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Staff were on hand to assist, contributing to an atmosphere of organized efficiency. Guests arranging their own flights must fly into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) for the start of this program.
Wild Arts Artist Walk: Hot Italian Glass
With a degree in Tourism Management and postgraduate studies in Journalism, Agnes combines academic expertise with real-world experience. Alongside her partner, Chris, she's your go-to guide for an authentic Alaskan adventure. These are just a few of the moments that set our Alaska cruise apart, making it an adventure we’ll cherish forever. One of the standout features was the freestyle disembarkation, allowing us to exit the ship at our leisure.
10 of 3,362 Norwegian Alaska Cruise Reviews
The Inside Passage has been the traditional way to cruise Alaska, with most ships sailing round-trip from Vancouver or Seattle, through glacier country as far north as Skagway or Juneau. Gulf of Alaska cruises cover more territory as they travel from Vancouver through the Inside Passage and up to Seward/Anchorage (or the reverse). Airfare for a Gulf of Alaska cruise is generally more expensive because Anchorage is so far north. Drive yourself on this guided off-road ATV tour in Haines and experience pristine wilderness, unforgettable views, and a delicious meal! And at the top, 1,500 feet above sea level, you’ll take in the sweeping vista of shimmering Chilkoot Lake, set in the stunning Chilkoot Valley. Travelers to Alaska often wonder what it’s like to live in a small Alaskan town year-round.
Day 6: Ketchikan, Alaska
Whether you purchase your tickets online or in person, through your cruise line or directly from White Pass and Yukon Route, you can choose from several departure times. If you book independently (not through your cruise line), double-check that the time you pick coincides with the time your ship will be in port. There are two great stops in Sitka to discover Alaska's wildlife up close. Visit the Alaska Raptor Center, where injured bald eagles and other birds are rehabilitated for eventual release into the wild. The Sitka Sound Science Center features a salmon hatchery, aquarium, and touch tank. Best of all, there are dozens of options to combine the train tour with another activity.
Unforgettable vacations await: Norwegian Cruise Line takes you to bucket list destinations with unmatched flexibility ... - The Points Guy
Unforgettable vacations await: Norwegian Cruise Line takes you to bucket list destinations with unmatched flexibility ....
Posted: Thu, 08 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Juneau Shore Excursions & Tours
However, a majority of the activities on a cruise tour are quite good, while others might seem too touristy. We’ve breathed Alaska’s crisp air, marveled at its towering glaciers, and immersed ourselves in local cultures. We’re not just tourists but passionate explorers who have visited Alaska multiple times, by both land and sea.
Setting off from the Juneau harbor in a whale-watching boat, you'll cruise to nearby areas to see not just humpback whales but harbor seals and sea lions, too. It's also insanely expensive, as I know from firsthand experience. I once took my entire family of five on this excursion, dropping more than $2,000 in the process.
Norwegian Jewel14-Day Denali/Valdez Explorer
And if you’re short on time, our guide to picking the perfect 7-day itinerary will help you make the most of your trip. Embarking on a 10-day Alaska Inside Passage cruise aboard the Norwegian Sun was an adventure we’ll never forget. From the awe-inspiring landscapes of Juneau and Skagway to the cultural richness of Sitka and Ketchikan, each port of call offered something unique. Icy Strait Point was a standout, offering a less crowded experience and incredible whale-watching opportunities.
What's the Best Cruise Line for Alaska? - Cruise Hive
What's the Best Cruise Line for Alaska?.
Posted: Thu, 29 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
One of the biggest surprises about the cruise tour is that certain meals might not be included. Some cruise tour programs don't include meals in the price to give travelers the freedom to try local restaurants of their own choosing. Cruise lines with the most established cruise tour programs in Alaska include Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean, each with its own hallmarks. We bring you not just authentic Alaska itineraries and insider tips but also a treasure trove of our own photos and first-hand experiences from the places we've explored and activities we've relished.
Exploring Creek Street in Ketchikan: A Traveler’s Guide
The area’s lake is generally protected from wind and currents, so this trip is suitable for beginners. The views are spectacular, with giant peaks surrounding the lake, and waterfalls flowing down from the mountains. Beginning in mid-July, you can often see sockeye salmon spawning in a shallow tributary stream. In August and September you have a good chance of seeing brown bear walking along the river and along the lake’s shore. Indeed, it's one of my all-time favorite Alaska shore excursions.
Your tour includes a ride on a replica of the narrow-gauge Tanana Valley Railroad and the opportunity to try panning for gold. If you can get past the tourist-trap atmosphere, the excursion can offer invaluable educational value and even a bit of fun. If you opt for the longer itineraries (at least seven days on land), you'll have more time to build upon the classic Denali circuit, with perhaps a longer stay in the Denali area. A longer cruise tour can also take you to the Kenai Peninsula, where you'll spend a night or two in a wilderness lodge or at the famed Alyeska Resort, or you might extend your trip into the Yukon instead.
For those seeking a more active way to see the White Pass, we highly recommend you book the White Pass Train & Bike Tour. You take the train up the Pass and then get off at Fraser (which is in British Columbia, Canada -- so bring your passports) for an additional 15-minute van ride to the White Pass summit. You'll then bike 15 miles down the Klondike Highway on a guided summit-to-sea tour back to Skagway.
The excursion begins with a narrated bus ride along the Haines Scenic Byway. You then transfer to the glacially carved Chilkat River on a flat-bottom boat where you will traverse a remote section of the renowned Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. The goal of the guided boat ride is to spot as many bald eagles as you can (keep an eye out for nests in the trees) and -- if you're lucky -- bears, moose and other wildlife as well. Lunch is served in a heated pavilion, and staff also stoke a roaring campfire to help you beat the chill and relax.
For entertainment, the Stardust Theater hosts live shows, and there are numerous bars and lounges where you can enjoy a cocktail while listening to live music. It’s a day to explore the ship’s offerings and find your favorite spots for the days ahead. Our 10-day Alaska cruise adventure began at Seattle’s Pier 66, a prime downtown location with easy access and panoramic views of Seattle’s iconic skyline. This review focuses on the itinerary, not the cruise line we chose.
On an Alaskan Cruise where the majority of the cruise is about sightseeing, it can be nice to have a space all to yourself. Many of the top decks were packed with people and not everyone got a railing, so you had to interchange places so everyone could get some unobstructed photos and videos. For Glacier Bay National Park, the ship onboarded National Park Rangers to give narration about the area. They would point out any wildlife and information about how the area has changed over the years. We were pleased to find lots of great restaurants and breweries (our personal favorite) in each town. We were hoping that local seafood would be really affordable, but were a little disappointed to find out it was still very expensive.
Once the formalities were out of the way, we were free to board the Norwegian Sun and start exploring the ship’s diverse amenities. Doors to the terminal opened at noon, well ahead of our 5 PM departure time. This early start allowed for a relaxed and unhurried check-in process. Upon entering the terminal, we found ourselves in a spacious, well-lit hall equipped with rows of check-in counters.
You can just walk off the ship and head to the major attractions on your own. A paddlewheel boat river tour in Fairbanks also offers a floatplane demonstration followed by a sled-dog demo at the home and training camp of an Iditarod champ. A cruise tour offers myriad opportunities to learn about Alaskan culture, but know that presentations range from sophisticated, interactive exhibits to more touristy attractions.
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