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Stay alert for crafty orcas who feed on salmon in the Alaska Inside Passage. Extend your cruise vacation, and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise. Travel back in time and pan for gold like a prospector during the Gold Rush. Snuggle sled dog puppies in the ship's Piazza, or see the Northern Lights in the planetarium. At the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, explore our treehouse and enjoy unmatched views of Denali. Dive deeper into what makes the Great Land special on your cruise to Alaska.
Your Ship: Seabourn Odyssey
The native interpreters there gave us an excellent overview of Tlingit culture, which we’ll talk about in more depth in a future post. The Alaska cruise season begins in May, when daily high temperatures generally range from 53°F to 62°F, and daily lows are in the 40s. It rarely gets above 70º, and it almost never dips close to freezing. Alaska’s increasing popularity as a tourist destination (2 million annual visitors) and location in the Arctic and sub-Arctic makes the timing of your Inside Passage cruise tricky. A more casual, indoor/outdoor alternative for breakfasts and lunch, and regionally-themed dinners with table service nightly. On that occasion, the guests on board for the maiden voyage were all honored as the ship’s godparents, and a plaque with their names was permanently mounted on a wall inside the ship.
THE 25 BEST Cruises from Vancouver to Alaska (with Prices) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE 25 BEST Cruises from Vancouver to Alaska (with Prices) on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Thu, 18 Apr 2024 23:18:30 GMT [source]
Alaska Wildlife
I was hoping to see more marine wildlife, but that did not turn out to be the case during our week. The fantastic bear encounter made up for the entire week, however. The smallest boat offering Inside Passage cruises is 8 guests, two examples being the Westward and Sikumi yachts. These ships are great for Alaska yacht charters, or a more intimate experience with fellow travelers. The largest ship on our curated Inside Passage cruise itineraries are the 100-guest identical sister ships National Geographic Venture and Quest.

New to cruising
Our award-winning North to Alaska program brings local personalities, culture and cuisine on board and ashore to immerse you in all things Alaska during your cruise to the Great Land. When you cruise to Alaska from Seattle, encounter unique ports of call that are rich in history, culture and natural beauty. Follow in the footsteps of the Yukon Gold Rush on an Alaska cruise from Seattle to some of the world’s most scenic wonders. With convenient weekend departures and proximity to the Great Land, a cruise to Alaska from Seattle allows you to leave when you want, and spend less time getting there. Add a hotel package to your Mediterranean cruise and indulge in an unforgettable overnight departure or arrival city.
We spotted several pods of Dall’s and Harbor Porpoises leaping in the wake of our small cruise ship. We also saw huge colonies of Steller’s Sea Lions, adorable pairs of Sea Otters, and tons of Harbor Seals along the way. And you’ll likely see at least a dozen Humpback Whales and Killer Whales (a.k.a. Orcas) during a 7-day Alaska cruise. We spent several memorable evenings watching whole pods of Orcas swimming along the surface at sunset. The hike takes you through gorgeous maritime forest and pristine rainforest, which has thankfully been protected from deforestation. Along the way you’ll find stunning river reflections; wildlife such as birds, Sitka Deer, and Black Bears (during Salmon season); and several great fishing spots.
From exploring historic gold mines to venturing in the footsteps of early explorers, learn about Alaska’s Inside Passage and discover the wonders awaiting you. Alaskans are inviting people who love to share what makes their state unique. Watch lumberjacks in action, learn from Glacier Bay National Park rangers and craft with a Native totem pole carver. Or listen to harrowing Tales from the Deadliest Catch fishermen and climbers who have summited Denali during your Alaska cruise. They groan, creak and shudder on their march to the sea, punctuated by the booms and crashes of "white thunder" — a sound that echoes across the water when ice calves into the ocean below.
