Sunday, March 31, 2024

The 6 best Alaska cruise shore excursions

best princess cruise ship to alaska

Caribbean Princess is considered part of the Grand Class, but she is also the only Caribbean-class ship sailing for Princess. First launching in 2003 she is a little older than some of the other ships sailing for the fleet, but she’s been maintained to a relatively high standard. The best features, according to reviews, are the itineraries and the service offered by the crew. The most frequent comments in negative reviews mention the food being a little basic, and those dated areas of the ship – especially the public bathrooms. Reviews are broadly positive but she shares some of the same criticisms of other Royal-class ships – particularly in the size of the standard staterooms, which can feel a little cramped. Some complaints also mention how everything relies on the app and the Medallion, and sometimes they fail, which can cause frustrations.

Royal Caribbean International

It first sailed in 2017 and was originally designed to sail from Shanghai and has many unique offerings. Sailing from Seattle, it is one of the most affordable options and convenient choice for ports. Our award-winning North to Alaska program brings local personalities, culture and cuisine on board and ashore to immerse you in all things Alaska during your cruise to the Great Land.

Why To Book An Alaska Cruise

Find Norwegian Encore Cruises to Alaska (with Prices) - Cruise Critic

Find Norwegian Encore Cruises to Alaska (with Prices).

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It is ideal if you hate crowds or enjoy a more intimate atmosphere where guests mingle and share tales of their shore excursions each day. Every Princess Alaska cruisetour takes you to Denali National Park so you can enjoy a land beloved by millions but only seen by the adventurous. With some of the most stunning wilderness in existence and famous wildlife, it’s part of the definitive experience of traveling to the Great Land’s wild interior.

The 11 Best Cruise Ships For Alaska (According to Real Reviews)

The Inside Passage route offers picturesque fjords, lush forests, and towering mountains. The Tracy Arm Fjord is a major highlight, with its towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls that seem to touch the sky. The scenic beauty of this route is truly unmatched, with serene coastal towns and breathtaking views around every corner.

best princess cruise ship to alaska

Great experiences from the great land

They also have the most ships in the region of any of the major cruise lines. Its 12 day Inside Passage sailing offers 6 ports day along with 3 days of scenic viewing, great for those really wanting to get a feel for Alaska. Sail 500 miles deeper into the Gulf of Alaska and Prince William Sound on our back-to-back Voyage of the Glaciers Alaska cruise. Spend 14 days roundtrip from Vancouver, B.C., stopping in historic port cities like Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway. Enjoy three glacier-viewing experiences on every itinerary — including Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier and College Fjord.

Royal Caribbean vs Princess to Alaska: which cruise line is better? - Royal Caribbean Blog

Royal Caribbean vs Princess to Alaska: which cruise line is better?.

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It’s down to you and your own personal preferences, but also remember that none of these ships are “bad”. They might have some bad reviews but every ship scored higher than an average rating, so most people enjoy their cruise on every ship in the Princess fleet. The ships are suitable for families, and have entertaining kids clubs, but the pool areas are designed for relaxation rather than having high-speed slides that you’ll find on other cruise lines. Discovery Princess is the largest ship in the Princess Cruises fleet, although her sister ships Sky Princess and Enchanted Princess are almost identical in size. Despite their size, guests often view them as feeling the busiest and most cramped.

With Princess, you won’t just explore Alaska’s landscapes, you’ll live amidst them in our custom-built wilderness lodges. Located riverside next to some of the most renowned national parks, these warm and welcoming lodges are the perfect spot to bask in Alaska’s best attractions. As a part of your Alaska cruisetour, explore and unwind with comforting amenities and breathtaking scenery.

Best Time Of The Year To Cruise Alaska

Then, when I got to the coastal towns on the cruise, I was able to appreciate them for their quaint charm. I also saw a lot more wildlife on the land portion, which meant any animals I saw during the cruise were just a bonus. While Alaska’s natural sites are not necessarily moving around in the same way the animals do, the constantly changing weather means a lot is left up to chance. During our tour, we were part of the unlucky 70 percent of visitors who didn't get to see the mountain Denali since it was constantly shrouded in clouds. That said, we did see some fantastic scenery both during our land tour (especially the turquoise waters of the Kenai River) and from the ship, and I was blown away by Alaska’s dramatic and expansive landscapes. Holland America has a well-earned reputation for bringing guests to new destinations for more than 150 years.

It is also well-known for its role in the transportation of crude oil from the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, which ends in Valdez. Explore the charming waterfront area and take in the flavors of Valdez through culinary experiences at restaurants such as the Valdez Brewery and the Fat Mermaid. From the comfort of a vintage rail car, you'll get stunning views of mountains, gorges, glacial rivers and waterfalls as you climb nearly 3,000 feet to the summit of White Pass — the headwaters to the mighty Yukon River. If it's Alaska's famous humpback whales that you want to see, you'll want to book a whale-watching tour. The waters around Juneau are particularly known for humpback whales — so much so that the operator of this excursion offers a whale-sighting guarantee. Unfortunately, as you can see from the above, many of the most spectacular excursions in Alaskan ports are expensive.

There, you’ll have extra time to soak up expansive views of rich greenery and striking mountains. Or, discover authentic Native Alaskan culture as you stroll through this four-time All-American City. With Island Princess it’s less about the itineraries – she offers similar Mediterranean and Northern Europe cruises to other ships – and more about the relaxing atmosphere of this smaller ship.

Royal Caribbean declined to say exactly how many passengers it will have on board, but said it would be much lower than full capacity, which is typically almost 2,500 people. Holland America and Princess Cruises said they will be starting their Alaskan cruises at approximately 60% capacity, moving up gradually over the course of the season. Still, at the core of the Princess fleet are its seven Grand Class vessels. Unveiled between 1998 and 2008, the ships are smaller than the Royal Class vessels at around 107,000 to 116,000 tons in size.

Because Princess Cruises has access to Glacier Bay, it wins points in the “best cruise line for Alaska” category. Despite this, however, it’s important to realize that not all Princess cruise ships visit Glacier Bay while sailing to Alaska. The full promenade deck and fore and aft “secret” viewing areas provide many opportunities for excellent viewing. We had a balcony stateroom, but enjoyed having a variety of areas to view the scenery.

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