Be the first to know about our itineraries, and receive exclusive offers, destination articles and more. The 100-guest National Geographic Venture is a state-of-the-art, purpose-built expedition vessel made for exploring coastal waters, shallow coves and fast-moving channels while sailing with the luxury of supreme comfort. While Seabourn's Ventures by Seabourn expedition excursions come at an added cost, they take passengers deeper into the real Alaska than many of their contemporaries. Not to mention, Oceania Cruises' ships are stunning, even an older one like the 670-passenger Regatta. Expect public spaces in sky and sea hues and an abundance of timeless teak, stone and custom tile work. Whether you're curious about Alaska native culture or other Alaska traditions, here's how to make these an integral part of your trip up north.
Twice the glaciers
Alaska cruise packing list: What to pack for a cruise up north - The Points Guy
Alaska cruise packing list: What to pack for a cruise up north.
Posted: Wed, 17 Apr 2024 17:15:00 GMT [source]
It's so far from the rest of the mainland U.S. that it's become a bucket list destination, especially for travelers looking to visit each of the 50 states. Take an excursion to the Denali National Park and Preserve and wander through the most beautiful corners of this six-million-acre tract of land. You spend the day in the great outdoors within the state’s most picturesque environments, then retreat to all the comforts of a well-appointed luxury cabin and superb fine dining at the end of the day. And thanks to our preferred cruise partners and the expertise of our Travel Designers, we can collectively ensure that each minute spent on and offshore is more special than the last. Alaskan-owned and -operated Alaskan Dream Cruises dates back to 1970 when its parent company, Allen Marine, founded by Bob and Betty Allen, launched with the St. Michael.
Cruises
You could also consider extending your vacation with a night or two in either Vancouver or Seattle, depending on which itinerary you have chosen. Vast, creaking blue-white glaciers inch their way to the sea as jagged, snow-capped mountain peaks pierce the sky. Bears prowl rock-strewn beaches, while salmon-laden rivers rush through pristine, old-growth forest, bald eagles perched watchfully in the treetops. Choose the style to suit your personal taste, from Destination Highlights to Small Group Discoveries, or even custom-designed Private Journeys.
GLACIERS WILL MOVE YOU
Jump to view our luxury cruises, or learn more about rest of the best small ship Alaska cruises—for all budgets. Explore beyond Icy Strait Point, where wildlife outnumbers the primarily Tlingit Indian population. Look out for grizzlies and bald eagles, learn about the Tlingit culture or combine a grizzly bear viewing opportunity with a humpback whale cruise. One of the best luxury Alaska cruise ships is the 746-passenger all-suite Seven Seas Explorer. It's one of Regent Seven Seas Cruises' most glam ships, and you can pamper yourself on board for a week as you sail from Seward, Alaska to Vancouver, British Columbia.
You’ll also see whales; the Inside Passage is a great place to spot humpbacks and orcas. Look out for bald eagles perched in the trees, steller sea lions spread out on rocks, and cute sea otters bobbing in the water. To search for the Big Five—grizzly bears, wolves, caribou, Dall sheep, and moose—extend your vacation with a Cruisetour and a visit to Denali National Park. With spectacular wildlife and dozens of thrilling, kid-friendly activities, Alaska is perfect for families. Kids will love spotting bears and whales, and the whole family can try sea kayaking, go zip lining, join guided hikes through the forest, and learn to drive a team of husky dogs. The Northern Lights season in Alaska tends to fall between September-April, outside of peak cruise times, when evenings are at their darkest.
10 Best Alaska Cruises to Take This Summer, According to Experts - Travel + Leisure
10 Best Alaska Cruises to Take This Summer, According to Experts.
Posted: Mon, 12 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Explore one of the world’s oldest collection of totem poles at the Totem Pole Heritage Center, or stroll along Creek Street. As the salmon capital of the world, Ketchikan’s waters make for incredible fishing. The Harriman Expedition discovered College Fjord in 1899 and named the towering glaciers after the great East Coast universities of the United States, like the Harvard Glacier. With the largest collection of tidewater glaciers in the world, your scenic Alaska cruise through the fjord will make a lasting memory.
