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If you’re on a budget (or would simply prefer to explore without a large group), research which activities are offered in each Alaskan town. Two Royal Caribbean ships sail from Seattle to Alaska each summer, with Ovation of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas offering Alaska cruises each season. These large, modern Quantum Class cruise ships are perfect for any passenger due to the variety of dining options, activities, and cabin categories you’ll find onboard. Nonetheless, if you don’t want to break the bank with excursions, it’s easy to have a great time in port without a shore excursion. Most Alaska cruise ports are completely walkable and offer plenty of shopping, restaurants, museums, and nature to explore without booking a tour. Depending on your cruise itinerary, there may be a chance to book an excursion on a scenic cruising glacier day.
Alaska Souvenirs to Take Home With You So You Never Forget Your Trip Royal Caribbean Cruises
During scenic glacier viewing days, Royal Caribbean offers excursions that allow guests to disembark their large cruise ship and board a small expedition vessel. In addition to convenience, roundtrip sailings also provide an excellent Alaska cruise experience. On a roundtrip cruise, you’ll still visit Alaska’s most popular ports, such as Juneau and Skagway, and most itineraries include a scenic glacier viewing as well. While booking early will help lock in a low price, some Alaska shore excursions are simply more expensive than others.
Alaska Cruises Insider
Take an excursion or tour through the water-filled valleys of Mendenhall Glacier to bathe in the light that reflects off of the compressed ice. You can kayak through Mendenhall Lake, which is actually created by the melting waters of the 3,000-year-old glacier. Looking to explore a world-class metropolis before your adventure in the wild? A northbound cruise to Alaska lets you start your journey in vibrant Vancouver.
Last-minute deals are common in the shoulder season
Finally, make sure to book pre-cruise add-ons as soon as possible for a 2024 or 2025 Alaska cruise. From dining packages to shore excursions, it's always better to book in advance before add-ons increase in price or sell out. Royal Caribbean offers more budget-friendly excursions that still take you to some amazing destinations.
Use Seattle airport’s port valet service when disembarking in Seattle
As days become shorter and temperatures cool down, cruise crowds and prices tend to be lower. Cruising to Alaska in the early season, April and May, brings lower crowds and prices. Expect to see daily temperatures with highs in the mid 50s and lows around 40 degrees. Less rain is expected during the early season, as April, May, and June are among the driest months of the year in Alaska. Daylight hours will increase each day leading up to the summer solstice, with daylight hours from 4AM to 10PM in late May. Doing research will help you pack correctly, plan your travel logistics without any issues, and book that once-in-a-lifetime excursion you’ve dreamed about for years.
Comparing the Royal Caribbean ships sailing to Alaska in 2024 - Royal Caribbean Blog
Comparing the Royal Caribbean ships sailing to Alaska in 2024.
Posted: Thu, 28 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
And when you combine your seven-night sailing with Alaska CruiseTours, you’ll explore the best of the Last Frontier — on land and sea. Like hiking through the rugged wilderness, dog sledding, and spotting whales in the wild. It’s also important to note that booking an excursion on an Alaska cruise is not a requirement.
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. While it could be tempting to sleep in, we advise starting your port day earlier rather than later. Dinner in the Main Dining Room is a traditional part of any cruise experience, but think twice before selecting your dining time. One must-do before you board an Alaska cruise in 2024 is to pre-purchase these add-ons.
THE 25 BEST Royal Caribbean Cruises to Alaska (with Prices) 2024 & 2025 on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE 25 BEST Royal Caribbean Cruises to Alaska (with Prices) 2024 & 2025 on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 17:43:33 GMT [source]
Cruises from Seattle tend to visit the more common ports, such as Juneau and Skagway, whereas cruises that begin in Anchorage or Vancouver get to visit more remote ports. Be sure to consider where your cruise begins and ends the sailing before booking. If you have never cruised to Alaska before, you may find the decision of which ship, embarkation port, and itinerary a tough decision. There are many considerations when choosing an Alaska cruise, but ultimately the decision may come down to budget, convenience, and time. As your ship departs Seattle or Vancouver, it must sail through a brief section of the open Pacific before reaching Alaska (usually day two of the sailing). You’ll also pass through this section on the way back to Seattle or Vancouver from Alaska (day six or seven).
