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With so many glaciers and icebergs around Juneau, it's no wonder Juneau is known as Alaska's "peak experience." You can choose to see the glaciers here from the ground or boat, or go for a seaplane or helicopter excursion to see them from above. If you want to get up close to Mendenhall Glacier, consider a helicopter walkabout tour. Other activities include whale watching, a day trip to Tracy Arm Fjord, panning for gold, or enjoying an authentic salmon bake. If you've ever dreamed of visiting Alaska, there's no better way to explore the state than on a cruise. Norwegian Cruise Line has been cruising to Alaska for decades and offers some of the best itineraries available.
Find Norwegian Encore Cruises to Alaska (with Prices) - Cruise Critic
Find Norwegian Encore Cruises to Alaska (with Prices).
Posted: Fri, 19 Apr 2024 03:14:20 GMT [source]
The best cruises to Alaska from Seattle for every type of traveler
One of the most popular excursions in Ketchikan is to see the Misty Fjords, where you can watch for bald eagles, learn about the fjords, and see a volcanic spire rising up from the sea. This area is known as the salmon capital of the world if you're interested in delicious seafood and learning about the historic canneries in Ketchican. There are numerous options waiting for you in Ketichan, no matter what you desire. An Alaskan cruise from Ketchikan is an unforgettable adventure that will take you through some of the most stunning natural landscapes in the world.... Learn about the latest ships and destinations by browsing hundreds of questions (and the answers to those questions) posted by real cruisers. If you happen not to find what you’re looking for, you can even post a question of your own.
Norwegian ENCORE13-Day Denali Explorer - Pre-Cruise Cruisetour
They probably contain more pee than water on sea days, but you’ll be totally in charge of how much pee is in them on port days while everyone else is off the ship. Anyway, I walked through downtown for research purposes (I’m working on an article for the blog about Alaska cruising in April) and then headed out for today’s hike on the Perseverance Trail. I don’t hike this trail as often when I visit Juneau because I usually opt to hike to the top of the Mt Roberts tram. But the tram wasn’t open for the season yet, so I wouldn’t have the option of taking it back down the mountain (which I don’t usually do anyway, but psychologically I like having the option).
Norwegian Cruise Line Alaska Departure Ports
To the extent that families with younger kids book Holland America ships, they are more likely to book one of its larger vessels. Both of the Royal Caribbean ships sailing to Alaska from Seattle are loaded with attractions that are protected from the elements, including those bumper car pavilions and skydiving simulators. In fact, both Ovation of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas were specifically built to operate in areas of inclement weather. Unlike the Royal Caribbean ships, the Norwegian ships also have epic waterslides on their top decks, which in theory, might put them over the top in any listing of the best cruise ships for families based in Seattle. On April 23, 2022 — a spectacularly sunny day in Seattle — I was onboard Norwegian Bliss as she had the honor of launching Norwegian Cruise Line's 2022 Alaska season, marking the first ship to visit Alaska and the first to sail from Seattle this year.
For the active, outgoing guest, this tour offers spectacular vantage points of Mt. McKinley with time to purchase an optional all-day fishing excursion in Homer - the halibut capital of the world. This program is the perfect fit for train buffs seeking a Denali and Fairbanks experience, relaxing travel days and two segments on the rails of Alaska Railroad. For enthusiasts with limited time looking to discover Alaska’s historic and extreme ways of life. This tour features a Denali Park visit and an overview of Alaska’s Golden Heart City.
A humpback whale shows itself in the Alaskan water
A special zone for solo travelers is a rare concept in the cruise world, where almost all rooms for vacationers are designed for two people and sold with per-person fares that are based on two people occupying the room. Why did we pick Norwegian Encore over Norwegian Bliss as the ship offering the best Alaska cruises from Seattle for luxury lovers? Built a year after Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Encore offers one big improvement for the upscale crowd as compared to Norwegian Bliss.
There's a reason why the best way to cruise Alaska is with Norwegian – we've got something for every type of traveler. The newly revitalized Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Spirit bring that and more with beautifully renovated spaces and staterooms. Sip a cocktail with spectacular views from the coziest spot at Spinnaker Lounge or take a dip in one of five luxurious hot tubs. Whichever ship you choose, Alaska and the vacation of a lifetime await. Finally, you'll find some round-trip San Francisco itineraries — usually 10 or 11 nights long — as well as longer sailings between San Francisco and Vancouver.
