Small Ship Alaska Cruises From Seattle
If itâs Small Ship Alaska cruises from Seattle youâre 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 â The Oceania Regatta offers an experience thatâs 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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Cruise Ships Currently Have To Stop In Victoria Or Vancouver On Their Way To Alaska Now They May Be Allowed To Bypass
Alex McKeentimerupdate
News that the cruise ships may be coming landed in Jeff Bradys small coastal town like a life raft.
While the U.S. economy has been recovering from the pandemic, he and his neighbours in Skagway, Alaska, have been struggling just to stay afloat, with most businesses shuttered completely and others, like his bookshop, next to annihilated.
Ninety-five per cent of our income was lost, and were facing that again this year, he said. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel if we can get some ships here by the end of July.
A bill passed in the U.S. Senate this week is aimed at kick-starting a 2021 Alaska cruise season and it comes at a cost to Canada.
The reason for the sustained economic crisis in coastal Alaska towns like Skagway is cruise ships, or a lack thereof. The floating resorts, a mainstay from April to October each year, are the economic engines behind the scenic towns, and with cruises stopped for the coronavirus pandemic the communities sit in hibernation, collecting government support until the big boats return.
As vaccinations roll out and restrictions lift across the United States, one of the questions officials in that country have been working on is how to get cruises to Alaska up and running again.
The only problem was: Canada was in the way.
The possibility that Murkowskis legislation could be extended is a major concern to Canadian ports.
It is still a concern because anything can change over time, Robertson said.
Where Alaska Cruises Sail
Alaska cruise itineraries typically include the Inside Passage, a beautiful part of Alaska’s landscape that stretches along the southeast coast of Alaska. Along the way, the famous Hubbard Glacier is visible along with other glaciers and fjords. There’s also the chance to see a wide variety of wildlife.
If you’re interested in seeing more of the wilderness, many cruise lines offer cruise tours, which either start or end your cruise vacation with a land portion that takes you through the inland area of Alaska.
There are also many options for where to start your Alaska cruise. Leaving from Seattle to Vancouver means you’ll get to see parts of the Canada coast as you sail north however, if it’s a seven-night cruise your itinerary may then include more days at sea and less time in port. Leaving out of Seward, Alaska, for a week long cruise usually includes ports of call most days. Multiple week cruises in Alaska offer a variety of options for where to sail out of and what ports to see, allowing you to see many components of the cruising world of Alaska.
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When To Cruise To Alaska
When it comes to the time of year to take a cruise in Alaska, you’re at the whim of Mother Nature. Due to the cold winters, cruises to Alaska are only available from the end of April through beginning of October. Not only is this the safest time for the cruise ships to sail to avoid any ice that may form on the water passageways, it also is the time cruisers can most enjoy being on deck of the ship and exploring each port as the weather is much warmer than in the frigid winter months.
Even in summer, though, you’ll want to pack warm layers, such as sweaters and windbreakers. The nights in Alaska can get cold plus being on the water can result in chilly breezes. Also pack clothes you’re not afraid to get dirty. Many of the most popular shore excursions and activities to do while in port involve hiking, fishing and canoeing.
Temperature & Daylight Hours
For the warmest temperatures, cruise between mid-June and mid-August.
For the most Midnight Sun, come 3 weeks before or after the summer solstice and longest day of the year, June 21.
Want to see the northern lights? Thats a long shot during cruising season. It does get dark enough at night to see them by the second week of September, but it’s still not as brilliant as what youll see on a winter, land-based Alaska aurora viewing vacation.
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Alaska Cruises Are A Go For 2022 Though Scope Of Cruise Season Remains To Be Seen
It might be the most impactful cruise season in Alaskan history, but with just three weeks left in the three-month-old 2021 Alaska cruise season, thoughts are already turning to what next year will bring to the Last Frontier, with just six months to go before cruises return in earnest.
Hopefully.
The 2022 Alaska cruise season officially begins on Saturday, April 23, 2022, when Regent’s Seven Seas Mariner makes a call on remote Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Islands. The season kicks off more formally on Monday, April 25, when Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau from Seattle on the first true Alaskan cruise of the year.
The 2022 season is projected to run right up until October 23, 2022, when Norwegian Encore arrives in Seattle for the last time.
