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There are mountain biking tours, fishing excursions, and kayaking adventures. The town has less than 2,000 residents and isn’t as touristy as other Alaska cruise ports. Book a shore excursion or cruise tour if you want to explore Alaska’s wilderness or venture beyond the town center. You’ll have a different experience at Alaska cruise ports compared to Caribbean cities. The ports of call in Alaska have different atmospheres and personalities.
Best Places to Visit in Alaska
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. The best Alaska food to try on a cruise includes king crab, salmon, fry bread, birch syrup, wild berries and more. In the center of the state, Denali National Park is blanketed in wildflowers punctuated with mountains, raging rivers and serene lakes. Denali, "The Great One," formerly known as Mt. McKinley, rises to the tallest peak in North America and can be seen from as far away as Anchorage on a clear day. An up-close view is more than worth the expedition during your vacation. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip.
Explore Alaska
Voyage through the untamed beauty from the comfort of our world-class ships, exclusive rail service and Princess Wilderness Lodges near national parks. Choose from a variety of Alaska cruise and cruisetour itineraries and connect with loved ones, locals and Alaska's wilderness with Princess®. Most big-ship and luxury cruise lines send at least one cruise ship to Alaska every summer.
Princess Unveils 2025 Alaska Season With Exclusive Cruises - Cruise Hive
Princess Unveils 2025 Alaska Season With Exclusive Cruises.
Posted: Mon, 31 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Are Alaskan cruises family-friendly?
Active travelers can explore Alaska by sea kayak or canoe, hike on glaciers and through rainforests, zip line, bike, ride an ATV and even snorkel (you'll need a dry suit). Ships in all price ranges sail a variety of itineraries, so don't let budget stop you from visiting. If luxury is what you're after, you can find lines that will go overboard pampering you on your journey north. Some lines also offer Alaska cruisetours that venture into Canada's Yukon, including a few Holland America tours that combine half a cruise with a cruisetour that starts or ends in Skagway. If you book a Gulf of Alaska voyage, you'll also enjoy exploring parts of the Inside Passage and its ports that could include a mix of Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Ketchikan, Haines and Icy Strait Point.
Best Time to Take a Cruise to Alaska
These cruises usually sail northbound or southbound between either Vancouver or Seattle and Anchorage (via the port towns of Whittier or Seward). Itineraries include many of the same stops that a round-trip Inside Passage cruise does, plus extras such as Valdez, Hubbard Glacier, College Fjord or another town in the gulf. Skies tend to become cloudier and wetter, although there are still at least 12 hours of daylight to enjoy. One of the perks of taking a Vancouver glacier route cruise is being able to fit in an Alaska land package either before or after your cruise. You can use our Trip Finder tool and search for pre- or post-cruise land tours to complete your Alaskan vacation.
Great Alaskan explorer
Dive deeper into what makes the Great Land special on your cruise to Alaska. Alaska's seafood is famous, and we bring the best to you with locally inspired dishes from the state’s best eateries. With Cook My Catch excursions, catch your own salmon or halibut with the help of a local expert, and in the evening our talented chefs will prepare your haul for your dinner — a Princess exclusive. From ship to shore, the best is at your fingertips on our Alaska cruises. Once the gateway to Alaska's Gold Rush, Skagway strikes a dramatic image nestled between the water's edge and mountains.
The best Alaska cruise for every type of traveler - The Points Guy
The best Alaska cruise for every type of traveler.
Posted: Mon, 05 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Animal lovers can sign up for a whale watch, visit a bald eagle preserve, or take a tour to observe bears in their natural habitat or at a sanctuary. Active travelers can work up a sweat hiking, kayaking, biking, zip-lining, and even snorkeling in Alaska’s wilderness. Gentle rafting and float trips are a less intense way to get outside and bond with nature in this cruise destination. History buffs will want to explore the state’s Gold Rush history, either with a local tour of Skagway or a ride on the White Pass & Yukon Railroad. Culturally curious cruisers can visit a totem park or see a performance by native Alaskans. These options are ideal for travelers who want their entire itinerary planned out for them, rather than booking their own lodging, transportation, and activities pre- or post-cruise.
Budding photographers should opt for a tripod or monopod to aid image stability, and adjust the shutter speed to no slower than 1/200th second if on board, to account for the ship’s movement. Grouse Mountain and the Capilano Suspension Bridge are two wilderness highlights of this lively city. Hike through ancient spruce forests, visit museums dedicated to the Native Tlingit heritage and keep an eye out for bald eagles soaring overhead in Haines. Dance to live music in the Rendezvous Lounge and drop into the Sky Lounge for a nightcap. Depending on your cruise dates, you could be having a late-night snack while light still streaks the sky.
Northern Lights Cruises
Embark on a whale watching tour, or sail past Mendenhall Glacier on an Alaska cruise. Icy Strait Point is home to the remote Tlingit village of Hoonah, home to fewer than 800 people and a deep Native history. The nearby Spasski River Valley holds one of the world’s largest populations of brown bears, who are often found hunting for salmon in the rivers.
Take in Juneau’s vibrant Alaskan food scene at local seafood restaurants serving smoked salmon dip, Alaskan cod tacos, and fresh-caught crab, halibut, and salmon accompanied by local produce. There’s also the possibility of sailing one-way between Vancouver and Seattle, also on Celebrity Edge. Whichever route you choose, the mighty Dawes Glacier is bound to be a highlight. Discover which of our main Alaska cruise routes is best for your next vacation. The population of Haines remains less than 2,000, according to the United Status Census Bureau, and it isn't yet as touristy as some of the other Alaskan ports, such as nearby Skagway.
Travelers looking for luxury should consider upscale lines such as Crystal, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, and Silversea. These cruise lines offer more intimate ships, inclusive fares, and attentive service, but won’t have as many onboard attractions or as expansive kids’ facilities or activities as the bigger ships. Both cruise lines offer plenty of longer sailings and a large selection of cruise tours. Because the tours venture farther north than most cruise itineraries, they provide the best opportunity to see the northern lights. If you want to increase your chances, you should book towards the end of the Alaska cruise season, in late October. Many cruise lines also travel to additional locations such as Sitka, Hoonah/Icy Strait Point, and Haines.
With nearly endless summer days and coastal breezes, you’ll want to make sure to dress with flexibility in mind. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. We have the answers so your first time will be nothing but smooth sailing. Sourdough is such an important part of Alaskan culture that long-time Alaskans are actually called sourdoughs in local parlance.
Keep an eye out for humpback whales breaching in the bay and make sure you pay a visit to the massive Mendenhall Glacier. You could also try gold panning and rock climbing, or hike the first section of the Chilkoot Trail for magnificent views. On your first night aboard the ship, sip champagne at the Sunset Bar as the evening sun casts a golden glow. Savor world-class cuisine at Tuscan Grille, one of our specialty restaurants serving Southern Italian favorites and prime steaks.
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