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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. Whether you're a history buff or a nature nut, there are numerous bucket list destinations to experience while traveling on your Alaska cruise vacation. On our family Alaska cruise, we created lifetime memories by sharing glacier spotting, dog sledding, flightseeing and other adventures with our teens.
Grizzly bears in Katmai National Park
Like everything else in Alaska, the Great Land’s national parks far exceed expectations. Read about Glacier Bay’s seven tidewater glaciers, Denali’s 6-million acres of undisturbed wilderness, Kenai Fjords' astonishing Exit Glacier and other national parks. Our cruisetours combine an ocean cruise with a land tour into Alaska’s interior. Watch northern wilderness views unfold from aboard our glass-domed train, the McKinley Explorer®. Stay up to 3 nights at the McKinley Chalet Resort near Denali National Park.
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Alaska Cruises Insider
During the summer months, especially July and August, temperatures in Southeast Alaska usually fall between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, while Southcentral Alaska and the Interior see higher heights into the 70’s and 80’s. Native populations maintain a strong presence in the Inside Passage, having a direct influence on the culture of a region many still call home. They have also continued the tradition of crafting stunning totem poles, including some of the largest and oldest collections of totems in the world at Potlatch Totem Park in Ketchikan and Sitka National Historic Park. Natives, including the Haida, Tlingit and Tsimshian, first settled this gorgeous region hundreds of years ago. By 1741, Russian explorers, led by Vitus Bering, discovered the Inside Passage for themselves.
Dive Into Alaska Traditions on Your Next Cruise Royal Caribbean Cruises
If you're interested in Alaska's gold rush history, Skagway — 90 miles northwest of Juneau — is a port you shouldn't miss. In fact, it's the gateway to the Klondike and Dawson mining district in Canada's Yukon territory, where prospectors searched for gold in the late 1890s. The historic district still has a Wild West feel, though that's been a bit commercialized for the modern era. This port can get crowded in summer when several ships can call on the same day. Some activities are included in the cost of the cruisetour; other outings can be booked like shore excursions, depending on your interest and budget. If you're hoping to see the northern lights, booking a cruisetour in September might be your best bet to see the aurora on a cruise vacation.
Top 10 Most Beautiful Port Cities Royal Caribbean Cruises
They groan, creak and shudder on their march to the sea, punctuated by the booms and crashes of "white thunder" — a sound that echoes across the water when ice calves into the ocean below. On an Alaska cruise, let us show you Glacier Bay National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier, College Fjord or Hubbard Glacier. For all the beer lovers planning an Alaskan cruise vacation, we’ve curated the ultimate zythophile guide to visiting 5 of the best craft breweries in Alaska. We’ve curated the ultimate guide to visiting some of the most romantic destinations to vacation for couples. Most people tend to focus on the Caribbean for summer cruises, but an Alaska summer vacation can be a great option, too. Whether you're curious about Alaska native culture or other Alaska traditions, here's how to make these an integral part of your trip up north.
Embark on a thrilling journey with young explorers through breathtaking landscapes. 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. Alaska's ultimate small ship cruise adventures in beautiful Kenai Fjords National Park and Prince William Sound!

Experience the area’s pristine beauty on land, water, or flightseeing excursions to Misty Fjords National Monument. Dare to try a zipline adventure over a canopy of spruce and hemlock, or breathe in the fresh air on a hike in the vast Tongass National Forest. Savor the incomparable views of the Inside Passage (which you’ll be able to sail through twice during your journey) from your comfortable lounger on the ship’s pool deck. While you’re in Ketchikan, the “salmon capital of the world,” join a fishing expedition for a chance to catch salmon and halibut, or sample the area’s fresh seafood.
Alaska: Cruise Lines
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. Alaska's seafood is famous, and we bring the best to you with locally inspired dishes from the state’s best eateries. With Cook My Catch excursions, catch your own salmon or halibut with the help of a local expert, and in the evening our talented chefs will prepare your haul for your dinner — a Princess exclusive.
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Cruises between Vancouver and Alaska can be further broken down by the specific route. Here you'll see northbound glacier route cruises that travel from Vancouver to Seward and Vancouver to Whittier. These typically start with a full day at sea and a first port call in Ketchikan, then proceed to two or three more ports within the Inside Passage.
Holland America Line Adds New Dining and Cultural Opportunities to “Alaska Up Close” Itinerary - Porthole Cruise and Travel
Holland America Line Adds New Dining and Cultural Opportunities to “Alaska Up Close” Itinerary.
Posted: Fri, 09 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Look to UnCruise Adventures, Alaskan Dream Cruises, Hurtigruten and Lindblad Expeditions for the best adventure cruises. Your best bet for seeing a bear is in the spring and summer, primarily around dawn and dusk, when they hunt for food. It’s also common to see them along the shoreline, scouting fish and other food that may have washed ashore. The best time to take an Alaska cruise is somewhere between those months, depending on a your budget and availability. Conveniently located an hour and a half from Anchorage, Whittier is a small town on the shore of the glacier-filled Prince William Sound. Named for the Northern compass point, Noordam is fitting for a cruise to Alaska.
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We are committed to a meaningful relationship with each of these groups that supports tourism for the benefit of all. These include historic Gold Rush-era Skagway, Ketchikan (the "Salmon Capital of the World" and home to a notable number of Native Alaskan totems) and Juneau, Alaska's capital city. This route is ideal for those who want to get on and off the ferry when they please, staying for a few hours or several days in each port of call. Starting in either Bellingham, WA or Vancouver, BC, the Inside Passage Route combines both ferry and land travel for a truly unique road trip.
As the salmon capital of the world, Ketchikan’s waters make for incredible fishing. With no roads connecting it to the rest of Alaska or North America, it is truly a protected destination. Founded as a gold mining town and now the state’s capital, Juneau has one foot in history and one in the future. Embark on a whale watching tour, or sail past Mendenhall Glacier on an Alaska cruise. When planning a trip to Alaska, many travelers wonder if it's better to explore the state by land or by sea. We acknowledge the Indigenous Peoples whose land we inhabit and we hope you visit so that you can learn about not just the history of Alaska's Native people but their living cultures.
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