Cruise Ship Vs Alaska Marine Hwy
Can someone commend on their experience using the Alaska Marine hwy for transportation overnight from Ketchican to ? I would like to also hear about someone’s experience going on a cruise ship inside passage? I cant decide which way to go. It looks like it takes a lot of work to cooridinate the ferry trips. I want to fly to Ketchican, then ferry to Juneau for a few days, then ferry to Scagway, and do a flight to Glacer bay for boat trip and ultimatley fly home from Juneau OR do a cruise ship for the whole trip inside passage from vancouver to Juneau, scagway and glacer bay.
Scheduling the ferries of the ‘marine hwy’ can seem a little daunting, but I’d rather use the ferry and be able to spend a couple days at my destinations rather than the 6-8 hrs a
I took the ferry from Prince Rupert to in 1972 and have such good memories of it that my wife and I are going back up this year and taking the ferry from Homer to Bellingham, WA on the way back from AK. We’ve done a cruise and it is just not our thing. The ferry isn’t cheap if you get a cabin and its a DYI for making fun, but its a chance to see some places that cruise ships don’t visit and to have a chance to spend some time with interesting people.
We see it as just a different style of travel and suits us better than a cruise ship.
Which Ship Is Right For Your Alaska Cruise
Update: Royal Caribbean is committed to delivering vacations that are as safe as they are memorable. We are thrilled to welcome our guests to experience the memorable vacations we are known for once again, starting summer 2021. As you plan your next trip with your loved ones, well be here with inspiration in all forms whenever you need it.
Royal Caribbean visits top spots in Alaska each summer, including the Inside Passage, Juneau, Icy Strait Point and Skagway.
There is a lot of ground to cover when visiting Alaska, from its vast, rugged terrain to the many animals that call it home. Planning a vacation to the 49th state may seem like a daunting task. But with two Royal Caribbean ships sailing to the Last Frontier in 2021 and departing from convenient cities in the Pacific Northwestthis must-see destination has never been more within reach. Your big decision is choosing which ship is right for you!
Whether youre in it for the views, activities, destinations or an extended experience, every ship offers a bit of everything, but each has its perks:
Quantum of the Seas is packed with family adventures for the young and young at heart.
The Family Vacation Quantum of the Seas
Explore more of the family adventures that await when you sail aboard Quantumhere.
The Nonstop Views Ovation of the Seas
Sneak a peek at the views from Ovationhere.
When sailing on Serenade of the Seas, its as much about the destinations as it is the journey.
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.
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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.
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.
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Do An Independent Land Tour
Use a local Alaskan travel agent to help you plan a custom land tour. You have a lot of options.Fly into Anchorage and travel by railroad, or rent a car or motorhome and drive our highways. Another option: take the or fly into an Inside Passage town. Visit off-the-beaten-path destinations. Stay at smaller hotels and roadside adventure lodges. Ask your hosts for advice. Meet locals and understand the Alaskan lifestyle it may make you think differently about your own life.
You need a land tour to see Mt. Denali
Tip: Take a day cruise and you can see more marine wildlife and tidewater glaciers than you would on a one-week conventional cruise. Youll also get closer to everything.
Best For Families With Younger Kids
Carnival, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian, Princess and Royal Caribbean all have extensive kids clubs aboard their ships. Disney kicks that up a notch with meet-and-greets with its beloved characters on board. You can hang with Dr. Seuss characters when sailing with Carnival and there are DreamWorks personas aboard Royal Caribbean ships.
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Why Cruise To Alaska
The 49th U.S. state is home to a beautiful mountainous landscape and an abundance of wildlife, from bald eagles to bears and moose. It possesses a unique Gold Rush history and a vibrant mix of native Alaskan cultures. You wont find this blend of scenery, outdoor pursuits, history, and culture in any other cruise itinerary.
Plus, many of the Inside Passage ports are tricky to visit by land. For example, Ketchikan is only accessible by air or sea. You cannot visit the breathtaking glaciers of Glacier Bay by car. If you want to explore this region of Alaska, youll need a ship to get there.
Unlike other cruise destinations, Alaskan ports arent separated by vast swaths of ocean. When you cruise the Inside Passage, the ship is constantly within site of land. Most sea days offer something to see, even if not an official scenic cruising day. Its a different kind of cruise experience, and one many travelers are eager to pursue.
Scenic Cruise Destinations In Alaska
Glaciers are a must-see in Alaska, and every cruise itinerary features at least one day of scenic cruising. Glacier Bay National Park is the top pick for glacier-viewing because of its multiple glaciers and generally passable channel. However, so many cruise lines wish to visit that the national park issues a limited-number of day-use spots each year.
Other scenic cruising sites along the Inside Passage include Tracy Arm with its Sawyer Glacier andEndicott Arm with Dawes Glacier. One-way Alaska cruises that travel to/from Seward and Whittier may also visit the spectacular Hubbard Glacier.
Typically, the big ships will open up all the outer decks for passengers to crowd the railings to watch the glaciers calve and scan the area for wildlife. If you want to get out on a kayak or small boat to get closer to the glacier or the marine life, youll need to book an expedition cruise.
