Table Of Content
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. Here we list our top picks for the best Alaska cruises from Seattle for six different types of travelers. Other cruises might be best for solo travelers or travelers on a tight budget.
Great experiences from the great land
You'll have your pick of itineraries and cabins — balcony cabins are popular in this scenic destination — and often the best fares. The best Alaska cruise ports are also the most crowded because no matter which type of itinerary and cruise line you select, you'll likely visit a mix of the same ports. If you want to see nature at its finest, you must book a tour or venture farther afield. Floatplane and helicopter tours take you around scenic areas like Misty Fjords or land you on a glacier, perhaps for a dog-sledding or hiking adventure on the ice. If you prefer to stay grounded, you can find informative trolley tours of ports like Skagway. If you want to cruise Alaska but also see some of the interior and enjoy a stay in a lodge or hotel, go for a cruisetour package from either Holland America or Princess Cruises.
Discover Alaska with Princess in 2024-2025
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. When you cruise to Alaska with Princess, sail through one of the most iconic locations in the Great Land — Glacier Bay National Park. Listen to Margerie Glacier’s signature crack and boom rumble across the waves. Bring binoculars and scan both the shore and the waves for wildlife like brown bears and migrating whales while Park Rangers teach you the history and geology of the park. When you cruise to Alaska from Seattle, encounter unique ports of call that are rich in history, culture and natural beauty. Whether you’re looking for an all-inclusive multi-day Alaska cruise package or simply a day cruise to see wildlife and glaciers, there are many options to choose from.
Hotel Reward Programs
Travel back in time and pan for gold like a prospector during the Gold Rush. Snuggle sled dog puppies in the ship's Piazza, or see the Northern Lights in the planetarium. At the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, explore our treehouse and enjoy unmatched views of Denali. Dive deeper into what makes the Great Land special on your cruise to Alaska. 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.
Glacial ice carved this passageway long ago, and today, cruise ships and fishing vessels thread their way through the islets and channels to see some of the most spectacular natural sights in the world. Most sail along the Inside Passage, a maritime route along the state's southern coast (and into British Columbia and Washington state) that weaves around the area's thousand islands. Some venture farther north into the Gulf of Alaska; these are often one-way cruises that begin and end at the ports near Anchorage. One of the key reasons to cruise Alaska versus taking a land tour is to visit destinations along the Inside Passage that you cannot reach by road. Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site.
Norwegian Bliss, also based in Washington during the summer, is part of the same Norwegian Breakaway-Plus class of vessels and has a similar Haven enclave. The pool area, a true stunner, comes with comfortable padded loungers, a pool and whirlpools. Its retractable glass roof is perfect for cruises to Alaska when the weather is iffy.
Day five of the cruise is spent on-board, as the ship navigates through Glacier Bay. The ship arrives in Victoria, British Columbia, on the morning of day eight for debarkation. Carnival Cruise Line (carnival.com) cruises from Seattle to Alaska each cruise last for eight days and seven nights. The cruises, all departing from Seattle, are offered aboard the Carnival Spirit, so regardless of the itinerary selected, all cruisers experience the same ship. Our Princess fleet includes ships that range from our smaller vessels to large ships. From a balcony stateroom, marvel at the glaciers passing by before enjoying local seafood in one of our many eateries during your seven-day Alaska cruise.
Types of Cruises
When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. There’s heaps of fun on offer and something for everyone; little ones, big ones and the whole family. The largest waterpark at sea in Australia, mini-golf, two-deck fitness center, jogging track and sports court, Serenity Adult-Only Retreat™, day spa and pools and spas. Keep the kids entertained with three different age-appropriate youth programs, giving them plenty of choice on activities and the opportunity to make new friends. While there are slight variations in Carnival Miracle and Carnival Freedom cruises to Alaska, these differences aren’t too significant. So, pick one that contains the activities that you and/or your family will enjoy the most.
Carnival’s Alaska Shore Excursions Program Is Solid
Milestones in Seattle Cruise History - portseattle.org
Milestones in Seattle Cruise History.
Posted: Thu, 04 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Explore the Last Frontier by cruise ship, and you can travel to gold rush towns, glaciers, Alaska Native heritage sites and natural areas brimming with wildlife in comfort, even luxury. Carnival reserves the right to re-instate the fuel supplement for all guests at up to $9 per person per day if the NYMEX oil price exceeds $70 per barrel. Rates & offers are subject to select dates & categories, cruise only, per person, based on double occupancy, in US Dollars, & include NCCF.
From ship to shore, the best is at your fingertips on our Alaska cruises. At first glance many mistake Victoria for an English coastal city or northern European town. Full of greenery, pubs and Victorian architecture, it's difficult to believe that this was a tent city full of rough and tumble miners just 150 years ago.
Pre-booking excursions is essential; many were already sold out by the time we had stepped aboard Carnival Spirit. And despite the high cost, bucket-list items like flightseeing tours were some of the first to go. For the coming year, for instance, as of this guide's posting, there were lots of Holland America sailings to Alaska from Seattle available for under $750 per person for seven nights — some as low as $429 per person for seven nights. A cavernous indoor activity area on each of the two Quantum-class ships called the SeaPlex is home to the aforementioned bumper cars, as well as such family-friendly activities as roller skating, basketball and even trapeze lessons.
Similar to the other Glacier Bay itinerary, this itinerary spends several days at sea and returns to port in Victoria. On the afternoon of the first day, the ship departs from Seattle and spends day two at sea, headed toward Juneau, where it stops for the afternoon of day three, allowing passengers to explore the city. Day four is spend aboard the ship as it passes through the bay on the way to Skagway, where the ship docks for day five of the trip. The afternoon on day six is spent in Ketchikan, before a final day at sea prior to arrival in Victoria, British Columbia on the morning of day eight. Most major cruise lines also offer the opportunity for pre or post-cruise land packages that will take you by bus or train to destinations in Southcentral and Interior Alaska.
Your itinerary will begin by departing from Seattle and spending two days at sea. Finally, on Day 3, guests will encounter Tracy Arm Fjord – a narrow passageway between two large glaciers. In Skagway, veteran local entertainer and businessowner Steve Hites came onboard to perform his "Skagway in Story and Song" show before our ship left port.
Ships like Carnival Miracle have more balconies than the fleet average, a plus for Alaska cruises. The cruise lines do not have the same suite selection that other cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line are known for in their vast fleets. Please note that port orders, dates, and itinerary details, including content, are subject to change. Verify specific details for your chosen sailing date on the Carnival Cruise Line website. The population of Haines remains less than 2,000, according to the United States Census Bureau, and it isn't yet as touristy as some of the other Alaskan ports, such as nearby Skagway.
