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Below, we'll break down what luxury Alaskan cruises are, which lines offer them and what sets the offerings of those lines apart from what you'll find with more mainstream lines. With lots of outdoor activities and great wildlife sightings, an Alaska cruise is ideal for kids, and not surprisingly, no one does it better for them than Disney. Little ones will be just as happy to see Goofy as they are to see a glacier, making this the best cruise for kids.
Best for multigenerational groups: Discovery Princess
Consider your priorities and preferences when comparing the facilities and services. Are you looking for a cruise line that prioritizes family-friendly activities and entertainment? By understanding what matters most to you, you can make an informed decision and choose the cruise line that offers the features and services that align with your desires.
Going Solo to Alaska
Carnival, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian, Princess and Royal Caribbean all have extensive kids clubs aboard their ships that cater to all ages, from babies to teens. Little kids will adore meet-and-greets with beloved characters onboard Disney cruises or hanging with Dr. Seuss characters when sailing with Carnival. Older kids will love the rock climbing walls, video game stations, sports courts, go-karts and laser tag on Royal Caribbean and NCL ships.
Night Alaska ExplorerDetails
Everyone can come back together for dinner and evening entertainment or onboard activities suitable for all ages. Whether you want to try a luxury small ship cruise to Alaska, or you want the fun and features of a mid-size ship from the likes of Carnival, Royal Caribbean or NCL, there are some fantastic options available. Choose this ship if your priority is to relax, and you don’t need an extensive daily schedule while cruising between ports. Choose this ship if you’re a younger traveller or couple who wants plenty of bars and evening entertainment while on your cruise to Alaska.
The Best Time to Cruise Alaska 2024: A Month-by-Month Guide - Condé Nast Traveler
The Best Time to Cruise Alaska 2024: A Month-by-Month Guide.
Posted: Thu, 29 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Another veteran of Alaskan sailings, Princess Cruises has been navigating these waters for over 50 years. But one of the biggest perks of cruising with Princess is the Alaska Lodges they provide with their land tours. These 5 lodges and hotels are strategically located near the best attractions in Alaska in places like Fairbanks, Mt. McKinley, Kenai, Copper River and Denali National Park. If you prefer a more traditional cruise style that is laid back and full of seasoned travelers this may be the cruise line for you. Below are the best Alaska cruises and cruise lines for every type of traveler. Your cruise ship will spend 9-10 hours in Glacier Bay, during which a park ranger will be onboard to offer insights and answer question along the way.
The vast majority of sailings, particularly those along the Inside Passage (the island-filled coastal waterway in the southeast portion of the state), occur somewhere between Memorial Day and Labor Day. That being said, there are some shoulder-season departures in April, May, September, and October. Viking Orion guests will feel the line’s drive to explore upon stepping aboard this 930-passenger ship that treats adventurous-minded travelers to global cuisine with several Norwegian delicacies (a nod to the line's Nordic roots). When it comes time to unwind, there are plenty of places to laze away and soak up the scenery -- all while enjoying the many perks that are included in your cruise fare. Silver Muse in Alaska will feel more like they're on a five-star hotel than a cruise ship.
Sail into the Last Frontier from Seward or Vancouver onboard Radiance of the Seas®. With over three acres of windows and glass exterior viewing elevators, you can watch for whales along Alaska’s Inside Passage when you aren’t wandering wilderness paths from Ketchikan to Juneau. And for the ultimate outdoor adventure, take a CruiseTour into Alaska’s interior where you can hang with huskies in Denali, and scale glaciers in Alyeska. Families with a little more vacation time might want to tack a visit to the Alaskan interior before or after their cruise, either independently or with a cruisetour. For this, you'll need a one-way cruise that begins or ends in an Alaskan port. The 3,998-passenger ship is NCL's biggest, and families will be amazed at how much there is to do on board (though be prepared to pull out your credit card for the best activities).
Best for families
Whether you're a history buff or a nature nut, there are numerous bucket list destinations to experience while traveling on your Alaska cruise vacation. Suppose your family isn't into the big-ship lifestyle and wants a small-ship, off-the-beaten-path experience that's also geared toward families with kids and teens? In that case, the best family cruise to Alaska for you might be the "Kids in Nature" departures of UnCruise Adventures' 86-passenger Wilderness Legacy. It sails round-trip from Seattle and visits Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan and Victoria, BC, with scenic cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord.
