Cruises to Alaska Inside Passage, Alaska

Table Of Content

• Alaska Cruise Departure Ports
• Glacier Bay On All Inside Passage Cruises
• Northern Passage and Glacier Bay Cruise
• Pre: Vancouver
• Brief History of the Inside Passage

Enjoy breakfast in bed or an early dinner on your verandah — entrées and more are available whenever you wish. By providing a phone number and/or email address, Holland America will use the information provided to contact me with marketing and promotional messages. For more details, see our Privacy Notice and Website Terms of Service. Call or email us your tour questions or to customize your Alaskan vacation. Add a hotel package to your Mediterranean cruise and indulge in an unforgettable overnight departure or arrival city.

Alternative ways to explore Alaska beyond mega cruise ships – Lonely Planet - Lonely Planet Travel News

Alternative ways to explore Alaska beyond mega cruise ships – Lonely Planet.

Posted: Mon, 23 Sep 2019 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Alaska Cruise Departure Ports

Once a rowdy frontier hub and the gateway to the gold fields, Skagway is now a collection of curio shops, taverns, galleries, and museums nestled in natural beauty. Ketchikan is often the first "landfall" before cruising the Inside Passage fjords. On a cruise to Ketchikan, you can see intricately carved totem poles and other cultural sites of Native Alaskan nations such as the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian. The Creek Street boardwalk is also intriguing and a great place to see swimming salmon when they’re in season.

Glacier Bay On All Inside Passage Cruises

Touring the Inside Passage on an Alaska cruise is your gateway to the fascinating and colorful culture, history and sights of the Great Land. Note that cross-gulf cruises almost always start or end in Vancouver, and flying in or out of Canada requires a passport, though arriving at a Canadian port via a cruise ship doesn't. The high demand for Inside Passage cruises can be partly attributed to the convenience of ending a cruise in the same place you first set sail. Plus, they can be less expensive than cross-gulf cruises, which typically require a pricey flight to Anchorage (the gateway for nearby Seward and Whittier). The alternative to an Inside Passage cruise is a Gulf of Alaska cruise. These cross-gulf cruises hit some Inside Passage stops but also ports farther north.

Northern Passage and Glacier Bay Cruise

The Alaska cruising season for the Inside Passage generally runs from May to September. Each month offers its own set of unique experiences, from the blooming wildflowers in spring to the salmon runs in late summer. Discover our top picks for towns in the Inside Passage, a destination we’ve explored time and again. Uncover attractions that won’t break the bank or are completely free, alongside the best shore excursions to enhance your visit. A casual, modern marketplace, Lido Market offers the widest range of food options on board for breakfast, lunch, dinner and a late-night snack.

Pack lots of sweaters, scarves, long-sleeve shirts, long underwear, a water-repellent jacket, and rainboots along with sunglasses, a swimsuit, and a few nights of formal wear. Inside Passage Alaska cruises glide through a dreamscape—from white-capped peaks to calving glaciers and deep fjords to forest-blanketed land as far as the eye can see. Here’s everything you need to know about Alaska cruises to the famed Inside Passage, from where the passage is to how to pack for the weather. During a two-year expedition through uncharted territory, Captain George Vancouver sailed into the still waters of what came to be known as the Inside Passage.

Choose from 3 vacations in Alaska related to Inside Passage Cruises

Having personally sailed the Inside Passage, we can vouch for its extraordinary beauty and adventure. Unlike other Alaska cruise routes, the Inside Passage lets you intimately experience untouched wilderness, charming coastal towns, and a wide array of wildlife, from humpback whales to bald eagles. Play the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. with Holland America Line, the exclusive cruise line partner of the Professional Pickleball Association. All our cruise ships feature pickleball courts with amazing top-deck views. The equipment and courts are available for a match anytime, so long as the weather allows. Join a pickleball tournament at sea and put your dink shot to the test.

Explore Alaska’s hot springs and glac­i­ers aboard a unique ship that puts you behind the helm and lets you man the sails. This South­east Alas­­ka-based tour oper­a­tor will leave you with a new def­i­n­i­tion of what it means to have a once-in-a-life­­time Alas­kan adven­ture. You’ll explore away from the crowds, get­ting an up-close view of wildlife, scenery, hot springs, and glaciers. There's a reason why the best way to cruise Alaska is with Norwegian – we've got something for every type of traveler. The newly revitalized Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Spirit bring that and more with beautifully renovated spaces and staterooms.

For a more relaxed and luxurious experience, seniors often prefer Princess Cruises. Known for its excellent service and comfortable amenities, Princess offers a range of activities tailored for an older demographic. These cruises often feature exclusive excursions and personalized service, making them ideal for travelers looking for a lavish vacation. For those who love to explore on foot, the Inside Passage offers a plethora of hiking opportunities. In Juneau, the trails leading to the Mendenhall Glacier provide varying difficulty levels, catering to both novice and experienced trekkers. One of the most awe-inspiring experiences of cruising the Inside Passage is the opportunity to witness marine life in their natural habitat.

Also known as the "Panhandle," the Inside Passage is popular for spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife, vivid Native cultures, astounding history and exceptional hospitality. With over 27,000 glaciers, Alaska is one of the best places to see these majestic pieces of nature up close. Cruise on the Wilderness Explorer expedition vessel through Misty Fjords, a waterway that ancient glaciers carved out of the rugged landscape. Sitka offers kayaking adventures through its intricate waterways, where you might spot eagles and even bears along the shoreline.

The affordability of the cruise, compared to the logistical challenges and costs of flying to each individual port, made it an obvious choice. Don’t forget Ketchikan, known as the “Rainforest City,” where you can explore the Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the United States. These are just a few examples that set the Inside Passage apart from other cruise destinations. Whether you opt for a large, amenity-packed cruise ship or a smaller, more intimate vessel, the experience is nothing short of magical. Our aim is to guide you through the maze of options so you can make an informed decision about your Alaska Inside Passage Cruise and itinerary that perfectly aligns with your interests and desires.

Imagine sailing through a maze of islands where roads are virtually non-existent. In fact, many ports along the Inside Passage, such as Sitka, Wrangell, and Petersburg, are inaccessible by road, making a scenic cruise the ideal way to explore these hidden gems. More days means more to discover, with extension packages you can add before or after your Viking cruise or cruisetour. Enjoy additional days to explore your embarkation or disembarkation city, or see a new destination altogether with a choice of exciting cities.Pre & Post Cruise Extensions vary by itinerary and are subject to change.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Glacier Bay National Park is a haven for geology and marine biology enthusiasts. The park is home to a dynamic landscape of glaciers, fjords, and a diverse range of wildlife, including seals, sea lions, and humpback whales. Immerse yourself in Tlingit culture and experience the outpost atmosphere that prevails in charming, mountain-ringed seaside towns. Refer to the Dates & Pricing itinerary for specific details by departure date. The bathroom includes a dual-sink vanity, full-size whirlpool bath and shower, and an additional shower stall. If you look closely, you will also be treated to traces of Alaska history along the Inside Passage in totem poles, Russian-influenced architecture, and gold rush remnants.

Your Holland America Line ship’s Casino offers a wide array of gaming options. Whether you prefer slot machines or want to try your hand at blackjack or poker, our dealers and staff are available to provide complimentary instruction — and we offer many engaging tournament options. The word “nami,” Japanese in origin, means “wave” and is an homage to the ocean views you’ll enjoy as you dine on the freshest, tastiest and most inventive sushi at sea. Pinnacle Grill is the ultimate steakhouse at sea, where an exceptional menu and impeccable service make for one of finest meals you’ll ever have.