Table Of Content
If sailing from Pier 91, there isn’t an easy public transportation option. For even more on Alaskan cruising, don’t forget to see our list of things to pack, what to consider when selecting the right ship, and our best cruise deals to Alaska. Even if you’ve taken a regular tropical cruise before, preparing for a trip to Alaska is completely different than any other vacation you might take.
Types of Cruises
You can also walk the streets of Juneau, or take your own transportation to Mendenhall Glacier National Park. The same can be said in places like Skagway or Icy Strait Point. There is plenty to do in these ports of call that don’t necessitate a shore excursion. While internet on cruise ships is constantly improving, the signal in Alaska is not always the best; it can be impacted by weather and interference from landscapes.
What Side of the Ship is Best for an Alaskan Cruise?
If you are a girl and don’t have pockets in your outfit, just give your card to your spouse or carry the card with your book. I would not recommend buying a lanyard unless you really want to wear a necklace with your card the entire trip. I would possibly recommend it for grandparents who are cruising. While the cruise lines often sail similar routes and see similar things, there is a difference between the cruise lines and what they offer passengers. Some passengers are simply looking for the cheapest fare while others want to highest-level of luxury. There’s no doubt that different ships will have different experiences, so do your research before booking to find the line that best fits your style.
Alaskan Cruise Packing Checklist: 80+ Things To Bring (Printable)
It’s a big deal if you miss your cruise’s departure, so it’s best to play it safe. If you arrive the day before, you’ll have plenty of buffer time even if your flight gets severely delayed. On scenic cruising days, a large number of people will be up on the decks taking in the scenery, resulting in crowding on the main outside decks. You’ll want to document your trip with pictures and videos of the vast landscape and local animals. While most phones take great photos, consider bringing a camera with a zoom lens if you want close-ups of glaciers or wildlife.
Attend the Onboard Enrichment Programs
That includes warm days, where even being near a glacier or a passing cloud (or socked-in rain) can make things chilly. While you might not be sunning yourself to a stunning shade of bronze on an Alaska cruise, you and everyone on board will want to take in the scenery. That makes having your own balcony a prime piece of real estate, especially near Denali National Park, portions of the Inside Passage or Tracy Arm Fjord. An Alaska cruise from Seattle will visit the Inside Passage but tends to favor the open (and frequently bumpier) Pacific Ocean. Sailings from Vancouver tend to traverse more of the Inside Passage and spend a full day sailing this scenic region.
Bring a waterproof or water-resistant daypack
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. If all goes to plan, you could start disembarking by 7AM, but unexpected delays could cause a later disembarkation time. Hopefully, if you have an Alaska cruise booked this summer, you’ve already booked your airfare to and from the cruise port.
Seasick Prone? Beware and Plan Carefully
Disney Alaska cruise: 10 things to know before sailing north - The Points Guy
Disney Alaska cruise: 10 things to know before sailing north.
Posted: Mon, 10 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Explore by kayak, mountain bike, historic railway, small whale-watch boat, canoe or even zipline. Visit Alaska Native villages to learn the stories behind totem poles and explore the history of the gold rush. Staying up late and staring at the night sky can be like watching paint dry. Fortunately, your ship will have a sign-up list for a wake-up call should the lights appear in the clear sky.
Arrive at Your Embarkation Port a Day Early
Traveling to Alaska will have different daylight hours than what you are used to on a Caribbean cruise, especially if you’re traveling in the middle of summer. With as many as 19 hours of daylight in the summer months, don’t forget to wake up early and stay up late to be amazed by the scenery around you on an Alaska cruise. Whether you are booking through Royal Caribbean directly or through an outside provider, be sure to research what activities and excursions are recommended in each cruise port. While some ports may be best for whale watching, others may offer the best historic or cultural opportunities.
Be Ready to Pay to Park
Honestly, I personally don’t think this is as much of a consideration as selecting which room type you go for. The selection of which location is usually based on what you want to be close to, but with activities on board all over the boat you will be walking from one end to the other no matter what. On our recent cruise with Carnival we had two large suitcases (around 20kg each) and we had plenty of space to hang up all of our clothes and store the cases in the wardrobe. However, if you prefer travelling with a soft bag this will also ensure you can tuck it away in a wardrobe too. If you have never taken a Alaska cruise before then you absolutely should!
Best Alaska cruise tips - The Points Guy
Best Alaska cruise tips.
Posted: Tue, 24 May 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Another way to score cheaper Alaskan cruise fares is to look for last-minute sales. First, when searching for cruises, look only 1-2 months out for deals. Second, head to your favorite cruise line website and look for any last-minute deals they are offering to Alaska. Lastly, set up alerts to let you know when the price of your desired cruise drops. Not only will you get better prices during this period, but the ships may be less crowded with fewer kids and families as well.
The same rules that apply to dining and beverage packages also apply to shore excursions; it’s important to book shore excursions in advance. In fact, because popular shore excursions often risk selling out, it’s even more important to book shore excursions ahead of time compared to dining and beverage packages. Royal Caribbean deploys both large and small cruise ships to Alaska, each with their own benefits and drawbacks. Larger ships will offer more onboard activities and venues, whereas smaller ships are able to fit into more destinations along Alaska’s inside passage.
But cool and rainy… along with wind while the ship is moving? It’s well-known, but dressing in layers is a must when you head to Alaska. A water bottle was mentioned as an important purchase and I did purchase one.
You Won’t Regret itFinally, if you’re still wondering if you should or shouldn’t take that cruise to Alaska, we say do it. But personally, sailing to Alaska is unlike any other cruise we’ve taken. It’s a chance to experience a landscape you can’t really visit any other way. You get to see and do things that you just don’t get anywhere else. We have yet to hear anyone be disappointed with a cruise to Alaska.
Older kids will love the rock climbing walls, video game stations, sports courts, go-karts and laser tag on Royal Caribbean and NCL ships. You'll have up to two days of scenic cruising, in addition to sailing the Inside Passage. Because Gulf of Alaska cruises sail farther north, scenic destinations may include College Fjord, in addition to Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier. One nice thing about the Inside Passage is how calm the water is because you're sailing between land masses.
No comments:
Post a Comment