Table Of Content
Because of the long hours of daylight in the summer, it’s not common to see northern lights on an Alaska cruise. If you’re on the opposite end of the budget spectrum, there’s nothing wrong with booking a suite. Staying in a suite on a Royal Caribbean cruise can make your Alaska experience even more enjoyable by providing extra space and amenities like private restaurants and priority embarkation. A balcony is the most common choice for an Alaska cruise, as it allows you to enjoy the state’s scenery from the comfort and privacy of your own cabin. Even if it’s too cold to stay on the balcony all day, you can still enjoy views of the outside from the warmth of your couch or bed in the stateroom. Visiting Alaska in the early season will come with several differences compared to visiting in the peak season.
The worst months to cruise to Alaska - Royal Caribbean Blog
The worst months to cruise to Alaska.
Posted: Mon, 18 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
If you could, would you do a one-way sailing over a roundtrip cruise? It seems to give much more time exploring Alaska.
On a roundtrip cruise, you’ll still visit Alaska’s most popular ports, such as Juneau and Skagway, and most itineraries include a scenic glacier viewing as well. If you’re planning a cruise to Alaska, it’s natural to have questions about cruising to the 49th state. From selecting a ship and embarkation port to reserving the best shore excursions, there’s a lot to know before your cruise begins. Royal Caribbean deploys both large and small cruise ships to Alaska, each with their own benefits and drawbacks.
Mountain Panorama Adventure 5B
From each ship’s enclosed, temperature-controlled Solariums to the indoor pools on Quantum Class ships, guests can enjoy their ship even in the chilliest of temperatures. An Alaska shore excursion will allow you to explore what each of the ports have to offer, including taking in the natural beauty of this part of the world. Cruising to Alaska in the early season, April and May, brings lower crowds and prices. Expect to see daily temperatures with highs in the mid 50s and lows around 40 degrees. Less rain is expected during the early season, as April, May, and June are among the driest months of the year in Alaska.
Try not to worry about the weather
Finally, make sure to book pre-cruise add-ons as soon as possible for a 2024 or 2025 Alaska cruise. From dining packages to shore excursions, it's always better to book in advance before add-ons increase in price or sell out. If you value being able to see scenery more up close and have the budget to spend on an extra excursion, there’s no harm in booking the tour. If you are choosing between a glacier excursion and an excursion in another cruise port, though, we advise booking an excursion in a different port instead. Royal Caribbean offers these tours during the summer cruise season, and they can be booked directly through the cruise line as part of your overall cruise fare. The tours are guided and include accommodation at charming lodges and hotels, a scenic train ride, and visits to destinations including Denali and Fairbanks.
There is little difference between the two routes, and it isn’t worth booking one itinerary over another just for a few extra views on the way to and from Alaska. Instead, book the itinerary that works best with your interests and schedule, whether that means sailing from Seattle or from Vancouver. Cruises from Vancouver sail through Canada’s Inside Passage en route to Alaska. This narrow passage is between Vancouver Island and British Columbia and offers scenic mountain views. If you’re hoping to combine a one-way Alaska cruise with a land trip in Alaska’s interior, you should allocate at least 9 days for the trip.
Get to know wildlife, big and small, that call this wilderness home, like otters, eagles, bears, and whales. This is Last Frontier pioneering with the cruise line voted Best Overall by Travel Weekly readers for 20 years running. View the charts below to help you select the Cruisetour land package that best fits your individual interests and vacation plans. Each chart shows the duration of each Cruisetour, the activities included and cities visited.
Brilliance of the Seas
For those arriving earlier in the day, though, it’s worth it to find a hotel downtown for easy access to tourist sites. Alaska’s biggest city, Anchorage, is set between the sparkling waters of Cook Inlet and the dramatic snow-capped Chugach Mountains. Few places in the world can match its appealing blend of metropolitan pursuits and outdoor living. Anchorage is at its most exuberant during the summer, when locals make the most of the mild temperatures and long days to stay out late into the sunny night. The big city also boasts Alaska’s biggest and most diverse dining scene, from great burger joints and craft breweries to classic steakhouses and cosmopolitan cuisine. 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.
While there is no “best itinerary” for an Alaska cruise, it’s important to have an understanding of what options are available. Some cruise ships leave from Seattle whereas others leave from Vancouver, some are one-way sailings to Alaska while others are roundtrip, and some itineraries visit more cruise ports than others. If you’re visiting smaller ports like Icy Strait Point and Haines, however, we advise researching and booking tours ahead of time.
Shop for jackets at your local thrift shop
All Alaska cruise ports offer fantastic day hike opportunities, from the easiest of trails to the most challenging. While Alaska cruises are famous for providing stunning views, don’t miss the opportunity to learn more about Alaska’s history and culture while visiting the state. It is easy to overlook these types of offerings with so many other activities and things to do onboard your Royal Caribbean cruise, but do yourself a favor and check these out. The lectures provided onboard offer important context for the adventures you will take on shore later in your visit.
The best time for an Alaska cruise is from late spring to early fall, and you’ll find lots of itineraries to choose from sailing from May to September. You’re going to want to start planning early, though, as these adventures are popular — the sooner you book, the better the cruise deals. Whether you’re traveling with kids or looking for an unforgettable couple’s adventure, a vacation like this delivers on every level. From Alaska’s incredible natural wonders and awe-inspiring landscapes, to its rich cultural heritage and history, nothing beats a cruise to this wild northern paradise. While there are still activities for guests of all ages onboard, there are less options overall for dining, staterooms, entertainment, etc.
The vast majority of Royal Caribbean Alaska cruises are 7 nights, although you may occasionally find a 6 or 8-night itinerary. Just let your Cruise Specialist know at the time of booking, and an agent will work with you to make your cruise as worry-free as possible. Royal Caribbean separates staterooms into four main categories - suites, balcony staterooms, ocean view staterooms, and interior staterooms. Every stateroom includes a television, telephone, private bath, shower, vanity and hair dryer. Whether you're looking for something modest or over-the-top luxurious, Royal Caribbean has a stateroom for you. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices.
Unsurprisingly, these excursions are not cheap, and it’s not uncommon to pay hundreds of dollars for a spot on a smaller boat. But because what is “worth it” for one guest may seem like a waste of money to another, we cannot say for sure whether or not a glacier excursion will be worth the cost. While there’s no right or wrong direction to book for a one-way cruise, a southbound itinerary may be more relaxing. 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.
Tour packages are numbered and lettered with “A” for Cruisetours that occur after the cruise or “B” for tours that occur before the cruise. Both the North Star and RipCord by iFLY have complimentary and extra-cost options. Complimentary spots for the North Star are available when the ship is in port, but cost extra on sea days ($29.99) or when the ship is visiting a glacier ($49.99).
No comments:
Post a Comment