorage; Alaska Airlines services Juneau and the small ports of Southeast Alaska. Flights to this region will route through Seattle, Washington.

At AdventureSmith, we are small ship cruise experts not airfare experts, and as such we do not book flights for our clients. But our Adventure Specialists will work closely with you to make sure your flights are scheduled to seamlessly coincide with your Alaska vacation. We advise travelers to purchase flights only after their Alaska trip is confirmed.

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How To Pick The Best Alaska Cruise For You

Youll see from our chart below that dozens of ships are sailing Alaska in 2020. And this just includes the mass-market and luxury ships. There are even more if you count all of the small ship and expedition vessels. Thats a lot of information to parse as you determine which ship is right for you, so consider a cruise line that caters to your specific needs or interests. Consult this list, and then check the chart to find a vessel that might fit your own preferences, from ships with the fewest passengers to those with the least expensive cruise fares to the ones offering exactly the itinerary you want.

Is Encore The Newest Ship From Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Bliss debuted in April 2018 and then Norwegian Encore first set sail in November 2019 as the newest ship, right before the pandemic hit.;

The next ship to debut from NCL is Norwegian Prima, which will start its inaugural celebrations in late 2022 before home porting in Galveston, Texas for the 2023 and 2024 season. Tony Award-nominated musical “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical” will be the headlining show for Norwegian Prima, and ports of call will include Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; Roatan Island, Honduras; and Harvest Caye, Norwegian’s private island destination in Belize.

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The Best Of Alaska By Boat: Top 10 Alaska Cruise Tips

Lonely Planet Writer

Calving glaciers, miles of untouched wilderness, whales and orcas, and Egyptian-cotton sheets no wonder an Alaskan cruise is on many a bucket list. Southeast Alaska is where a slew of the state’s highlights are concentrated, many of which are;inaccessible to automobiles but easily reached by boat. The major cruise lines can access some of the best Alaskan sights, while offering convenience and bang for the buck.

But this isn’t your typical Caribbean or Mediterranean cruise this is the Last Frontier. Here are the top 10 things you should know before you embark on your first Alaskan cruise.

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.

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Best For Teens And Adventure

If youve got active kids who have an interest in nature and the environment, an expedition voyage could be exactly what will keep them engaged and off their devices. Anyone else looking to really explore Alaska should also consider an expedition cruise where youll hop aboard skiffs for up-close looks at glaciers, go hiking in Tongass National Forest and kayak the calm waters of the Inside Passage. Look to UnCruise Adventures, Alaskan Dream Cruises, Hurtigruten, Lindblad Expeditions , Ponant or Silverseas expedition ships .

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.

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Whens The Best Time To See The Northern Lights On An Alaska Cruise

Seeing the northern lights from the cruise ship is a rare occurrence, but if youd like to catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis from the balcony on your stateroom, then you need to book a trip in late September or early October.

To maximize your chance of witnessing the northern lights, get off the boat and join a land excursion to Fairbanks. The aurora season in Fairbanks lasts from the end of August to April and the lights can be seen 4 out of 5 nights .

Best Luxury: Regent Seven Seas

Courtesy of;Regent Seven Seas

• Ship Name: Seven Seas Mariner
• Itinerary: Sitka, Juneau Skagway, Ketchikan, Vancouver

For a luxury cruise experience though the Inside Passage, Regent Seven Seas has a few sailing dates on the Seven Seas Mariner, an all-suite ship. On Mariner, all staterooms have a private balcony perfect for watching the glaciers and fjords float past and a minimum of 300 feet of space. Onboard, guests can unwind in the award-winning Canyon Ranch spa, take in an evening show, and dine on gourmet cuisine. Being a smaller ship , its size allows the staff to anticipate guests needs and personalize the experience. On the Alaska voyage, the ship calls on many popular ports and also treats passengers to Sitka, a unique port steeped in Tlingit culture and Russian history, before concluding in Vancouver.;

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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.

Your Adventure Is Only A Click Away

“The ability of a small boat to maneuver into hidden places makes for an unforgettable experience.” Patricia G, Park Ridge, IL

This was perfect for us! Like everyone we met on board, we would not consider a cruise with thousands to be a vacation. We made friends each night in the lounge and it felt like a dinner party. The flexibility of the captain and our guides was a fantastic touch. Being able to go into places where it was just our boat was very special. Richard L, Kamas, UT

Ally P, Poway, CA

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S Of The Best Cruise Ship That Cruises To Alaska

When you think of taking a cruise, you typically think about sailing to some far-flung tropical destination. And, while such a cruise is all well and good, there are other options that you should consider. One kind of cruise that can be especially different, something that will be completely outside your vacationing norm, is a cruise to Alaska.

Of course, like with any other cruise, you want to make sure that youre in the finest trappings. You want a boat that offers all the right amenities, has the right look, and offers the level of service you expect for all the money youre paying. Thats why weve decided to identify what we believe is the best ship offering cruises to Alaska.

Its Silversea Cruises Silver Shadow, and its a real beauty of a vessel. As well show you in the 23 pictures below, this cruise ship has everything youd want while youre cruising the Alaska coastline, seeing all the things that make this state so beautiful. So, come take a tour of this stunning and luxurious cruise ship with us, and see why you should take a cruise to Alaska on it soon!

Are Masks Required On Board Norwegian Cruise Line

At no point aboard the ship are passengers required to wear masks. The vaccination and testing requirement combined means guests can enjoy all parts of the ship without social distancing or wearing a mask.

