Table Of Content
There is no denying that having easy access and private space, especially when near a glacier, is a lovely perk. When you leave port and your ship begins sailing to its next destination, be sure to turn off your data and turn on airplane mode. Even though you’re sailing through Alaska’s Inside Passage, your phone data may not cover the remote areas when sailing, and you want to avoid incurring hefty data charges.
Related Destinations
Some kayaking excursions allow guests to get close to glaciers and you may even spot wildlife while on the tour. While most cruises to Alaska will include a scenic cruising day to destinations like Hubbard Glacier and Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier, you may also wish to explore glaciers up close while in port. Whale watching tours are not cheap, but they won’t necessarily break the bank either.
If there is no pool/tan time, what is there to do all day when at sea?
Each night passengers can choose between the show in the Royal Theater, the incredible robotic shows in Two70 or a wide range of musical acts in venues like The Music Hall or Schooner Bar. It may seem like a minor detail, but it's easier to get around on a smaller ship. The distance between venues and activities is shorter, which might make these ships a better fit for anyone who cannot walk long distances. Both ships have miniature golf, which might come in handy for entertaining the kiddos on those long summer evenings.
Alaska Food: Where to Find the Best Food in Alaska Royal Caribbean Cruises
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. When planning an Alaska cruise, you will have to choose between either a roundtrip or one-way itinerary. Each of these itineraries comes with advantages and disadvantages, so you should weigh the pros and cons of each before booking an itinerary.
Alaska is a massive, stunning state that offers so much to see not only by cruise, but also on land. Ovation of the Seas will also return to Alaska for the 2023 cruise season to offer 7-night Alaska Glacier cruises departing on Fridays. The vast majority of cruises are 7-night roundtrip sailings, although one ship will offer one-way cruises to and from Alaska. In 2023, you can find Alaska cruises on Quantum of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, and Brilliance of the Seas. These ships were specifically designed to sail in cold climates, so you’ll find a nice balance of indoor and outdoor activities and amenities on each cruise ship.
In September, you can expect to see more rainfall compared to other months and temperatures will be chillier compared to peak summer. Nonetheless, the fewer crowds and lower prices make visiting at this time of year appealing for many guests. This shoulder season will see some of the lowest prices offered all year, and you can occasionally snag a great last-minute cruise deal as fall approaches. While it’s impossible to predict the exact weather conditions you may encounter on an Alaska cruise, it’s possible your ship will sail through choppy waters.
While you can certainly find budget-friendly tours, they are few and far between. The 7-night Alaska Glacier Experience itineraries visit four ports in Alaska along with a visit to Tracy Arm Fjord for glacier viewing. Exact ports vary by itinerary, but every Brilliance of the Seas cruise includes a stop in Alaska’s capital of Juneau.
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. Quantum Class ships cruising to Alaska offer an indoor pool for all ages in addition to an indoor adults-only Solarium. Radiance Class ships have an indoor pool, but it’s only for ages 16+ as it is located in the Solarium. A big lesson we learned from cruising to Alaska is to pack much less than you think (while still packing the essentials, of course).
Kayak near glaciers
It’s always better to be over-prepared than under-prepared, so there’s no harm in reading articles and watching YouTube videos to help you prepare for your Alaska cruise. Although the service comes with a small fee in addition to any airline baggage fees, it offers unparalleled convenience for travelers. Dreading transporting your luggage from the cruise terminal to the airport check-in desk? Royal Caribbean and the Port of Seattle offer a luggage valet service, which allows you to bypass standard airport check-in. One of my favorite Alaska cruise “hacks” is to utilize Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s luggage valet service. Instead of getting upset over a cold, rainy day in port, maintain a positive attitude.
Activity highlights in Juneau include whale watching, exploring Mendenhall Glacier, and riding the Goldbelt Tramway up Mount Roberts. Don’t forget to taste local seafood, either, with Juneau’s king crabs, salmon, and halibut among the best in the world. In most Alaska cruise ports, you will find stands selling tours as soon as you disembark the cruise ship. These tours can be booked day-of and may be priced significantly lower than those booked onboard.
I cruised on the oldest and newest cruise ships to Alaska: here's how they compare - Royal Caribbean Blog
I cruised on the oldest and newest cruise ships to Alaska: here's how they compare.
Posted: Mon, 24 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
That's why Royal Caribbean overnights in the best accommodations in the heart of every destination. These lodges and hotels allow for easy access both to the great outdoors and the communities where you can get a taste of local life. Experience the authentic interior of Alaska in supreme comfort, with luxury transportation. Enjoy travelling on the Wilderness Express®, a luxurious, glass-domed train cars, through the interior of Alaska. Royal Caribbean also employs a fleet of deluxe motor coaches to travel the interior byways of Alaska.
Airline delays are common, and you don't want to miss your cruise because of a canceled or delayed flight! Spending the night at a hotel in Seattle or Vancouver before your cruise can help ensure your vacation is off to a great start. Those cruising to Alaska in the peak of summer may find the weather surprisingly warm, making it comfortable to wear just a t-shirt during the day. Those cruising in the shoulder seasons, on the other hand, will want to make sure they have warm layers in case of inclement weather.
All passengers regardless of their home country, citizenship or country of residency are responsible for obtaining the proper documentation for travel. This includes passports and visas for any country they may visit during their trip. Take up an excursion out of Misty Fjord in Ketchikan, or soar above the massive Denali mountain with a Talkeetna adventure tour group.
While on an Alaska cruise, your ship will sail through both the open ocean and the calm waters of the Inside Passage. 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. Plus, Royal Caribbean’s roundtrip Alaska cruises are offered on Quantum Class ships, which are significantly larger and more modern than the Radiance Class ships sailing one-way voyages. The plethora of indoor spaces and amenities on Radiance and Quantum Class ships means guests can enjoy Alaska’s scenery regardless of weather conditions outside. With its winding fjords and gigantic glaciers, the best Alaska glaciers cruises offer unforgettable views. Spot silly seals playing on bobbing icebergs, or simply take in the vibrancy of the turquoise waters.
On our YouTube channel, we have full, high definition tours of each Royal Caribbean ship sailing to Alaska. 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. Denali National Park takes you out of the city altogether, into a wilderness full of spruce forests and snow-capped mountain peaks. When planning a trip to Alaska, many travelers wonder if it's better to explore the state by land or by sea. A variety of local craft breweries are located in most Alaska cruise ports, offering the perfect place to wind down after a busy day exploring the state.
Both the most technologically advanced, large Quantum Class ships and the smaller, more traditional Radiance Class ships will offer a wonderful Alaska cruise experience. If you’re from the United States and have to fly to an Alaska cruise port, flying to Seattle tends to be cheaper than getting to Vancouver or Seward. A passport isn’t necessary when cruising out of Seattle, either, although it is recommended. Icy Strait Point, while less commonly visited on an Alaska cruise, offers a chance to get closer with nature in a tranquil environment. The port, near the town of Hoonah, is Alaskan Native owned-and-operated, founded by the Huna Tlingit Native Alaskans in 2004. “Missing out” is subjective, but Glacier Bay is, of course, a spectacular destination to visit.
No comments:
Post a Comment