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In Glacier Bay National Park, I remember going ashore through a bow ramp for an impromptu hike led by a park service ranger. Another time, I recall the excitement onboard when we came upon a humpback whale “lobtailing” — slapping its fluke against the surface of the water to create a big splash. I saw bears foraging in the intertidal grasses lining the shore and sea lions basking in the sun on an outcropping of rocks.
The 9 best Alaska cruises for every type of traveler in 2024
Our experts are just a phone call or email away to assist you find everything from the top Alaska cruises for couples or single travelers to the best small ship Alaska cruises for families. Contact us to receive a personalized-to-you recommendation for your travel style, budget and timing needs. Head to our Alaska Small Ship Cruise Finder to view all available cruises. Ask our past travelers, and they’ll say it was their trip!
Glacier Bay, AK
See all Alaska small ship cruise deals for a comprehensive list of current savings on these and other adventures. [I most enjoyed] the longer excursions (e.g. full day hike) and kayaking (a first for me). St. James Bay was extremely beautiful, and I'm glad we spent the whole day there. Hiking Mt. Riley in Haines was also a highlight (challenging hike, with a rewarding view up top). Can't say I enjoyed any of it the least, but if I had to choose, there were two days where we really only had one off the boat activity. More full day excursions should be offered when the boat is anchored in the same place all day.
Trip Length
There are no traditional port calls on these cruises; your time is almost entirely spent on the water, with stops for hiking, wildlife-viewing and from-land fishing. Instead of just sailing between ports, small cruise ships in Alaska offer expedition days. The ships sit anchored, completely alone, and expedition teams lead passengers in the exploration of rugged coastlines via onboard kayaks and Zodiacs. If you've traveled with big ship cruise lines in the past, it's time to forget everything you thought you knew about cruising. And if you've avoided cruising because you thought it would be like traveling in a floating mall, it's time to think again.
My Final Two Cents About Alaska Small Ship Cruises
A replica turn-of-the-century coastal steamer, the 86-guest Wilderness Legacy features a dance floor, full bar and old-world charm, with modern adventure gear including kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. One-on-one travel conversations lead to extraordinary trips. This is the final step we recommend, but it could also easily be your first! To truly find honest answers and your own best small ship Alaska cruise, it often involves talking with a trusted resource. Work one-on-one with an Alaska cruise specialist to research, purchase & prepare for your trip. Our Classic Discovery Voyage is the perfect wilderness sampler.
Alaskan Dream Cruise Appears To Be For Sale - Cruise Industry News
Alaskan Dream Cruise Appears To Be For Sale.
Posted: Wed, 06 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
You can also forget about waterslides, expansive spas, kids clubs and the like. But most of the small lines who sail Alaska are bare-bones, focused on adventure rather than amenities. The extent of evening entertainment on my sailing was a few nighttime stories from expedition team naturalists over after-dinner cocktails and late-night tunes from the onboard pianist. However, if you prefer variety, the ship has no room for specialty venues or bonus shops like ice cream or hamburger stands. On the flip side, you avoid the up-charges and scrambles to secure reservations that go along with additional onboard restaurant options.
Do I Need Travel Insurance? Travel Advisor Kevin Flink Tells Us Why He Thinks Travel Insurance Is A Good Idea
My family truely enjoyed this uncruise and have been recommending it to all our friends and family. Alaska hosts magnificent wildlife encounters and spectacular glaciers. View current offers that save you on airfare, family travel with children and solo travel.
M/V Discovery was designed specifically to travel Alaskan waters. Alongside a steel hull, she was engineered to create a smooth ride, and a draft allowing access over shoals that larger vessels cannot cross. Although the assumption is that Alaska is a land of snow and sub-zero temperatures, the Alaskan climate is actually extremely varied, caused by the state's six different topographic regions.
Contact an expert today for details on eligible itineraries and rates. Save 5% when you pay in full at the time of booking a select 2025 departure Alaska cruise. Everything was planned in detail, the guides were awesome, the crew on board were delightful and the food was fantastic. Would definitely recommend this trip to anyone who loves the outdoors. The Sea Bird is old and cabins are what they are, but still really good.
Dean got a sense for what the group wanted to do and tried to cater to everyone’s interest and activity level. The two guides, Phyllis and Hugh, were extremely knowledgeable and fun to be around. We did a lot, saw a lot, learned a lot, and in general had an amazing week.
The common areas were more than adequate for the expedition. Our guide to whale watching Alaska from small overnight ships will help you plan and prepare, with tips on whale types, visitor sites and packing tips. Maximize your chances of close encounters with whales in Alaska.
There is a grocery/general store, school, post office, and museum. There are no roads or cars, and the only way in and out is by seaplane or boat. Beautiful anchorages, great crabbing, brown bear viewing, and nature walks. Take a stroll through the quaint town while watching float planes navigate the waterway as the primary mode of transportation. Each review offers a unique perspective on the splendors of cruising with us, from tranquil moments at sea to exhilarating excursions ashore. These testimonials capture the essence of what makes our small ship Alaska Cruises unforgettable.
The new, 186-passenger Ocean Victory is a luxury expedition ship built to cruise through polar ice, spending winters in Antarctica. In the summer, the vessel heads for the relatively warmer waters of southeast Alaska. Owned and operated by the passionate Captain Dan Blanchard, UnCruise has the largest fleet of small ships in Alaska.
The far north is extremely dry and very cold, with Arctic conditions and temperatures average about -20 °F (-29 °C). Summer temperatures in the lowlands are surprisingly high, averaging in the 60's °F (16° C), and they have been known to reach 90 °F (32 °C), and up. Western Alaska tends to be rainy, while the Aleutian Islands in winter are damp and rainy, with fog. Heavy snows are common in the north and central regions of the state.
All the lines covered in this story include daily guided tours in their fares, from hearty hikes to kayaking and skiff explorations. Altogether, there are four major small-ship operators plus a few local and regional companies, with ships that carry less than 100 passengers (with the exception of ACL’s American Constellation), and many fewer than 50. We also stopped in ports rarely visited by the big-ship lines. I had never been to Petersburg, Alaska’s “Little Norway,” until I went there aboard a small ship. On yet another small-ship voyage I disembarked at Bartlett Cove, gateway to Glacier Bay, headquarters for the park service and site of the rustic yet comfy Glacier Bay Lodge. To this day, my fondest memories of Alaska are from those small-ship cruises.
Be at one with nature as you cruise the Inside Passage, surrounded by some of the most dramatic and wildlife-rich scenery on Earth – a cruise that is a perfect combination of natural and cultural history. Snow-crowned mountains, glacier-carved fjords, and lush green rainforests contribute to the feeling of being both uplifted and humbled by larger-than-life wilderness as far as the eye can see. There is always the possibility for wildlife spotting – humpback whales, eagles, orcas, harbour seals – and perhaps puffins, sea otters, the ever-elusive bears or the ever-moving salmon. Life under the sea reigns supreme while on the sea, fjords strewn with glacier chunks appear in shades of blue and white.
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