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These land tours are arguably the best way to see Alaska's interior and the most popular destinations. Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau is the most easily accessible glacier for cruise passengers, where visitors can view the glacier from easy walking trails and visit the Nugget Falls waterfall. Most cruise itineraries to Alaska will include a scenic cruising day at a glacier as well, such as Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier or Hubbard Glacier. Most Alaska cruises depart from either Seattle or Vancouver on round-trip 7-night sailings.
Are Alaska cruises kid-friendly?
If cruising with kids, we recommend booking an Alaska cruise on a Quantum Class ship over a Radiance Class ship. Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas both sail roundtrip cruises from Seattle, and they offer family-friendly activities for guests of all ages. All roundtrip sailings from Seattle must include a port stop in Victoria, British Columbia, thus visiting three ports in Alaska. One-way cruises, on the other hand, are not required to stop in Canada and have four port stops in Alaska. Alaska’s peak cruise season is from mid-June to August, coinciding with the school vacation schedule.
10 of 1,256 Royal Caribbean Alaska Cruise Reviews
If you have not yet booked excursions for your 2024 Alaska cruise, book them as soon as possible. Sure, you'll spend a large part of your time adventuring in port, but you'll spend far more time cruising. You want that time onboard to be comfortable and enjoyable for everyone in your travel party. Quantum-class ships offer unique options like RipCord by iFly and the North Star bubble that lifts you up and over the side of the ship for stunning views. Both ships' itineraries include Skagway, Sitka, Juneau, and the glaciers of the Endicott Arm Fjord.
Booking through Royal Caribbean
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. One of my favorite Alaska cruise “hacks” is to utilize Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s luggage valet service. Nonetheless, it’s helpful to know the basic rules of photography before setting sail. Practice taking pictures at home and watch a few beginner photography tutorials on YouTube to ensure you have the skills needed to take that perfect shot. Browse a local outdoor consignment shop or search for used clothing on websites like Facebook Marketplace or eBay to find the best deals.
3 Back-to-Back Royal Caribbean Cruises Canceled or Delayed on Same Ship - Business Insider
3 Back-to-Back Royal Caribbean Cruises Canceled or Delayed on Same Ship.
Posted: Wed, 20 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Order essentials ahead of time, like binoculars and motion-sickness remedies
That's in addition to the shallow pools and hot tubs in the adults-only, forward-facing Solarium with its incredible ocean views. There is an abundance of windows found on Brilliance of the Seas, making it the perfect ship for those wanting to relax with Alaska’s stunning scenery out the window. Plus, Quantum of the Seas sails from Seattle, and this can be a more convenient port option for Americans compared to Vancouver.
If you haven’t booked shore excursions yet, book them ASAP
Kids will still enjoy an Alaska cruise on a Radiance Class ship, but there is a far greater amount of kid-friendly activities on Quantum Class vessels. Ships departing Seattle first travel along the west coast of Vancouver Island in the open ocean instead of through the Inside Passage. All Alaska cruises sail through the Inside Passage, but there is one difference between cruising from Seattle versus Vancouver. Show your spouse, friend, or another family member who needs convincing a few images and videos of Alaska’s scenery. Maybe find a vlog on YouTube from an Alaska cruise, as seeing a first-hand experience could get someone more excited about the possibility of cruising to Alaska themselves.
Be sure to consult the Royal Caribbean website or your travel professional for further assistance with itinerary options and booking. The two Radiance Class ships will offer cruises from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. If you want to get in some of the lowest Alaska cruise prices, booking early is the key.
Alaska cruise ports: Where can I go on an Alaska cruise?
Some activities, like kayaking, whale watching, and ziplining, tend to be easier with a shore excursion than without, as all equipment, lifejackets, transportation, etc. is provided for you. Others, like hiking, visiting museums, and trying Alaska’s cuisine can easily be done without a pre-booked excursion. Luckily, Alaska cruise ports are small and walkable, allowing visitors to experience the town’s history, culture, and nearby nature on foot.
If you're trying to figure out the best time to visit Alaska, there's advantages to every month. Sailing from Seattle will likely offer an Alaska cruise vacation on Royal Caribbean's big ships and is your best bet for someone new to the itinerary. 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.
While there’s no right or wrong direction to book for a one-way cruise, a southbound itinerary may be more relaxing. Southbound itineraries travel from Seward to Vancouver, meaning you can spend time in Alaska’s interior before the cruise begins. The White Pass & Yukon Route Railway is a historic railroad built in 1898 that links Skagway to Whitehourse, Yukon Territory. Cruise line excursions take guests to the summit of the White Pass and back to Skagway, and the trip takes around three hours. The popular “train excursion” on an Alaska cruise is the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway, and it’s located in Skagway, Alaska.
These cruises see less demand due to the fact that they sail from Vancouver and that they sail one-way, as these logistics are more challenging for cruisers. Plus, Radiance Class ships are significantly smaller and older than Quantum Class ships sailing to Alaska. Roundtrip Alaska cruises leaving from Seattle must make a port stop in Victoria, Canada. Victoria is the most convenient port available, as it’s situated on the way to and from Alaska.
It’s not uncommon for a port day to be canceled or moved to a different day because of inclement weather. Packing layers ensures you’re prepared for whichever weather conditions you encounter. Just like entertainment, open the Royal Caribbean app as soon as you get onboard to reserve a time slot for these two activities. While some travel guides recommend bringing a fancy camera on an Alaska cruise to capture the state’s scenery, this is not totally necessary. If you have a phone with a great camera, don’t worry about purchasing an expensive camera to use on the cruise. A relatively new iPhone or Android will have fantastic picture quality that you can use to capture your cruise memories.
As land surrounds the passage on both sides, you usually won’t encounter much movement onboard. Instead, you’ll find them hiking, whale watching, and quietly admiring the state's gorgeous vistas. A few months before the sailing, prices drop significantly for one-way cruise itineraries.
While there are still activities for guests of all ages onboard, there are less options overall for dining, staterooms, entertainment, etc. Smaller cruise ships offer more itinerary options in Alaska, though, visiting destinations such as Haines, Icy Strait Point, and Hubbard Glacier. Depending on your cruise itinerary, there may be a chance to book an excursion on a scenic cruising glacier day.
The excursion is handicap accessible, although guests traveling with a wheelchair should notify the excursion team or tour operator while booking. These ships feature amenities like an indoor sports arena, rock climbing wall, indoor skydiving simulator, and FlowRider surf simulator. In addition, they have a larger Adventure Ocean kids programming space and an indoor pool for all ages. That being said, they do appear from time to time in the later part of the cruise season, usually around September.
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