THE 25 BEST Luxury Cruises to Alaska with Prices on Cruise Critic

Table Of Content

• Best for off-the-beaten-path travel: National Geographic Quest
• Cruise to the Flowing Ice: Alaska Glacier Tours by Sea, Land & Air
• Alaska Luxury Cruises
• Alaska Cruises
• Best for families: Disney Wonder
• Culture, History, and Natural Beauty Become One in Alaska’s Wrangell
• The 9 best Alaska cruises for every type of traveler in 2024

In 2022, the cruise line was the first to receive Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) certification, meaning its Alaska-bound ships serve only fresh, certified sustainable and traceable wild Alaska seafood. The 7-Day Glacier Discovery itinerary is offered both northbound and southbound, both of which include cruising the Inside Passage and Glacier Bay, and calling upon Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway. The Spa offers complimentary access to its Thermal Suite, where guests can rejuvenate by alternating between a steamy sauna and a frigid Snow Grotto. Note that this itinerary is longer than most (and Seabourn also offers weeklong sailings), delivering a far deeper immersion into the state's pristine and less-visited allures. For instance, visiting the Inland Islands, Endicott or Tracy Arm and Wrangell are unbeatable.

Best for off-the-beaten-path travel: National Geographic Quest

Look out for grizzlies and bald eagles, learn about the Tlingit culture or combine a grizzly bear viewing opportunity with a humpback whale cruise. This 10-night round-trip Seattle voyage hits not just the usual stops of Sitka, Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway. You'll also visit Victoria, British Columbia, for whale-watching, a city walking tour or outings to cider farms and wineries. Stroll the iconic Butchart Gardens, its winding paths ablaze with colorful blooms.

Cruise to the Flowing Ice: Alaska Glacier Tours by Sea, Land & Air

When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. While Viking falls in the (self-declared) upper premium category, most cruisers see the line's ships as luxury. Sailing in Alaska, the 930-passenger adults-only Viking Orion offers an elegant and spacious modern Nordic design.

Alaska Luxury Cruises

Explore the cultures of the Native Alaskans, and learn about the Klondike Gold Rush. Discover the best things to do in Alaska, where its vast landscapes, glaciers, wildlife, and rich history offer endless opportunities for adventure. Choose the style to suit your personal taste, from Destination Highlights to Small Group Discoveries, or even custom-designed Private Journeys. Immerse yourself in the wildlife, scenery, and culture ashore and return to aboard our contemporary, design-led ships. After enjoying the untamed beauty, return to your Alaska cruise and rejuvenate your spirit in The Spa. Watch for whales and dolphins from the privacy of your Infinite Veranda stateroom, where the touch of a button brings the outside in.

Alaska Cruises

The cruise fare may be higher, but you're paying for a better overall experience. Most of Celebrity’s Alaska cruises sail round-trip from either Vancouver or Seattle. You could also opt for a one-way cruise between Vancouver and Seward or Vancouver and Seattle. If you choose a Cruisetour, you could sail from Vancouver to Seward and then fly out of Anchorage after the tour. Other itineraries begin in Fairbanks and, after the land journey, sail south from Seward to Vancouver. For a less testing but equally thrilling experience, you could join a whale-watching tour, or take a helicopter or floatplane flightseeing trip, soaring over forests and glaciers.

If you're seeking unabashed luxury and thrills galore, try one of these five best luxury Alaska cruises for 2024. Tours in Alaska can range from a few hundred dollars to more than $1,000 per person in some cases, but they're solid choices if you want to spare no expense when making your Alaskan cruise a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Alaska is a dream destination for most, but it’s a paradise for photographers, with dramatic and diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife. Prepare for a thrill as you approach the head of the 30-mile Endicott Arm fjord to face Dawes Glacier, a 600-foot-tall wall of ice.

Best for families: Disney Wonder

In Sitka, 11 included excursions run the gamut from a mountain hike to an alpine lake with a Champagne toast to a three-hour kayak paddle to a floating base camp. Its seven-night Vancouver-to-Seward voyage visits every must-see port — including Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway — and also sails to the astonishing Hubbard Glacier. Silversea fares include most shore excursions, so you don't have to pay extra to immerse yourself in the best Alaska has to offer. Regent Seven Seas Cruises primarily operates week-long cruises between Vancouver and Seward, but Regent occasionally offers longer itineraries.

6 best Alaska cruises for families - The Points Guy

6 best Alaska cruises for families.