However, when visiting ports of call, passengers will need to follow local health guidelines, including mask mandates where applicable.;

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Experience The Rugged Adventure In Comfort And Style With A Variety Of Cruise Lines

Alaska cruises and cruise tours are the ideal way to experience the legendary history of the 49th state. The historic charm and frontier spirit are felt in the Inside Passage and in picturesque ports of call, such as Ketchikan, Skagway, Juneau and Sitka. Alaska is also renowned for its magnificent wildlife, whale migrations, exceptional scenery, dramatic glaciers, and iconic natural wonders, such as Mount McKinley and Denali National Park. With departures and arrivals available from Seattle or Vancouver, youre sure to find an adventure that suits you.

When To Visit Alaska On A Cruise

Cruise season in Alaska begins in May and ends in September. The schedule sometimes includes a few sailings in late April or early October as well.

There are only minor differences in;weather by month. Temperatures are warmest in July and August, but even in May you can expect temperatures in the mid-50 and mid-60s. Anchorage is also much drier than other parts of Alaska, the wettest month, August, only still only averages about 10 rainy days. You might also find a little extra elbow room and a few deals in May, early June and September.

Late summer sailings have one other tantalizing prospect: by late August, the skies of Alaska are once again dark during the night. That means;aurora viewing;is a possibility.

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Skagway Best Shore Excursion

Skagway is a tiny town with a very busy cruise port! This is as far north as cruise ships go in the Inside Passage . Skagway was put on the map by the Klondike Gold Rush in 1898 and has a colorful history. In fact, the entire downtown is a national park!

The White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad was built during the Gold Rush and remains today as a tour for visitors and I will tell you that in my opinion this is the best shore excursion available in Southeast Alaska! There are several options for the train: you can take a round trip summit excursion right from the cruise ship dock, or you can go one way by train and one by bus giving you additional views of this stunning location. You can also do a hike from the train getting dropped off at Denver or Laughton Glacier as part of a tour.

The White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad gives you the unique opportunity in Southeast Alaska to get up into the mountains and inland and see a completely different climate. There are good chances to see bears and goats on this trip too! Overall I highly recommend this if you only do one shore excursionmake it this one!

Skagway also has lots of great history to explore and several excellent hikes that leave from downtown and you can easily walk to.

Q: How Do I Find The Best 2022 Alaska Cruise Deals Alaska Cruise Packages And Discount Cruises To Alaska

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Whats The Best Time To See Whales On An Alaska Cruise

Gray whales, humpback whales, orca, beluga whales Alaska has them all. Here are some quick tips to help you increase the odds of seeing whales during your cruise.

• Humpback whales: June and July are the best months for seeing these giants of the deep. Over 500 humpback whales spend summer within the Inside Passage, so select a cruise that passes through this route and visits the Barren Islands.
• Beluga whales: You can spot belugas in Turnagain Arm from mid-July through August, just south of Anchorage. September is also a good month for belugas, as long as your cruise passes Nome.
• Gray Whales: April and May are ideal for gray whales, as they feed around Kodiak, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Seward.
• Orca : The ideal time for orca spotting is between early May and early June when you can find these colorful behemoths feeding in Resurrection Bay and along cruise routes going between Seattle and Alaska.

Alaska Hubbard Glacier Cruise Celebrity Eclipse

This starts in Vancouver and takes you through the iconic Inside Passage to Ketchikan and Juneau. Youll explore basically the entire Alaska panhandle, which is home to some of North Americas most breathtaking coastline, including deep fjords, calving glaciers, and coastal mountains and forests. The final destination on this epic Alaska cruise is the massive Hubbard Glacier.

This is one of the best Alaska cruises if you have a weeks time. In 2019, there are twelve sailing dates, running from late-May through mid-September.

• From/to: roundtrip from Vancouver

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Must See Alaska Cruise Destinations

Find out more about these must see Alaska cruise destinations including popular ports such as Ketchikan and Juneau along with stunning views.

Alaska is cruising paradise for nature fans, landscape photographers and those wanting to explore pristine wilderness areas. Known for its impressive mountains, numerous glaciers and many hiking trails, its a cruising destination like no other. You can kayak iceberg-filled fjords, go whale and bear watching in summer, or visit later in the season for the Northern Lights.

Whichever month you visit, dont miss our top must-see Alaska cruise destinations:

Can Be Good For Smokers

If you smoke a lot, having a balcony where smoking is allowed can be convenient. Nonetheless, determine if smoking is indeed allowed, as;cruise ships;have gotten stricter regarding non-smoking areas. And be aware that it would be cold out there, so you might not be able to stay long and leisurely smoke your cigarette.

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You Dont Have To Book Excursions To See Wildlife

Its sometimes possible to spot a bear along the coastline from your cruise ship or during an excursion that takes you out of the main port cities . Bring good binoculars. But if youre hell-bent on seeing bears in the wild, youll need to pay good money for an inland excursion.; Whales, orcas, dolphins and sea lions abound in Alaskan waters, so youre guaranteed to spot some if you keep an eye out. That said, youll get much closer on a small boat excursion.

Ships Sailing Alaska In 2020

This chart shows the major ships that are sailing Alaska in 2020. Itinerary types include IP , GA and L . RT indicates a round-trip sailing that originates and ends in the same port. Other itineraries begin in one city and end in another.

Also, remember that cruise fares fluctuate over time. The per person fares are whats currently listed on the cruise lines website, but you may be able to find a lower or higher price than whats published here.

Finally, 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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