ITINERARY & EXCURSIONS
Look to UnCruise Adventures, Alaskan Dream Cruises, Hurtigruten and Lindblad Expeditions for the best adventure cruises. If you've got active teens who have an interest in nature and the environment, an expedition voyage could be exactly what will keep them engaged and off their devices. One of the western most cities in the Inside Passage, the coastal town of Sitka offers vivid history and stunning vistas truly unique, containing vaulted mountain peaks and crystal-clear waters.
Discover Alaska with Princess in 2024-2025
Through its extraordinary wildlife safaris, environmental majesty and ancient traditions, Africa is an epic storybook adventure. Experience unparalleled luxury via rainforest, coastline, dessert and mountain. Make a point of trying the local cuisine in Alaska, which is famous for its seafood. Black cod and halibut are delicious and often served with fries; fish and chips is a popular dish in Alaska. You’ll also find seasonal berries on every menu, locally roasted coffee, and a wide assortment of craft beers. Pack binoculars for spotting all that incredible wildlife, and camera lens or smartphone.
A camera is also an Alaskan cruise essential as the landscape here is truly otherworldly. We invited Coral Manson to join Queen Elizabeth in Vancouver for the adventure of a lifetime - a 12 day voyage north into the spectacular wilderness of The Last Frontier. Alaska cruises on Cunard bring you face to face with renowned explorers, mountaineers and photographers, whose personal experiences offer a fascinating insight into the region’s past and present. Whether whale watching from your suite or stateroom or exploring The Great Land on shore, only on Queen Elizabeth can you immerse yourself in Alaska and experience a world of unique experiences and unexpected inspiration. I’m a Florida-based freelance travel and lifestyle journalist who has embarked on more than a dozen cruises, including several to Alaska. As a traveler, I am just as comfortable bicycling through Italian olive groves and SCUBA diving the wall of sharks in French Polynesia as I am sipping bubbles in a Champagne house and dining at Michelin-starred restaurants.
You'll find magnificent mountains (often snowcapped, even in the summertime), lush forests, waterfalls, fjords and calving glaciers. If it's marine life you've come to see, you'll find it in abundance, from whales and dolphins to sea lions and harbor seals. On land, you'll likely spy bears and Dall sheep while eagles, puffins and a host of seabirds circle above.
They guide the optional (extra fee) Ventures by Seabourn excursions, such as Zodiac, kayaking, hiking and catamaran tours. Highlights include a four- to six-mile hike through a rainforest past a glacial lake to Mendenhall Valley and kayaking to Hubbard Glacier. A professional photographer lectures and offers small-group workshops on how to capture perfect wildlife pics. Smaller boutique cruises strive to immerse their guests in the wild Alaska they've researched and desire to experience.
If spotting wildlife is a priority, consider cruising during the salmon runs, when bears are most active and can be spotted from the decks of the ship. Humpback whales often follow schools of herring and other small fish during the summer and can be seen anytime between May and September before they migrate to Hawaii or Mexico. A luxurious cruise means many things to many people but we feel that Silversea’s small ship cruises personify the true meaning of comfort and intimacy.
Daytime temperatures in the Inside Passage during Alaska cruise season reach average highs of between 12 to 18 degrees Celsius (55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit) in June, July and August, with May and September up to 10 degrees cooler. There can be cloud cover and unexpected rainfall, although wind speeds tend to stay low. Mornings and evenings can feel extremely chilly, but afternoons generally warmer. Discovering Alaska by sea is one of the best and most breathtaking cruising experiences you can encounter. Cunard has considered weather, cruise routes and history, local highlights, what to pack, and even a reading list, so that preparing for your journey is as smooth as possible.
There's nothing like seeing these behemoths hurl themselves out of the water, to splash back into the sea. Don't pass up an opportunity to watch these giants feed and play in the water. Our two beautifully refurbished ships Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony’s offer enhanced suite sizes with reduced guest capacity, meaning you can enjoy more space onboard. In general, waiting until the last minute is not the best idea, unless you live in Seattle or Vancouver and don't need to book flights. Onboard naturalists generally narrate what you're seeing, so head to the observation lounge (or tune to a broadcast on your in-room television) to learn about some of the top sights featured on scenic cruising days.
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