Check out the best Alaska cruises! There’s no better way the beautiful natural wonders of Alaska. Cruises leave from Seattle or Vancouver, allowing you to see glaciers, as well as whales and other arctic wildlife along the way. Train excursions across Denali National Park, or the Yukon, are opportunities to see a lot of wildlife and amazing mountains. There are a lot of tours and what is best depends on the type of travel you like. Tours emphasize different areas of travel, so pay attention to your interest whether that be food, ports of call or excursions you can take as part of your tour. Read on to find out about the top Alaska cruises and what they have to offer.
The Top Alaska Cruises
- Denali Explore Alaska Cruise
- Voyage of the Glaciers Southbound
- Alaska with Inside Passage
Denali Explore Alaska Cruise
The Denali National Park is six million acres of wildness, with glaciers, forests, caribou, bear and many other forms of wildlife. This cruise is offered by Princess Cruise Lines, and it is a natural extension of one of their other Alaskan cruises. Denali is home to the tallest mountain in North America, formerly known and Mount McKinley. The cruises can be by train or bus. There really is only one road, and that one is 92 miles through the wilderness. Many tourists add this to a ship cruise, and visit places like the Denali Wilderness Lodge, You may take a tour focusing in history, wilderness or the Kantishna Experience which is just two days. The Katsina Tour is ideal for people who only a day or two available. There is a wide variety of price since there are so many options, ranging from $300 for a two-day trip to $4,400 for a suite and a 12-day tour.
Highlights
- Easily added to boat tours
- Explore the wild by train or bus
- Explore the pristine wilderness
Voyage of the Glaciers Southbound
The Voyage of the Glaciers southbound is offered by Princess Cruise Lines and starts in Anchorage and ends up in British Columbia. Visit Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park and other glaciers. There are also the usual stops at Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan and ending in Vancouver. Spend the day and take one of the many side trips available, like panning for gold in Skagway. While on ship enjoy four bars as well as a Las Vegas-style lounge and a nightclub. There is also a lounge for teens. An interior room on this cruise is one of the lowest cost cruises at $650. This is also a good cruise to add to other packages, such as a land deal. Upgrade to a room with a balcony for $1200
Highlights
- Southbound sailing through Glaciers
- Visits Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan and Vancouver
- One of the lower cost cruises
Alaska with Inside Passage
The seven-night Alaska with Inside Passage by Holland American Cruise Lines packs a lot of Alaska into a fairly short period of time. This one starts in Seattle and is a round trip. This one can also be used to add land packages for a longer trip. Stops include Ketchikan, Skagway, Juneau, and Victoria. There is scenic glacier cruising through Icy Straight Point and Glacier Bay. It is a great way to see a lot of Alaska from the ship in a short period of time. The ship has a lot of fun too, with bars, nightclubs and daily entertainment. You may enjoy a multi-level go-kart track as well. This ship has several kinds of rooms, balconies, and suites available. This tour is available at $800 for an inside room and $1500 for a balcony view.
Highlights
- Many ports of call
- Glacier cruising
- Lots of cabin types to choose from
Conclusion
A cruise to Alaska is a great way to see the nation’s largest state and explore pristine waters and forests. It is worth it to spend the extra money to get a room with a view of the ocean, and a balcony if you can. The sun does not set in summer until about midnight, so there is a lot of time to relax and enjoy the passing countryside. Combining a ship cruise with a land cruise is also a great way to extend your vacation. The cruise season is May through September, with July and August being the warmest and most crowded months.