Viking Ocean Cruises offers a distinctive approach to Alaska cruising with its small, expedition-style ships. With a focus on exploration and cultural immersion, Viking provides an intimate and enriching experience for travelers seeking a deeper connection with the Last Frontier. In addition to its gourmet offerings, Oceania Cruises also provides enriching onboard activities and immersive shore excursions. Passengers can participate in cooking classes, art workshops, and even attend lectures by destination experts, enhancing their understanding of the region’s history, wildlife, and culture. While Holland America draws some families with younger children, the passengers on its ships skew heavily toward middle-aged and older travelers, including many retirees.
The ship and her 84 guests will be the only cruise ship in Glacier Bay National Park. Whale watching, farm-to-table meals, snowshoe and cross-country skiing, and heli-ski excursions are also on the schedule. A third excellent option is the destination-focused itineraries aboard select Celebrity Cruises ships. Again, this option is based less on the ship-based entertainment and more on the ‘learn about and experience Alaska’ approach.
Guests can explore the small fishing town of Petersburg or search for orca and humpback whales in Frederick Sound. Lindblad has special permits to bring passengers into the wilderness of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve and the Tongass National Forest, beyond what the big ships can offer. A hike on Chichagof Island is the perfect opportunity to spot bald eagles in the wild. While the kids enjoy Discovery Princess' spacious children's and teens' clubs, the adults might linger over a craft cocktail or enjoy a massage in the onboard spa.
Holland America offers sailings to Alaska on 7 different cruise ships which range in size from the 1,400 passenger Zaandam to the Pinnacle-class Nieuw Amsterdam which holds 2,600 passengers. Take the kids on a weeklong exploration of the 49th State, and you'll have plenty of cruise ships and itineraries to choose from. The best Alaska cruises for families combine action-packed itineraries with vessels designed for family fun, but we're sure your family can find a way to have a great time up north no matter which cruise ship you choose. This is especially crucial if you're traveling in Alaska's shoulder season — May and September. Likewise, September marks the end of the summer season and welcomes cooler temperatures and more rainfall. Because you'll be spending a lot of time outdoors, it's important to prepare for all weather scenarios, including windy conditions common to sailing cruise ships.
Don't pass up an opportunity to watch these giants feed and play in the water. In some parts of the state, dog sledding is still the primary mode of transportation through the winter months. Visit Alaska and get the experience for yourself at the Skagway Yukon Discovery and Dog Sled Tour. Exploring the interior of Alaska will give you an entirely different perspective on this vast and rugged state. Take an Inside Passage cruise and gaze upward at the sky that is as blue as the lakes below.
As one of the pioneers of Alaskan cruising, Princess offers an immersive journey into the heart of the wilderness. With their expert naturalist guides, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the local wildlife and ecosystems. Princess Cruises also offers a variety of shore excursions, allowing you to explore the Alaskan landscape up close and personal. An Alaska cruise is such a popular bucket-list item because it’s one of the best ways to immerse yourself in some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. Not only will you get to see breathtaking glaciers closer than you ever dreamed, but you’re also likely to see eagles soaring and whales spouting—often from the deck of your ship. The best Alaska cruises give you an opportunity to explore the Far North from both land and sea, and we’ve got cruise tips to help you optimize your time and your budget.
Passengers can relax in luxurious surroundings while enjoying stunning vistas of glaciers, fjords, and coastal landscapes. One of the standout features of Oceania Cruises is its focus on culinary excellence. The cruise line is known for its world-class dining options, with renowned chefs crafting delectable dishes using locally sourced ingredients. Food lovers can indulge in a variety of culinary experiences that showcase the flavors of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. That'll depend on your personal interests and travel style because there are cruises from Seattle that appeal to everyone, including family travelers, budget travelers and retirees. The top decks of Holland America vessels, notably, lack many of the kid-focused attractions found on the top decks of more family-focused ships operated by the likes of Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian.
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