My Guide to an Alaskan Cruise
I travelled on the Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Cruise Lines
*All work including photos and writing on this page is my own, except the link to the cruising Alaska video, freely available on Youtube.
An Alaskan cruise is a magical journey as you glide through centuries old glaciers, to a back drop of mountains and wildlife. I saw Orca's, Hump back whales, dolphins, Sea Lions, birds, Bald Eagles, Salmon and a black bear. We saw the salmon climbing the fish ladder in Seattle, coming out of the salty Puget Sound sea and making their way up stream in fresh water, then saw them in Alaska at the end of their life cycles, that was really fascinating! It is an amazing place to cruise and probably the best way to see this part of Alaska, where roads are limited. It is certainly a cruise where you need a window and preferably a balcony!
An Alaskan cruise is a magical journey as you glide through centuries old glaciers, to a back drop of mountains and wildlife. I saw Orca's, Hump back whales, dolphins, Sea Lions, birds, Bald Eagles, Salmon and a black bear. We saw the salmon climbing the fish ladder in Seattle, coming out of the salty Puget Sound sea and making their way up stream in fresh water, then saw them in Alaska at the end of their life cycles, that was really fascinating! It is an amazing place to cruise and probably the best way to see this part of Alaska, where roads are limited. It is certainly a cruise where you need a window and preferably a balcony!
Where is the best place to Cruise?
There are many cruise companies, operating similar itineraries, but here are the main differences: Where to start: Vancouver or Seattle? Well it is cheaper to start in Vancouver, but in my opinion missing the first part of the cruise along the Puget Sound from Seattle would be a shame, so I would advise you to start at Seattle, some cruises do allow you to finish in Vancouver if you don't want to return to Seattle. The Puget Sound is where you are very likely to see Orca whales too. Another choice is Sawyer Glacier or Glacier Bay, people have mixed views on this, most prefer Glacier Bay, but people who have done both don't really think it matters which one you do. It depends when you go as Sawyer Glacier is only reachable for certain at the end of the season, so I would recommend Glacier Bay May-July and if you go Aug-Sep then do Sawyer Glacier. I would recommend an itinerary that includes Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, along with Tracy Arm and either Sawyer Glacier or Glacier Bay or both. Ours also stopped at Victoria, B.C, which was beautiful. |
Which Cruise Line should I choose?
This depends on a number of factors. It is a bit like choosing a hotel, we may all choose a different star rating or style of hotel and cruise lines are similar, generally the more you pay, the better, but not everyone likes or can afford the smaller most expensive ones as they have less entertainment on board. I would say for Alaska Cruises it depends who is travelling, for a group of youngsters, they may like the party ships Carnival Cruises, families may prefer Norwegian Cruise lines, couples may prefer Princess or Holland America and for luxury smaller ship cruise lines take a look at Oceania, Regent Seven Seas or Seabourn.
The only formal cruise line nowadays is Cunard, where you must dress up everywhere on the ship after 6pm except the buffet. I loved my cruise with Cunard, but I know this isn't for everyone. Holland America are the specialists in Alaska cruises and Seattle is where they are based, so they really do know this part of the world the best. I went with family on a Norwegian Cruise line cruise and the food and entertainment, the itinerary were all very good, but it was too informal for me. I do like to dress up for dinner a bit, so this certainly does suit those that like more informal and casual cruises. It was excellent value for money though!
I would probably suggest going with Holland America on this route as they are the specialists, although the age range on this cruise line does seem to be over 65's, so it may not suit younger people.
This depends on a number of factors. It is a bit like choosing a hotel, we may all choose a different star rating or style of hotel and cruise lines are similar, generally the more you pay, the better, but not everyone likes or can afford the smaller most expensive ones as they have less entertainment on board. I would say for Alaska Cruises it depends who is travelling, for a group of youngsters, they may like the party ships Carnival Cruises, families may prefer Norwegian Cruise lines, couples may prefer Princess or Holland America and for luxury smaller ship cruise lines take a look at Oceania, Regent Seven Seas or Seabourn.
The only formal cruise line nowadays is Cunard, where you must dress up everywhere on the ship after 6pm except the buffet. I loved my cruise with Cunard, but I know this isn't for everyone. Holland America are the specialists in Alaska cruises and Seattle is where they are based, so they really do know this part of the world the best. I went with family on a Norwegian Cruise line cruise and the food and entertainment, the itinerary were all very good, but it was too informal for me. I do like to dress up for dinner a bit, so this certainly does suit those that like more informal and casual cruises. It was excellent value for money though!
I would probably suggest going with Holland America on this route as they are the specialists, although the age range on this cruise line does seem to be over 65's, so it may not suit younger people.
The photos above are of the Norwegian Jewel in port and then leaving Seattle.
