2024 Alaska Cruises: Sail from Vancouver, Seattle and Seward NCL Travel Blog
Table Of Content
The cruise docks for an evening in this refined Canadian city where garden tours, horse-drawn carriage rides, and high tea service rank among the most popular shore excursions. With a long day at port in Skagway, passengers have ample time to explore the town's gold rush beginnings and its many modern-day activities. Learn about the antics of Soapy Smith, Alaska's most infamous criminal, at the Days of '98 Show.
MSC Cruises Unveils Summer 2025 Sailings from U.S. Ports
With a Norwegian Alaska cruise, you can choose from various departure ports, including Seattle and Vancouver. If you want a cruise that starts in Alaska, Seward is also a possible departure port in 2024. You'll be pleased to find that Norwegian Cruise Line offers a selection of Alaska cruise vacation options. Onboard naturalists generally narrate what you're seeing, so head to the observation lounge (or tune to a broadcast on your in-room television) to learn about some of the top sights featured on scenic cruising days.
Alaska Cruise Ships & Highlights
Weeklong itineraries generally embark in either Seattle or Vancouver, British Columbia — though some itineraries originate in Juneau. 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.
The magnificent glaciers of Glacier Bay
Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. 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.
Cruise Ship
That makes these ships more appealing to an older demographic that doesn't necessarily want to be on a vessel that's loaded to the gills with children's fun zones and the younger family travelers drawn to that. 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. The two-level complex also has upstairs nooks for playing Xbox, ping pong and foosball. It's like one big play zone for families that will keep your kids busy for hours. Head to Deck 15 to the Observation Lounge for some of the best views from indoors.
Dive into The Points Guy's Alaska cruise guide for all the planning tips you need for your dream cruise up north. Learn about the latest ships and destinations by browsing hundreds of questions (and the answers to those questions) posted by real cruisers. If you happen not to find what you’re looking for, you can even post a question of your own. Cruise on the Wilderness Explorer expedition vessel through Misty Fjords, a waterway that ancient glaciers carved out of the rugged landscape. Skagway, located in the Upper Lynn Canal is a place in Alaska where the past lives on.
Norwegian Cruise Line adding close to 1,000 solo cabins - USA TODAY
Norwegian Cruise Line adding close to 1,000 solo cabins.
Posted: Sat, 07 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The space includes a hands-on glass blowing studio, games like bocce and mini-golf, lounge chairs and even rentable Alcoves. Celebrity typically attracts sophisticated young adults and middle-aged couples, though you'll notice more families during the summer sailings in Alaska. Norwegian Bliss has officially sailed into the 2024 Alaska season with the ship’s first departure of the year from the Port of Seattle.
Sailing Map
For those looking for the best views without worrying about which side to be on, there are seven decks of rear-facing balconies for a view that’s unbeatable in Alaska. Encore homeports in Seattle, with itineraries that visit Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Victoria, B.C., Glacier Bay National Park and Tracy Arm Fjord (scenic cruising). Seven-night round trips from Seattle provide an easy start and finish for an Alaskan cruise -- with airfare that often is lower than alternatives. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines.
Economic Impact on the Port City
View our photo gallery of Alaska cruising photos from Norwegian Cruise Line. Keep in mind, this is just a sample of the sights waiting for you on a Norwegian Cruise Line Alaska cruise vacation. The beautiful small coastal town of Seward, which is most known for its picturesque scenic views and many visitors’ attractions, is a perfect addition for your next Alaska cruise.
Still, unlike some lines that cater to an older crowd, Princess doesn't ignore the children's market. The solo cabins in the studio zones are small (measuring 100 square feet) but are superbly designed to maximize storage space (something I learned firsthand staying in one on Norwegian Epic). Grab a mojito at the Sugarcane Mojito Bar and watch the sun go down.
Port services make airport transfers particularly easy in this cruise-friendly city. Explore Alaska as the mountain climbers do with an overnight stay in the quaint community of Talkeetna. Located 60 miles from the base of Mt. Denali, this tour gives you the best possible opportunity to see the largest mountain in North America from two distinctly different views. This program is the perfect fit for train buffs seeking a Denali and Fairbanks experience, relaxing travel days and two segments on the rails of Alaska Railroad. A comprehensive Alaska Denali program in only six days, complete with riverboat and railroad experiences as well as a preview of Denali’s incredible wilderness. Discover the magnificent beauty and vibrant spirit of Seattle on our comprehensive full-day (six-hour) driving and walking tour, where you'll unravel the city's rich history, iconic landmarks, and breathtaking panoramas.
The luxury cruise lines are your best bet if you're a couple and enjoy spacious suites, gourmet food, pampering (many luxe lines hire butlers to cater to every passenger) and the opportunity to meet other like-minded cruisers. The personalized service and all-inclusive nature of luxury voyages might also be attractive to anyone celebrating a milestone, such as an anniversary, big birthday or retirement. These cruise lines, especially on their newer ships, offer something for everyone — as well as a higher caliber of onboard dining than on the cheapest cruises. You'll have up to two days of scenic cruising, in addition to sailing the Inside Passage.
Most sail along the Inside Passage, a maritime route along the state's southern coast (and into British Columbia and Washington state) that weaves around the area's thousand islands. Some venture farther north into the Gulf of Alaska; these are often one-way cruises that begin and end at the ports near Anchorage. If you want to see landlocked areas, such as Denali National Park, you can tack a cruise line-operated tour onto the beginning or end of your sailing for a seamless land and sea vacation. It's easier than fumbling with multiple train, bus, ferry and hotel reservations to cobble together the same trip on your own. Juneau is a popular cruise port for Alaska cruises, located on the Inside Passage of Alaska.
The Port of Skagway is the northernmost ice-free, deep-water port in North America, and serves as a year-round transportation hub between Alaska, the Yukon Territory, Northern British Columbia, the Northwest... Among the advancements to be made in 2024 is finalizing shore power for all three Seattle cruise berths, six years earlier than initially forecast. As we arrived at Icy Strait Point’s new Wilderness Landing during Bliss’ inaugural cruise, Tyler Hickman, vice president of operations at Icy Strait Point, explained the intention of providing a true Alaska experience. Experience the best of the Last Frontier in quaint Whittier, Alaska. Enjoy the clear water filled with salmon, red snapper and trout along with the freely roaming wildlife, all combining to make Whittier a treat to visit. The snow covered mountaintops and dense forests set the mood for an Alaskan cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line.
Norwegian Encore leaving Seattle, Washington, for 7 days from 25 August, 2024. Please note that port orders, dates, and itinerary details, including content, are subject to change. Verify specific details for your chosen sailing date on the Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) website. Norwegian Bliss leaving Seattle, Washington, for 7 days from 19 October, 2024. All staterooms on Orion include premium touches like spacious bathrooms with heated floors and automatic lights in closets and near the bathroom door. For the best Alaska views, try for the pair of aft-facing Deluxe Verandah rooms on decks three-five.
Yes, the 3,998-passenger Norwegian Encore is a cruise ship that generally caters to the masses, not the luxury crowd. However, it has its own "ship-within-a-ship" luxury zone that offers a much more swanky experience for those willing to pay. Unlike the Royal Caribbean ships, the Norwegian ships also have epic waterslides on their top decks, which in theory, might put them over the top in any listing of the best cruise ships for families based in Seattle. Because Alaska has such a short season with a limited number of ships and is a dream trip for many, cruises are in high demand and people plan early. Icy Strait Point is notable among Alaska cruise ports because the area and its attractions are all Native Alaskan-owned. Most port and tour staff hail from Hoonah, Alaska's largest Tlingit village.
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