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From exploring Denali National Park to fishing for salmon in Anchorage, discover the top Alaska destinations on a Princess cruise. No one does seafood quite like Alaska—which is why we brought the best of the Great Land on board, so you can experience it all with Princess. Still, unlike some lines that cater to an older crowd, Princess doesn't ignore the children's market. Both ships are almost identical, but we give Discovery Princess the edge only because it's newer than Royal Princess. Passengers staying in solo cabins get exclusive access to the Studio Lounge (using their keycards), meaning a maximum of 82 people will share the space.
Whale Watching on Alaska Cruises
Its retractable glass roof is perfect for cruises to Alaska when the weather is iffy. There were very few Carnival sailings available for under $750 per person, with most Carnival sailings starting around $800 per person or more for seven nights. All four ships are loaded with all sorts of gee-whiz family attractions, from bumper car pavilions and skydiving simulators on the Royal Caribbean vessels to go-kart tracks and laser tag courses on the Norwegian ships. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear.
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A few cruises begin in the great wilderness of Alaska in cities like Anchorage and Juneau and the picturesque port city of Sitka. All of these ports offer an insight into different aspect of Alaskan culture like totem poles, fisherman and dog sleds. Another major drawback to a round-trip Alaska cruise is that you generally get less time there. Because Seattle itineraries require a stop in Canada to meet U.S. regulations, round-trip sailings often only visit three ports in Alaska and offer one day of scenic cruising. Alaska's rugged coastline, towering glaciers, snow-capped mountains and pristine fjords create a breathtaking backdrop for cruisers, no matter the cruise line they choose to explore it with. All Alaska cruises include visits to Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan and at least one day of scenic cruising in a fjord or by a glacier.
Featured Alaska Cruise Itineraries
Our pick for the best Alaska cruises from Seattle for budget travelers may come as a surprise to many cruise aficionados. That's because it's not the Alaska voyages from Seattle offered by the North American cruise line best known for budget sailings — Carnival Cruise Line. This option also makes it easier for passengers who are driving to their cruises, and it's often cheaper for those flying. If you want to spend some time pre- or post-cruise in your departure city, Seattle and Vancouver are lovely, vibrant and more affordable than pricey Alaska.
Why Cruise Alaska with Holland America
The port is set on Chichagoff Island, which is known for its large bear population. Wildlife lovers have plenty of opportunities to search for whales and eagles here; adventure-seekers won't want to miss the ZipRider, with its course of six zip lines. You'll find magnificent mountains (often snow-capped, 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.
Best for multigenerational travel: Discovery Princess
The best Alaska cruises out of Seattle for retirees, in our view, are the sailings offered by Holland America on both the 1,964-passenger Westerdam and 2,104-passenger Eurodam. Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Bliss are also our top picks for ships operating the best Alaska cruises from Seattle for solo travelers. Between these two, it's a tossup, though we put Norwegian Bliss in the headline above since, well, we already gave Norwegian Encore a turn in the limelight with the best-for-luxury category. No matter what cruise you choose, Alaska cruises offer a unique way to explore the landscapes, wildlife and rich cultural heritage of the Last Frontier.
Repositioning Cruises 2024 - Cruise Critic
Repositioning Cruises 2024.
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Rush across the snow on a dog sled with a professional musher, fly fish for salmon in fresh rivers and soar over miles of glacial tundra in a helicopter. Watch migrating humpback whales from the deck of a catamaran or Native craftsman carve a traditional totem pole, and expand your Alaska cruise experience. With national parks and four of North America’s tallest mountains, Alaska’s wilderness has been preserved for generations. Denali National Park is larger than Vermont and home to the highest peak on the continent. Meanwhile, Glacier Bay National Park has over 2,000 square miles of glacial coverage. Elias and Kenai Fjords, a world of natural wonders awaits on an Alaska cruise or cruisetour.