Longer sailings from the West Coast
If you’re fortunate, as I am, to have visited Alaska many times, the Bliss is awesome on port days when most passengers are off the ship. In fact, on my first cruise on the Bliss with my son, we stayed onboard for the majority of our time in port and practically had the entire ship to ourselves. That’s when the Bliss is really fun and you can fully appreciate all she has to offer!
Make the experience more than a great backdrop by riding with sled dogs, watching a lumberjack show and flying high above the Mendenhall Glacier. …and delicious complimentary snacks and unique desserts, many with an international flair and not available anywhere else on the ship. But the worst part was when the Captain came out and, even though I was sitting second row center, didn’t even acknowledge my week-long attempts at seduction with a little wink or nod or some other sign that he knew I existed. In a final desperate grasp at my dream, I imitated what I’d seen like 2,000 crazed women do earlier and flashed him while bobbing up and down and shouting in a glass shattering tone, “I love you Ringo” and back to the brig I went.
And while there’s a ton to do for those not content to relax and eat for 168 hours straight (me), it’s not ideal for anyone looking for a more serene experience. I also hesitate in recommending it for the 7-day Alaska itinerary from Seattle (even though I’ve done it twice myself), especially for those who haven’t cruised to Alaska before. Also, popular ship activities will be very crowded on your two sea days. If that doesn’t bother you and you decide to book for Alaska, be sure to reserve your preferred dining venues and ship activities as early as possible, because everything fills up fast. Norwegian Cruise Line is a popular choice in the cruise industry, offering a contemporary, relaxed cruising experience on their large, state-of-the-art ships.
The cruise line sails its class Breakaway and Breakaway Plus vessels on Alaskan itineraries. The blend of casual luxury and affordability has made it a preferred choice for many travelers. Norwegian Cruise Line is renowned for its innovative "Freestyle Cruising" concept, which focuses on flexibility, allowing guests to dine when and where they choose, and offering a vast array of entertainment and activity options.
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. It's known for great fishing (salmon, halibut and trout) and an eagle preserve — because eagles know where the best fish can be found. If you want to see some of Alaska's most rustic and charming villages or stick to wild places, book a voyage with a line like Alaskan Dream Cruises or UnCruise to visit destinations like Baranof Island, Chichagof Island, Petersburg and Wrangell. Kids can hang out in the youth lounges while parents hit the spa or try a wine-tasting class.
Look to UnCruise Adventures, Alaskan Dream Cruises, Hurtigruten and Lindblad Expeditions for the best adventure cruises. Enjoy the clear water filled with salmon, red snapper and trout along with the freely roaming wildlife, all combining to make Whittier a treat to visit. Whether it’s your cruise destination or a launching point, Vancouver is a beautiful destination in itself with a sophisticated downtown and lots of natural elements to explore.
Some of the best Alaska cruise lines are Holland America and Princess Cruises because they have especially long histories in the region and offer cruises, as well as cruise and land tour combinations, on multiple ships each season. It is the collaboration between cruise lines and the city that has made it a remarkable homeport for Alaskan sailings, with many travelers extending their visits to enjoy all the Emerald City has to offer. Skagway was an important part of the Gold Rush era, growing in size from a place with only a few small tents to more than 20,000 people arriving in hopes of finding gold. If you are excited to learn more about the Gold Rush era, don't miss visiting the Gold Rush National Historic Park.
Take a memorable Alaska cruise adventure from Seattle onboard Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Spirit, Norwegian Sun, cruise ships from Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). Sitka is the first and oldest city in Alaska so it’s fitting that it was the very first port of the 2024 cruise ship season. I last visited here in late October on the very last cruise of the 2023 season. And I did essentially the exact same thing today as I did 5 months ago. Then I hit the waterfront on the way back to the ship where I snapped some photos and saw my first eagle of the trip perched in a tree near the playground stalking tourist children fattened up from 45 soft serve cones in two days. Both Eurodam and Westerdam mostly sail seven-night trips to Alaska out of Seattle.
