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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. If you’re planning a cruise to Alaska, it’s natural to have questions about cruising to the 49th state. From selecting a ship and embarkation port to reserving the best shore excursions, there’s a lot to know before your cruise begins. Discover the wonders of Alaska in 2024 with an unforgettable cruise experience offered by Royal Caribbean. Departing from the charming city of Seattle, these cruises are the perfect way to explore the breathtaking landscapes and natural wonders of the region.
Book shore excursions far in advance
When in the open ocean, you may encounter rough seas and high winds, leading to more movement onboard than you may be used to while visiting other destinations. While we can’t say for sure whether or not you’ll be able to convince someone to go on an Alaska cruise, it might not be as challenging as you think. During the peak summer months, Alaska is not nearly as cold as most people think, and you might even find yourself warm when walking around ports on sunny days. Additionally, the 7-night cruise includes more port stops compared to a roundtrip itinerary. Because the cruise starts or ends in Canada, it is not required to call upon Victoria, British Columbia as a port of call. Radiance Class ships have an indoor Solarium for adults, an indoor movie theater, and lounges with floor to ceiling windows looking toward the ocean.
Leave plenty of time to make it to the airport on disembarkation day
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. Hopefully, if you have an Alaska cruise booked this summer, you’ve already booked your airfare to and from the cruise port. If you have not done so yet, we recommend booking flights as soon as possible. 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.
What a Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise is like in 2023 - Royal Caribbean Blog
What a Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise is like in 2023.
Posted: Fri, 14 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
day Alaska cruise to Sitka, Skagway, Juneau and Victoria on board Ovation of the Seas
And don't forget to try the city's famous clam chowder or indulge in Seattle's own Starbucks coffee. Whether you're seeking outdoor thrills, cultural experiences, or encounters with fascinating wildlife, Seattle promises an incredible vacation for everyone. Ever wanted to go on an Alaska glacier tour to experience hiking in its open nature? Brilliance of the Seas makes it impossible to feel bored during a vacation! These top things to do onboard this beloved cruise ship make it a fan favorite for many. Adventuring in Alaska is all about getting to know this state's stunning landscape.
However, your hotel may also provide a shuttle, or you could even take the light rail from the airport to downtown. Whether you’re confused about what to pack or overwhelmed with the dozens of shore excursion offerings, the planning process can quickly seem more stressful than enjoyable. Ultimately, there are no bad choices for which cruise to choose for Alaska. You will find stunning views and really fun explorations in any of the ports. Understanding the differences between the ships and itineraries will ensure you make the right choice for your family.
All Alaska cruises from Seattle must also include a port stop in a country outside of the United States. Because of this, you’ll find a port stop in Victoria, British Columbia on each Alaska cruise itinerary from Seattle. Arriving the day before your cruise provides ample time in case of any travel delays, but it also gives more time to visit Seattle’s attractions including the Space Needle and Pike Place Market.
If you’re hoping to combine a one-way Alaska cruise with a land trip in Alaska’s interior, you should allocate at least 9 days for the trip. Here is an overview of each month of the season and what you should expect. Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of each month may help you find the best month for your travel style and needs. 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.
As the airport is located 30 minutes from the cruise port, you’ll want to provide extra wiggle room for traffic and other delays. Royal Caribbean offers Alaska cruises from the Port of Seattle each summer season, as thousands of passengers depart the city en route to the Last Frontier. No vacation in the world delivers once-in-a-lifetime adventure like Alaska.
How to choose the right Alaska cruise itinerary
An Alaska cruise will take you on a journey to visit some of the most magnificent natural beauty and local culture you'll find anywhere in the world. What you will find on the top decks of both Eurodam and Westerdam are more serene sunning areas with pools and whirlpools. 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.
If you want to avoid the highest crowds, we recommend disembarking your ship early on each port day. Dinner in the Main Dining Room is a traditional part of any cruise experience, but think twice before selecting your dining time. Just as Alaska’s weather can be unpredictable in terms of rain and snow, you may also encounter surprisingly warm weather, particularly in the peak summer season. This is another reason why layers are so important—you never know when you’ll need that t-shirt over your winter jacket. Therefore, booking a flight too early in the day could cause you to miss the flight if you encounter delays. 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.
Whether you're interested in hiking through a forest, trekking to glaciers or a shopping spree downtown, the towns along Alaska's inside passage provide a variety of adventurous activities. Alaska cruise ports such as Juneau and Ketchikan are small cities with their own personalities. Anchorage is the state's largest city and a gateway to the rest of the state.
A visit to the Baranof Castle State Historic Site is an option for spending the day in Sitka, which was where the formal transfer ceremony of Alaska from Russia to the United States took place. Strolling along the forest at the Sitka National Historical Park is a popular activity, too, which preserves the site of a battle between the Tlingit people and Russian traders. It's the sort of itinerary that specifically appeals to retirees with the time (and money) to book such a long trip.
Can the mega ships give you the same Alaska experience you are looking for? Doing research will help you pack correctly, plan your travel logistics without any issues, and book that once-in-a-lifetime excursion you’ve dreamed about for years. Should your cruise encounter rough seas, an itinerary change, or another unforeseen circumstance, there’s a chance a showtime could get canceled or rescheduled. Booking reservations for earlier in the week ensures you have wiggle room in case of an unanticipated schedule change. While you can purchase packages once onboard, the cost may be significantly higher than what you could have booked ahead of time.
Deciding which port to leave from is one of the first decisions you’ll make when planning an Alaska cruise. Seattle is a dynamic city, combining urban life with picturesque scenery in every direction. While we always recommend arriving in your cruise departure port the day before your cruise, this is especially true in Seattle. Expect to pay around $60 each way for an Uber or Lyft from the airport to port. If you’re traveling from the airport to downtown, fares should cost around $50 each way.
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. For all the beer lovers planning an Alaskan cruise vacation, we’ve curated the ultimate zythophile guide to visiting 5 of the best craft breweries in Alaska. Plan your romantic Alaskan cruise with our adventurer’s guide to discovering the coziest vacation spots and most scenic restaurants for couples traveling in Alaska.
Come discover the prettiest spots to take pictures with our travel photo guide. The sheer size of Alaska lends itself to a wide variety of terrain and travel experiences. This diversity means you need to be prepared for a lot of change while traveling. 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. Nothing back there to placate the masses longing for an affordable balcony overlooking the wake of the ship.
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