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From savory options like made-to-order omelets and bacon to sweets like french toast, cinnamon rolls, and pancakes, I was never disappointed. There was a nightclub/DJ each night at the Starquest Lounge and live music/dancing in the Centrum. Even if it didn’t have the party vibe of a weekend cruise from Miami, there was always something to do in the evenings. I almost immediately noticed that the vibe on this Alaska cruise would be different from not only Royal Caribbean’s Caribbean cruises, but also my Alaska cruise last year on Ovation of the Seas.
Runner up: Princess Cruises
The Siberian Huskies are sweet and energetic, and the ride is a thrill. In the center of the state, Denali National Park is blanketed in wildflowers punctuated with mountains, raging rivers and serene lakes. Denali, "The Great One," formerly known as Mt. McKinley, rises to the tallest peak in North America and can be seen from as far away as Anchorage on a clear day.
$3,899 pp — 12-Nt. Alaska – Free Shore Excursions, Gourmet Dining & Wi-Fi
Walking tours are also offered, although with the exception of the state capitol tour, they come with a cost of $31.50 per person. The cost to visit Mendenhall Glacier is just $5, which includes access to the trails and visitor center. That being said, I have never encountered a place to pay the fee on my four previous visits to the glacier, although I never visited with a guided tour. Another free activity is the 5-minute walk to Lower Reid Falls—the trailhead begins at the Gold Rush cemetery.
Winner: Seabourn
A special zone for solo travelers is a rare concept in the cruise world, where almost all rooms for vacationers are designed for two people and sold with per-person fares that are based on two people occupying the room. Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Bliss are also our top picks for ships operating the best Alaska cruises from Seattle for solo travelers. Between these two, it's a tossup, though we put Norwegian Bliss in the headline above since, well, we already gave Norwegian Encore a turn in the limelight with the best-for-luxury category. Yes, the 3,998-passenger Norwegian Encore is a cruise ship that generally caters to the masses, not the luxury crowd. However, it has its own "ship-within-a-ship" luxury zone that offers a much more swanky experience for those willing to pay.
Skagway
If you’re only going to visit Alaska once, I’d book at least 1-2 excursions, such as whale watching and the White Pass & Yukon Railroad train, in order to make the most out of Alaska’s attractions. Looking back, I probably could have booked a more expensive cruise fare on a newer ship from Seattle and still saved money due to cheaper flights and other transportation expenses. There wasn’t too much to do in Hoonah, but it was worth the ~2 hour trip. Icy Strait Point is well developed and has many free attractions, including nice walking paths, a museum, and a beach.
16 cheap and free things to do on an Alaska cruise to avoid spending hundreds on shore excursions - Royal Caribbean Blog
16 cheap and free things to do on an Alaska cruise to avoid spending hundreds on shore excursions.
Posted: Mon, 14 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Last year I spent $100 to ride the White Pass & Yukon Railroad from Skagway. I would 100% recommend doing this while in port, but as I had done it already, I decided to simply walk around town without a plan. Once back at Icy Strait Point, we enjoyed a bag of mini donuts ($5 each) before walking around a bit more and getting back onboard.
Alaska, from Seattle
I also visited the Alaska Raptor Center, a rehabilitation center for injured birds of prey. Admission to the center was $15 which felt fair as I was contributing to a good cause. I was impressed with the food overall and never got tired of visiting the same venues for meals. I’m glad I did not purchase a dining package as this allowed me to save money for a nice, fresh lunch in port each day.
Small Ship Alaska Cruises
The outdoor decks on Radiance of the Seas were really nice as well, although I didn’t expect to spend much time there during an Alaska cruise. Having access to the helicopter pad is always a plus, and the indoor pool area in the Solarium was a beautiful space. Because the cruise started in Vancouver and ended in Seward, I needed to purchase two one-way flights. Flying to Vancouver was $189 and flying from Anchorage was $347, bringing the total flight cost to $536. Booking the cheapest cruise you can find often comes with low expectations, but my expectations were set pretty high. I took an Alaska cruise last year, and it remains one of the best vacations I’ve ever had.
Certain cities, like Juneau, are only easily accessible by air or sea, which makes a cruise a reliable and convenient way to get there. Whether served up in jams, candies, pies or cobblers, Alaskan blueberries, high-bush cranberries and other local wild berries are a staple when it comes to Alaskan summer eats. Sourdough is such an important part of Alaskan culture that long-time Alaskans are actually called sourdoughs in local parlance. Try a sourdough bread bowl filled with salmon chowder for a hearty lunch. There's nothing quite as exhilarating as a helicopter tour over Alaska's sprawling landscapes.
The two-level complex also has upstairs nooks for playing Xbox, ping pong and foosball. It's like one big play zone for families that will keep your kids busy for hours. Both of the Royal Caribbean ships sailing to Alaska from Seattle are loaded with attractions that are protected from the elements, including those bumper car pavilions and skydiving simulators. In fact, both Ovation of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas were specifically built to operate in areas of inclement weather.
Yakutania Point sits on the tip of a peninsula at the end of the Lynn Canal, and it offers wonderful views of the cruise port, town, and nearby mountains. That'll depend on your personal interests and travel style because there are cruises from Seattle that appeal to everyone, including family travelers, budget travelers and retirees. The top decks of Holland America vessels, notably, lack many of the kid-focused attractions found on the top decks of more family-focused ships operated by the likes of Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian. While Holland America draws some families with younger children, the passengers on its ships skew heavily toward middle-aged and older travelers, including many retirees. If you're nearing or already have hit retirement age and prefer to travel mostly with people who are at a similar stage in life as you, you'll feel right at home on a Holland America ship.
Sailing late (or early) in the season is a great way to find cheap Alaska deals. In this case, the two come together for a nine-night cruise to the state that starts at less than $500 per person. Search an Aggregator WebsiteIt only makes sense that if you go to a specific cruise line’s website to search for cruises, they will only show you their sailings. That’s why we suggest going to a site that searches across all cruise lines to search for deals. If you’re looking for cheap Alaskan cruises, however, then you need to be prepared to shop around.
A port on Heather’s cruise that fewer Alaska cruises go to is Sitka, but I am pleased to say I did have some low cost and amazing wildlife things to do. It costs $5 per person which includes a guided tour explaining all the totem poles and scenery. It’s also the Rain Capital of Alaska, raining at least 234 days a year, and it has the world’s largest collection of standing totem poles. Another port on Heather’s trip, like for most Alaska cruises, is Ketchikan. If you go into the Visitor Centre it costs $5 with some displays and films, but it’s free to go on the well paved walkways and trails, to go and view the glacier, see the salmon runs, and do some safe bear viewing. Skagway is a charming historic town with many old buildings, and the ships dock a short walk away.
Plan your romantic Alaskan cruise with our adventurer’s guide to discovering the coziest vacation spots and most scenic restaurants for couples traveling in Alaska. Embark on a thrilling journey with young explorers through breathtaking landscapes. Head to Kenai Fjords National Park in Seward for a whale watching tour.
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