Table Of Content
July is the warmest month in Alaska (and one of the best for bear-spotting), but also the busiest. August is the end of the peak season, so, you may enjoy less crowds, but it tends to be rainier. Plan your cruise to Alaska leaving from Seattle, Washington with Holland America's tips on what to do in Seattle before you cruise to Alaska. Combine a cruise + train + lodge + Denali for an in-depth Alaska experience.
Ports of Call on These Cruises
Large cruise companies sail Alaska's Inside Passage from Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, and on through the Gulf of Alaska to Seward or Whittier. In between, passengers usually stop in Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, and then sail up College Fjord to see glaciers stretching their icy fingers into the sea. You'll see plenty of stunning scenery along the way but not up close – for most cruisers, it's more than enough to satisfy.
Experts On Board Your Cruise To Alaska
For more private or direct transportation, plenty of taxis are typically found in the area, and rideshares are available as well. Allow the colorful wooden buildings of Ketchikan to welcome you to this seaside town, known as the salmon capital of the world. Enjoy a freshly-caught salmon bake for lunch or embark on a crab fishing excursion and see what you can haul in. Ketchikan boasts the largest collection of Northwest totem poles, which are fascinating works of art that depict Tlingit history and culture. Discover the magic of the Last Frontier during a Dawes Glacier cruise from Seattle, where you’ll sail through Alaska’s Inside Passage, stop in quaint fishing towns, and witness the beauty of nature’s wonders.
Seattle Begins Milestone Alaska Season With Norwegian Cruise Line Ship - Cruise Hive
Seattle Begins Milestone Alaska Season With Norwegian Cruise Line Ship.
Posted: Mon, 08 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Food & Dining
Quite simply, you can pick and choose to create your own memorable holiday whilst onboard. Elevate your experience with The Retreat and you’ll enjoy a beautiful suite, an exclusive sun deck and pool, a luxurious lounge, and dining in the exquisite Luminae at The Retreat. When you stop in Skagway, Alaska’s Klondike Gold Rush history is front and center. Learn all about the gold rush and its cultural and historical significance by riding the restored White Pass & Yukon Railroad that traces the steep, mountainous White Pass trail of the 1896 gold rush.
However, it has its own "ship-within-a-ship" luxury zone that offers a much more swanky experience for those willing to pay. Celebrity offers round-trip cruises to Alaska from Seattle May through September. June through August are peak cruise times, and if you’re tied to a school schedule, this may be the best time to visit Alaska on a cruise. Cruising to Alaska during May or September offers fewer crowds and cooler weather.
What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise
Once you’ve docked at Pier 91 in Smith Cove Cruise Terminal—an old naval base about 2 miles north of downtown Seattle—you’ll be a short walk from several local boutiques in what’s known as the Magnolia neighborhood. It's the sort of itinerary that specifically appeals to retirees with the time (and money) to book such a long trip. Still, unlike some lines that cater to an older crowd, Princess doesn't ignore the children's market. Passengers staying in solo cabins get exclusive access to the Studio Lounge (using their keycards), meaning a maximum of 82 people will share the space.
Adventure Awaits on a Cruise to Québec, Newfoundland and New England
See how dogsled pups are trained and ride a dogsled through a wilderness forest. Foodies will enjoy a culinary tour that showcases Alaska’s delicious food and those who catch it, grow it, and sell it, led by one of our onboard chefs. Here are some things you should know before you book one of our round-trip cruises from Seattle to Alaska.
Sign Up For Special Offers
Op-Ed: Seattle Advocates Rally Against Polluting Cruise Ship Industry as Alaska Season Launches - The Urbanist
Op-Ed: Seattle Advocates Rally Against Polluting Cruise Ship Industry as Alaska Season Launches.
Posted: Mon, 01 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
If you’re cruising with your family, enjoy the ship’s very own SkyRide, Sky Zone or Water Works park. If you’re cruising with only adults, take advantage of the ship’s many lounges, bars and restaurants. If you’re looking for the best Alaska cruises from Seattle, continue reading for AAA’s top suggestions or contact us to speak directly with one of our knowledgeable travel agents about your upcoming trip. Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site.
Alaska’s food culture, especially world-renowned Alaskan seafood, has a way of bringing people back to the state again and again. Call your travel agent directly or your nearest AAA store to get pro tips, TripTik maps, and more. Dining options that are included in the ticket are Pinnacle Grill, Lido Market and The Dining Room. There are also other dining options onboard (at an additional cost) including a cafe, sushi restaurant and a pizzeria. Take full advantage of all the amenities that accompany a cruise with Royal Caribbean International.
What you will find on the top decks of both Eurodam and Westerdam are more serene sunning areas with pools and whirlpools. Both ships are almost identical, but we give Discovery Princess the edge only because it's newer than Royal Princess. 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). It's yet one more stylish and upscale area for cruisers looking for an upgraded experience to retreat. On Norwegian Encore, there's a much bigger version of the exclusive, extra-charge Vibe Beach Club sunning area that's on Norwegian Bliss.
You’ll hike where there are no trails, paddle without another human in sight, and get to know the traditional lands of Alaska’s Coastal Native tribes. We like Alaskan Dream Cruises, UnCruise Adventures and Lindblad Expeditions for smaller, more sustainable cruises. On a cruise out of Seattle, you can also enjoy best-in-class service and expert-crafted activities on board Majestic Princess®.
From top-rated cruises that visit Glacier Bay National Park to scenic rail travel and exclusive Princess lodges, you will find a seamless Alaska experience with Princess. Look to shoulder season sailingsNot only will you often receive a significant discount, you’ll also be able to witness Alaska’s seasonal transitions and fewer crowds at ports of call. If spotting wildlife is a priority, consider cruising during the salmon runs, when bears are most active and can be spotted from the decks of the ship. Humpback whales often follow schools of herring and other small fish during the summer and can be seen anytime between May and September before they migrate to Hawaii or Mexico. Here at AAA, we’ve made it our mission to provide travelers with access to luxurious and fun cruise experiences. We look forward to providing you with the answers that you need in order to make the best decision for your upcoming trip.
During your Alaska cruise, explore the Yukon's pristine wilderness, pan for gold with professionals or meet sled dog puppies in training. Known for its timber, Ketchikan hosts the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, where athletes throw, race and chop their way to victory. Explore one of the world’s oldest collection of totem poles at the Totem Pole Heritage Center, or stroll along Creek Street. As the salmon capital of the world, Ketchikan’s waters make for incredible fishing. With no roads connecting it to the rest of Alaska or North America, it is truly a protected destination.
