Table Of Content
In addition, various Alaska cruise lines have either indoor, covered, or solarium-type swimming pools that are appealing if swimming on the ship is of importance to you. While we have a full list of dozens of tips and things to know about sailing to Alaska, below we cover some of what we think are the most important items. Cruises to Alaska can vary greatly, but even a good deal will typically be $600-$700 per person as a minimum for an interior cabin. Of course, then you have port fees and taxes, as well as gratuities, onboard spending, and more. Head to the Caribbean and you’re likely to have a big sail away party, pumping music, free-flowing drinks, dancing, and more. And while there’s plenty to do on the ship when sailing in Alaska, the atmosphere is decidedly more subdued.
Book dining and drink packages in advance
The shoulder season of September–October is growing in popularity, however, as it boasts fewer crowds, lower prices, and seasonal attractions like the Northern Lights. All told, we think $2,000-$2,800 per person for a 7-day cruise to Alaska is a good estimate — not including airfare. You can cruise for less (or more), but this should give you an idea of what you’ll pay. For a more detailed breakdown on costs, read our article here. As well, you’ll find a different crowd on a trip to Alaska than a trip to the Caribbean.
Useful Things to Pack For Your Cruise (Including 17 You’d Never Think Of)
That said, in general you’ll find that a trip to Alaska will be more than a cruise to the Caribbean. Wanting to make the most of our time in port, I researched every port city before we left. I printed any important directions or brochures before we left and put them in our cruise binder. Many cities have brochures available online and I printed those off. My husband printed maps of the cities so we knew how to get around once we docked. We also noted where all the visitor center locations were so we could pick up print copies of the brochures.
What is the best side of a cruise ship for an Alaskan cruise?
When sailing during this time of year, we have never had any issues with crowds. Even if you have cruised before, we recommend using a travel agent to book your Alaska cruise. A good travel agent can help you decide on some of the factors listed above. A seasoned travel advisor will also be able to offer recommendations and suggestions to customize your Alaska cruise to your travel party’s preferences. There are also luxury cruise lines or small, boutique cruise ships with 100 passengers or less giving cruisers a completely unique experience.
If all else fails, self-service laundry is available on many cruise ships as well. So, you can even wash any clothes that get dirty during the trip. Many of those adventurous tours will provide warm layers, boots, and necessary accessories. If you have a flexible dining option, many cruise lines let you make your reservations pre-cruise as well.
Ketchikan Alaska Port Overview
We simply booked our flights on the credit card and the remaining cruise balance and quickly met that amount for our free miles. These miles don’t expire and translate to at least one free flight – depending on where you are flying. With perks and savings like this, it made signing up for the United credit card a no brainer and a great source of savings. I highly recommend looking into the United credit card (or a similar airline credit card). Ketchikan was our shortest port day, and it was our least favorite.
The best time to cruise Alaska - The Points Guy
The best time to cruise Alaska.
Posted: Wed, 11 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
It is hard to find seating for a large group in the common areas of the ship. The cancellation window for shore excursions is typically 3 to 30 days before embarkation day. Yes, these Alaska-unique shore excursions tend to be more expensive, but consider adding at least one special excursion to your itinerary if you think you’ll never be back to Alaska.
Of course, you don’t need to spend that much money on a tour, but some of these activities are bucket list items for many. One reason Alaska cruises are so expensive are the shore excursions. So, if you have your heart set on experiences like Glacier Hikes, Helicopter Tours, and Dog Mushing rides, make sure to budget accordingly.
Sitka is as much a working fishing town as it is a tourist destination. Sitka's Russian heritage also sets it apart from other Alaskan ports on your cruise itinerary. See St. Michael's Orthodox Cathedral with its onion dome and the Russian Bishop's House.
A favorite trail from Skagway takes you uphill to a breathtaking glacial lake. You can improve your chances by heading pre- or post- cruise up to Fairbanks, which is inland, closer to the Arctic Circle and a prime worldwide aurora borealis-viewing location. Come late August, when there are more hours of darkness, your chances improve. Don't forget bug spray to ward off Alaska's prolific mosquitos, sunscreen and sunglasses for the ever-glowing midnight sun and a swimsuit for your ship's heated pool or hot tub.
There are a variety of state rooms, and I think the first choice is whether you want an interior room (no windows), a sea view room (has a window), a balcony room or a suite with balcony. Bring some hats, gloves, good walking shoes or boots, and other warm weather gear for your day trips. A rain jacket and umbrella is also advised as Alaska weather can often be overcast and rainy so be prepared for that. I truly hope that my Alaska cruise tips have helped you to plan a fantastic trip. I have no doubt that you will fall in love with Alaska just like I did and make you want to go back again someday.
You can stay at a hotel offering a parking package, but other than that there aren’t many ways to get around the parking fee if you’ve got to leave your car somewhere. While a balcony is nice, it’s not like there aren’t places around the ship to take in the scenery. The beauty of the land and its immense history; the thrill of seeing bears, moose and bald eagles; and the mysteries of the surrounding marine life will astound you. It's a trip worth taking the time to plan and doing right — because who knows if or when you'll make it back to the Last Frontier.
In other words, if you’ve ever wanted to experience the state, there is no better way to do it than by cruise ship. The state is one of the last unspoiled places in the United States. When it comes to cruising, there is nothing quite like sailing to Alaska. It’s difficult to explain exactly what it’s like to sail to the 49th state, surrounded by mountains, wildlife, and amazing natural beauty. That’s because no matter how many photos or videos you see, it simply doesn’t do it justice.
During our cruises, we have seen humpback whales, bald eagles, sea otters, and bears. Depending on when you cruise, you might have better chances of seeing some wildlife. Of course, there is no guarantee you will spot any of these creatures. These land portions can vary in length and visit more interior locations beyond the typical southeastern Alaska ports of call.
Programs like Princess Cruises' Cruisetours take the stress out of planning on-shore excursions and curate incredible itineraries for extensive, luxurious travel across the state. Most big-ship and luxury cruise lines send at least one cruise ship to Alaska every summer. Much like shore excursions, another one of our expert Alaska cruise tips is to always book onboard packages and make reservations before boarding the ship. Fewer ships tend to be sailing during this time, especially earlier in the season. With several ships repositioning to the region by June, not only are there less people onboard, there are less cruise ships at the ports of call. Generally, one-way sailings are from Seward or Whittier, Alaska to Vancouver, BC (or vice versa) on Northbound or Southbound routes.
No comments:
Post a Comment