A pair of sneakers made from a water-resistant material will keep your feet dry and warm under most weather conditions. Although your cruise itinerary might say you arrive at 6AM on disembarkation day, this does not mean you can get off your ship at 6AM. It takes time for your ship to dock, get cleared by local authorities, and prepare for disembarkation.
It is important to note that the Quantum Class ships have two indoor pools, one for adults and one for all ages. When your ship is not within the Inside Passage, it’s possible to encounter strong winds and high seas. Packing layers ensures you’re prepared for whichever weather conditions you encounter. Many passengers will opt to view the scenery from the comfort of their balconies, but this is not necessarily the best spot to do so. The saloon offers very reasonably priced drinks as well as standard American and Alaskan fare. Make sure to try some of the saloon’s special drinks, such as the Alaskan Duck Fart shot and draft root beer.
Find the most Instagrammable places for your next vacation cruise to Alaska. Come discover the prettiest spots to take pictures with our travel photo guide. Most people tend to focus on the Caribbean for summer cruises, but an Alaska summer vacation can be a great option, too. Embark on a thrilling journey with young explorers through breathtaking landscapes.
Before booking an Alaska cruise, take time to research the activities and shore excursions offered in each port. Some cruisers may prefer booking a train ride in Skagway whereas others will love the opportunity to learn more about Alaska’s Russian influence in Sitka. If you’re planning a cruise to Alaska, it’s natural to have questions about cruising to the 49th state. From selecting a ship and embarkation port to reserving the best shore excursions, there’s a lot to know before your cruise begins. Quantum of the Seas® joins sister ship Ovation of the Seas® in Seattle for our biggest, boldest Alaska season ever.
Read our helpful frequently asked questions or check out our CruiseTour brochure. Near the very end of the Turnagain Arm Waterway, along the scenic Seward Highway, this center provides a sanctuary for native Alaskan animals in need. Here you can get up close to the orphaned, injured or displaced animals, all under expert care in their natural habitats so that they can be reintroduced into the wild. The resident population varies by the season but can include caribou and moose calves, fawns, porcupines, birds, lynx, and brown and black bears.
Because of the long hours of daylight in the summer, it’s not common to see northern lights on an Alaska cruise. In September, you can expect to see more rainfall compared to other months and temperatures will be chillier compared to peak summer. Nonetheless, the fewer crowds and lower prices make visiting at this time of year appealing for many guests. This shoulder season will see some of the lowest prices offered all year, and you can occasionally snag a great last-minute cruise deal as fall approaches. While it’s impossible to predict the exact weather conditions you may encounter on an Alaska cruise, it’s possible your ship will sail through choppy waters.
These ships feature amenities like an indoor sports arena, rock climbing wall, indoor skydiving simulator, and FlowRider surf simulator. In addition, they have a larger Adventure Ocean kids programming space and an indoor pool for all ages. Roundtrip sailings depart and return to Seattle, Washington, and this is often more affordable and logistically easier than starting and ending in different ports. Northbound one-way cruises start in Vancouver, British Columbia and end in Seward, Alaska whereas southbound sailings travel in the opposite direction. Both classes of ships also have a thermal suite available at an extra cost, which includes hot stone loungers, saunas, and steam rooms—all of which are perfect for Alaska’s chilly weather.
Our local Alaska expert Mollie wrote a great piece about where to eat like a local on your Alaska cruise. From local breweries to diners and food trucks, we recommend reading through her guide before your Alaska cruise to ensure you don’t miss out on the state’s best eats. While traveling to any destination, one of the best ways to learn more about a region’s culture is to taste local cuisine, and that is true in Alaska as well. There’s no right or wrong cabin to book for an Alaska cruise, and the type of room you book ultimately comes down to your budget and cabin availability.
