Table Of Content

Fortunately, after nearly a dozen Alaska cruises, our staff are well versed in the ins and outs of cruising to Alaska. From booking your pre-cruise hotel to utilizing Seattle’s stress-free luggage service, here are our top 24 tips for an Alaska cruise this year. The Port also continues to work in partnership with cruise ports in Alaska, Victoria. And Vancouver BC and the cruise industry to explore the world’s first cruise-focused Green Corridor from Seattle to Alaska through innovative decarbonization strategies. One of the most popular excursions in Ketchikan is to see the Misty Fjords, where you can watch for bald eagles, learn about the fjords, and see a volcanic spire rising up from the sea.
Leave plenty of time to make it to the airport on disembarkation day
Our pick for the best Alaska cruises from Seattle for budget travelers may come as a surprise to many cruise aficionados. That's because it's not the Alaska voyages from Seattle offered by the North American cruise line best known for budget sailings — Carnival Cruise Line. Holland America Line Flight Ease® offers specially negotiated low prices, a convenient and worry-free way to book air travel, late-arrival protection, and the freedom to change your flights with no change fees. For booked guests, please see our travel planning details on how to book an airport transfer.
Alaska Inside Passage Cruise Ports
Snuggle sled dog puppies in the ship's Piazza, or see the Northern Lights in the planetarium. At the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, explore our treehouse and enjoy unmatched views of Denali. Dive deeper into what makes the Great Land special on your cruise to Alaska. Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. 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. With modernized cityscapes, gorgeous parks, and breathtaking waterfront views, Seattle remains high on the list of must-see destinations in the United States.
Research low-cost things to do in port if you’re on a budget
Book a kayaking tour, go halibut fishing, go off-roading in an ATV, or head out for a relaxing whale watching tour. Cruises departing from Seattle are your ticket to some of the most breathtaking scenery on Earth — they’ll take you straight to Alaska! One of the best parts of cruising from Seattle is the opportunity to explore the iconic city, famous for its hip coffee culture and musical tastemaking. From its burgeoning foodie scene to its cultural treasures, this sparkling Pacific Northwest jewel is yours for the taking when you book a cruise from Seattle, Washington.
Top Reasons To Cruise Out of Seattle Before Your Alaska Cruise - Porthole Cruise and Travel
Top Reasons To Cruise Out of Seattle Before Your Alaska Cruise.
Posted: Wed, 28 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Visit its most popular attractions, such as the Space Needle and Pike Place Market. Fluid lines, light-filled spaces and a blend of modern elegance and nautical tradition make Koningsdam a sublime ship for Alaska cruises. Choose from seven refreshingly uncrowded ships for a front-row seat to Alaska's splendor. They are living laboratories that show what the Earth was like thousands of years ago and how it is changing today. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices.
That'll depend on your personal interests and travel style because there are cruises from Seattle that appeal to everyone, including family travelers, budget travelers and retirees. While Holland America draws some families with younger children, the passengers on its ships skew heavily toward middle-aged and older travelers, including many retirees. If you're nearing or already have hit retirement age and prefer to travel mostly with people who are at a similar stage in life as you, you'll feel right at home on a Holland America ship.
Glacier Bay National Park
Explore Pike Place Market and drink coffee at the original Starbucks before or after sailing to Alaska. Whether on a short cruise or one-week itinerary, discover unique cultures, cuisines and adventures on a cruise from Seattle with Princess®. Elevate your experience with The Retreat and you’ll enjoy a beautiful suite, an exclusive sun deck and pool, a luxurious lounge, and dining in the exquisite Luminae at The Retreat. When you stop in Skagway, Alaska’s Klondike Gold Rush history is front and center.
From exploring historic gold mines to venturing in the footsteps of early explorers, learn about Alaska’s Inside Passage and discover the wonders awaiting you. Alaskans are inviting people who love to share what makes their state unique. 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. Our award-winning North to Alaska program brings local personalities, culture and cuisine on board and ashore to immerse you in all things Alaska during your cruise to the Great Land. When you cruise to Alaska from Seattle, encounter unique ports of call that are rich in history, culture and natural beauty.
Skagway, Alaska

For those arriving earlier in the day, though, it’s worth it to find a hotel downtown for easy access to tourist sites. Search for shore excursions on websites like GetYourGuide.com and ShoreExcursionsGroup.com, and compare them to what you see on Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner. If prices are lower, or if there’s availability on a tour that’s sold out on the Cruise Planner, there’s no harm in booking through a third party. In addition to the upcoming launch of shore power at Pier 66, the Port forecasts that 123 sailings will connect at Pier 91. You can choose a cruise from Seattle or Vancouver for most of the five-, seven-, and nine-day Alaska cruises. If you want a longer itinerary, you could book a repositioning cruise that starts and ends in a different port.
Take a day or two to see the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, or make your own glass experience at the Chihuly Glass Museum before taking a journey to the Great Land. That said, the cruise season for Alaska is relatively short—May to September—so, your options are narrow. To bathe in the rays of the midnight sun and maybe spot a baby moose, June is your month to cruise from Seattle to Alaska. Holland America Line is one of the privileged few to cruise the pristine waters of Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, a 23-million-acre ever-changing biosphere with glaciers, inlets, rivers, and wildlife galore. Experts are brought onboard to uncover the stories and science behind every sight.
Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. Still, unlike some lines that cater to an older crowd, Princess doesn't ignore the children's market. Both ships are almost identical, but we give Discovery Princess the edge only because it's newer than Royal Princess. It's yet one more stylish and upscale area for cruisers looking for an upgraded experience to retreat. If living large is your goal, you're not going to find anything better than this — other than with a cruise on a similar Norwegian vessel that also cruises to Alaska from Seattle.

With a Cruise Plus Hotel Package, a Princess representative meets you at the airport and pier, transporting you to and from your hotel. The package includes the cost of your hotel stay, transportation, luggage handling and the services of the representative. Extend your cruise vacation, and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise. If you're looking for a vacation that offers the benefits of an on-land experience, Norwegian offers Alaska Cruisetours ranging from 11 days to 14 days.
Notably, the average age of Princess passengers is around 57, and you'll usually see many couples on board in their 50s, 60s and 70s. Looking for the best Alaska cruise from Seattle if you're bringing three generations of your family along for the ride? We can think of nothing better than a voyage on one of the two Princess Cruises ships that sail out of the city, the 3,660-passenger Discovery Princess and 3,560-passenger Royal Princess.
Holland America Line Set to Debut New 'Glacier Day' and Enhanced Alaska-Focused Experiences on Every Alaska ... - InvestorsObserver
Holland America Line Set to Debut New 'Glacier Day' and Enhanced Alaska-Focused Experiences on Every Alaska ....
Posted: Wed, 17 Apr 2024 14:15:00 GMT [source]
On a cruise to Alaska, live a nature lover's dream in the land where guests can catch postcard-worthy sights. 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. It’s always better to be over-prepared than under-prepared, so there’s no harm in reading articles and watching YouTube videos to help you prepare for your Alaska cruise.
Due to the popularity of excursions on an Alaska cruise, they can fill up quickly, so it’s important to book excursions well ahead of time. If you have not yet booked excursions for your 2024 Alaska cruise, book them as soon as possible. Whether you’re confused about what to pack or overwhelmed with the dozens of shore excursion offerings, the planning process can quickly seem more stressful than enjoyable.