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Board a whale-watching tour to nearby Point Adolphus, the summer home of humpback whales, where orcas can also be spotted. Eagles often circle overhead and sea lions, seals, and porpoises can be seen in the water. There’s a thriving population of brown bears here, and you may spot one fishing if you join a guided hike to the Spasski River.
experience alaska
Get an up-close view of Alaska’s wild seascapes, no matter which direction you look. Tongass National Park is filled with lofty spruce, hemlock and cedar trees, while giant calving glaciers pack Glacier Bay National Park. During a two-year expedition through uncharted territory, Captain George Vancouver sailed into the still waters of what came to be known as the Inside Passage. Passing by luminous glaciers artfully carved by Mother Nature’s beaming summers and numbing winters, Captain Vancouver and his team charted over 1,000 miles from 1792 to 1794. Sink into refreshed suites and a new lounge, plus dining and entertainment venues.
Seward to Vancouver Cruises
You'll find magnificent mountains (often snowcapped, even in the summertime), lush forests, waterfalls, fjords and calving glaciers. If it's marine life you've come to see, you'll find it in abundance, from whales and dolphins to sea lions and harbor seals. On land, you'll likely spy bears and Dall sheep while eagles, puffins and a host of seabirds circle above. They want to admire its rugged beauty, seek out wildlife (such as eagles, bears and whales) and learn about its Native cultures and gold rush history. It's so far from the rest of the mainland U.S. that it's become a bucket list destination, especially for travelers looking to visit each of the 50 states.
Alaska Cruise Onboard Experience
Many adventurous cruisers join an Inside Passage Alaska cruise visit or view majestic glaciers. On this Alaska cruise route, you’ll sail through narrow Disenchantment Bay and watch in awe as the imposing Hubbard Glacier comes into view. Sail through Endicott Arm Fjord’s deep blue glacial waters while watching icebergs drift by, and keep a lookout for Steller sea lions and their pups. At the 600-foot-tall Dawes Glacier, see and hear the spectacular calving, as huge chunks of the glacier shear off and land in the water with a thundering crash.
Experience the state’s natural beauty and native wildlife up close on this Alaska cruise route. See majestic bald eagles perched in the trees and get a bird’s-eye view of the lush rainforest, snow-capped mountains, granite cliffs, and cascading falls of Misty Fjords on a breathtaking flightseeing tour. On the best Alaska cruise routes, you’ll visit some of the most spectacular and scenic locations on the planet. From awe-inspiring glaciers and snow-capped mountains to remarkable wildlife and fascinating cultural sites, a cruise to the Last Frontier is a vacation you’ll never forget. Most Alaska itineraries include some "scenic cruising," where your ship sails past incredible natural sights. 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.
Southbound cruises sail the opposite routes, going from Seward to Vancouver and Whittier to Vancouver. Most Alaska cruises are seven days long, although some 10-day itineraries are available. There are also a select number of routes that run roundtrip from Vancouver. Alaska cruise routes can be broken down into two main categories, those that travel between Alaska and Vancouver, and those that travel between Alaska and Seattle.
Discover Alaskan Native traditions, see a master pole carver at work, and walk among the largest collection of authentic totem poles at the Totem Heritage Center. This is also the trip for a camera with good telephoto lenses and binoculars. For more on what to bring on an Alaska cruise, check out our Alaska cruise packing list.
Untamed Wilderness Awaits in Alaska: Princess Cruises Announces 2024 Season - PR Newswire
Untamed Wilderness Awaits in Alaska: Princess Cruises Announces 2024 Season.
Posted: Tue, 07 Feb 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Explore five distinct regions and varied travel routes and modes of transportation as you plan your Alaska getaway. As you’re booking your dream Alaskan cruise to the Inside Passage, consider what comforts, food and adventures you're seeking. Each cruise line offers unique programs and amenities, and some will be better suited for your budget and level of comfort. Inside Passage cruisers can choose from mass-market lines with massive ships, including Royal Caribbean and Carnival. The high demand for Inside Passage cruises can be partly attributed to the convenience of ending a cruise in the same place you first set sail. Plus, they can be less expensive than cross-gulf cruises, which typically require a pricey flight to Anchorage (the gateway for nearby Seward and Whittier).
Best Time to Take a Cruise to Alaska
It's located at the base of Mount Juneau, and you can only get there via boat or small plane — even residents have to bring their cars to Juneau via ferry. Home to Mendenhall Glacier, this is a popular port for hikes by, kayak tours to and helicopter landings on the glacier. Additionally, you'll have one day spent cruising the Inside Passage and one focused on "scenic cruising," where you can enjoy the landscapes but won't go ashore. This is not nearly as boring as you might think since you'll see incredible sights like Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve or Hubbard Glacier. Many people trek to Alaska to commune with nature, but there's also history here that you shouldn't overlook.
Russian pioneers built and sailed ships, farmed, fished, logged, mined, whaled and operated sawmills, but the main draw was the fur trade. Russian hunters quickly realized that the wide variety of animals in the region produced valuable furs that they could trade with Chinese merchants for silk, spices and tea. Between 1743 and 1799, more than 100 Russian fur-hunting expeditions sailed into Alaskan waters, returning with 187,000 pelts worth more than $6 million dollars, a hefty sum at the time. At first, they hired Natives as experienced hunters and guides, but before long, the Russians began enslaving the indigenous population, especially the Aleuts.
Let Princess pick you up from the airport and take you directly to your ship or hotel when you arrive, even if you didn't book your airfare through us. A uniformed Princess representative meets you at the airport after you've retrieved your luggage and transports you directly to your ship or hotel without you having to worry about the logistics of navigating a new city. From exploring Denali National Park to fishing for salmon in Anchorage, discover the top Alaska destinations on a Princess cruise. Our award-winning North to Alaska program brings local personalities, culture and cuisine on board and ashore to immerse you in all things Alaska during your cruise to the Great Land.
One of the best things to do in Seward is to admire the adorable sea otters, harbor seals, and whales at the SeaLife Center, Alaska’s rehabilitation center for marine animals. For a close-up encounter with Alaska’s bird life, visit the Alaska Raptor Center, where injured bald eagles and other birds of prey are brought for rehabilitation. They’re even taught to fly again before being released back into the wild. Evidence of this remains in St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral and the old Bishop’s House, now a museum. The town is also the gateway to spectacular wilderness, whether you want to go kayaking, looking out for families of sea otters, or hike forest trails.
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. The best of Alaska's glaciers and ports are yours on the ultimate Alaska cruise, with perfectly sized ships that get you closer to all the wonder...
On a visit to Juneau, the only state capital with no roads in or out, you’ll be amazed by the seclusion of this city and the amazing Alaskan history it presents. Onboard each sailing you have lectures, demonstrations and tastings as part of a Culture Curriculum. Offering a completely all-inclusive cruise, Regent Seven Seas is known for exquisite service on beautifully designed intimate ships, classic cruising at its best. Remove the hassle from air travel and give yourself the gift of flexibility, time and a thicker wallet with Princess EZair flights.
