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Many veteran cruisers specifically choose cruises that provide at least a few days at sea. The Card Room is a great choice for the sea-loving cruiser who craves that languorous feeling of lazy leisure. There will be loads of on board activities during those days, including a great game of bridge. When cruising fjords, look for chubby otters and seals laying out on ice floes.
Alaska Inside Passage Cruise Tour - National Geographic
Alaska Inside Passage Cruise Tour.
Posted: Sat, 12 May 2018 19:57:34 GMT [source]
Pre: Vancouver
Caroline was always enthusiastic and extremely knowledgeable about all things animal, plant, and other. Shane never failed to entertain and demonstrate/explain the running of the boat. [I chose this destination and trip based on the] Reputation and expertise of National Geographic and adventure to somewhere I’ve never been. I can't imaging the hiring process to find such knowledgeable and upbeat, fun, happy people. The meal choices were varied and always found something that we liked - even if was the optional salad with the fish of the day.
Smooth-as-Glass Waters
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. Home to Mendenhall Glacier, this is a popular port for hikes by, kayak tours to and helicopter landings on the glacier. Alaska cruises offer a wide range of activities in port, with options for active travelers, wildlife lovers, history buffs and shoppers. Whether you're traveling with young kids or require more sedentary recreation, the Alaska cruise ports won't disappoint. Generally, these one-way sailings travel from Seward or Whittier (the cruise ports closest to Anchorage) to Vancouver (or vice versa). Most itineraries are seven nights, but you'll find a handful that are longer.
Best cruise lines for extended trips to Alaska
Juneau to Ketchikan, Alaska Inside Passage Ferry Cruise Review, Photos - Business Insider
Juneau to Ketchikan, Alaska Inside Passage Ferry Cruise Review, Photos.
Posted: Sun, 15 Jan 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Just expect the majority of your shipmates to be older adults. Alaska cruise weather can be chilly (in the 40s to 50s) first thing in the morning and at night. However, if it's a sunny summer day, temperatures can shoot into the 70s and even low 80s.
Activities and Excursions during the Alaska Inside Passage Cruise
Ketchikan offers several ziplining courses that take you through the canopy of the Tongass National Forest, providing both thrills and a unique perspective on the local flora and fauna. Visit the Sitka National Historical Park to see totem poles and the Russian Bishop’s House, one of North America’s oldest surviving examples of Russian colonial architecture. Known as the “Salmon Capital of the World,” Ketchikan is a fisherman’s paradise. Highlights include the historic Creek Street, a boardwalk built over Ketchikan Creek, and the Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the U.S.
We were so delighted about that trip that we are planning another route. This article lets you uncover this breathtaking region’s hidden gems and must-see spots. We tell you what to pay attention to when choosing a cruise itinerary and what attractions you will find in individual ports of call in the Inside Passage.
When to book an Alaska cruise
Don’t forget Ketchikan, known as the “Rainforest City,” where you can explore the Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the United States. These are just a few examples that set the Inside Passage apart from other cruise destinations. We went on a 10-day cruise on the Inside Passage – you can read our Alaska cruise review.
Pre: Rocky Mountaineer Journey—5 Nights
Virtually all Southeast Alaska small ship cruises sail in the Inside Passage, so the terms “Southeast Alaska” and “Inside Passage” are pretty much synonymous when it comes to cruising. Explore Alaska’s hot springs and glaciers aboard a unique ship that puts you behind the helm and lets you man the sails. This Southeast Alaska-based tour operator will leave you with a new definition of what it means to have a once-in-a-lifetime Alaskan adventure. You’ll explore away from the crowds, getting an up-close view of wildlife, scenery, hot springs, and glaciers.
Features Alaska’s most historic ports and scenic natural wonderlands. The smallest boat offering Inside Passage cruises is 8 guests, two examples being the Westward and Sikumi yachts. These ships are great for Alaska yacht charters, or a more intimate experience with fellow travelers. The largest ship on our curated Inside Passage cruise itineraries are the 100-guest identical sister ships National Geographic Venture and Quest.
Petersburg offers a glimpse into its Norwegian heritage with folk dance performances and visits to local museums. Haines provides cultural tours that include visits to the local Chilkat Tlingit Village and the Sheldon Museum, which showcases the history and art of the Chilkat Valley. Kayaking is another popular shore excursion that allows you to get up close and personal with Alaska’s natural beauty. In Glacier Bay National Park, guided kayak tours take you through calm waters, offering a chance to see marine life like seals and sea otters. As the capital of Alaska, Juneau offers a mix of urban and natural attractions.
Imagine sailing through a maze of islands where roads are virtually non-existent. In fact, many ports along the Inside Passage, such as Sitka, Wrangell, and Petersburg, are inaccessible by road, making a scenic cruise the ideal way to explore these hidden gems. More days means more to discover, with extension packages you can add before or after your Viking cruise or cruisetour. Alaska's Inside Passage is a renowned cruising route through a protected network of waterways, featuring glacier-cut fjords, lush rainforests, and diverse wildlife. Stops along the route showcase Alaska's rich history, including Native Alaskan culture in Ketchikan and Skagway's Gold Rush era legacy. The opportunities to land on pristine rainforest bay areas with untouched wilderness was simply magnificent.
