Cruise fares are often the cheapest when first released to the public. There are good chances to see bears and goats on this trip too! The land is visible throughout most of the sailing, and you can often spot whales, eagles, and other wildlife from the ship. This is a wonderful place to try kayaking for the first time! 102 helpful votes. In addition to shore excursions organized by your ship, you can also easily explore Juneau on your own by going for a hike, shopping around town or taking the wonderful Juneau food tour to get an insider and local perspective on Juneaus delicious food scene. The best hike in every Alaska cruise port, complete guide to riding the Alaska ferry here, DIY travelers guide to having a blast on a cruise, my top recommendations for Vancouver here, https://www.ordinary-adventures.com/privacy-policy/. No votes so far! Sailing during the shoulder season is the best time to find cheaper cruise fares. Dress appropriately. The cruises are very different than a traditional cruise to Alaska, with a greater focus on education, enrichment, nature, and the environment. You may find rougher seas at the beginning and end of the cruise until your cruise ship reaches the Inside Passage, where the waters are calmer. Sailing ships with indoor observation areas looking out on the scenery are ideal. Alaska is one of the most beautiful destinations on the planet. If you are coming from a hot climate, make sure to bring plenty of warm clothes. Haines is a newer cruise port of call. Payouts are notoriously low on the ships, including blackjack that pays 6-to-5 and video poker with low returns. In Alaskan ports, the sun can rise around 4 a.m. and set after 10 p.m. Tracy Arm Fjord: One of the most popular scenic destinations for Alaska cruises, located only 50 miles south of Juneau. But the rough terrain makes it challenging to navigate by land, so its best to explore Alaska by cruise ship. A land tour is expensive between cars, trains, ferries, and hotels. One way cruises to Alaska will always either start or end in Vancouver. Haines is a newer cruise port of call. Expedition voyages feature smaller ships with a greater focus on adventurous activities. Most people will find it far easier just to catch an Uber/Lyft or a taxi from the airport. Expedition-style cruises often bring scientists and naturalists to provide lectures and act as tour guides. In addition to visiting some of the ports along Alaskas Inside Passage, itineraries also include up to two scenic cruising days. No roads to travel on or telephone masts to connect to. In any part of Southeast Alaska you need to be ready for rain, any day, all year, but Haines gives you a better chance of a dry day than most. Unless you like doing things really early in the day or late at night, reserve as soon as you can. 4. Home / Cruise Tips / Alaska Cruise Guide: Best Itineraries, Ports, Tips, & More. Meanwhile, the sweeping, 12-mile long Mendenhall Glacier rests nearby, slowly retreating under the steadfast sun. I can tell you from experience that my favorite cruise as a kid was our trip to Alaska. While you can explore around the port of call on your own, excursions give you a chance for everything from viewing glaciers to panning for gold, to sightseeing to whale watching. In general you can find a lot more to do on the bigger and newer ships say those built in the past 10-15 years. Sailing from Seattle to Alaska? Excursions include activities such as whale watching, kayaking . You can also link up with Sitkas bus system (called The Ride) to get to trailheads and other areas. Nearly every cruise calls at Juneau, so look for a cruise that gives you the maximum amount of time there to see as much of this wonderful town as possible. All told however, the differences are usually small. You might have heard someone refer to the Alaska ferry (Alaska Marine Highway) as a locals cruise or a cheaper cruise and I want you to know that is not accurate! Im a fourth generation Seattleite who lived in Alaska for 7 years and I still spend lots of time there every year. Pier 66 is near downtown and is home mainly to Norwegian Cruise Line ships. To attract cruise customers, some hotels in Seattle have cruise shuttles that will take you to the port when its time to board. If you can afford it, its preferable to sail on a balcony versus an interior cabin. You wont leave the ship on a scenic day, but youll have an incredible view of Alaskas scenery. Luxury cruise lines often visit less-traveled cruise ports, including Wrangell, Alaska, and Klemtu, British Columbia. One of the big draws of cruising is that it can be a cheap vacation. On the cruise ship there are cash machines, but expect to pay dearly. Thats not the case for Alaskan cruises. The best time to book an Alaskan cruise is as early as possible. One minute its warm, and the next, its cold and rainy. