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This is Last Frontier pioneering with the cruise line voted Best Overall by Travel Weekly readers for 20 years running. If you’re a wildlife enthusiast, Holland America Line offers specialized itineraries that focus on wildlife watching. Their cruises often include stops at Glacier Bay National Park and Tracy Arm Fjord, where you can spot humpback whales, sea otters, and bald eagles. Onboard, enjoy lectures from naturalists to deepen your understanding of Alaska’s unique ecosystems. Explore more on your Alaska cruise by both land and sea in one seamless Alaska trip; plan an authentic vacation that goes beyond the expected.
Pre: Vancouver
Longer cruise ship itineraries continue on to cross the Gulf of Alaska and end in port communities in Southcentral Alaska including Anchorage, Seward, and Whittier. Inside Passage cruises venture along Alaska’s southeastern coast, guarded from rough seas by hundreds of islands. Cruise itineraries are generally seven to ten days, typically departing from Seattle or Vancouver, BC. Alaska land and sea cruise packages include round-trip or one-way itineraries, and often include post-cruise land tour options on a train or motorcoach for travelers wanting to continue their Alaska exploration.
QUANTUM OF THE SEAS
Head to Kenai Fjords National Park in Seward for a whale watching tour. There's nothing like seeing these behemoths hurl themselves out of the water, to splash back into the sea. Don't pass up an opportunity to watch these giants feed and play in the water. In Alaska, ancient rivers of ice wind between mountains and grind out of valleys. Towering walls of ice like the Hubbard Glacier, Endicott Arm Dawes and the twin Sawyer Glaciers thunder as they calve massive icebergs.
Top Tips for Planning a Cruise to Alaska
Longer 10- and 11-night Inside Passage Cruises are available from California. 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. This 30-mile waterway is surrounded by cliffs, valleys and dozens of waterfalls. Icebergs and harbor seals decorate the water below while Dawes Glacier soars into the sky above.
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. A journey on a Cunard® ship will deliver you to untold possibilities. As you sail on the spacious deck of Queen Elizabeth® toward the horizon... Pack waterproof jackets and strive for layers—you need to be ready for a sunny day and a chilly one, as the summertime high is usually only between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. While viewing these artic-blue beauties, you may see icebergs plunge into the sea, a process called "calving."
Glaciers and Icebergs
Milestones in Seattle Cruise History - portseattle.org
Milestones in Seattle Cruise History.
Posted: Thu, 04 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Our Alaska cruise cost was more budget-friendly than planning an independent trip to the Inside Passage. One of the most compelling reasons to choose this cruise is its affordability and easy access to remote locations. Given the region’s challenging geography—many ports are inaccessible by road—a cruise offers a cost-effective and convenient way to explore these hidden gems. Most cruises to Alaska's Inside Passage are seven nights long and typically begin and end in either Vancouver or Seattle. This "roundtrip" itinerary makes this a very popular cruise vacation because of the convenient flight schedules and availability of affordable roundtrip airline tickets in to and out of Vancouver and Seattle.
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). Sometimes Sitka, with its heavy Russian influence and alpine meadows, or Haines, known for exceptional fishing and its bald eagle preserve, swaps in. Glacier Bay National Park, or another scenic cruising area like Tracy Arm Fjord, is normally part of the itinerary. Simply put, cruisers aboard these sailings witness some of the most astounding wildlife and scenery.
UnCruise Inside Passage & Glacier Bay Wilderness Cruise
From ship to shore, the best is at your fingertips on our Alaska cruises. On a cruise to Alaska, live a nature lover's dream in the land where guests can catch postcard-worthy sights. 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.
Ports of Call on This Cruise
Your Holland America Line ship’s Casino offers a wide array of gaming options. Whether you prefer slot machines or want to try your hand at blackjack or poker, our dealers and staff are available to provide complimentary instruction — and we offer many engaging tournament options. Nami Sushi offers a tempting array of the sushi rolls he’s created. The word “nami,” Japanese in origin, means “wave” and is an homage to the ocean views you’ll enjoy as you dine on the freshest, tastiest and most inventive sushi at sea. With floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a private verandah, these spacious suites are flooded with light. They feature a large sitting area and two lower beds convertible to one king-size bed—our signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses.
On small ship cruises, you’ll visit even more intimate ports of call. Ever since the 1890’s visitors have come to Alaska because of wondrous reports about Glacier Bay—stories of towering glaciers which calve icebergs into the sea and scenic beauty beyond belief. When the famous naturalist John Muir explored Glacier Bay, much of the bay we have today did not yet exist. Ever changing, Glacier Bay National Park is still one of Alaska’s most popular coastal attractions and most visited national parks.
We are grateful to live, work, and play on the traditional lands of our Alaska Native neighbors. It's important to us to pay our respects while offering to build mutual understanding across cultures. 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... Juneau, the misty, laid-back capital, is known for outdoor recreation.
This large island offers a range of outdoor activities like fishing, kayaking, and hiking. It’s also home to the El Capitan Cave, the largest known cave in Alaska. Known for its stunning blue glaciers and steep granite cliffs, Tracy Arm Fjord is a natural wonder offering some of Alaska’s most picturesque scenery. Haines is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream, offering rafting, hiking, and eagle-watching opportunities. The Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is a must-visit, especially during the winter months when thousands of eagles can be spotted. Each day brought a new, awe-inspiring view and a fresh adventure, making it a travel experience we wholeheartedly recommend.
