What to Expect on Your ALASKA CRUISE

Alaska cruises offer a unique experience that goes beyond the typical vacation on board. As your ship navigates through the Inside Passage, you’ll be greeted by breathtaking landscapes that are unlike any other. Towering glaciers, lush forests, and rugged coastlines create a stunning backdrop for your journey. The wildlife in Alaska is another highlight; you might spot humpback whales breaching, sea otters floating by, and bald eagles soaring overhead.

For those seeking a “vacation on board” experience, Alaska cruises provide all the amenities and entertainment of a floating resort while offering spectacular views of the Alaskan wilderness. Cruise lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian focus on pampering and relaxation, featuring large ships with multiple dining options, theaters, pools, and activities designed to keep guests entertained throughout their multi-day journey. While the focus is on enjoying the onboard facilities, the scenic vistas of Alaska, whale spotting, and perhaps a chance to experience glaciers calving add an extra layer of magic to the vacation.

Day cruises offer a different kind of experience, perfect for those who want to explore specific aspects of Alaska’s beauty. These shorter excursions focus on specific highlights, such as glacier tours, whale watching, or exploring fjords.

Windstar Cruises, for example, provides an intimate sailing experience with small ships that can access secluded ports, offering a more exclusive adventure.

Phillips Cruises & Tours operates high-speed catamarans that take you close to dynamic glaciers and wildlife in Prince William Sound, ensuring a memorable day on the water.

In contrast, educational cruises are designed to immerse passengers in the natural and cultural wonders of Alaska, offering the best of both worlds. These cruises often feature smaller ships that can navigate closer to shorelines and glaciers, providing a more intimate experience.

Onboard naturalists and experts offer lectures and guided excursions, enriching the journey with insights into the region’s ecology, geology, and history. Passengers can participate in pre-planned onshore excursions like wildlife watching, glacier trekking, and visits to indigenous communities, making the cruise both informative and adventurous.

UnCruise for example offers small ship expeditions that emphasize hands-on exploration and personalized experiences, allowing guests to bushwhack through forests, kayak near glaciers, and engage in meaningful interactions with local cultures.

One of the most captivating aspects of an Alaska cruise is the opportunity to witness the awe-inspiring glaciers up close. For many cruises, Glacier Bay National Park is a highly-memorable experience where tourists can watch massive chunks of ice calve into the sea with a thunderous roar. The sheer scale and beauty of these glaciers are truly humbling.

Alaska’s cultural heritage is also a significant part of the cruise experience. Many itineraries include stops in towns like Ketchikan, Juneau, and Sitka, where you can learn about the indigenous Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples. These towns offer a glimpse into Alaska’s history, with opportunities to visit totem parks, museums, and cultural centers.

Excursions in Alaska are designed to immerse you in the natural beauty and adventure of the region. Whether it’s kayaking through serene fjords, hiking on pristine trails, or taking a scenic flight over the vast wilderness, there’s no shortage of ways to explore. Fishing enthusiasts can try their hand at catching salmon or halibut, while thrill-seekers might opt for a dog sledding adventure on a glacier.

For the truly adventurous, hop aboard one of Maple Leaf’s small ship expeditions on a converted tug boat that has just eight cabins.  Because of their small size, they have access to shore adventures that larger ships find difficult to arrange, opening up even more of Alaska’s nature and culture for exploration.

The long summer days in Alaska provide ample time to soak in the sights and sounds of this incredible destination. With nearly 24 hours of daylight during the peak season, you can make the most of every moment, whether you’re on a shore excursion or simply enjoying the view from the deck.

It’s worth noting that some cruise operators offer more than one type of experience. For example, Princess Cruises provides both resort-style and educational cruises in Alaska. Their resort-style cruises offer luxurious onboard amenities, while their “North to Alaska” program includes

cultural and educational activities such as naturalist talks, lectures, and cuisine featuring fresh Alaska seafood. They also offer “cruisetours” that combine a cruise with land tours, allowing passengers to explore Alaska’s interior with stays at Princess Wilderness Lodges and scenic rail travel. This flexibility allows travelers to choose the type of experience that best suits their interests and preferences.

An Alaska cruise offers a distinctive blend of natural wonders, wildlife encounters, cultural experiences, and outdoor adventures that set it apart from other cruise destinations, promising to leave you with unforgettable memories and a deeper appreciation for the Last Frontier.

For more information

• www.travelalaska .com/Plan-Your-Trip/Packages-Tours/Cruise-Packages

Day Cruises Phillips Cruises & Tours – www.phillipscruises.com Alaska’s Finest Tours & Cruises – www.akfinest.com Stan Stephens Glacier & Wildlife Cruises – www.stephenscruises.com  Mainstream Cruises Royal Caribbean International – www.royalcaribbean.com Norwegian Cruise Line – www.ncl.com Carnival Cruise Line – www.carnival.com Disney Cruise Line – www.disneycruise.disney.go.com  Expedition Cruises UnCruise Adventures – www.uncruise.com Maple Leaf Adventures – www.mapleleafadventures.com Holland America Line – www.hollandamerica.com Princess Cruises – www.princess.com Celebrity Cruises – www.celebritycruises.com Regent Seven Seas Cruises – www.rssc.com Silversea Cruises – www.silversea.com Windstar Cruises – www.windstarcruises.com Oceania Cruises – www.oceaniacruises.com American Queen Voyages – www.aqvoyages.com Seabourn Cruises – www.seabourn.com