That ship — which debuted in Alaska this year — is running some of the latest-season big-ship itineraries the region has ever seen.
Cruise Critic sailed to Alaska three times this past summer — aboard Serenade of the Seas, the first ship to return Norwegian Encore, which inaugurated new terminals in two separate ports and a late-season voyage aboard Majestic Princess.
While the 2021 season was abbreviated substantially, Cruise Critic found local stakeholders and residents more engaged than ever. We spoke to several people while on-the-ground in Alaska to gauge their reactions to the cruise season that almost wasn’t.
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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Alaska Cruise Weather By Month
The following breakdowns of weather by month combines 30 years of weather data for five major Alaska cruise ports from the U.S. National Weather Service.
These historical averages are simply averages and will vary somewhat from year to year and port to port. But they give cruise planners a general idea of what to expect with weather and what clothing to pack.
Celebrity Cruises Sets Sail For Alaska Beginning July 23
Celebrity Cruises will start cruising in Alaska on July 23 on the 2,218-passenger Celebrity Summit.
The 90,940-ton Celebrity Summit will sail nine seven-night itineraries roundtrip from Seattle through mid-September. The ship was recently upgraded as part of the lines $500 million fleetwide project.
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The announcement comes just a day after the U.S. House passed legislation to ease the return of cruising in Alaska this year.
This program will mark Celebrity Summits first-time sailing in Alaska. It then will reposition to the Caribbean, via a 16-night Panama Canal sailing, and begin a series of four- and five-night itineraries.
The cruises require that everyone over the age of 16 is vaccinated as of Aug. 1, 2021, all U.S. guests ages 12 and older must be fully vaccinated. The crew will be vaccinated.
I just cant say enough about how wonderful it is to return to Alaska, said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, president and CEO of Celebrity Cruises. The Alaskan communities have been hurting without the economic support they receive from tourism, and especially, the cruise industry. I am grateful to our elected officials across the country for recognizing the need and finding a way to restore them to their livelihoods.
The Summit will sail the lines Alaska Dawes Glacier Cruise, which visits destinations such as Ketchikan, Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier, Juneau and Skagway.
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Heres When Alaska Cruises From Seattle Will Start Again And Which Lines Will Resume
A cruise ship seen off Alki Beach on Sunday, May 12, 2019 in West Seattle. Several cruise lines plan to resume cruises between Seattle and Alaska as early as July. TNS
Cruises from Seattle to Alaska are set to return this summer after federal lawmakers cleared the way for sailings that have been on hold since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
The move signals the return of a significant slice of downtown Seattles economy, where some waterfront businesses plan staffing around the cruise schedule. But significant questions remain about exact safety protocols the cruise lines will enforce.
Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Line said Thursday they would resume cruising to Alaska for a partial season starting in July for passengers who have proof of vaccination.
Princess Cruises will sail seven-day cruises from July 25 through Sept. 26. Sales will begin on May 21.
Holland America Line will resume seven-day cruises to depart on Saturdays from July 24 through Oct. 2.
Carnival will depart weekly from July 27 to Sept. 14. Most trips will be seven-day cruises, with one eight-day trip that has one additional stop.
Norwegian Cruise Line has also started selling tickets for August sailings from Seattle to Alaska, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.
Proof of vaccination will be required, the companies said Thursday. Decisions about masks, social distancing and precise quarantine procedures are still to come.
Alaska Cruises From Anchorage
Alaska cruises from Anchorage are one way Southbound cruises ending in Vancouver. Like one way cruises from Vancouver, cruises from Anchorage typically include more glacier & wildlife viewing opportunities and more time in the Inside Passage than a roundtrip cruise departing from Seattle.
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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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Alaska Cruises Could Happen This Summer After Senate Bill Passes
On Thursday, the U.S. Senate passed the Alaska Tourism Recovery Act that is largely seen as the first step in restoring some kind of Alaska 2021 summer cruise season.
The bill, which can be found in full here, would allow Alaska-bound cruise ships to bypass restrictions that were preventing ships from sailing out of the U.S. ports, including ports in Washington State, through Canada to Alaska.
The bill passed the Senate with unanimous consent on Thursday and will now have to pass the House and be signed by President Biden.
