Table Of Content
- Get a taste of Alaska’s Russian history
- Cons of a Radiance-class Ship in Alaska
- If there is no pool/tan time, what is there to do all day when at sea?
- Visit a saloon
- What is the minimum number of days for an Alaska cruise and land trip?
- Alaska cruise departure ports: Which embarkation city should I choose?
These Quantum Class ships feature the Seaplex, an indoor sports court that offers activities like bumper cars, soccer, pickleball, and more. They also have an indoor pool as well as more bars, dining options, and entertainment venues onboard. Royal Caribbean deploys both large and small cruise ships to Alaska, each with their own benefits and drawbacks.
Get a taste of Alaska’s Russian history
Royal Caribbean cancels second sailing on Radiance of the Seas ship - USA TODAY
Royal Caribbean cancels second sailing on Radiance of the Seas ship.
Posted: Fri, 08 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
On my Alaska cruise last June, it was nearly 80 degrees on several port days—I spent the day sweating while walking around Skagway. Having packed only long sleeve shirts and pants for my Alaska cruise, I regretted not bringing more lightweight clothing. You’d be surprised by how many activities you can fit into a pre-cruise stay in Seattle or Vancouver. Even if you arrive at 3PM the day before your cruise, you will have around twenty hours in either city before embarkation begins. One of my favorite aspects of cruising to Alaska is the pre-cruise stay in Seattle or Vancouver. Not only do both of these cities offer breathtaking natural scenery, but they boast an impressive amount of things to do within the city, too.
Cons of a Radiance-class Ship in Alaska
Members of the Royal Caribbean Blog team travel to Alaska every summer, and we love sharing our best tips, tricks, and advice here on the blog. Every guest must complete the eMuster drill before your cruise ship can depart, and getting it done quickly on embarkation day is recommended. First, if you're flying to your cruise port, make sure to fly the day before your cruise begins. Airline delays are common, and you don't want to miss your cruise because of a canceled or delayed flight!
If there is no pool/tan time, what is there to do all day when at sea?
Instead, book the itinerary that works best with your interests and schedule, whether that means sailing from Seattle or from Vancouver. This narrow passage is between Vancouver Island and British Columbia and offers scenic mountain views. If you’re hoping to combine a one-way Alaska cruise with a land trip in Alaska’s interior, you should allocate at least 9 days for the trip. Northbound one-way cruises start in Vancouver, British Columbia and end in Seward, Alaska whereas southbound sailings travel in the opposite direction. Last week, our readers submitted their top questions about Alaska cruises to our Facebook page.
Having a base layer, warm layer, and waterproof layer ensures you are covered for a wide range of weather conditions. Plus, by arriving in Seattle a day early, you’ll have more time to enjoy the city’s attractions. Whether admiring skyline views from the Space Needle or eating your way through Pike Place Market, there are plenty of ways to keep busy in Seattle before your cruise begins. Outside of Royal Caribbean, you’ll find Alaska cruises from Seattle on many popular cruise lines including Carnival, Holland America, Princess, Celebrity, and Norwegian. Generally speaking, the Quantum Class ships will cost you more than a cruise on the Radiance Class ships. The exact price difference will vary from week to week, but you will have to weigh the price versus airfare costs.
What is the minimum number of days for an Alaska cruise and land trip?
Doing research will help you pack correctly, plan your travel logistics without any issues, and book that once-in-a-lifetime excursion you’ve dreamed about for years. No one enjoys navigating crowds, but it’s almost inevitable when cruising to Alaska. If you want to avoid the highest crowds, we recommend disembarking your ship early on each port day.
Nonetheless, the fewer crowds and lower prices make visiting at this time of year appealing for many guests. This shoulder season will see some of the lowest prices offered all year, and you can occasionally snag a great last-minute cruise deal as fall approaches. While on an Alaska cruise, your ship will sail through both the open ocean and the calm waters of the Inside Passage.
If all goes to plan, you could start disembarking by 7AM, but unexpected delays could cause a later disembarkation time. More often than not, flight prices will increase significantly as your travel date approaches. Waiting to see if the price drops almost always results in paying more for your flight, so it’s important to get your flights booked to avoid wasting money. Hopefully, if you have an Alaska cruise booked this summer, you’ve already booked your airfare to and from the cruise port. Of course, you’ll want to look at the terms and conditions of each tour operator before booking. Check the tour’s cancellation policies—and whether or not they provide a guaranteed arrival back to port before your ship's departure—before booking.
Alaska cruise departure ports: Which embarkation city should I choose?
While you can purchase packages once onboard, the cost may be significantly higher than what you could have booked ahead of time. Plus, because you can cancel add-ons for a full refund up to 48 hours before your sailing, you have flexibility in case you change your mind on these purchases later on. When packing for an Alaska cruise, we recommend bringing a pair of sneakers that are water resistant. Unless you plan on doing some serious trekking in each port, there’s no need to bring hefty hiking boots or rain boots. A pair of sneakers made from a water-resistant material will keep your feet dry and warm under most weather conditions.
Cruises departing from Seattle include a stop in Victoria, British Columbia, as the Jones Act requires foreign-flagged cruise ships to visit a foreign port when departing from the United States. Therefore, cruises leaving from Vancouver tend to include more port stops in Alaska itself as there is no legal obligation to stop in Victoria. It is the largest town visited in Alaska on a cruise and offers the most excursion options of any Alaska port.
More often than not, the best Alaska cruise deals are found when booking far in advance. This is due to the fact that Quantum Class ships are unable to fit under Vancouver’s Lion Gate Bridge outside of a very low-tide. Therefore, ships like Radiance of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, and Brilliance of the Seas sail out of Vancouver instead. There’s also the opportunity to spot harbor seals, wolves, brown bears, and other wildlife that call these areas home. A visit to the Baranof Castle State Historic Site is an option for spending the day in Sitka, which was where the formal transfer ceremony of Alaska from Russia to the United States took place.
Because of the long hours of daylight in the summer, it’s not common to see northern lights on an Alaska cruise. If you’re on the opposite end of the budget spectrum, there’s nothing wrong with booking a suite. Staying in a suite on a Royal Caribbean cruise can make your Alaska experience even more enjoyable by providing extra space and amenities like private restaurants and priority embarkation.
You’ll be able to get relatively “up-close” to the bears and witness their behavior as well. While you might not spend as much time in the pool as you would in the Caribbean, relaxing in the hot tub on a chilly morning or evening in Alaska can be extremely relaxing. Bringing a waterproof or water-resistant daypack with you to Alaska will ensure that your belongings are protected while exploring, rain or shine. From puffy jackets to rain gear, boots, dress clothes, and swimsuits, it can be easy to fill up a large suitcase with apparel fit for Alaska’s unpredictable weather. On our recent Alaska cruise onboard Ovation of the Seas, we purchased these binoculars and found them to be a great budget option.
While at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area, visitors can enjoy walking trails, the spectacular Nugget Waterfall, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Even with all the fun activities you’ll find onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, it’s always a great idea to spend time sitting back and relaxing on an Alaska cruise. Sailing through the Alaska Inside Passage comes with stunning views in every direction, whether you spot whales, eagles, glaciers, or waterfalls.
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