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Juneau, although the capital of Alaska, is not the biggest city in the state–only 32,000 people call Juneau home. The mountains, glaciers, and wildlife surrounding Juneau make this charming town anything but small, and it’s one of the main tourist hubs in all of Alaska. When it comes time to unwind, there are plenty of places to laze away and soak up the scenery -- all while enjoying the many perks that are included in your cruise fare.
Accessibility on Royal Caribbean Alaska Cruises
Some itineraries visit the charming gold-rush town of Skagway whereas others visit Sitka, the former capital of Russian Alaska. In 2023, you can find Alaska cruises on Quantum of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, and Brilliance of the Seas. These ships were specifically designed to sail in cold climates, so you’ll find a nice balance of indoor and outdoor activities and amenities on each cruise ship. Lastly, consider an aft facing balcony cabin if sailing on a Radiance Class ship to Alaska. These cabins face backward and provide some of the best views from the ship from your private balcony.
Dining on Discovery Princess
You can expect standout activities and innovative features from Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Class ships. With a capacity for 4,095 guests over 2,091 staterooms, she promises a dynamic cruise experience. She also includes two outdoor pools, two indoor pools, and four hot tubs, ensuring that everyone has somewhere to swim, even during inclement weather.
Night Alaska Experience CruiseDetails
Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas both sail 7-night round-trip cruises from Seattle. Though not Royal Caribbean's largest class of ships, both carry between 4,100 and 4,900 passengers, depending on how many berths are filled. When planning a trip to Alaska, many travelers wonder if it's better to explore the state by land or by sea. If you're interested in the Midnight Sun, the longest day of the year is June 21, when you can experience close to 20 or more hours of sunlight in some parts of the state. If you're more interested in the Alaska Northern Lights, the earlier sunset in later summer will allow more contrast and better views of this natural wonder.
Hubbard Glacier
Cultural excursions are another option, where guests can learn more about the Huna Tlingit people through song and dance at Icy Strait Point’s Native Heritage Center Theater. Sure, you'll spend a large part of your time adventuring in port, but you'll spend far more time cruising. You want that time onboard to be comfortable and enjoyable for everyone in your travel party. It has far fewer dining options, relying on Chops Grille to satisfy the need for specialty dining. The casino is not open during the hours these ships sail into and out of Puget Sound, including often on the entire last night of the cruise. When Victoria is the final port, the ship never escapes to international waters to allow gambling.
The tours are guided and include accommodation at charming lodges and hotels, a scenic train ride, and visits to destinations including Denali and Fairbanks. The best way to see Alaska’s cruise ports on a budget is to explore on your own instead of booking a tour. Many cruisers to Alaska dream of seeing the northern lights while visiting the state, but the northern lights viewing season does not coordinate well with the summer cruise season.
Comparing the Royal Caribbean ships sailing to Alaska in 2024 - Royal Caribbean Blog
Comparing the Royal Caribbean ships sailing to Alaska in 2024.
Posted: Thu, 28 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
A look at the 2024 Alaska cruises
Alaska’s breathtaking scenery is best explored from the comfort of your cruise ship. With two indoor pools, an indoor sports center, and a variety of hot tubs onboard, Ovation is the perfect ship for a luxurious Alaska vacation. The exact ports vary by sailing, but every Ovation cruise includes stops at Juneau and Skagway, Alaska. 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! Spending the night at a hotel in Seattle or Vancouver before your cruise can help ensure your vacation is off to a great start.
Why choose Ovation of the Seas?
Get to know wildlife, big and small, that call this wilderness home, like otters, eagles, bears, and whales. Loads of laughter and unforgettable experiences go hand-in-hand when cruising with your kids. Royal Caribbean's games, events, and cruise activities for kids are going on all over the ship throughout the day and into the evening hours, making family time a great time.
