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Victoria, British Columbia is visited on Royal Caribbean Alaska cruises departing from Seattle. One of the most popular activities in Victoria is visiting the Butchart Gardens, a 55-acre floral display dating back to 1904. Walking around the city to admire the area’s British heritage is another fun way to spend the day, whether enjoying afternoon tea, shopping on Wharf street, or indulging in local cuisine. Haines is another small Alaska port offering a selection of outdoor activities including kayaking and hiking. If visiting Glacier Bay is on your bucket list, you can book a flightseeing tour of the massive glacier from Haines.
Disadvantages of a one-way Alaska cruise
If you initially paid $220 for an Unlimited Dining Package and it lowers to $179, you can cancel and rebook the package to obtain the lower price. Being able to ask your travel agent questions–and get them resolved–without having to take time out of your day to contact Royal Caribbean yourself will save you valuable time. One of the lessons we learned from our first Royal Caribbean cruise to Alaska was that while a balcony cabin is nice to have, it is not nearly as essential as others led us to believe. Many cruisers have been able to board Alaska cruises despite having a DUI, however, provided they sail from Seattle and not Vancouver.
Take advantage of port lectures
Common ports include Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Haines, and Hubbard Glacier, among others. In addition to the cruises, Royal Caribbean offers expanded journeys into Alaska with its Cruise Tour program. If you are used to cruising in the Caribbean, going to Alaska is going to surprise you in some ways with the different approach and experience it offers.
Night 7 Nt Northbound Alaska & Hubbard GlacierDetails
From spending the day exploring historic ports to enjoying wonderful dining and entertainment each evening onboard, it’s easy to see why Alaska cruises are so popular. Popular cruise excursions in Juneau include whale watching, visiting Mendenhall Glacier, tasting local seafood, and riding the Goldbelt Tramway to Mount Roberts. If you’re on a one-way itinerary, it’s possible to encounter inclement weather while sailing through the Gulf of Alaska to (or from) Seward. Again, packing motion-sickness remedies is recommended, although you can always find some onboard if you forget. Because one-way itineraries start or end in Seward, you also have the opportunity to spend time in interior Alaska before or after the cruise. Extending your 7-night cruise with a few days visiting destinations like Denali National Park and Preserve and Talkeetna can make your vacation even more memorable.
Booking a cruise as soon as the itinerary is released will often bring the lowest prices as well as the most selection of available cabins. Royal Caribbean offers more budget-friendly excursions that still take you to some amazing destinations. As an example, a wildlife safari and bear viewing tour in Haines will run around $89 per adult, whereas a ride on the White Pass Scenic Railway in Skagway is around $100 per person.
I cruised on the oldest and newest cruise ships to Alaska: here's how they compare - Royal Caribbean Blog
I cruised on the oldest and newest cruise ships to Alaska: here's how they compare.
Posted: Mon, 24 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Radiance sails 7-night, one-way cruises between Vancouver and Seward, while Serenade is sailing 7-night, round-trip cruises from Vancouver. The perceived advantage of these ships is that they are smaller, allowing them to go where Royal Caribbean's bigger ships cannot. While Brilliance of the Seas may not offer as many family-friendly activities as a ship like Quantum of the Seas, she still offers more than enough to keep kids occupied.
Visit glaciers
Most Royal Caribbean itineraries are round trip sailings, meaning they start and end at the same cruise port. If you booked an active shore excursion, such as a cycling or hiking tour, you may feel uncomfortably warm in heavy layers. In this case, having thin layers like short sleeve shirts and lightweight shorts or pants is helpful.
Those cruising to Alaska in the peak of summer may find the weather surprisingly warm, making it comfortable to wear just a t-shirt during the day. Those cruising in the shoulder seasons, on the other hand, will want to make sure they have warm layers in case of inclement weather. An Alaska shore excursion will allow you to explore what each of the ports have to offer, including taking in the natural beauty of this part of the world. As days become shorter and temperatures cool down, cruise crowds and prices tend to be lower.
Find Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas Cruises to Alaska (with Prices) - Cruise Critic
Find Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas Cruises to Alaska (with Prices).
Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 14:48:47 GMT [source]
From selecting a ship and embarkation port to reserving the best shore excursions, there’s a lot to know before your cruise begins. Making sure you book shore excursions early is important when cruising to Alaska during the peak season to ensure tours do not sell out. Royal Caribbean sends four cruise ships to Alaska each season, and each ship varies from one another.
A cruise to Alaska is less about lounging on the beach and more about getting active and exploring all that the state has to offer. Alaska is a paradise for those who love the outdoors, and you’ll find plenty of excursions catered to active travelers. While the price can vary depending on the itinerary, it’s possible for balcony rooms to cost between $500 and $1000 more than the smallest interior cabins. Although most Alaska cruises go ahead as scheduled, it’s always important to remain flexible on the chance your itinerary is shifted.
Kayaking is a relatively low-impact activity, making it a great choice for those looking for an active excursion that also allows them to relax and enjoy the scenery. If you’re hoping to explore Native history and culture on your own, research museums and walking paths in your port of call. While you may be able to find cards onboard, either in the library or Royal Caribbean gift shop, packing a deck of cards in your luggage isn’t a bad idea either. Travel insurance can cover travel delays and cancellations, lost luggage or valuables, medical coverage, emergency transportation, and more. It’s always better to purchase travel insurance and not need it than to not have travel insurance when an unfortunate situation arises.
Strolling along the forest at the Sitka National Historical Park is a popular activity, too, which preserves the site of a battle between the Tlingit people and Russian traders. Located on the Lynn Canal, panoramic vistas surround Skagway and the town is a gateway into Canada’s Yukon Territory. Many passengers choose to ride the White Pass & Yukon Railroad, taking visitors through a mountain pass once climbed by those hoping to strike it rich in the gold-rush era. Alaska truly is one of those places you have to see to believe, and a Royal Caribbean cruise is a fantastic way to visit the Last Frontier. Planning a vacation to Alaska means knowing where you want to visit, what you want to do in port, and how to save money along the way. Although the service comes with a small fee in addition to any airline baggage fees, it offers unparalleled convenience for travelers.
It’s common to book shore excursions on an Alaska cruise, and with high demand there’s always a chance that an excursion will sell out. Therefore, if there’s an excursion you really want to experience on a cruise to Alaska, be sure to book the tour far in advance. Some cruise lines may offer longer sailings from Seattle, such as day cruises visiting more ports and glaciers, but this is not offered on Royal Caribbean. In fact, some passengers prefer to explore on their own to have maximum freedom over activities, dining, and travel pace. While excursions are an “easy” option due to the fact that all logistics are handled by the tour operator instead of yourself, they can be a bit too limiting for some travelers. Whale watching tours are offered in many Alaska cruise ports, but the most common ports for whale watching are Juneau and Icy Strait Point.
Whether dog sledding on a glacier or kayaking through fjords, splurging on an excursion is almost always worth it. Complimentary spots for the North Star are available when the ship is in port, but cost extra on sea days ($29.99) or when the ship is visiting a glacier ($49.99). RipCord by iFLY has a 1-minute complimentary flight option or a longer, 2-minute flight available for $49.99. Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau is one of the most visited glaciers on an Alaska cruise, as it is easily accessible via bus or taxi from the cruise port.
When researching cruises to Alaska, one piece of advice you’ll almost always see is to book a balcony cabin. Balcony cabins are cruise staterooms with their own private outdoor balcony, and they are the most popular cabins to book on any sailing. Despite the cost, shore excursions in Alaska offer truly unique experiences that you can’t find elsewhere in the lower 48.
That being said, it’s possible (though not guaranteed) to see Alaska’s northern lights in September, which is a plus for those planning an Alaska cruise in the fall. Kayaking, hiking, the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, and walking through downtown are all great options for a day in Ketchikan as well. Cruises to Alaska visit ports primarily along Alaska’s Inside Passage, visiting small, picturesque towns, some of which are inaccessible by road. From the majestic scenery, to amazing wildlife, delicious seafood, and diverse history and culture, Alaska has a lot to offer. Dinner in the Main Dining Room is a traditional part of any cruise experience, but think twice before selecting your dining time. Instead of getting upset over a cold, rainy day in port, maintain a positive attitude.
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