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Just dress for all weather, including rain, and go. The cruise tours visit places like Denali National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park, the city of Fairbanks, and the Kenai Peninsula. If you like to explore on your own, Sitka is the port for you! Cruise lines dont charge for baggage, so bring pretty much as much as you want. If youre doing a lot of shore excursions, a small ship cruise may not be as much more expensive as you think so look into that. The things you can do in Alaska on a shore excursion are unlike what you can do anywhere else. Ketchikan is a very close second for me for the top spot as the best Alaska cruise port! If this happens to you, wed suggest waiting until you get into port to pick up whatever you needs. The good news is that cruise ships are getting more generous with plugs in the stateroom cabins. Take the Ocean Raft Adventure 6. A cheap nightlight on Amazon is worth its weight in gold. You can expect to pay a higher price if you book a balcony. Sign up for a Birdwatching Tour 4. Theres nothing we love more than sipping a coffee on our balcony while admiring the picturesque views. Sitka is a little fishing town located on Baranof Island. Inside Passage cruises typically have ascenic cruising day at a Fjord or glacier. Uber/Lyft/Taxi Are The Easiest Options to the Seattle Port Flying in for your cruise? Shore excursions are cruise activities that take place while your cruise ship is in port. Many of the original buildings remain, as are the towns wooden boardwalks. If you dont mind bundling up with some hot drinks while watching the rain and getting the full Inside Passage experience then September is the time for you! If you get warm or simply like having some airflow, its a great thing to pack with you. They have a long history of offering trips around Alaska and provide the largest selection of itineraries and cruise tours. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. While cruising through the Inside Passage, the islands create a natural break from the open ocean, calming the water. Are Cruises Safe? If you havent spent time this far north, be ready for long days. But many days are also very mild with lots of sun. Hop-on, hop-off shuttle: There's a free hop-on, hop-off shuttle between cruise ship berths 1-4 and to several locations in town every 20 minutes. Now it doesnt take a genius to know that any time you gamble the edge always goes to the house. New! Small-ship, luxury cruise lines like Seabourn, Silversea, and Regent can navigate more waterways than larger mainstream cruise lines. July is the most popular time for cruising in Alaska and it is still the height of summer with long days. Some ports are like that in Alaska, but not all. 1 Lumberjack Show 2 Misty Fjords Flightseeing 3 Duck Tour 4 Wilderness Tour & Crab Feast 5 Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's Tour 6 Totem Bight State Park 7 Misty Fjords Wilderness Cruise 8 Saxman. Most Alaska cruises have a day of cruising near a glacier but its not always Glacier Bay. This varies based on the length of the trip and the choices you make (especially about shore excursions) as well as the specific cruise company you plan to travel with. In my opinion, Juneau is the best Alaska cruise port overall. Each port city features amazing placesfrom the natural to the culturalthat everyone will appreciate. Just dont pack one with a surge protector as they arent allowed on ships. The town of Skagway was once the gateway to the Klondike in Canadas Yukon territory (the site of the famous gold fields). Times for the best restaurants and the hottest attractions fill up quickly because they are so popular. Because of the popularity of Alaska cruises and the short sailing season, cruise fares tend to be more expensive than traditional Caribbean sailings. 1. Book a shore excursion or cruise tour if you want to explore Alaskas wilderness or venture beyond the town center. I have a whole post about what to pack for Alaska, including if youre taking a cruise! Most Alaskan cruises include at least one scenic cruising day. Weve covered that it can rain in Alaska. 10. Many people are, which leaves the question of how to get to the port. 9. 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. Royal Caribbean has positioned Ovation of the Seas, one of the newest cruise ships, in Alaska. But there is a lot of demand for these rooms and the prices can be significantly higher than an interior cabin. Because we are! We are sorry that this post was not useful for you! If you drink these beverages, then take advantage of the perk. See the list of Mendenhall Visitor Center tours. If you purchase your cruise fare early and later find a lower price, you can take advantage of price protection and ask the cruise line to honor the lower price. The town is full of museums, shops, and small restaurants. Youll save money and have a wider selection if you wait until the ship ports. Read more about how to do this in the sections below). Small ships generally sail one way or round trip between Alaska ports, usually Juneau, Sitka or Ketchikan. I recommend the cross gulf (one way) trip if you are also adding a land portion of your trip to other parts of Alaska, such as Denali National Park, Anchorage or Fairbanks. Some cruise lines offer longer west-coast sailings that begin in San Francisco. So much of taking an Alaskan cruise is about the scenery, but you cant spend all your hours outside watching nature go by. