The Best Alaska Cruises

Table Of Content

• A Beginner’s Guide to Traveling on Points and Miles
• Repositioning Cruises: From Alaska to Asia in One Trip
• Read Next: Park & Cruise Hotels for Every Port in America
• The best Alaskan cruise line for every type of traveler recapped
• Hotels With Cruise Shuttles For Every Major Port in America
• Glacier & Wildlife Day Cruises

I understand that May and September are the shoulder months so less busy and cheaper but are they best avoided for weather etc.? Excursions Are Pricey (But Worth It)Excursions were mentioned above, but we didn’t mention price. If you’re used to sailing the Caribbean, be prepared for sticker shock. The outings here are typically much higher priced than elsewhere.

A Beginner’s Guide to Traveling on Points and Miles

In fact, there are many people who may not have any interest in cruising, but do consider taking a trip to Alaska. First, as mentioned above, it is normally difficult to see much of Alaska at all. The terrain, remoteness, and size of the state make travel difficult. But with a cruise, not only are you able to get access to areas that are typically hard to reach, you also get to visit several spots in a short time. So you can visit Sitka, Juneau, and Skagway back-to-back instead of having to arrange transportation between them all. Second, traveling by water provides a breathtaking experience.

Repositioning Cruises: From Alaska to Asia in One Trip

A hike on Chichagof Island is the perfect opportunity to spot bald eagles in the wild. If you're looking for other surefire ways to save, inside and ocean-view cabins are often much cheaper than balcony cabins on Alaska cruises. Those private verandas are highly desirable, with everyone seeking views of the wilderness, snow-capped peaks and glaciers. To prepare for all conditions, you should plan for temperatures ranging from the 40s to 70s, both on and off ship.

Read Next: Park & Cruise Hotels for Every Port in America

The 450-passenger Seabourn Odyssey throws a dash of adventure into its luxurious surroundings. If you envision sipping Champagne as you watch a glacier thunderously calve into the sea, consider booking an all-inclusive luxury cruise on a Seabourn ship. With nearly endless summer days and coastal breezes, you’ll want to make sure to dress with flexibility in mind.

The best Alaskan cruise line for every type of traveler recapped

These ships can also more easily follow aquatic wildlife (within legal limits). Many expedition cruises to Alaska also employ Zodiac rafts and offer kayaks and hiking trips to bring passengers closer to glaciers and creatures. Most cruises in the Caribbean are in port for the day, and then head to sea each evening — meaning there isn’t much to see in between. In Alaska, even when you’re sailing, there’s still plenty to experience.

Oceania vs. Celebrity (Photo: Oceania Cruises; Celebrity Cruises) - Cruise Critic

Oceania vs. Celebrity (Photo: Oceania Cruises; Celebrity Cruises).

Posted: Tue, 07 Jan 2020 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Hotels With Cruise Shuttles For Every Major Port in America

Now, you might be under the impression that Alaskan cruises are filled with older passengers. While older passengers are well represented, you’ll likely find the crowd remarkably diverse. All ages are on the cruise, and passengers from all over the country and the world. The state is one of the last unspoiled places in the United States. When it comes to cruising, there is nothing quite like sailing to Alaska. It’s difficult to explain exactly what it’s like to sail to the 49th state, surrounded by mountains, wildlife, and amazing natural beauty.

The line always stations one or two Quantum-class ships in Alaska for the season. Adults can linger in the glass-walled Solarium, relaxing in the indoor pools and whirlpools, while their kids zoom around the SeaPlex in bumper cars. Starting in 2024, Uncruise Adventures will be offering a winter cruise, where winter sports and northern lights viewings are all part of the package! Running February through March, this is a great option for travelers looking to experience Alaska during the winter months. When you go on holiday you probably don’t picture yourself sitting in a lecture theater, but on an Alaskan cruise you absolutely should! I have traveled to Alaska in May, middle of summer, and late September.

Glacier & Wildlife Day Cruises

All-inclusive lines like Silversea or Seabourn are sure to price higher for the number of inclusions they offer. Royal Caribbean says a roundtrip cruise for two people in an inside cabin (including taxes and fees) in June aboard the Quantum of the Seas would cost $1,956. Most ships in the region have activities for kids, but Disney excels in this regard. Other fun activities include Carnival’s Seuss at Sea program with Dr. Seuss characters on the Carnival Miracle, the Carnival Legend and the Carnival Splendor. There is also Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas, with surf sessions using the FlowRider on the deck and a skydiving simulation.

I have never gone early May but would be willing to do so. I would pick early May over mid-September in a heart beat. September has (historically) the most rain and potential bad storms of any of the cruising months to Alaska. I've been to Alaska twice, once the 1st week of May, and once the 2nd. The first cruise the weather was warm enough not to wear ajacket, the second one was cold and rainy. Seas in Alaska are choppiest on Gulf of Alaska itineraries where waters are open.

The same cabin would go for $2,091 in July, a significant amount more. While excursions from the ship are the best way to get out and explore (it’s not as easy to stroll on your own atop a glacier, after all), some cruise lines are more invested in the state. Sailings include seven- to 14-day itineraries and a host of land tours that can be added to the experience.

Luxury cruises to Alaska on smaller ships can be a great option for those looking to pair remote wilderness with a bit of pampering. Your best high-end bets are Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea and Windstar. Holland America and Princess are the biggest mainstream lines for an Alaska cruise. But you'll also see Alaska itineraries from Carnival, Disney, Norwegian (NCL) and Royal Caribbean, which gives you an array of price points to consider. September offers the best possibility for cruisers to catch the Northern Lights in Alaska.

That’s not to mention things like the the cost of airfare to get to the port or the prices for pricey excursions. In short, it can be considerably more expensive that sailing to the Caribbean. In the shoulder season, let’s look at another example from the cruise line. An April departure for two people in an inside cabin (including taxes and fees) on the Enchantment of the Seas would cost $1,215.

Depending on the month you visit, the sun can rise as early as 4 a.m. That means you end up getting up earlier and staying up later. After a few days, don’t be surprised if the lack of rest catches up with you. That’s definitely the case for Alaska, where the cost of arranging travel to all the ports you visit would be considerably higher for most people than taking a cruise. That said, in general you’ll find that a trip to Alaska will be more than a cruise to the Caribbean. With a cruise, you have the ability to easily travel between different ports of call, allowing you to see much more in a short time.

That gives you the ability to see way more area than you ever could otherwise. For instance, in a matter of days you can visit glaciers, towns, and remote areas that are otherwise hard to reach by car or too expensive to visit by plane. You also might consider trying one of these cheaper late night flights the day before your cruise and simply finding a hotel for the night.

Dressing Can Be Hard (Layers Are a Must)Keeping in the theme of weather, you’ll likely find that it’s a little harder to dress for Alaska. When it’s warm and sunny, it is literally t-shirt and shorts weather. But cool and rainy… along with wind while the ship is moving? You’ll want to be bundled up with a hat, gloves, and jacket. It’s well-known, but dressing in layers is a must when you head to Alaska.

I bought short sleeved tees as I wasn't prepared for warmer than normal. On either end of your sailing, you can tour on your own or book a cruise tour that combines a cruise and a land tour, which usually runs three to seven nights. If you're happy with a couple of historic tours and a guided hike, you could likely budget $500 or less per person for shore excursions in Alaska. But if once-in-a-lifetime Alaska experiences like helicopter rides and flightseeing in Ketchikan are more your speed, you'll need to triple that amount -- or more. Be Ready for Long Daylight Hours (Messes With Your Sleep)Maybe you “know” that daylight hours during the summer in Alaska are long.