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In most cases, Seattle is the best embarkation port for most American passengers, as it’s usually easier to travel to Seattle compared to Vancouver or Seward. There are ample direct flights to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, making traveling to the city easier and more affordable. Truthfully, your experience in Alaska will not vary drastically from itinerary to itinerary.
things to know before you book an Alaska cruise
Stressing over making it to the airport in time is not worth it; instead, the general rule of thumb is to avoid booking flights before noon. More often than not, flight prices will increase significantly as your travel date approaches. Waiting to see if the price drops almost always results in paying more for your flight, so it’s important to get your flights booked to avoid wasting money. In Sitka, for instance, you can enjoy a leisurely walk through the Sitka National Historic Park, which comes at no extra cost and is within walking distance from the town center. Likewise, you could take a shuttle bus to Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau for $45 roundtrip, which is much cheaper than excursions booked through the cruise line. Fortunately, after nearly a dozen Alaska cruises, our staff are well versed in the ins and outs of cruising to Alaska.
Ovation of the Seas
The popular “train excursion” on an Alaska cruise is the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway, and it’s located in Skagway, Alaska. If you’re wondering whether you really need to pack accessories like gloves and a hat, we’d recommend putting them into your suitcase. These items are small and you may be thankful to have them in your cabin during the sailing. Kids will still enjoy an Alaska cruise on a Radiance Class ship, but there is a far greater amount of kid-friendly activities on Quantum Class vessels. Alaska cruises often have a reputation of being for adults, but they can be a wonderful vacation for families with kids, too.
Comparing the Royal Caribbean ships sailing in Alaska in 2023
The key to packing for Alaska is to pack layers, as you never know what type of weather conditions you will encounter on your cruise. The third option for embarkation is in Seward, Alaska, a small town located a few hours drive from Anchorage. This option is not as convenient as Seattle or Vancouver, but is a good choice for those hoping to spend time in Alaska’s interior before starting the cruise.
If you travel frequently, we recommend an annual travel insurance plan that covers you all year round. Booking your cruise in advance is always a good idea, but Alaska cruises are so popular that you really need to book early to get the prices. Ideally, if you can book your cruise at least 12 months in advance, you will likely get some of the best prices. As smaller ships like Radiance of the Seas have far fewer balconies available, booking a balcony stateroom on a small ship can be much more expensive than other cabins.
Alaska Food: Where to Find the Best Food in Alaska Royal Caribbean Cruises
From local breweries to diners and food trucks, we recommend reading through her guide before your Alaska cruise to ensure you don’t miss out on the state’s best eats. While traveling to any destination, one of the best ways to learn more about a region’s culture is to taste local cuisine, and that is true in Alaska as well. Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of each month may help you find the best month for your travel style and needs.
I've spent over 100 nights on cruise ships, and these are my biggest cruising regrets to avoid making - Royal Caribbean Blog
I've spent over 100 nights on cruise ships, and these are my biggest cruising regrets to avoid making.
Posted: Fri, 25 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Fortunately, Alaska’s cruise ports are all small and walkable, meaning you can see many attractions without booking expensive excursions. A variety of museums, restaurants, and bars are located just a few minutes away from where cruise ships dock in each port. Before booking an Alaska cruise, take time to research the activities and shore excursions offered in each port. Some cruisers may prefer booking a train ride in Skagway whereas others will love the opportunity to learn more about Alaska’s Russian influence in Sitka. Shore excursions are the best way to see more of each port without having to worry about logistics, returning to the ship on time, or last-minute cancellations.
Jenna DeLaurentis enjoys exploring new ports of call around the world on a cruise ship, learning about new cultures, discovering beautiful landscapes, and trying diverse cuisine. She loves to get active while at port, whether cycling through mountains in the Caribbean or scuba diving under the sea. As your ship sails away from each port of call in Alaska, you will be rewarded with stunning views of the Inside Passage, and you won’t want to miss sailaway each evening.
How does a person with a past DUI sail to Alaska?
Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of the best free and low-cost activities to do in each Alaska cruise port, which should help give you some ideas. The 2024 Alaska cruise season is quickly approaching, and we’re sharing 24 of our most helpful Alaska cruise tips that you need to follow. A northbound cruise to Alaska lets you start your journey in vibrant Vancouver. Read our helpful frequently asked questions or check out our CruiseTour brochure.
Smaller cruise ships offer more itinerary options in Alaska, though, visiting destinations such as Haines, Icy Strait Point, and Hubbard Glacier. Depending on your cruise itinerary, there may be a chance to book an excursion on a scenic cruising glacier day. Some glaciers offer a “Wilderness Explorer” excursion, during which passengers disembark the cruise ship and embark a small vessel, allowing them to get up close and personal to glaciers. Outside of port stops where passengers disembark the ship, Alaska cruises offer scenic cruising days to glaciers along the Inside Passage. Instead, the ship slowly sails within a view of a glacier, often completing a 360 degree turn to ensure all guests onboard can have an excellent view of such amazing scenery. Located on the way to Skagway along the Chilkoot Inlet, Haines is a small port accommodating just one large cruise ship at a time.
Instead of booking directly through Royal Caribbean, search shore excursions on websites like Tripadvisor, Viator, and Shore Excursions Group. By going through these websites, you can find tours that may be priced lower compared to those offered by the cruise line. Quantum of the Seas® joins sister ship Ovation of the Seas® in Seattle for our biggest, boldest Alaska season ever. The two largest ships in the region brim with ways to maximize your time under the Midnight Sun.
Unfortunately, this may mean scrambling to figure out new shore excursions and ideas for what to do in port. One-way itineraries do not need to stop in Victoria as they begin or end in Vancouver, Canada. Because of this, these 7-night cruises include four port stops in Alaska instead of three, in addition to a glacier viewing day. One-way Alaska cruises start in Vancouver, British Columbia and travel north to Seward, Alaska (and vice versa).
If you want to book a balcony or suite, then booking early becomes even more important. Since so many people value a private balcony on Alaska cruises, demand for these categories is even higher than on Caribbean or European itineraries. In fact, when Royal Caribbean announces new Alaska itineraries is the best time to book. Royal Caribbean almost always announces new Alaska cruises in late November for the season to come in two years. Most ships Royal Caribbean sends to Alaska offer plenty of indoor features, meaning the ship can be enjoyed in all types of weather.
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