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Cruise lines dont let you bring beer or liquor on the ships. Some people wouldnt consider Alaska a family-friendly cruise destination. If you embark in Seward or Whittier, youll have to fly into Anchorage, Alaska, and take the train or bus to and from the cruise port. Guests dont need to worry about booking transportation, hotels, or activities both on and off the ship. The train ride takes passengers along the original route used by prospectors during the height of the gold rush. It's best to research what activities fit within your interest, fitness level, and budget. Try the ZipRider 3. Immerse yourself in Native American culture at the Totem Heritage Center, embark on a wildlife-watching adventure, or indulge in fresh salmon at a local seafood joint. Even on sea days, theres always something to look at. That means you technically leave the U.S., sail to a foreign country, and then re-enter. Expedition cruise lines often include complimentary shore excursions and provide zodiacs, kayaks, and bikes for you to use. For instance, you might actually show up in the afternoon and then leave later in the evening. Smaller vessels can better access less habited areas of Alaska and provide a closer look at the Last Frontier. The glacier is home to many wildlife species and was founded by John Muir in the 1880s. 1. I love to share the places I love with visitors, newcomers and my fellow locals. If your dream vacation includes hiking in Tongass National Park, Kayaking on Lake Chiliak, or overnight camping, youll want to look at expedition cruises. Kayaking is unique in Haines because you can take a tour for sea kayaking or you can kayak in Chilkoot Lake, giving options for every preference and every skill level in a kayak. Only for it to change again ten minutes later. A Creek Street visit is one of the things to do in Ketchikan Alaksa. And while these opportunities are certainly once-in-a-lifetime, these animals are usually semi-domesticated or at least used to humans. A visit . Treat yourself to festive fun with Halloween on the High Seas sailings or Very Merrytime cruisesplus discover the wonders of Lighthouse Point, Disney's newest island destination in The Bahamas. Early season is the least rainy time of year in Southeast Alaska and the Inside Passage (its still quite rainy so be prepared for that!). There is no civilization here. Its best to grab it before you head to the ship. Thats on top of any time difference between Alaska and where you live (its four hours behind the East Coast). If you sail late in the season (late August or September), then the days start getting shorter. On an Alaskan cruise, you can take a tour to see whales in Juneau or one in Icy Strait Point. You asked your most pressing Alaska cruise questions, and today, we're answering each and every one. See the Chief Johnson Totem Pole 8. Needless to say we saw plenty of glaciers. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Ill also talk about how to decide between a cross gulf cruise or inside passage only (and what that means), a big ship or small ship and options for scenic cruising around glaciers. (We were also entertained by an otter playing on an iceberg.). There are several reasons why people cruise Alaska, but one way or another, people are drawn to the state for its incredible scenic beauty. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Its well-heeled tourists had to shimmy into small . I love to share my passion for cruising and travel with readers. But Alaskan cruises? Take a look at a recent schedule to get an idea of what you can expect: Flying in for your cruise? Head to a cruise port in most cities and there is one port with multiple different terminals. Thats why its always a good idea to pack a pair of binoculars to take in the sites from both the ship and the shore during ports of call. If you can, do this. This is the best Alaska cruise port for shopping, with delightful Creek Street and the streets surrounding it offering up more local art and gifts than many other ports (Juneau is also good for this, ask a local where to go!). Just be prepared for some sticker shock. Meanwhile some ships either arent sailing yet or have moved on for the season. Haines doesnt have a lot of cruise ships that call in its port, but it does have some. Cruising is a fantastic way to see the coastal towns, glaciers and wildlife of Alaska, since distances are large and many communities and places are not accessible by road. Its also more expensive than people expect (often more than a