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While there are still activities for guests of all ages onboard, there are less options overall for dining, staterooms, entertainment, etc. Smaller cruise ships offer more itinerary options in Alaska, though, visiting destinations such as Haines, Icy Strait Point, and Hubbard Glacier. Haines, Alaska is a relatively new port for Royal Caribbean cruises to visit. Located on the way to Skagway along the Chilkoot Inlet, Haines is a small port accommodating just one large cruise ship at a time.
Alaska Cruises Insider
From towering glaciers to thrilling wildlife encounters, the untamed beauty of the Last Frontier awaits with exciting weeklong itineraries onboard the best Royal Caribbean cruise ships. The itineraries of both Radiance-class ships go a bit farther north than the larger ships, allowing both ships time at Hubbard Glacier on at least some of the sailings. On its one-way route, Radiance has two sea days -- the least sea days of all the itineraries. The real differences are in what these smaller ships offer -- and don’t offer -- for those who choose to cruise on them.
If you could, would you do a one-way sailing over a roundtrip cruise? It seems to give much more time exploring Alaska.
Royal Caribbean vs Princess to Alaska: which cruise line is better? - Royal Caribbean Blog
Royal Caribbean vs Princess to Alaska: which cruise line is better?.
Posted: Thu, 13 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Sure, booking your cruise in June usually results in better weather compared to one in September, but weather conditions are never guaranteed. When packing for an Alaska cruise, we recommend bringing a pair of sneakers that are water resistant. Unless you plan on doing some serious trekking in each port, there’s no need to bring hefty hiking boots or rain boots. A pair of sneakers made from a water-resistant material will keep your feet dry and warm under most weather conditions. In Seattle, for instance, you’ll want to research the best way to get from the airport to your hotel, and from your hotel to the cruise port. In most instances, a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft is the most convenient option.
Skagway
New Alaska 2022 cruises are available to book between April and September 2022. While it could be tempting to sleep in, we advise starting your port day earlier rather than later. Instead of getting upset over a cold, rainy day in port, maintain a positive attitude. Find a cozy saloon to enjoy a warm Irish coffee, or bundle up in your rain gear and make the most of the day.
Booking reservations for earlier in the week ensures you have wiggle room in case of an unanticipated schedule change. When booking entertainment reservations, we recommend sticking to shows earlier in the week. If, for instance, a show is offered on the second, fifth, and last evening of the cruise, try to book the first day available. Cheap cruises are never a guarantee, but one trend we have noticed in the past few years is that Alaska cruises in the shoulder season are often heavily discounted at the last minute. On my Alaska cruise last June, it was nearly 80 degrees on several port days—I spent the day sweating while walking around Skagway. Having packed only long sleeve shirts and pants for my Alaska cruise, I regretted not bringing more lightweight clothing.
Denali National Park remains a wild kingdom, where animals large and small, roam free. View Dall sheep, wolves, caribou, moose and the mighty grizzly bear among many. And come summer, they are joined by more than 160 species of migratory birds. Complete your adventure with the best Alaska tours before or after your cruise.
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]
Top Tips for Planning a Cruise to Alaska
Ports such as Juneau and Ketchikan are each small cities with their own personalities. In addition to port stops—where guests disembark the ship—most itineraries include a scenic viewing day of a glacier. During these visits, your cruise ship will sail into a fjord and stop within sight of one of Alaska’s magnificent glaciers, such as Hubbard Glacier or Dawes Glacier. Royal Caribbean sends 4-5 cruise ships to Alaska each summer, with each ship offering a different layout, amenities, dining options, entertainment, and stateroom options.
Alaska cruise activities: What to do in port
Sure, you'll spend a large part of your time adventuring in port, but you'll spend far more time cruising. You want that time onboard to be comfortable and enjoyable for everyone in your travel party. The casino is not open during the hours these ships sail into and out of Puget Sound, including often on the entire last night of the cruise.
Reserve tours once you disembark in port
It’s not uncommon for there to be three, four, or even five cruise ships docked in Alaska's ports at once. While a balcony is not a requirement on an Alaska cruise, there’s no denying a balcony cabin is nicer than an interior cabin on such a scenic itinerary. If you booked an interior or oceanview cabin for your 2024 Alaska cruise, consider upgrading to a balcony before your sail date. If you value being able to see scenery more up close and have the budget to spend on an extra excursion, there’s no harm in booking the tour. If you are choosing between a glacier excursion and an excursion in another cruise port, though, we advise booking an excursion in a different port instead.
However, your hotel may also provide a shuttle, or you could even take the light rail from the airport to downtown. Because you will arrive in your embarkation city the night before your cruise, remember to book your hotel stay sooner rather than later. When booking a hotel in Seattle or Vancouver (or Anchorage/Seward for one-way itineraries), you will want to book a hotel in a convenient location. Although your cruise itinerary might say you arrive at 6AM on disembarkation day, this does not mean you can get off your ship at 6AM. It takes time for your ship to dock, get cleared by local authorities, and prepare for disembarkation. If all goes to plan, you could start disembarking by 7AM, but unexpected delays could cause a later disembarkation time.
There’s no right or wrong cabin to book for an Alaska cruise, and the type of room you book ultimately comes down to your budget and cabin availability. If on a one-way itinerary, you may also encounter rougher seas while crossing the Gulf of Alaska to and from Seward. If you really can’t convince your wife to cruise to Alaska, you can always book a solo cruise (although she may not be too happy about that!). It can be challenging to convince someone to go on an Alaska cruise if their idea of vacation includes suntanning by the pool under a palm tree. To make your Alaska cruise planning process easier, here are the answers to your top Alaska cruise questions.
And Royal Caribbean Cruise Tours are guided by a local Adventure Specialist who act as guides, historians and concierges. They are by your side for the entirety of the land tour, providing insider tips and local perspective. Discover the top tips for planning a cruise to Alaska and uncover the best times of the year to spot Alaskas wildlife, locate must-see attractions, find Alaskan cruise deals and more. As you plan your Alaska vacation, you might be torn between traveling by cruise ship, plane or even car. Planes are plentiful in Alaska, where they're a common form of transportation across the state. Charter a helicopter or fixed-wing flightseeing tour at Juneau and get an unforgettable perspective of the mountains and glaciers of this vast landscape.
Royal Caribbean offers these tours during the summer cruise season, and they can be booked directly through the cruise line as part of your overall cruise fare. Land tours range from 2 to 6 extra nights before or after a 7-night sailing. The tours are guided and include accommodation at charming lodges and hotels, a scenic train ride, and visits to destinations including Denali and Fairbanks. Most Alaska cruises have two sea days—one on the way to Alaska and the other when returning.
Spot silly seals playing on bobbing icebergs, or simply take in the vibrancy of the turquoise waters. Both ships make their required Canadian port of call at Victoria, sometimes mid-day, but often in the evening. Ovation's itineraries include as many as four sea days when you count the scenic cruising days. One other consideration is Royal Caribbean offers land tours that you can add onto Alaska cruises from Vancouver, where you can explore the interior of Alaska before or after your cruise.
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. Ships departing Seattle first travel along the west coast of Vancouver Island in the open ocean instead of through the Inside Passage. All Alaska cruises sail through the Inside Passage, but there is one difference between cruising from Seattle versus Vancouver.
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