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The ship’s North Star provides an incredible once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you simply can’t pass up. For unique experiences, you may want to try smaller expedition cruise ships like Alaskan Dream Cruises and Uncruise Adventure. Many cruise lines offer tours combining a traditional Alaska cruise with a bus tour.
Best Cruise Lines for Long Alaskan Sailings
If your dream vacation includes hiking in Tongass National Park, Kayaking on Lake Chiliak, or overnight camping, you’ll want to look at expedition cruises. If you choose the right shore excursion, you can create an adventure that’s both fun and educational. The cruise lines offer kids’ clubs, from babies to teens, catering to all ages. If you’re prone to seasickness, you may want to think twice before booking a Gulf of Alaska cruise.
Alaska Cruise Itineraries: Inside Passage and Gulf of Alaska
Unlike other cruise destinations, Alaskan ports aren’t separated by large bodies of the ocean. The land is visible throughout most of the sailing, and you can often spot whales, eagles, and other wildlife from the ship. You can also take some 14-day versions that depart from San Francisco or San Diego.
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With luck, you might also see brown bears, wolves, and moose onshore, or orcas and humpback whales in the waters. Fort William H. Seward, established in 1904, was the first permanent U.S. military installation in the state, named after the U.S. Today, its well-preserved buildings serve as a window into early 20th-century military architecture, with many repurposed as residences, shops, and cultural centers. Visitors can explore the fort's historical grounds, enjoy cultural events, and immerse themselves in the rich history of Haines. Many of the buildings have been reused and are under private ownership.
Ketchikan Alaska
Everything You Need to Know About Alaska's Ward Cove - Cruise Critic
Everything You Need to Know About Alaska's Ward Cove.
Posted: Thu, 19 May 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]
This popular trail will reward you with some amazing views of your cruise ship, downtown Skagway, a small city reservoir, and the beautiful Lower Dewey Lake. If you’re looking for a much easier alternative to the Mt. Roberts trail, consider the Gold Creek Flume Trail. This trail is child friendly (as long as your little ones are okay with the fairly long walk to reach the trailhead – hop in a taxi to save steps, especially on the way there which is uphill). It's not uncommon to see pods of orcas or humpback whales breaching and spouting, sea lions basking on rocks, bald eagles soaring overhead, and bears ambling along the shores. Explore the calm waters of Resurrection Bay, with chances to see sea otters, bald eagles, and other local wildlife. The scenic vistas of the bay, combined with tales and histories from local guides, make this excursion special.
It’s great to have a few ideas in mind for your cruise so you don’t miss out on something you’re very interested in. The stops are usually predetermined by the cruise line based on which cruise you select. Please take the time to learn more about experiencing Alaska's Native cultures and share in our acknowledgment of their histories before you visit Alaska. Even if it’s sunny when you’re on the ship, you can expect the weather to change at a moment’s notice.
Seward, Alaska is a port found only on one-way Alaska cruise itineraries. One-way cruises to Alaska start in Seward and end in Vancouver (and vice versa). The town's former Red Light District, this boardwalk is lined with shops, homes, and the famous Dolly’s House Museum.
Is Skagway walkable from the cruise port?
This village makes regular appearances on popular television shows alongside the captains and vessels that harvest the seafood bounty around this top fishing port in the country. Skagway is one of the best Alaska cruise ports on many of the lines’ itineraries, including a stop at this Klondike Gold Rush town with over 20 restored historic buildings. In addition to freshly caught seafood, chefs forage ingredients, and breweries experiment with local flavors to create delicious food and drink. Juneau is a popular cruise ship port of call, especially as it’s located in the northern part of the Inside Passage.
Located on the corner of 2nd and Broadway, it’s just an 11-minute walk from the cruise port. Sitka has two places for ships to dock; Old Sitka Dock (just renamed Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal) and Crescent Harbor. About six miles out from the city’s downtown, Old Sitka Dock is where most large cruise ships tie-up; from Grand Princess to NatGeo expedition ships. Home to the Kiksadi clan of the indigenous Tlingit people until the mid-18th century, when Russian explorers ventured across the Pacific. What they found was an inhabited island rich in natural resources from sea to mountains. Graced with a temperate climate, teeming with salmon and other fish, the Russians set their sights on the sea otter trade.
Alaska is home to a beautiful snow-capped mountain landscape, abundant wildlife, vibrant Alaskan native cultures, Gold Rush history, art, culture, and the largest temperate rainforest in the world. Whittier is the other main embarkation and disembarkation port in Alaska. It is even smaller than Seward, a little enclave within the big, marine landscape of Prince William Sound. Most seven-day cruises that list Anchorage on their itinerary actually call on Whittier, which is about an hour away by motorcoach or 2.5 hours by train. Spend time walking the shoreline, exploring the unique ecosystems of the surrounding tundra and forests, and go on a berry-picking expedition.
One of my favourite things to do in Ketchikan, is the Totem Bight State Historical Park. This 11-acre park has 14 incredible authentic totem poles, a tribal house on the water’s edge and great scenery. It’s also the Rain Capital of Alaska, raining at least 234 days a year, and it has the world’s largest collection of standing totem poles.
Inside Passage, itineraries are best for nature lovers, outdoorsy, and active-minded people. But if you want to see wildlife, you should take an Alaska cruise during July or August. Summer also provides the best weather, with warmer temperatures, lower rainfall, and more hours of sunlight. The Alaska cruise season runs from May to late September, with some sailings in April and October. Not sure if Alaskan cruises are for you, here’s what to expect on an Alaskan cruise.
Located diagonally across the street St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral right in the center of downtown. This place tends to get very crowded when the big ships are in town, so plan on either an early or late lunch. For a city with such a small, year-round population, where to eat in Sitka includes over a dozen restaurants and eateries. Sitka is one of those small towns where you can see almost all of the sights within walking distance on one day in port. From where the complimentary bus drops you off at Centennial Hall, pick up a Sitka walking map and head out on your own. The back of the map has a list of all the attractions that are within walking distance.
For women, I like the Hi-Tec Women’s Skamania Mid-Rise Waterproof Hiking Boots. They’re affordable and comfortable and will keep your feet dry on potentially soggy Alaska trails. For men, I recommend Columbia Men’s Newton Ridge Plus for the same reasons. Less common than Seattle or Vancouver, but there are occasional departures from Los Angeles (Long Beach), especially for longer cruise itineraries. Sunsets and sunrises are particularly magnificent, casting a warm glow over the waters and landscapes.
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