Monday, April 1, 2024

Inside Passage Cruises Best Classic Alaskan Cruises

inside passage cruise alaska

Most cruises to Alaska's Inside Passage are seven nights long and typically begin and end in either Vancouver or Seattle. Longer 10- and 11-night Inside Passage Cruises are available from California. Alaska's Inside Passage is the area that makes up the Southeast Region of Alaska. Approximately 1,000 miles North of Vancouver, it was the center of activity during Alaska's 19th century Gold Rush. Also known as the "Panhandle," the Inside Passage is popular for spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife, vivid Native cultures, astounding history and exceptional hospitality. For those look­ing for a cruise-only expe­ri­ence, this is a great option.

Viking River Cruises

In Juneau, venture underground into historical gold mines and see for yourself just how treasure was extracted from rugged walls. Or, take a scenic railway tour up snow-capped mountains and through lush landscapes, retracing the footsteps of early explorers in Skagway. The rocky and mountainous landscapes are punctuated by verdant patches of forest and cascading waterfalls. Wildlife you may spot while on your cruise includes whales, harbor seals, bears, deer, and wolves. Keep your eyes peeled for mountain goats, a rather unusual sight at such lower elevations, and watch birds bobbing on the waters and soaring overhead as you kayak through the clear waters. An Alaska Inside Passage cruise is the most iconic way to explore Alaska.

Complete List of Destinations in Alaska Inside Passage

Encompassed by tranquil waters, one moment you can be sailing a wide bay of barrier islands and the next you’re cruising through a narrow waterway flanked by towering forested walls. That’s the splendid spectacle of these serene landscapes — the scenery is constantly changing, from picturesque shores to friendly coastal towns. Small-ship cruises are usually confined to localized areas within the Inside Passage and start out from Juneau, Ketchikan or Sitka.

Safari Explorer

Immerse yourself in Tlingit culture and experience the outpost atmosphere that prevails in charming, mountain-ringed seaside towns. Refer to the Dates & Pricing itinerary for specific details by departure date. The majestic landscapes of Alaska are an unmissable bucket-list experience for any adventurous traveler, and on an Alaska cruise, you won’t just hit the highlights like Juneau. From the comfort of your incredible cruise ship, you’ll sail across 500 miles of Alaskan wilderness known as the Inside Passage. This coastal waterway is filled with glacial mountains, lush pine forests, and unforgettable wildlife sightings. Just to the east of Lynn Canal on the northernmost end of the Inside Passage Alaska is the famed Glacier Bay National Park.

Activities and Excursions during the Alaska Inside Passage Cruise

Icy Strait Point is an exclusively Alaskan port with native-owned shops and a private passenger dock. It’s a great place for adventure activities like zip-lining and wildlife tours. 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.

Alaska Cruise Inside Passage Small Ship

inside passage cruise alaska

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. Small ship cruises offer a more intimate experience, typically carrying between 50 to 200 passengers. These smaller vessels can navigate narrower channels and get closer to glaciers and wildlife. 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.

inside passage cruise alaska

Best Time to Go

ROYAL CARIBBEAN OPENS 2025 ALASKA SUMMER ADVENTURES - Royal Caribbean Press Center

ROYAL CARIBBEAN OPENS 2025 ALASKA SUMMER ADVENTURES.

Posted: Wed, 01 Nov 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

This popular Alaska cruise ship route usually features stops at a handful of Alaska and British Columbia ports and is known for its calm waters, boundless history, and spectacular scenery. In 1881, the first cruise drifted into the still waters of Alaska’s Inside Passage — but, these seafarers did not experience the wonder of modern-day cruises. In the height of the Klondike Gold Rush, these passengers were making history, not reliving it. Since then, journeys through these breathtaking lands have become more exhilarating.

For Travel Agents

Watch lumberjacks in action, learn from Glacier Bay National Park rangers and craft with a Native totem pole carver. Or listen to harrowing Tales from the Deadliest Catch fishermen and climbers who have summited Denali during your Alaska cruise. They groan, creak and shudder on their march to the sea, punctuated by the booms and crashes of "white thunder" — a sound that echoes across the water when ice calves into the ocean below. On an Alaska cruise, let us show you Glacier Bay National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier, College Fjord or Hubbard Glacier. Pack lots of sweaters, scarves, long-sleeve shirts, long underwear, a water-repellent jacket, and rainboots along with sunglasses, a swimsuit, and a few nights of formal wear. Sitka, on the west side of Baranof Island, is the largest city-borough in the U.S. and there’s a lot of history to explore here.

Full of greenery, pubs and Victorian architecture, it's difficult to believe that this was a tent city full of rough and tumble miners just 150 years ago. On a cruise to Alaska, explore the Butchart Gardens, tour the pub scene and taste some of the local brews or sail the bay for a whale-watching adventure. With no roads connecting it to the rest of Alaska or North America, it is truly a protected destination. Founded as a gold mining town and now the state’s capital, Juneau has one foot in history and one in the future. Embark on a whale watching tour, or sail past Mendenhall Glacier on an Alaska cruise. History awaits you in the enchanting enclaves of the Inside Passage.

Alaska cruise review: a voyage through the Inside Passage - The Week

Alaska cruise review: a voyage through the Inside Passage.

Posted: Wed, 02 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

The package includes the cost of your hotel stay, transportation, luggage handling and the services of the representative. Dis­cov­er South­east Alaska’s nat­ur­al won­ders aboard a char­tered sail­boat with Sail­ing Alas­ka. Cus­tomize your pri­vate expe­di­tion with expe­ri­enced cap­tain John Joeright and enjoy all-inclu­sive meals, com­fort­able accom­mo­da­tions, and end­less adven­tures on the 46-foot S/V Sham­rock.

Itineraries include many of the same stops that a round-trip Inside Passage cruise does, plus extras such as Valdez, Hubbard Glacier, College Fjord or another town in the gulf. We're Agnes and Chris, your go-to guides for all things Alaska. We bring you not just authentic Alaska itineraries and insider tips but also a treasure trove of our own photos and first-hand experiences from the places we've explored and activities we've relished. Look for packages that include excursions or onboard credits for added value. For a deeper dive into costs, check out our detailed article about Alaska cruise costs, including hidden fees and what to expect.

However, Alaska does use the U.S. dollar as its official currency. Alaska’s main sources of economic growth and revenue are fishing and tourism. Don’t forget to tip tour providers, bartenders, and restaurant servers during your Alaska cruise. If you’ve never seen a glacier in person, you’ll be amazed at their scale and enormity here. Alaska’s glaciers constantly shift and change, attracting thousands of environmental scientists and nature lovers to the region each year. Let Princess pick you up from the airport and take you directly to your ship or hotel when you arrive, even if you didn't book your airfare through us.

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