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Even though booking shore excursions is popular on an Alaska cruise, you can still have a great time in port without an organized tour. If you’re on a budget (or would simply prefer to explore without a large group), research which activities are offered in each Alaskan town. Small ship cruises tend to offer more adventure-focused shore excursions alongside personalized service and luxurious accommodations and amenities. Smaller ships can reach ports of call and destinations that are inaccessible to larger cruise ships, allowing you to explore more remote settings and communities. For an even more customized experience, consider a private cruise on smaller ships like yachts and sailboats.
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Smaller ships are able to fit into more ports, meaning that they can visit destinations like Hubbard Glacier and Tracy Arm Fjord. And like Royal Caribbean’s larger ships, these smaller ships also offer fantastic viewing opportunities with floor-to-ceiling windows and plenty of outdoor deck space. During these months, you may find fewer families and passengers onboard and lower prices.
Expect Excursions to Be More Expensive
Another important thing to remember is that wildlife sightings aren’t guaranteed. While you may be able to see plenty of animals, including bears, whales, and bald eagles, there’s a chance you won’t see any. Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out.
Get Your Cash Beforehand (ATMs Are Expensive on the Ship)
Here are a few Alaska cruise tips pertaining to shore excursions. When it comes to Alaska cruise tips and tricks, these are my most important recommendations when it comes to your cruise ship stateroom. In other words, be sure to read the fine print on your shore excursions to see if passports are required or not. Also, keep in mind that even though the cruise itself may not require a passport, some shore excursions do. What can really set a cruise to Alaska apart from any other cruise you’ll take are the shore excursions. It’s no exaggeration to say that excursions in Alaska allow you to do things that you simply can’t do anywhere else.
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Shore excursions that visit Canada, like the White Pass Railway in Skagway, do require a passport to participate. For U.S. citizens, a passport is technically not required for closed loop cruises, a cruise that begins and ends in the same U.S. port. Thus, if you are cruising to Alaska roundtrip from Seattle, a birth certificate and a government issued ID are the only forms of documentation required. Typically, you have a better chance of seeing the northern lights further north in Alaska, as cloudy skies are common in southeast Alaska. During the Alaska cruise season, the sun sets the earliest in September (the skies are the darkest) making for the most ideal viewing conditions.
This can be a hassle when it comes to booking shore excursions and making reservations, as each stateroom must be dealt with separately. This article contains important, need-to-know tips and advice on booking, ways to save, stateroom selection, excursions, and items to pack for an Alaska cruise. But even if you don’t get one (they are more expensive), you will have plenty of opportunity to see the scenery. Ships have lots of open deck space for you to watch the mountains and water go by, so it’s not a huge loss if you don’t have your own private balcony. As well, with the long daylight hours, an interior cabin (which gets plenty dark) may help you sleep better.
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6 best Alaska cruises for families - The Points Guy
6 best Alaska cruises for families.
Posted: Thu, 19 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Just keep in mind that the vibe on an Alaskan cruise may not lend itself as much to drinking as it would on a Caribbean trip. While Seattle is the big departure port for Alaskan cruises, a fair number also sail from Vancouver, Canada. The issue here is that for many in the United States, a plane ticket to Vancouver can be hundreds more than the same ticket to Seattle. This is despite the fact that the two cities are just over a hundred miles apart.
There’s never a guarantee you’ll get to see this nighttime spectacular, but cruising late in the season will increase your odds. Some choose a cruise ship for the cruise itinerary and destination only, and the ship is merely the mode of transportation. Since most of the country lives far from these ports, you’ll have to consider airfare and transportation to the port. With a cruise, you have the ability to easily travel between different ports of call, allowing you to see much more in a short time. Being on the water, you’re also able to get up close to the scenery. Maybe you’ve sailed the Caribbean, but we can tell you that the experience of sailing Alaska is completely different in what you see, the experience onboard, and even your other passengers.
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Consider as a starting point three layers of clothes — such as a T-shirt, sweater and outer layer — as you head off on tour. Comfortable walking shoes are a must, and so is rain gear, especially in July and August. An Alaska cruise is all about the views, so booking a room with a balcony is worth it if you can afford it. The freedom to step outside your room to enjoy the scenery without having to trek up to the main deck is a luxury that can make your cruise even more special.
Also, be sure to book as early as possible for the most choice. Many people are, which leaves the question of how to get to the port. If cruising from Pier 66, then you can take a train from the airport station to Westlake Center.
This will allow you to get stunning pictures of the beauty of Alaska, even if you are quite a distance from your subject. Instead, just enjoy in ports if you want to partake and leave the rest on land. If you can afford it, it’s preferable to sail on a balcony versus an interior cabin.
While it’s not that big, it’s an easy way to store your valuables — passports, keys, cash, and more. While theft is rare, there’s no sense in making things any easier for someone with sticky fingers. Some ships — like the Norwegian Joy — have observation areas. On the Joy and sister ships like Encore, there is the Observation Lounge and it is a multi-story sitting area with large windows that provide a sweeping view of the surrounding scenery. If the weather is an issue, it’s always warm and dry in this spot. Sailing ships with indoor observation areas looking out on the scenery are ideal.
The bags are then delivered and checked onto your flight on disembarkation morning, meaning you won’t see your bags again until you arrive at your home airport. Whether you’re cruising with an elaborate mirrorless camera or just your cell phone, it’s hard to take a bad photo of somewhere as beautiful as Alaska. Alaska’s landscapes are spectacular, so you’ll want to brush up on your photography skills before your cruise.
Alaska cruises provide plentiful opportunities to learn about native Alaskan culture. You can get a taste of the Gold Rush life by trying your hand at panning for gold, attending a salmon bake or visiting a dogsled camp. A hike on the Chilkoot Trail or ride on the White Pass Railway lets you follow in the footsteps of the miners who came to seek their fortunes. Active travelers can explore Alaska by sea kayak or canoe, hike on glaciers and through rainforests, zip line, bike, ride an ATV and even snorkel (you'll need a dry suit). You can even opt for a round of golf at the course in Haines. Hop a bus, kayak, boat or plane to look for bears, eagles, whales, sea otters and other wildlife.
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