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Gaze at giant glaciers from the pool deck while you sail through Endicott Arm. Scan the surrounding waters on your way to Juneau for glimpses of wildlife from the North Star®, the tallest viewing deck on a cruise ship. It’s not uncommon for there to be three, four, or even five cruise ships docked in Alaska's ports at once. To ensure you don’t miss out, consider booking a later dinner time, or simply eat dinner elsewhere on the nights the sailaway overlaps with your dining time. The Windjammer buffet can be an excellent place to enjoy dinner in Alaska, as the buffet has floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the venue, in addition to outdoor seating on select ships. One of the best ways to become acquainted with Royal Caribbean’s cruise ships is to watch a full tour of the ship on YouTube.
Reserve tours once you disembark in port
In addition to convenience, roundtrip sailings also provide an excellent Alaska cruise experience. 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. Royal Caribbean sends 4-5 cruise ships to Alaska each summer, with each ship offering a different layout, amenities, dining options, entertainment, and stateroom options. Some of Royal Caribbean’s smallest and largest cruise ships sail to Alaska, so it’s important to consider which ship works best for you before booking an Alaska cruise. Haines, Alaska is a relatively new port for Royal Caribbean cruises to visit.
Night Alaska AdventureDetails
Both classes of ships also have a thermal suite available at an extra cost, which includes hot stone loungers, saunas, and steam rooms—all of which are perfect for Alaska’s chilly weather. Simply put, there’s not one “best” embarkation port for an Alaska cruise—each has its own pros and cons. Truthfully, your experience in Alaska will not vary drastically from itinerary to itinerary. All itineraries give passengers the chance to explore the state’s wildlife, history, and cuisine regardless of the town. Last week, our readers submitted their top questions about Alaska cruises to our Facebook page.
How to choose the right Alaska cruise itinerary
Mark this as your year to cross this bucket-busting destination off your list once and for all. Take off by dogsled across thousand-year-old ice as you soak in otherworldly sights. Trek across the majestic Mendenhall Glacier for breathtaking views of the wildest country. Get to know wildlife, big and small, that call this wilderness home, like otters, eagles, bears, and whales.
Night 7 Nt Southbound Alaska & Hubbard Glacier
However, sailaway times often overlap with the early dining time, meaning you’ll miss these scenic sailings if you're in the Main Dining Room. 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.
I'm a budget traveler, and here are 10 ways I saved money on my Alaska cruise - Royal Caribbean Blog
I'm a budget traveler, and here are 10 ways I saved money on my Alaska cruise.
Posted: Wed, 14 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
What a Room on Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas Ship Is Like: Photos - Royal Caribbean Blog
What a Room on Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas Ship Is Like: Photos.
Posted: Fri, 02 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
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.
What type of cabin should you book for an Alaska cruise and why?
When sailing to Alaska, these ships also offer other kid-friendly events, such as Puppies on Princess, when dog mushers and their newest sled dogs come on board for meet-and-greets (and photos!). Notably, the average age of Princess passengers is around 57, and you'll usually see many couples on board in their 50s, 60s and 70s. Looking for the best Alaska cruise from Seattle if you're bringing three generations of your family along for the ride? We can think of nothing better than a voyage on one of the two Princess Cruises ships that sail out of the city, the 3,660-passenger Discovery Princess and 3,560-passenger Royal Princess. There, the bartender will muddle your mojitos with raspberry, guava, passion fruit or even jalapeno pepper to spice things up when you're sitting with your new solo friends.
In Alaska, ancient rivers of ice wind between mountains and grind out of valleys. Towering walls of ice like the Hubbard Glacier, Endicott Arm Dawes and the twin Sawyer Glaciers thunder as they calve massive icebergs. Some shore excursions allow up close interaction with these natural wonders. Each night passengers can choose between the show in the Royal Theater, the incredible robotic shows in Two70 or a wide range of musical acts in venues like The Music Hall or Schooner Bar. The Seaplex is an incredible innovation for busy families on cruises to Alaska.
There are many considerations when choosing an Alaska cruise, but ultimately the decision may come down to budget, convenience, and time. “Missing out” is subjective, but Glacier Bay is, of course, a spectacular destination to visit. Only select cruise lines, including Princess Cruises and Holland America, can visit Glacier Bay. The national park issues permits to cruise lines, and Royal Caribbean does not currently have a permit.
Instead of booking directly through Royal Caribbean, search shore excursions on websites like Tripadvisor, Viator, and Shore Excursions Group. By going through these websites, you can find tours that may be priced lower compared to those offered by the cruise line. Exploring ports through independent tour operators or on your own is another option. All Alaska cruise ports have complimentary attractions and nature activities right near where the ship docks, so it’s not always necessary to book an excursion.
Despite traveling through a cold climate, there’s no lack of pool time on an Alaska cruise. 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. Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S.
Royal Caribbean offers a selection of routes that allow you to experience the best of Alaska's scenic wonders. While most cruises include visits to Ketchikan, Skagway, or Juneau, there are also rare opportunities to explore Haines, Hoonah, and Sitka, adding a touch of uniqueness to your Alaskan adventure. Embark on an Royal Caribbean voyage from Seattle and let the beauty of Alaska unfold before your eyes. Witness the majestic tidewater glaciers, delve into the rich cultural heritage of charming towns, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Both Eurodam and Westerdam mostly sail seven-night trips to Alaska out of Seattle. However, for 2024, Westerdam has added an epic new 28-night Alaska itinerary out of Seattle that will include calls in remote areas that most cruise ships never visit. The new itinerary is one reason we give Westerdam the edge among ships when rating the best Alaska cruises out of Seattle for seniors. Alaska cruises on other cruise lines may leave from other ports in the Seattle area. Therefore, it’s important to check which Seattle cruise port your ship departs from if you’re sailing on a line other than Royal Caribbean.
It’s challenging to predict whether your cruise will encounter sunny skies and 70 degrees, or seven days of straight rain. Sure, booking your cruise in June usually results in better weather compared to one in September, but weather conditions are never guaranteed. When booking entertainment reservations, we recommend sticking to shows earlier in the week. If, for instance, a show is offered on the second, fifth, and last evening of the cruise, try to book the first day available.
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