Compare the options in our guide to scenic cruising in Alaska.
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The Best Alaska Cruise Ports And Choosing The Right Itinerary For You
Thinking about setting sail for Alaska? Not sure which itinerary to choose? This article is all about the highlights and best Alaska cruise ports to help you !
This article doesnt include a review of different cruise ship companies, rather it is information about the ports you may visit and how to decide based on whats most important to you. Great news to get started you really cant go wrong here as all the Alaska ports of call are interesting and different in their own ways and all are surrounded by life affirming natural beauty!
Ill also talk about how to decide between a cross gulf cruise or inside passage only , a big ship or small ship and options for scenic cruising around glaciers. I spent seven seasons working in the Alaska cruise industry and have visited all of these ports multiple times and even lived in two of them, so Im excited to share my insider knowledge with you!
Best For Couples And Big Celebrations
Look to the luxury cruise lines if youre a couple and enjoy spacious suites, gourmet food, pampering and the opportunity to meet other like-minded cruisers. The personalized service and all-inclusive nature of luxury voyages may also be attractive to anyone celebrating a milestone, such as an anniversary, big birthday or retirement. Look at Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, Scenic, Seabourn, Silversea , Windstar Cruises and Viking Ocean.
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Alaska Cruises: Princess Vs Holland America
Alaska Cruises: Princess vs. Holland America
Cruising to Alaska is a voyage of discovery into a land of subarctic tundra and towering glaciers. It promises a playground of otters, seals, dolphins and whales. Its a place where grizzlies come down to the shore seeking salmon, and golden eagles swoop overhead hoping to beat them to it. Princess Cruises and Holland America send floating hotels to this vast wilderness between May and September, but which line you choose is a matter of personal taste, depending on a range of considerations.
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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Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Sailing On First Alaska Voyage With Paying Passengers Since Covid
Royal Caribbean International became the first big-ship cruise line to embark on a returnto Alaska Monday, ending a 21-month draught in tourism for Southeast Alaska brought on by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Cruise Critic reports.
Cheers went up just after noon from the crowd of eager passengers assembled at Seattle’s Pier 91 Smith Cove cruise terminal as the doors were opened and the first passengers ushered in.
Cruise Critic is sailing on board Serenade of the Seas for this week’s historic voyage from Seattle, which will see the 2003-built ship become the first big-scale vessel to call on the ports of Sitka, Icy Strait Point, Juneau and Ketchikan since October 2019.
Serenade of the Seas kicks off the truncated 2021 Alaskan cruise season, one populated by nine large cruise ships operating 78 sailings some of which stretch into October. This week alone, three additional ships will embark on their maiden sailings from Seattle to Alaska, as well. One such vessel, Princess Cruises’ Majestic Princess, was being provisioned opposite Serenade of the Seas as the first passengers streamed aboard the latter.
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Here Are The Mainstream Cruise Ships Set To Sail In Alaska
, the mainstream cruise industry is now back in the market after two years.
Through August, seven cruise lines and eight modern vessels are set to resume service at the Last Frontier, offering a total 83 voyages.
Here are the ships sailing in Alaska:
Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean International Ship: Serenade of the SeasCapacity : 2,100 Built: 2003Homeport: Seattle Itinerary: Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point scenic cruising in Endicott Arm fjord and Dawes GlacierLength: 7 nights
Capacity : 2,038Built: 2000Itinerary: Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway scenic cruising in Endicott Arm and Dawes GlacierLength: 7 nightsFirst Cruise: July 23, 2021Cruise Line: Holland America Line Ship: Nieuw Amsterdam Capacity : 2,100Built: 2010Homeport: Seattle Itinerary: Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Sitka and Ketchikan scenic cruising in Glacier Bay and Stephens PassageLength: 7 nightsFirst Cruise: July 24, 2021
Cruise Line: Princess CruisesCapacity : 3,600Built: 2017Itinerary: Glacier Bay National Park, Juneau, Skagway and KetchikanLength: 7 nights First Cruise: July 25, 2021
Cruise Line: Carnival Cruise Line Ship: Carnival Miracle Capacity : 2,100Built: 2004Itinerary: Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan scenic cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord Length: 7 nightsFirst Cruise: July 27, 2021
In addition, a number of small operators with U.S.-flagged ships are operating in Alaska, including Lindblad Expeditions, American Cruise Lines, UnCruise and Alaskan Dream Cruises.
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.
| Cruise Line/ Ship |
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Which Cruise Line To Pick For Alaska Cruise
this time our extended family wants to come with us.
We have done multiple cruises in the past in Caribbean and Europe, with Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian.
We would like to get your opinion as to which is the best cruise line for families for Alaska.
we heard that Holland America and Princess cruises have better access to the glacier national Park
during cruising but they don’t go to Skagway, they go to Sitka instead.
This time our family is coming with us, and we have the responsibility to make sure that we choose the best ship with the best itinerary.
We are planning to leave in the last week of June, round-trip from Seattle
your advice is highly appreciated.
Thank you so much.
PS we have read planning an Alaskan cruise on the right.
Edited: 5 years ago