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Look to UnCruise Adventures, Alaskan Dream Cruises, Hurtigruten and Lindblad Expeditions for the best adventure cruises. If you've got active teens who have an interest in nature and the environment, an expedition voyage could be exactly what will keep them engaged and off their devices. Many people trek to Alaska to commune with nature, but there's history here you shouldn't overlook. From cultural lectures to cooking classes that focus on Alaskan cuisine, there’s something for everyone.
Icy Strait Point
An expedition team of Alaska experts join each voyage, hosting lectures about the areas the ships visit and guiding passengers on outings like nature walks through rainforests and kayaking trips around the foot of a glacier. Guests learn about the cultural heritage of remote communities and focus binoculars to spot bears, whales, caribou, moose, deer, wolves, birds and more. The MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen embark on 14- to 19-day Alaskan voyages between May and September. Imagine a place with over 1,000 islands, fjords, and bays stretching across the Pacific Northwest.
For Seniors: Princess Cruises
Bald eagles and seabirds often fly overhead— and Admiralty Island is the best spot for glimpsing bears. Get an up-close view of Alaska’s wild seascapes, no matter which direction you look. Tongass National Park is filled with lofty spruce, hemlock and cedar trees, while giant calving glaciers pack Glacier Bay National Park. Small ships provide a closer look at nature but have fewer onboard activities. Look for packages that include excursions or onboard credits for added value. For a deeper dive into costs, check out our detailed article about Alaska cruise costs, including hidden fees and what to expect.
Best time to cruise Inside Passage
It's so far from the rest of the mainland U.S. that it's become a bucket list destination, especially for travelers looking to visit each of the 50 states. Small ship cruises offer a more intimate experience, typically carrying between 50 to 200 passengers. These smaller vessels can navigate narrower channels and get closer to glaciers and wildlife. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Glacier Bay National Park is a haven for geology and marine biology enthusiasts. The park is home to a dynamic landscape of glaciers, fjords, and a diverse range of wildlife, including seals, sea lions, and humpback whales.
UnCruise Inside Passage & Glacier Bay Wilderness Cruise
Various wildlife-viewing trips (whale, bears and more) and visits to dogsled camps and salmon bakes leave from Juneau. The best Alaska cruise ports are also the most crowded because no matter which type of itinerary and cruise line you select, you'll likely visit a mix of the same ports. If you want to see nature at its finest, you must book a tour or venture farther afield. Active travelers can explore Alaska by sea kayak or canoe, hike on glaciers and through rainforests, zip line, bike, ride an ATV and even snorkel (you'll need a dry suit).
Visiting Glacier Bay National Park
THE 25 BEST Cruises to Haines, AK 2024 (with Prices) - Haines Cruise Port Terminal on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE 25 BEST Cruises to Haines, AK 2024 (with Prices) - Haines Cruise Port Terminal on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 15:10:15 GMT [source]
The high demand for Inside Passage cruises can be partly attributed to the convenience of ending a cruise in the same place you first set sail. Plus, they can be less expensive than cross-gulf cruises, which typically require a pricey flight to Anchorage (the gateway for nearby Seward and Whittier). These cross-gulf cruises hit some Inside Passage stops but also ports farther north. They're usually one-way trips starting or ending in Seward or Whittier, Alaska. The Inside Passage is one of the few routes in the world where large cruise ships requiring relatively deep water can safely sail next to steep mountainsides. It was heavily used by prospectors from the American West Coast during the Klondike Gold Rush.
Next Norwegian Ship Will Sail with New Restaurants
Knowledgeable expedition leaders serve as personal guides on every voyage, sharing their expertise in biology, geography and ecology, as well as sharing about the lifestyles and legends of Southeast Alaska’s local cultures. Life aboard Alaskan Dream Cruises’ five ships is casual and relaxed, meals feature fresh Alaskan fare, and everyone strives to provide opportunities for guests to make personal connections to the region’s places and people. With so much competition in the region, it’s hard to wow travelers beyond the natural scenery they explore on land. Yet, some cruise lines send some of their swankiest amenities and ships to Alaska. And these go beyond onboard spas and exciting entertainment shows or live performers. Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm - Two long and scenic fjords in the Fords Terror Wilderness; a highlight of the area is seeing the Sawyer Glaciers, glaciers that frequently calve, sending large icy blocks crashing into the waters below.
Maple Leaf Adventures’ “Alaska Supervoyage”
Whether you’re an avid bird water or more interested in the creatures big and small that live in a watery home, there is no shortage of chances to be wowed. The icy waters are ecologically diverse, from enormous hales to small fish and everything in between. Myriad animals roam dry land, from bears, wolves, and deer to smaller creatures like weasels, ermine, and rodents. This roundtrip Inside Passage cruise from Vancouver delivers spellbinding scenery from narrow fjords to scattered islets and towering peaks. Get close to massive glaciers in Glacier Bay National Park and wait breathlessly for ice to calve off and plunge into the ocean.
Glacier Viewing Along the Inside Passage
As the capital of Alaska, Juneau offers a mix of urban and natural attractions. Don’t miss the Mendenhall Glacier, a 13-mile-long river of ice, and the Alaska State Museum, which provides a deep dive into the state’s history and culture. Known as the “Salmon Capital of the World,” Ketchikan is a fisherman’s paradise.
So when my daughter Allie began expressing interest in visiting Alaska, I decided to surprise her with an Alaska trip as a high school graduation present. Since we loved our previous voyage to the Galapagos Islands together, I started reading Alaska cruise reviews and planning our 2-week Alaska vacation. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. Alaska's capital city is interesting because no road leads from here to the rest of the state. It's located at the base of Mount Juneau, and you can only get there via boat or small plane — even residents have to bring their cars to Juneau via ferry.
A day aboard the 86-passenger Wilderness Legacy might start out with a hike to a glacial lake followed by an early-evening kayak adventure in Thomas Bay. Or, you might enjoy a bit of scenic cruising by LeConte Glacier (where the big ships don't go) then continue the fun with hiking and biking the trails of Ideal Cove. Guided skiff tours will take guests in search of Alaskan wildlife in remote bays and secret coves. Alaskan-owned and -operated Alaskan Dream Cruises dates back to 1970 when its parent company, Allen Marine, founded by Bob and Betty Allen, launched with the St. Michael. In those days, Bob ran the boat while Betty and her children served treats and tea to their guests. Today, Allen Marine operates 30 vessels, including the five ships that make up the Alaska Dream Cruises fleet, all of which accommodate between 12 and 76 cruise passengers.
Awash with spectacular scenery that encompasses towering mountains, gleaming glaciers, deep fjords, remote islands, lush forests, and tranquil beaches, there’s never a dull moment when you cruise the Inside Passage. A haven for wildlife fans, adventure junkies, and people who love to learn more about different cultures, Inside Passage cruises really are amongst the top adventure cruises in Alaska. Guests can explore the small fishing town of Petersburg or search for orca and humpback whales in Frederick Sound.
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