Seabourn Cruise Line
Sink into refreshed suites and a new lounge, plus dining and entertainment venues. Take in Alaska’s evergreen fjords and thunderous glaciers on this Vista-class Alaska cruise ship. Remove the hassle from air travel and give yourself the gift of flexibility, time and a thicker wallet with Princess EZair flights. We negotiate lower rates with the airlines, allow you to modify your flight up to 45 days prior with no penalty and protect you if your flight is late or canceled.
Silversea Cruises
Zipline over the wilderness, watch a tribal dance or kayak in coastal waters to see the wildlife up close during your Alaska cruise vacation. One-way voyages to the Last Frontier also usually have more than just one day of scenic cruising, allowing you to explore the local scenery — including calving glaciers — in more detail. Finally, you'll find some San Francisco round-trip itineraries — usually 10 or 11 nights long — as well as longer sailings between San Francisco and Vancouver. One nice thing about the Inside Passage is how calm the water is because you're sailing between land masses. If you worry about seasickness, an Inside Passage trip is the best Alaska cruise itinerary versus a sailing where your ship transits rougher, open waters.
With an overwhelming world of choices, we understand you may need some personal assistance to plan your perfect vacation. From finding the right destination to choosing the best departure date, we're here to help. Plus, our experienced travel consultants have access to exclusive vacation deals to make sure you get the best value for your time and money.
If you're nearing or already have hit retirement age and prefer to travel mostly with people who are at a similar stage in life as you, you'll feel right at home on a Holland America ship. When sailing to Alaska, these ships also offer other kid-friendly events, such as Puppies on Princess, when dog mushers and their newest sled dogs come on board for meet-and-greets (and photos!). Unlike the Royal Caribbean and Norwegian ships mentioned above, the two Princess ships sailing from Seattle don't have top decks heavily skewed to family fun.
Many round-trip voyages visit the popular ports of Ketchikan, Skagway and Juneau. They also feature a day of scenic cruising in places like Glacier Bay National Park or Tracy Arm, but typically can't offer a second day of glacier viewing or visit the more northern ice fields. One-way itineraries in Alaska typically have two days of scenic cruising and tend to spend more time in Alaskan ports, often with no calls in Canada. They frequently include different ports for embarkation and disembarkation, providing opportunities to visit a wider range of destinations and experience diverse cultures, wildlife, and attractions.
Other cruises might be best for solo travelers or travelers on a tight budget. One drawback of opting for a one-way cruise to Alaska is the necessity of booking separate one-way airfare, leading to additional expenses, particularly as one leg of the journey typically involves travel from Alaska. Many people trek to Alaska to commune with nature, but there's history here you shouldn't overlook. When you want to go will depend on which activities you want to do, how you feel about cool weather and rain, and the price. Cruises at the beginning (April and May) and end (September and October) of Alaska's cruise season are generally a bit cheaper than those in June, July and August.
Depending on the tour itinerary you choose, you might visit Seward and the Kenai Peninsula, Alyeska, Talkeetna, Anchorage and Fairbanks — as well as spend one to three nights in Denali National Park. 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. Popular Inside Passage ports of call include Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Haines and Skagway. When you cruise to Alaska from Seattle, encounter unique ports of call that are rich in history, culture and natural beauty. No one enjoys navigating crowds, but it’s almost inevitable when cruising to Alaska. If you want to avoid the highest crowds, we recommend disembarking your ship early on each port day.
We are able to share Alaska's wonders with you because of the stewardship of the Alaska Native Peoples, who have lived here since time immemorial. We are grateful to live, work, and play on the traditional lands of our Alaska Native neighbors. It's important to us to pay our respects while offering to build mutual understanding across cultures. Our cruisetours combine an ocean cruise with a land tour into Alaska’s interior. Watch northern wilderness views unfold from aboard our glass-domed train, the McKinley Explorer®. Stay up to 3 nights at the McKinley Chalet Resort near Denali National Park.
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