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Some cruises may visit Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan whereas others may call upon Juneau, Icy Strait Point, and Sitka. If you want to book a balcony or suite, then booking early becomes even more important. Since so many people value a private balcony on Alaska cruises, demand for these categories is even higher than on Caribbean or European itineraries. In fact, when Royal Caribbean announces new Alaska itineraries is the best time to book.
Best for budget travelers: Eurodam
The vast majority of Royal Caribbean Alaska cruises are 7 nights, although you may occasionally find a 6 or 8-night itinerary. You can purchase a travel insurance plan directly through Royal Caribbean upon booking or through an outsider provider. If you travel frequently, we recommend an annual travel insurance plan that covers you all year round. The shoulder seasons of May and September will see the lowest prices whereas June, July, and August see the highest cruise fares. Most people going on an Alaska cruise are most interested in the destinations, with the ship choice a secondary consideration.
Remember to book pre-cruise add-ons before you board
Both ships make their required Canadian port of call at Victoria, sometimes mid-day, but often in the evening. Ovation's itineraries include as many as four sea days when you count the scenic cruising days. As your ship sails away from each port of call in Alaska, you will be rewarded with stunning views of the Inside Passage, and you won’t want to miss sailaway each evening.
Guide to Seattle cruise port for Alaska cruises
He oversees all the writers at Royal Caribbean Blog, and writes a great deal of content on a daily basis. At the time of this article's posting, Radiance of the Seas Hawaii itineraries are not listed yet. While you could roll the dice and hope for a better last-minute deal on an Alaska cruise, the cabin selections will be paltry at best. In addition to clothing, you’ll also want to pack accessories such as a waterproof daypack, binoculars, sunglasses, and bug spray. Staying in the area between downtown and the Space Needle is convenient for sightseeing. Seattle’s light rail system connects the airport to downtown, and tickets cost between $2.25 and $3.25 depending on how far you ride.
Due to this, you might want to consider taking a Royal Caribbean shuttle or the train from Seward to Anchorage, which must be scheduled in advance. 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. Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of the best free and low-cost activities to do in each Alaska cruise port, which should help give you some ideas. The last thing you want to happen is have your dream excursion sell out, leaving you scrambling to find other plans.
You’ll typically find between 3-4 ports and a scenic glacier viewing day on a 7-night Alaska cruise from Seattle. From spending the day exploring historic ports to enjoying wonderful dining and entertainment each evening onboard, it’s easy to see why Alaska cruises are so popular. Two Royal Caribbean cruise ships, Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas, sail from the Port of Seattle. They sail only during the Alaska cruise season, which runs from April to September. Alaska cruises depart from both Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia each year, with the fleet’s Quantum Class cruise ships sailing almost exclusively from Seattle.
Royal Caribbean Announces Alaska Summer 2025 Alaska Sailings - Cruise Industry News
Royal Caribbean Announces Alaska Summer 2025 Alaska Sailings.
Posted: Wed, 01 Nov 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
One of my favorite Alaska cruise “hacks” is to utilize Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s luggage valet service. Instead of getting upset over a cold, rainy day in port, maintain a positive attitude. Find a cozy saloon to enjoy a warm Irish coffee, or bundle up in your rain gear and make the most of the day. Whether you’re cruising with an elaborate mirrorless camera or just your cell phone, it’s hard to take a bad photo of somewhere as beautiful as Alaska. One must-do before you board an Alaska cruise in 2024 is to pre-purchase these add-ons.
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. Activity highlights in Juneau include whale watching, exploring Mendenhall Glacier, and riding the Goldbelt Tramway up Mount Roberts. Don’t forget to taste local seafood, either, with Juneau’s king crabs, salmon, and halibut among the best in the world.
All roundtrip sailings from Seattle must include a port stop in Victoria, British Columbia, thus visiting three ports in Alaska. One-way cruises, on the other hand, are not required to stop in Canada and have four port stops in Alaska. While booking early will help lock in a low price, some Alaska shore excursions are simply more expensive than others. Activities like helicopter tours, luxury whale watching, and dogsledding can easily cost a few hundred dollars per person. Certain ports, such as Juneau and Icy Strait Point, tend to offer better whale watching opportunities than other Alaska cruise ports. Be sure to read our whale watching guide before booking your whale watching excursion to ensure you book it at the right port and time of year.
Trains depart every day of the week, leaving every 6 to 15 minutes from 5AM to 1AM (12AM on Sundays). This makes the light rail a convenient and cheap way to reach downtown from the airport. Taxi service is also available, with fares priced at $40 from Sea-Tac airport to downtown Seattle. If traveling directly from the airport to Pier 91, expect to pay around $60 one way. The Seattle Center complex encompasses an assortment of impressive attractions. View colorful masterpieces by glassblower Dale Chihuly at the Chihuly Garden and Glass museum.
Many cruisers have been able to board Alaska cruises despite having a DUI, however, provided they sail from Seattle and not Vancouver. Because the process can vary from person to person, we advise doing extra research on whether or not you will be able to board an Alaska cruise. Glacier Bay National Park and Reserve is one of Alaska’s cherished national parks, but you cannot visit the park on a Royal Caribbean cruise.
One-way itineraries on Radiance of the Seas have offered cheap cruise deals a few months before the sailing. Royal Caribbean typically releases new itineraries around months before the sail date. Booking a cruise as soon as the itinerary is released will often bring the lowest prices as well as the most selection of available cabins. Those cruising to Alaska in the peak of summer may find the weather surprisingly warm, making it comfortable to wear just a t-shirt during the day. Those cruising in the shoulder seasons, on the other hand, will want to make sure they have warm layers in case of inclement weather.
Practice taking pictures at home and watch a few beginner photography tutorials on YouTube to ensure you have the skills needed to take that perfect shot. Alaska’s landscapes are spectacular, so you’ll want to brush up on your photography skills before your cruise. Outside of clothing, there are other essentials you should pack for an Alaska cruise. While not required, bringing items like motion-sickness medication, binoculars, and cabin essentials like outlet adapters are helpful to have handy. Browse a local outdoor consignment shop or search for used clothing on websites like Facebook Marketplace or eBay to find the best deals. Alternatively, you can try to bid on a cabin upgrade through Royal Caribbean’s RoyalUp program, although there’s no guarantee your bid will be successful.
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