7 Cruises in Inside Passage, Alaska

They provide an overview of Alaska's history, culture, recreation and industry, and don't offer much of a personal touch. While all travel has environmental and cultural impacts, cruising leaves its mark to varying degrees on Alaska's fragile ecosystems. The average large cruise ship can have a carbon footprint greater than 12,000 cars and produce up to a ton of trash each day. While there can be a positive economic impact on ports of call, a small community visited by 15,000 people per day during sailing season can intrinsically change. History awaits you in the enchanting enclaves of the Inside Passage. Cruise past archaic, granite glaciers and step into protected lands.

Baranof Dream

Finally, you'll find some round-trip San Francisco itineraries — usually 10 or 11 nights long — as well as longer sailings between San Francisco and Vancouver. These cruises are best suited to travelers who love days at sea. You'll find magnificent mountains (often snowcapped, even in the summertime), lush forests, waterfalls, fjords and calving glaciers. If it's marine life you've come to see, you'll find it in abundance, from whales and dolphins to sea lions and harbor seals.

Inside Passage with Glacier Bay

Glacier Bay National Park, or another scenic cruising area like Tracy Arm Fjord, is normally part of the itinerary. Feel the pioneer spirit of Alaska, from First Nations tribes to early Russian settlers to Gold Rush prospectors. These waters are also home to a huge population of whales, sea lions, seals, porpoises and puffins.

Pickleball at Sea

Small Ships Flourish In Alaska - TravelPulse

Small Ships Flourish In Alaska.

Posted: Tue, 26 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. The beauty of the land and its immense history; the thrill of seeing bears, moose and bald eagles; and the mysteries of the surrounding marine life will astound you. It's a trip worth taking the time to plan and doing right — because who knows if or when you'll make it back to the Last Frontier. 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 Alaska itineraries include some "scenic cruising," where your ship sails past incredible natural sights. If you're interested in Alaska's gold rush history, Skagway — 90 miles northwest of Juneau — is a port you shouldn't miss. In fact, it's the gateway to the Klondike and Dawson mining district in Canada's Yukon territory, where prospectors searched for gold in the late 1890s. The historic district still has a Wild West feel, though that's been a bit commercialized for the modern era.

If you prefer to stay grounded, you can find informative trolley tours of ports like Skagway. Generally, these one-way sailings travel from Seward or Whittier (the cruise ports closest to Anchorage) to Vancouver (or vice versa). Most itineraries are seven nights, but you'll find a handful that are longer. One of the key reasons to cruise Alaska versus taking a land tour is to visit destinations along the Inside Passage that you cannot reach by road. Plus, many of the state's famous glaciers are best viewed from the sea. If you're eager to spot bald eagles in the wild, ride a dog sled atop an ice field or pan for gold after a hearty salmon feast, an Alaska cruise is calling your name.

Best Alaska cruises for families with kids

Alaska has more coastline than the rest of the United States combined. Seeing the varied landscapes, abundant marine wildlife, and tidewater glaciers by cruise ship is one of the top ways to travel to and around Alaska. With a verandah, floor-to-ceiling windows and comfortable sitting area, these comfortable suites are filled with light. They include two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, plus a whirlpool bath and shower, mini-bar and refrigerator.

You're very likely to see some Alaskan wildlife on any Inside Passage itinerary, whether that be whales, bald eagles, sea lions, porpoises or spotted harbor seals. We acknowledge the Indigenous Peoples whose land we inhabit and we hope you visit so that you can learn about not just the history of Alaska's Native people but their living cultures. We are committed to a meaningful relationship with each of these groups that supports tourism for the benefit of all. The best of Alaska's glaciers and ports are yours on the ultimate Alaska cruise, with perfectly sized ships that get you closer to all the wonder... You can also take some 14-day versions that depart from San Francisco or San Diego.

It's easier than fumbling with multiple train, bus, ferry and hotel reservations to cobble together the same trip on your own. Holland America Line offers you a wide selection of lounges. This popular bar is at the top of the atrium and is the perfect locale for cocktails and dancing. Extend your cruise vacation, and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise. With a Cruise Plus Hotel Package, a Princess representative meets you at the airport and pier, transporting you to and from your hotel.

Her décor is inspired by music and features musical instruments including signed guitars from Queen, Iggy Pop, Eric Clapton and the Rolling Stones and a Baroque-style pipe organ. While on board, rejuvenate with a spa treatment in the serene Greenhouse Spa & Salon®, indulge in a tantalizing meal at a fine dining restaurant or play a friendly game of pickleball at sea. Read this review to hear from an expert’s eye what sets this operator's cruises apart from others in Alaska. It rained the entire week, and so good waterproof gear is a must.

Alaska cruise weather can be chilly (in the 40s to 50s) first thing in the morning and at night. However, if it's a sunny summer day, temperatures can shoot into the 70s and even low 80s. It also rains a lot in Alaska; it's drier in the spring than in the summer.

Bear Paw Char­ters offers pri­vate, all-inclu­sive day trips and longer tours on its lux­u­ry yacht — per­fect for whale watch­ing, bear view­ing, and expe­ri­enc­ing Alaska’s scenic majesty. The alternative to an Inside Passage cruise is a Gulf of Alaska cruise. These cross-gulf cruises hit some Inside Passage stops but also ports farther north. They're usually one-way trips starting or ending in Seward or Whittier, Alaska. The Inside Passage is one of the few routes in the world where large cruise ships requiring relatively deep water can safely sail next to steep mountainsides. It was heavily used by prospectors from the American West Coast during the Klondike Gold Rush.