Dining Highlights on Queen Elizabeth
Get panoramic views from 300 feet above the ocean in the North Star, an all-glass observation capsule on Ovation and Quantum of the Seas. Unlike most of Royal Caribbean's smaller ships, there's no deck with a wide outdoor walkway tucked under the lifeboats allowing passengers to circle the ship outdoors. There are a couple of doors on Deck 5 that let you step outside onto a narrow walkway behind the lifeboats, but that's not a true promenade.
That being said, it’s possible (though not guaranteed) to see Alaska’s northern lights in September, which is a plus for those planning an Alaska cruise in the fall. There’s also the opportunity to spot harbor seals, wolves, brown bears, and other wildlife that call these areas home. Downtown Sitka is a charming place to walk around, where you can view the city’s cultural influences on every street. This comprehensive guide has everything you need to know about planning an Alaska cruise to ensure you have the best vacation possible and make memories to last a lifetime. Pioneer Alaska onboard Ovation of the Seas®, one of the world’s most groundbreaking ships. Head here to see what’s in store on a Royal Caribbean cruise when you head to the Last Frontier.
Cruises to Tracy Arm Fjord are commonly found on 7-night Alaska itineraries departing from both Seattle and Vancouver. Outside of these sites, many visitors enjoy walking Victoria’s Fisherman’s Wharf, a picturesque harbor with restaurants, shops, and bars. At the southern end of Alaska’s Inside Passage is Ketchikan, a town of 8,000 people best known for its idyllic scenery, Native culture, and fishing.
Hubbard Glacier is the largest tidewater glacier in North America; it’s over 400 feet tall and 6 miles wide, and it’s rapidly advancing at around 80 feet per year. Its enormous size makes the glacier a highlight on any Alaska cruise itinerary. Unlike the other Alaska cruise ports on this list, Seward is not located in Alaska’s Inside Passage. The small city of 2,600 people is located in southern Alaska just 125 miles from Anchorage. One-way cruises to Alaska start in Seward and end in Vancouver (and vice versa). Victoria is significantly larger than other ports on an Alaska cruise, with a population of over 90,000 people.
I've spent over 100 nights on cruise ships, and these are my biggest cruising regrets to avoid making - Royal Caribbean Blog
I've spent over 100 nights on cruise ships, and these are my biggest cruising regrets to avoid making.
Posted: Fri, 25 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The distance between venues and activities is shorter, which might make these ships a better fit for anyone who cannot walk long distances. Both ships have miniature golf, which might come in handy for entertaining the kiddos on those long summer evenings. Discover the top tips for planning a cruise to Alaska and uncover the best times of the year to spot Alaskas wildlife, locate must-see attractions, find Alaskan cruise deals and more. Come discover the prettiest spots to take pictures with our travel photo guide. In some parts of the state, dog sledding is still the primary mode of transportation through the winter months.
Flightseeing tours can be booked from Haines to visit sights like Glacier Bay, one of the most beautiful glaciers in Alaska. Match up the great views you’ll catch while on land with the best views at sea. You and your travel buddies can scope out Alaska’s beauty from the North Star—the world record-holder for the highest viewing deck on a cruise ship. Once you’ve taken in the views, there’s plenty more at your fingertips, from surfing and simulated skydiving to rock climbing and bumper cars. There’s a world of flavors on board, from classic British fish and chips and a hearty lobster roll at Fish & Ships to hand-cut steaks at American steakhouse Chops Grille. In addition to port stops—where guests disembark the ship—most itineraries include a scenic viewing day of a glacier.
These excursions can cost hundreds of dollars, so you may want to put your vacation budget toward these experiences instead of an upgraded cabin. One of the first decisions you’ll make when planning an Alaska cruise is selecting a cruise ship cabin. Everything from tiny studio rooms to two-story suites are available to book, but it can be challenging to find the best cabin for your Royal Caribbean 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. The main attraction by starting or ending a cruise in Seward, however, isn’t the town itself, but the proximity to some of Alaska’s most popular destinations.
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