Posted: Thu, 19 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

For nearly 30 years, UnCruise Adventures has embarked on voyages with a mission to provide its guests with an enriching adventure travel experience that inspires an appreciation of local cultures and the natural world. Founded in Alaska in 1996, the company has a strong pretense in The Great Land with seven-, 12- and 14-night itineraries that set sail April through September. This year, the cruise line added five new Alaskan itineraries, including the adults-only Glaciers & Tranquility and Winter Sports Alaska, with a focus on downhill and Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, whale watching and spotting the Northern Lights. Whichever itinerary you choose, you can be sure to have a plethora of adventurous excursions at your fingertips, right from the ship. One day could find you paddleboarding in the morning and hiking in the afternoon, or maybe kayaking and taking a skiff out later in the day to try and spot wildlife. All excursions are led by experienced expedition teams, who provide all the equipment needed to make the most of your time in Alaska.

A Pre-Cruise Stay at Alaska's Alyeska Resort: The Perfect Luxury Cruise Add-On - Cruise Critic

A Pre-Cruise Stay at Alaska's Alyeska Resort: The Perfect Luxury Cruise Add-On.

Posted: Fri, 21 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

In Alaska, count on many notable included excursions, like driving the uber-scenic Klondike Highway, feasting on freshly caught salmon at Liarsville Gold Rush Camp or visiting a sled dog camp (petting allowed). In Juneau, search for humpbacks and orcas on wildlife quests at sea or photograph the mighty Mendenhall Glacier from advantageous viewing points. Alaska is all about exploring the Great Outdoors with family and friends, learning about US History and enjoying wildlife. There are hikes, kayaking, mountain biking, ziplining, and dog sledding for more energetic travelers. Pack binoculars for spotting all that incredible wildlife, and camera lens or smartphone. Remember swimwear for the ship; even if it’s cool outside, the Solarium on board is climate controlled and covered, so you can relax on a lounger in the warmth, and swim in the pool.

In Fern Harbor, Dundas Bay or No Name Cove, passengers can get up close to the natural wonders with birding expeditions, paddleboarding, beach walks, and more hiking and kayaking. Holland America Line has offered Alaska cruises for 75 years and is clearly a market leader. The line tops the list in terms of cruises, as well as cruise tours, which combine time sailing with overnight stays on land. The company operates its own lodges, rail cars and motorcoaches for exploration of Alaska's interior and beyond. Meanwhile, Norwegian Cruise Line offers suite passengers and those booked in The Haven suite complex access to a private restaurant, exclusive pool area and cocktail bar.

Royal Caribbean's 20-year-old ship Radiance of the Seas mainly sails weeklong, one-way cruises between Vancouver and Seward, Alaska, with prices below $100 per person, per night, for inside and outside cabins on many departures. The line will send six ships to Alaska in 2024, with tour offerings to Denali, Fairbanks and Anchorage. However, it's the 2,650-passenger Koningsdam that offers some of the most interesting cruise tour itineraries out there.

In addition to more than 140 shore experiences that immerse guests into this magical destination, Cunard invites explorers, travel writers and locals onboard to share their passions and knowledge. The cruise line takes inspiration from Alaska with special local dishes served in its onboard restaurants, and the return of the Ice White Ball, a formal gala affair with a glacial twist. A trip to Alaska is at the top of many travelers’ bucket lists, and for good reason. Other lines, including Oceania Cruises and Viking, straddle the realm between premium and luxury offerings in Alaska. These lines typically offer more space per guest than the big mainstream ships and blend varying levels of inclusivity into their fares.

This can range from inclusive beverages and gratuities to complimentary internet and even, in some cases, a handful of complimentary shore excursions. A day aboard the 86-passenger Wilderness Legacy might start out with a hike to a glacial lake followed by an early-evening kayak adventure in Thomas Bay. Or, you might enjoy a bit of scenic cruising by LeConte Glacier (where the big ships don't go) then continue the fun with hiking and biking the trails of Ideal Cove.

In those days, Bob ran the boat while Betty and her children served treats and tea to their guests. Today, Allen Marine operates 30 vessels, including the five ships that make up the Alaska Dream Cruises fleet, all of which accommodate between 12 and 76 cruise passengers. Each of its all-inclusive, small-ship itineraries is designed to immerse its guests into true Alaska through excursions and adventures in Southeast Alaska; because of their small sizes, they can call upon more remote destinations, leaving the crowds behind. Knowledgeable expedition leaders serve as personal guides on every voyage, sharing their expertise in biology, geography and ecology, as well as sharing about the lifestyles and legends of Southeast Alaska’s local cultures.

The best time to visit Alaska is during its summer season, between May and September. On an Alaska cruise, you’ll experience everything from raw, untamed natural wonders on an extravagant scale to rich history, buzzing cities, vibrant and delicious cuisine, and a warm welcome. Kayak silent fjords on your journey along the coast of the Last Frontier. Let Celebrity’s award-winning ships take you to the most dazzling locations in the 49th state, from bustling Juneau to pretty Ketchikan. Or extend your stay with one of our Alaska Cruisetours to explore Alaska’s interiors.