There will be loads of on board activities during those days, including a great game of bridge. The closest international airports for an Inside Passage cruise are Sitka Rocky Gutirrez Airport (SIT), Juneau International Airport (JNU), and Ketchikan International Airport (KTN). Most flights to Alaska from the US mainland arrive in Juneau, Anchorage, and Fairbanks; connecting flights are readily available from both Anchorage and Fairbanks. Wildlife Encounters - A cruise of the Inner Passages offers wildlife encounters galore. Whether you’re an avid bird water or more interested in the creatures big and small that live in a watery home, there is no shortage of chances to be wowed. The icy waters are ecologically diverse, from enormous hales to small fish and everything in between.
Summer is several local species' main mating and birthing season; watch as seal pups drift on large blocks of ice and birds teach their offspring to fly and swim. There are also increased chances of seeing whales in the summer. The best time for hiking in the Inner Passages is from mid-summer onwards when the terrain has thawed. Misty Fjords - A sublime wilderness area and a national monument, be awed by the gigantic glacial cliffs as your Inside Passage Cruise makes its way through Misty Fjords. A smaller cruise ship might pass close enough to the many waterfalls for you to feel the spray from the powerful water.
Baranof Dream
The 8 Best Alaska Cruises to Take in 2024 - AFAR Media
The 8 Best Alaska Cruises to Take in 2024.
Posted: Wed, 27 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
During the Klondike Gold Rush, the Inside Passage was popular for American prospectors seeking gold, but today its popularity remains for tourism and commercial fishing. It’s now by far the most popular destination to take a small ship Alaska cruise thanks to its protected waters, interesting geological features and abundant wildlife. This Inside Passage cruise docks near Vancouver’s biggest attractions, so you can spend more time sightseeing and less time getting from place to place.
You’ll explore away from the crowds, getting an up-close view of wildlife, scenery, hot springs, and glaciers. Temperatures are warm, with highs in the ’70s and low ’80s (and rising, thanks to climate change). On the downside, cruise ships tend to be booked to capacity, and Alaskan cruise prices are at their highest. Small-ship cruises are usually confined to localized areas within the Inside Passage and start out from Juneau, Ketchikan or Sitka. Design your exclusive itinerary then set sail into the vast open waters and wildlife-rich shorelines of Prince William Sound aboard your own spacious and private yacht.
We saw a large pod of orcas, sea otters, humpback whales, bears, jelly fish, sea lions, eagles, jumping salmon and more. A range of Activities - Climb into a skiff (small one-person rowing boat) or kayak to feel completely free on the waters, soaking up the air of tranquility as you lose yourself in the many magical sights. Join a guided hike to learn more about the magnificent landscapes and how they were formed over the years and discover more about the cultural groups and animals that occupy the remote areas. Discover the traditions and customs of different groups, including the Tlingit and the Haida, see intricate totem poles, visit cultural centers and much more.
Alaska's seafood is famous, and we bring the best to you with locally inspired dishes from the state’s best eateries. With Cook My Catch excursions, catch your own salmon or halibut with the help of a local expert, and in the evening our talented chefs will prepare your haul for your dinner — a Princess exclusive. From ship to shore, the best is at your fingertips on our Alaska cruises. Our Princess fleet includes ships that range from our smaller vessels to large ships.
The high demand for Inside Passage cruises can be partly attributed to the convenience of ending a cruise in the same place you first set sail. Plus, they can be less expensive than cross-gulf cruises, which typically require a pricey flight to Anchorage (the gateway for nearby Seward and Whittier). For those looking for a cruise-only experience, this is a great option. While you will not be able to add a land tour, it offers a great sampling of Alaska. We were fortunate to spend nearly an hour watching a mama and two baby Black Bears during a hike at Mendenhall Glacier. We also saw a Porcupine there, and Mountain Goats and Red Squirrels in Glacier Bay National Park.
Alaska Inside Passage cruises usually stop at three or four ports. These include historic Gold Rush-era Skagway, Ketchikan (the "Salmon Capital of the World" and home to a notable number of Native Alaskan totems) and Juneau, Alaska's capital city. The largest national forest in the country, Tongass National Forest, blankets the entire southeast Alaska portion of the Inside Passage, and many glaciers can still be seen. Many adventurous cruisers join an Inside Passage Alaska cruise visit or view majestic glaciers. But there are countless other marine animals in Alaska worth watching for.
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