Visiting Alaska, the Best State
In my humble opinion, Alaska is the best state to visit! There is so much to see and do and it is so different from so many places in the Lower 48. I know, I am slightly biased because I live in this great state but just go with me. Follow along with me as I introduce you to cruising in Alaska!
So, right now cruising in Alaska isn’t possible. At least not until after July 1, 2020, but as we know, that date is very fluid. If you are would like to have a little more certainty about your travel, now is a great time to put my blog from a couple of weeks ago into practice.
Visiting Alaska on a Cruise Ship
(Not just for visitors but Alaskans too)
Today I want to talk about visiting Alaska by sea, meaning from walking off of a cruise ship. Cruising in Alaska is a fantastic way to see Southeast. In fact, many people on cruise ships have seen more of this part of our state than Alaska residents. Except for Skagway and Haines we are unable to drive to this part of our state. I have lived in Alaska my entire life and only saw Juneau and Ketchikan last summer. I will say that my kids have probably seen a little more than I have since they go on roadtrips to play teams in these faraway locations. So, Alaskans you can benefit from an Alaska Cruise too. But, I digress.
Let’s talk about how you can see Alaska by sea on an Alaska Cruise whether you are a tourist or a resident!
Cruise Ship Departure Ports
Round Trip Cruise Itinerary
Round trip cruises begin and end in Vancouver, BC, Canada; Seattle, Washington; or San Francisco, California. These itineraries go up the coast through the Inside Passage and turn around stopping at Alaskan port towns on the way there and back. Round trip itineraries can be less expensive due to not having to purchase a ticket to/from Alaska.
One Way Cruise Itinerary
On a one way cruise (my favorite way to see Alaska by sea) you begin in Vancouver, BC, Canada or Seattle, Washington and sail up to Alaska where the cruise ends. You can also begin in Alaska and sail the other direction. I highly recommend these cruises because you also see Southcentral Alaska which is VERY different from Southeast.
The Alaskan port depends on the cruise line you choose to sail with. The possibilities are Seward, AK (most common, pronounced Sue’-werd), Whittier, AK, and sometimes Anchorage, AK. Seward is approximately 2.5 hours from Anchorage (major airport), and Whittier is about 1 hour. I highly recommend Seward as a port of call since it is a very cute little town and the drive to Anchorage is very beautiful. Whittier, while beautiful, is mainly a harbor. But, the tunnel is pretty cool and the drive along the Turnagain Arm into Anchorage is beautiful (you drive the same portion from Seward too).
Other benefits of a one-way Alaska cruise include more glacier experiences and more stops at Alaskan ports. One-way itineraries usually include scenic cruising through Glacier Bay/Hubbard Glacier. Also, you get to see more of Alaska since you stop at more ports in Alaska since ships from Seattle must stop in Canada. If you desire, you can also add a cruisetour to visit the Interior or your add your own touring days.
Cruise Lines Who sail to Alaska
Most every cruise line sails to Alaska so you have so many choices! They all know that a great way to see Alaska is by sea. The main line cruise companies have pretty standard ports of call–Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, and Skagway. But the Luxury lines have some amazing and unusual Alaskan ports as well as different US departure ports and even some across the Pacific Ocean.
Round Trip ONLY:
- Disney Cruise Line
- Carnival Cruise Line
- Oceania Cruise Line (Luxury)
One-Way and Round-Trip:
- Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
- Princess Cruise Line
- Holland America Cruise Line
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- Celebrity Cruise Line
- Crystal Cruise Line (Luxury)
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises (Luxury)
- Windstar Cruises (Small Ship)
- Uncruise Adventures (Smaller, more unusual adventure cruise)
One-way ONLY:
- Silversea Cruises (Luxury)
- Viking Ocean Cruises (Luxury)
Alaskan Coastal Towns
Most port towns in Alaska are small and quaint. You can easily walk from the ship into the town. One of the great things about ports in Alaska is the accessibility for those who have mobility issues. These towns also have transportation readily available at the dock for those who didn’t book an excursion and want to explore on their own.
Below is a list of towns you might visit on your adventure cruising in Alaska. A short description is included and soon you will be able to click on the town to get to a post with a bit more information.
Seward, AK
Seward, Alaska is the beginning or ending point for many cruise itineraries. This is a great little town to visit before or after your cruise. There is some great restaurants, hiking, and shopping. Transportation is available to take you into the town of Seward or to Anchorage.
Whittier, AK
Whittier, AK is the other beginning or ending point for a few select itineraries. This port is closer to Anchorage. Whitter consists mainly of the boat harbor and a few businesses. There are some fantastic glacier cruises out of Whittier and some beautiful hiking (one hike goes up the hill for some gorgeous panoramic views). Transportation is available to take you through the tunnel to Anchorage.
Anchorage, AK
Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city and the beginning and end for a very few cruise itineraries. It is a large city with tons to do. This is where you will fly in and out of for your Alaskan adventure. It may not be where you will want to spend a lot of your vacation since it is a city but it definitely has its charms.
Juneau, AK
Juneau, AK is our capital city. It is the third-largest city (but it is only a little smaller than Fairbanks) in Alaska. Juneau has some fantastic glacier excursions you can take or make your way on your own. In town, you will find plenty of shopping, restaurants, Alaska history, and even Starbucks.
Ketchikan, AK
Ketchikan is a small fishing town with lots to see and do. It looks like the town is perched on a hill and is a fantastic place to be out on the deck viewing the scenery as you come in and out (really, don’t miss this!). As the “Salmon Capital of the World”, this is a great place for fishing charters. Ketchikan is also home to some wonderful opportunities to learn more about Alaskan Native culture.
Sitka, AK
Sitka, AK is another quaint Alaskan fishing village. They have an amazing music festival here during the summer.
Icy Strait Point, AK
Icy Strait Point, AK is a tourist destination created by the people and Native corporations of Hoona, AK. Right off the boat (there is a really nice gangway) you come to a visitor’s center which has a lot of information. They can connect you with tours, excursions, and their ropes course. The town of Hoona, just a 5-10 minute shuttle ride or a 20-30 minute walk along the coast, is more typical of Alaskan towns and a little less touristy. This town has quite a different feel than the other port towns.
Skagway, AK
Skagway, AK brings you back to the Klondike Gold Rush days of old. Sprinkled among the tourist stores you will discover quite a few interesting museums with lots of information on the Alaska Gold Rush. One of the highlights of Skagway is the White Pass Railroad which follows the arduous path the prospectors took years ago.
Haines, AK
If you have a chance to take a cruise that stops at Haines seriously consider that itinerary. Haines, AK was settled in a gorgeous setting in between two waterways. Haines is similar to Skagway with it’s own Gold Rush History to satisfy any history buff. It is a small town with a small port, fitting for only one large ship and possibly a small ship too. As a result, Haines seems a lot less touristy. You also have the option of taking a 45 minute Fast Ferry over to Skagway from Haines.
Thank you for hanging in there with me and checking out how to see Alaska by sea. Alaska has something for almost every traveler–history, adventure, nature, hiking, boating, fishing, flightseeing, dog-sledding, and so much more. Here’s to putting cruising to Alaska on your bucket list!!
If you are considering seeing Alaska by sea, I would love to help you plan your adventure. You can contact me by phone (907) 952-7055, or click here to fill out a contact form (you can also click contact me above).
Happy travels to you…until we meet again!
Comments are closed.