cruise) and there are lots of hidden costs, such as getting a small cabin and eating in the cafeteria. Aside from the winter cold providing an uncomfortable experience, many regions of Alaska become inaccessible as the water turns to ice. You can find sunscreen everywhere, but if you like a particular brand definitely bring it with you. From mountains to whales, theres so much for kids to see. When I say best weather I mean less rain than most other ports (except Skagway) but it doesnt have the wind that Skagway has. The town has less than 2,000 residents and isn't as touristy as other Alaska cruise ports. Temperatures can range 40 degrees in a day, as well as dealing with different elevations, rain, clouds, and sun. Shore excursions to major attractions are generally included. One annoying habit is that many cruisers like to crowd around the doors to get on. If cruising from Pier 66, then you can take a train from the airport station to Westlake Center. Whale watching and fishing are both excellent in July and August. So, if you are doing a one way cruise, you will start in Vancouver and end near Anchorage (either Whittier or Seward) or the other way around. In other words, you can see the same sites as someone paying double or triple what you paid by going with a cheaper line. See The Rock 2. From selecting a ship and embarkation port to reserving the best shore excursions, there's a lot to know before your cruise begins. The city is home to the Great Alaskan Lumberjack show. Almost every mainstream cruise line provides Alaskan cruises. Skagways most popular attraction is the White Pass railway. If you still want to gamble ,theres nothing wrong with that but just know that the chips are stacked against you. When youre out and about in Alaska, be sure to layer the clothes that you wear. Driving into Seattle for a cruise to Alaska? No enduring evidence of man's existence whatsoever. Expect to spend significantly more. From packing to selecting the right ship to when to sail, weve got everything covered. Well cover what to pack, the best time to sail, cruise ports, things to do, weather, wildlife, and more. Millions of passengers travel to Alaska every year, hoping to see the Northern Lights. If youre looking to spend a few extra days exploring, read more about all the wonderful things to do in Anchorage here. Ketchikan, Alaska, is best known as the Salmon capital of the world. But the town is also popular for its Misty Fjords National Monument and numerous totem poles carved by Alaskas Indigenous peoples, the Tlingit. When applying for an ETSA for a cruise from Vancouver to Alaska and then back to Vancouver for a return flight to UK, how do i fill in 1. Best things to do in Alaska with teenagers and tweenagers. Think of all the recent headlines regarding travel and health and then add on all the everyday occurrences like missing a flight or getting hurt or sick. I cringe whenever I read or hear this. August and September are much rainier, but you can get some good deals at this time of year. Local companies such as Denali ATV offer larger off-road machines that accommodate booster seats (provided) so the whole family can take part. Ketchikan, Alaska is a popular cruise port destination for visitors looking to explore the natural beauty of the area. Pack several for each person in your party because once you used them you arent going to want to try to dry them out and fold them up again. Sure in Alaska you arent going to the beach, but there are still opportunities to take a dip. Locals lead the tours, so you will get to know the land and culture firsthand. USA address as the drop down menus don give many options? Nothing about Juneau is small. Its important to remember that Alaska is home to the worlds largest temperate rainforest, and you can almost guarantee that it will rain during your cruise. This is a destination that speaks to visitors through its history, wild natural beauty, fresh seafood and the native culture of the Tlingit and Haida people. The seas in the Gulf of Alaska can be particularly rough. But they do allow you to bring a bottle or two of wine of champagne. Seward is located along the Gulf of Alaska and is an excellent port for exploring the outdoors. Im not sure about that. Related: DIY travelers guide to having a blast on a cruise. Theres a significant benefit to sailing on a luxury cruise to Alaska. Again, you might be surprised at times by the sun in Alaska. In fact, the entire downtown is a national park! Skagway also has lots of great history to explore and several excellent hikes that leave from downtown and you can easily walk to. If youre the type of person who has to have white noise and/or some airflow to help you sleep, then you should know that cruise cabins dont have fans or vents. Want to sail with fewer crowds and ships? In addition, I highly recommend the Captains Lady, with lots of locally made items as well as Ray Trolls studio. 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