The main advantage that Norwegian and Oceania cruises have in Seattle, is that they have a newly refurbished port right in the city centre!!! It is pier 66. You can walk to Pike Place Market in just a few minutes. Port of Seattle also owns Seattle's Seatac airport, so if you have a flight from there the same day as your cruise arrives back into Seattle they will check you in for your flight and transfer your luggage for free to Seatac Airport, (Participating airlines only!) leaving you free to explore Seattle that day if you have an evening flight. The Alamo car rental is walking distance from here too if you wish to hire a car for a trip for a few days before your flight. I have used Alamo in the US for over 30 years and highly recommend them.The other cruise lines all use pier 91 another port in Seattle which is not walking distance to the city centre, but still in a nice location. There is a restaurant within walking distance called Palisade which has nice views, if you want to take a walk there before or after your cruise. You could also get a taxi to Kerry park viewpoint near here, the best view of Seattle!!
Above the active Volcano Mount Rainier, visible from Seattle on a clear day, 1 1/2 hours drive from Seattle.
If you start your cruise in Seattle, please view my page on Seattle for what to see and do there. If flying in from Europe I would recommend at least 4-7 nights in Seattle before your cruise. This will give you time to get there (In case of any weather or technical problems with your plane), but also it gives you time to get over your jet lag and to explore this beautiful city and at least one of the three spectacular National Parks within driving distance of here. Relax with a performance from the grammy award winning Seattle Symphony Orchestra one evening. Enjoy walking and hiking around one of the hundred's of parks within the city and wash that down with some local Washington State wine and dine in any of the local restaurants, which virtually all offer local, organic produce, not many chains or fast food here! One good sight to watch for when the ship sails out of Seattle, within a few minutes you will have a unique panoramic view of two volcanoes, Mount Rainier to the south of Seattle and Mount Baker to the North. You will have to look carefully but I could see them both in one shot!!
One word of warning on an Alaskan Cruise is only to book helicopter or Seaplane excursions through the cruise line, who properly vet the pilots they use. There have been crashes involving cruise passengers who booked these tours independently cheaper.
Also unlike a cruise in the Norwegian Fjords, Alaska is full of dangerous wildlife, such as black and grizzly bears, Moose and others. Keep your distance from them.
One word of warning on an Alaskan Cruise is only to book helicopter or Seaplane excursions through the cruise line, who properly vet the pilots they use. There have been crashes involving cruise passengers who booked these tours independently cheaper.
Also unlike a cruise in the Norwegian Fjords, Alaska is full of dangerous wildlife, such as black and grizzly bears, Moose and others. Keep your distance from them.
Ketchikan, Alaska
Ketchikan feels like a very authentic Alaskan town, wooden houses on stilts along the waterfront, rain forests near by, beautiful scenery. A must see first port of call on most cruises!
It is an area rich in wildlife. I saw a black bear just feet away from us in the forest. You can also see salmon and bald Eagles. The scenery of nearby Misty Fiord and the snow capped mountains is spectacular. Native Americans still live here and the totem poles are a big attraction, still handcrafted in traditional ways which was good to see.
It is an area rich in wildlife. I saw a black bear just feet away from us in the forest. You can also see salmon and bald Eagles. The scenery of nearby Misty Fiord and the snow capped mountains is spectacular. Native Americans still live here and the totem poles are a big attraction, still handcrafted in traditional ways which was good to see.
Ketchikan Alaska
One of many waterfalls in the Tracy Arm area of Alaska
Excursions are an important part of the Alaska Cruise, and unlike many cruises in the sun, most people do want to leave the ship in these ports and most people do pre book the excursions, so if you want to do the excursions offered by your cruise ship, then do pre book these as early as possible as some were fully booked long before departure day on our cruise. My advice is to book the excursions offered by the cruise company, then the cruise will wait for you if that tour is delayed, but if you want a cheaper alternative I can recommend this whale watching trip in Juneau that my sister took: dolphin tours
Skagway is a famous Gold Rush founded town with the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park and the spectacular White Pass and Yukon Railroad. It is one of the most scenic railroads in the world.
Above is the White Pass Railway excursion, from Skagway.
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Skagway, Alaska
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Sawyer Glacier, Alaska
I hope you will get to experience an Alaskan Cruise one day, as really only breathing in that Alaskan air, tasting the fresh salmon and watching that whale breach in front of you can really give you that experience that a few photos or video can never hope to encapsulate. Enjoy that 3D experience you can only get from going out on deck as you approach these magnificent glaciers.
The best add on destinations to your cruise.
It is almost a 10 hour flight to Seattle, so why just do the cruise for a week or so, I recommend you see these places properly as well, at least two of these listed here.
Seattle
Vancouver
The Rocky mountaineer
Mount Rainier National Park
North Cascades National park
Olympic National park
Or just do a road trip from Vancouver down to Portland Oregon or anywhere along the Pacific Northwest (British Colombia in Canada, Washington and Oregon States USA)
For more information on Alaska visit this website: Alaska
For more information on Alaska visit this website: Alaska
More photos taken in Alaska
The ship can go right up the fjords later in the season, such as September.