If it does pass then the bill would exempt large cruise ships from the Passenger Vessel Services Act, which requires cruise ships to either start their itineraries in Canada or stop in a Canadian during them. That means that Transport Canadas ban on cruise ship travel into 2022 would not prevent Alaska sailings from going forward. The exemption would then end in February 2022.
Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, the author of the bill, said in a speech on the Senate floor on Thursday that it has been a struggle to get everyone pulling together, but I think we are at a place where there is a glimmer of hope for Alaska’s tourism industry.
In a statement, Cruise Lines International Association thanked Murkowski and Sen. Dan Sullivan for working to get the bill passed.
According to CLIA, the Alaska cruise season is responsible for 23,000 jobs and $1.2 billion in wages.
Insider Tips For Alaska Cruises
Transfer day is a sightseeing day The trip between Whittier or Seward and Anchorage travels one of the most scenic stretches of road in the state. Youll cross the mountains and follow the coast of Turnagain Arm. Transfers are typically by motorcoach, private shuttle or train, but this is far more than getting from A to B. Keep your camera at the ready, and dont be surprised if you spot wildlife and incredible natural landscapes along the way.
Day cruises get even closer to glaciers Its worth adding a day cruise either in Prince William Sound or Resurrection Bay/Kenai Fjords. These nimble vessels are able to slip into smaller spaces than the big ships, better navigate to sea lion haulouts, bird nesting areas and whale watching hot spots in the moment, and get closer to glaciers and then linger in silence. These incredible sights also makes day cruises a great option for independent travelers as well. If spending nights aboard a ship doesnt appeal to you, day cruises are a great way to sample the marine ecosystem and keep the start of each day on solid ground.
Anchorage as flightseeing capital Anchorage isnt just the spot to catch the flight into or out of Alaska. With a huge concentration of pilots and small aircraft, its also a prime spot for sightseeing tours by air. Flights from Merrill Field or Lake Hood in Anchorage take off for glaciers in the nearby Chugach Mountains, the waters of Prince William Sound, or even circle Denali by air.
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Setbacks: Why Was The 2020 Alaska Cruise Season Affected And What About 2021
Transport Canada and the CDC both had no-sail orders in place for cruise ships for most of 2020. Although the U.S. allowed its order to expire at the end of October, following a third extension, Transport Canada has lengthened its cruise ban through February 2022, and Canada’s land borders are closed until further notice.
Under the U.S. Passenger Vessel Services Act, the only ships allowed to sail exclusively within the U.S. are those registered in the U.S. foreign-flagged vessels leaving from the U.S. are only permitted to return after they have called on at least one foreign port, which is why most mainstream ships sailing Alaska itineraries either depart from Canada or include a stop in Canada along the way.
With the PVSA in place, the 2020 Alaska season would have been affected even if the U.S. didn’t have a no-sail order in place because foreign-flagged ships would not have been able to call on Canadian ports in order to satisfy PVSA requirements.
The same issue now stands in the way for 2021 Alaska sailings, which risk being impeded without ships’ ability to call on Canadian ports.
This caused all of the industry’s major players — including Holland America Line and Princess Cruises, the lines with the largest presence in the region — to cancel Alaska sailings for the 2020 season. Cruise lines are still trying to salvage a portion of the 2021 season.
Alaska Is Americas Last Frontier 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.
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Holland America To Resume Seattle To Alaska Cruises July 2021
SEATTLE Holland America announced it will resume roundtrip cruises from Seattle to Alaska in July.
The cruise line made the decision following recent CDC guidance and the passage of the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act in the House and Senate. The act still must be signed into law by President Biden. The law allows cruise ships to travel between Alaska and Washington state.
The company is beginning the return-to-cruising preparation process immediately. The cruise line is still waiting for approval of cruise plans under the Passenger Vessel Services Act and final instructions from the CDC, according to the release.
The cruise line will offer ten Saturday departures between July 24 and Oct. 2.
Guests must be vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the cruise and must have proof of vaccination. Crew members are also required to be vaccinated aboard ships in accordance with CDC guidelines.
The cruise line will offer in-door dining as well as live entertainment.
Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruises also announced they will be resuming cruises between Seattle and Alaska in July.