Alaska Cruise Deals

The Best Time to Cruise

Shoulder seasons, i.e. spring and autumn, are very good if you are looking to:

• Save a little money – the prices are much lower
• Avoid crowds

However, the best time to visit Alaska would be in winter: June to August:

• The weather is at its best
• You can see a lot more wildlife

Top Cruise Lines

There is a range of cruise lines that sail to Alaska. Here are some of the most popular ones:

• Princess cruises to Alaska
• Holland America Line cruises to Alaska
• Royal Caribbean cruises to Alaska

Go with a smaller ship cruise line for intimate cruises, filled with luxury and ports that are hard-to-reach for the bigger ships:

• Regent Seven Seas
• Un-Cruise Adventures
• Silversea

Top Ports

Alaska cruises guarantee panoramic vistas of breath-taking beauty consisting of lofty snow-capped mountains and immense glittering glaciers.

Anchorage

Are you looking at starting or finishing a cruise in Anchorage and have some time to spare? If so, the Denali National Park is a must-see! It is home to Denali – the highest peak in North America and a fantastic variety of wild animals:

• Wolves
• Elks
• Bears

Taking the Alaska Highway south of Anchorage will take you through some of the best scenery in the region. The highway runs all the way from Fairbanks to Dawson’s Creek in British Columbia (Canada).

Juneau

Juneau is the capital of the US state of Alaska and is famous for its spectacular wildlife at sea and on shore:

• Brown and black bears
• Humpback and orca whales
• Different species of salmon
• 280 different species of birds

There are no roads leading to Juneau directly, due to the fact that the city is surrounded by rugged terrain and glaciers – a fantastic sight for tourists. The most popular of the latter is the Mendenhall Glacier is a must-see.

Seward

Seward, located in southern Alaska, is the gateway to the Kenai Fjords National Park – one of the most scenic places in the world. The park is home to:

• Harding Icefield
• Outflowing glaciers
• Coastal fjords
• Fantastic wildlife

The city of Seward itself is fascinating with its Alaska SeaLife Centre, that’s full of species like seals and puffins, busy boat harbour, Waterfront Park and a variety of hiking trails.

Ketchikan

Ketchikan is Alaska’s fourth-biggest city and a very popular tourist destination, especially in the months between May and September, when around one million cruise passengers visit. There are several good reasons for that:

• Ketchikan is rich in Alaska Native culture and is the best place in the US to see totem poles
• Commercial salmon fishing is huge in and around the city
• The area around Ketchikan is naturally stunning and is home to the famous Misty Fiords National Monument

Highlights

Alaska is definitely a bucket list cruise destination and is an absolute must-visit for everyone, especially nature enthusiasts. The region is so unique, its landscapes – untouched, and the wildlife – exceptional.

National Parks

Alaska is the state of national parks, they are numerous and huge in scale. All in all, there are 17 national park units and 16 national wildlife refuges in the state. Some of them are bigger than certain nations, others still have undiscovered places and all of them boast unprecedented views, spectacular landscapes and a fascinating abundance of flora and fauna.

Here are some of the most popular national parks for you to consider when selecting your cruise itinerary:

• Denali National Park
• Katmai National Park
• Kenai Fjords National Park
• Lake Clark National Park
• Wrangell – St. Elias National Park

The above are all near Anchorage.

Adventure

Cruising around Alaska, you will be encouraged to take part in a whole range of adventurous activities that are unique to the region and will let you get up close and personal with its nature:

• Sea kayaking
• Orca tours
• Wild bear tours
• Flights over Alaskan mountain ranges

Seafood

Miles and miles of coastline, an abundance of rivers and, above all, the pristine waters in and around Alaska, allow all types of fish to grow and develop. The state is famous for its:

• 5 species of salmon
• Halibut
• Rainbow trout
• King crab

What to Pack

Getting outside and exploring is crucial on an Alaska cruise holiday, so it is important that you are well prepared. Here are a couple of tips:

• Try to pack for a range of weather conditions, no matter what month you travel
• A rain coat and rain pants are good to have
• A warm hat and gloves are sure to come in handy

How much does a cruise to Alaska cost?

For the most popular duration of 7-10 days in Alaska, the prices average between $1,500 and $2,000 per person (based on two people sharing a cabin). These will vary according to:

• Time of year
• Cruise line