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Along with Vancouver, she offers some of the best cruises to Alaska from Seattle, Anchorage and even smaller ports like Fairbanks – flexibility is always a good thing when planning when and where you’re cruising. True, it’s a high price you pay, but this is a ship aimed at people who want to feel truly special. You won’t find many large or super-size cruise ships in Alaska.
More Flexible Itineraries and Close-to-Shore Sailing
HAL prides itself on having more permits for Glacier Bay National Park visits than any other cruise line. The cruise line also offers beloved live music programming, which I got to experience firsthand on a summer 2023 Alaska sailing. Most ships boast a “Music Walk,” a section home to venues like B.B.
Night Roundtrip Vancouver
A complimentary afternoon tea is served daily, with four-tiered pastry carts, artisanal brews and a live string quartet performing. If you're seeking unabashed luxury and thrills galore, try one of these five best luxury Alaska cruises for 2024. A great place to take a stroll along the boardwalk and soak in a private tub filled fresh with hot springs water or take a dip in the natural springs a short hike from the dock. Another great paddle is into a salt water chuck for bear viewing. A mythic journey along the scenic St. Lawrence River and out to the Atlantic, this Concierge Cruise is a cultural immersion into Québec, Newfoundland and the Maritimes. Interested in planning your next road trip with AAA Washington?
Vancouver to Seward (Anchorage
King's Blues Club, Billboard Onboard (a dueling piano bar), Lincoln Center Stage, and Rolling Stone Rock Room. After our shore excursions, we’d hop back on board the ship for drinks, dinner, and a nightcap at the dueling piano bar to jam out to hits from Billy Joel and Elton John. All of the above make HAL a popular pick among middle-aged and mature couples traveling without kids; however, onboard our summer sailing, I did notice quite a few small children traveling with their parents and grandparents.
Fishing Trips
In Sitka, 11 included excursions run the gamut from a mountain hike to an alpine lake with a Champagne toast to a three-hour kayak paddle to a floating base camp. Below our experts tell you all you need to know about small luxury Alaska cruises, including which ships have the best amenities and what sets our definition of luxury apart from more mainstream cruises. Our list of the best luxury small ship Alaska cruises is hand picked and personally inspected by our experts to bring you only the finest vessels and experiences available in Alaska. Start here to learn more about the high-end cruise experience in Alaska, or navigate to learn more about all of our best Alaska small ship cruise options and how to choose yours.
Book Small Ship Cruises to Alaska with Ease
A few lines, such as Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Cunard Line, offer 10-night Inside Passage cruises from Seattle or Vancouver. When you want to go will depend on which activities you want to do, how you feel about cool weather and rain, and the price. Cruises at the beginning (April and May) and end (September and October) of Alaska's cruise season are generally a bit cheaper than those in June, July and August. Instead of taking a long and expensive flight to Anchorage or Fairbanks, you can choose a cruise that sails round-trip from Seattle or Vancouver (note, you won't be able to tack on a post-cruise land trip to Denali if you do this). Restaurant prices in Alaska can be high, but a cruise bundles meals, accommodations and transportation into one price that, with sales, can be cheaper than you'd think.
Jump to view our luxury cruises, or learn more about rest of the best small ship Alaska cruises—for all budgets. With our all-inclusive pricing, everything from exquisite dining experiences featuring the freshest Alaskan seafood to exhilarating excursions and activities is part of your package. A small ship Alaska cruise is one of the most intensive ways to explore Alaska's coast. Unlike the massive ships that ply the waters of the Gulf of Alaska and Inside Passage, small Alaska cruises can dock in isolated bays and fjords or picture-perfect small towns far from the crowded tourist trail.
Small ship cruises to Alaska
Silversea Cruises' newest ship, the 728-passenger Silver Nova, brings the outdoors in with abundant floor-to-ceiling windows, making the ship an idyllic ride for Inside Passage cruising. Step aboard Alaska Uncharted and enter a world where luxury and the untamed beauty of Alaska blend seamlessly. Our vessels, the MY Golden Eagle and MV Sikumi, are designed to provide an intimate atmosphere that feels both welcoming and exclusive. If you would like one of AAA’s professional travel agents to assist you in booking your intimate Alaskan cruise, get in touch by calling or emailing one of our travel agents today.
6 best Alaska cruises for families - The Points Guy
6 best Alaska cruises for families.
Posted: Thu, 19 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The original lighthouse burned down, and the now-standing lighthouse was built two years later in 1935. It sits on a small island between Stephens Passage and Fredericks Sound. In 2004, it was listed as a historic place in the National Register. A state designated bear viewing area where you’ll often see bears gracefully fishing in streams for salmon. Embark on an Alaskan journey where luxury meets adventure, without the worry of hidden costs. Michael McIntosh started The Boat Company in 1979 as a nonprofit educational organization.
There is no better way to experience the magnificence of Alaska than aboard Queen Elizabeth. The population of Haines remains less than 2,000, according to the United States Census Bureau, and it isn't yet as touristy as some of the other Alaskan ports, such as nearby Skagway. It's known for great fishing (salmon, halibut and trout) and an eagle preserve — because eagles know where the best fish can be found.
One of the oldest names in Alaska small-ship cruising, Lindblad Expeditions has a history here dating back to the 1980s. Lindblad recently extended its partnership with National Geographic, which includes providing content and training for the line’s onboard programming. ADC’s trips focus on hiking and kayaking in secluded wilderness areas with a particular emphasis on cultural immersion. Everything was planned in detail, the guides were awesome, the crew on board were delightful and the food was fantastic. Would definitely recommend this trip to anyone who loves the outdoors.
All excursions are led by experienced expedition teams, who provide all the equipment needed to make the most of your time in Alaska. Coming off of its 150th anniversary year, Holland America Line has been sailing to and around Alaska for more than half that time—75 years. Holland America Line’s “Alaska Up Close” deeply immerses guests in local cultures through onboard programs and activities, and shore excursions.
At the end of the cruise season in mid-September, Southeast Alaska’s weather becomes rainy and cold, and wildlife sightings are at a low. Birders especially should avoid this time, since several migrating species leave the area, including the puffins in Glacier Bay. Best small shipWith a capacity of only 22 guests (ideal for a large family or group to charter), the Safari Quest explores the most remote coves and anchors in secluded sites at night.
They were also really welcoming and open to chatting with our kids. Big ships may at first seem appealing for price, but learn all about the full package of considerations for everything from activities, kids and itineraries in this side-by-side comparison. Visit Alaska National Parks with wilderness, nature & solitude. Learn about the various options to explore Glacier Bay, Kenai Fjords & Denali in this itinerary round-up. We’ve scoured the new itineraries, schedules, ships and trends to bring you AdventureSmith Explorations’ annual round-up of what’s new, and on sale for the small ship Alaska cruises.
