I've been a tour guide for many years in both Alaska and Washington and am a field editor for the Milepost. Meanwhile, staterooms range from Interior cabins to expansive Signature, Neptune and Pinnacle Suites, all of which are equipped with Sealy Premium Euro-Top mattresses and flat-screen TVs. I cringe whenever I read or hear this. Encore stands out for its unmatched onboard amenities, which include the longest racetrack at sea and a 10,000-square-foot outdoor laser tag arena. Norwegian Encore sails from Los Angeles, Seattle andMiami to destinations in the Caribbean, Alaska, the Panama Canal and more. It's defined by your personal interests and travel style, with the best Alaska cruise for you and your companion depending on how much adventure you prefer on a vacation, how much luxury you require, your budget and more. Passengers can participate in everything from cooking classes to duty-free shopping, or simply relax by the pool or at the spa. Given how many cruise companies offer a number of interesting and unique shore excursions in Skagway, it was hard to choose which ones to recommend. By Southeast Tours. (Generally, Viking voyages are highly inclusive, keeping with its no nickel-and-diming philosophy. The best hike in every Alaska cruise port, complete guide to riding the Alaska ferry here, DIY travelers guide to having a blast on a cruise, my top recommendations for Vancouver here, https://www.ordinary-adventures.com/privacy-policy/. Celebrity Eclipse offers itineraries in Alaska, Hawaii, thePacific and Australia. September is a good time to plan a last minute cruise as there is often space available on ships. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Silversea Cruises is the leader in this market, with two ships sailing to Alaska in any given year. Regent Seven Seas Explorer debuted in 2016. More active pursuits includetwo swimming pools and sports courts. These are all wonderful and intimate ports with lots to see and do. Haines doesnt have a lot of cruise ships that call in its port, but it does have some. It's not unusual to find four ships docked there on the same day. You might shoot wildlife, historic buildings, stunning scenery, or all of the above. *Terms & Conditions Package not available on sailings less than 5 days or charter sailings. The ships 11 decks include multiple cabin categories:Interior staterooms (141 to 284 square feet),Ocean View and Verandah staterooms,Signature Suitesand Neptune & Pinnacle Suites. 6 Things Not to Miss on Your Next Alaska Holiday. If youre doing a lot of shore excursions, a small ship cruise may not be as much more expensive as you think so look into that. Even coming in on a cruise ship which is normally the largest structure around for miles you are completely dwarfed by the natural landscape. Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Regent, and Royal Caribbean. Passengers can also pass the time by the pool or in the Greenhouse Spa & Salon, while more enriching programs include the BBC Earth in Concert and onboard movie screenings. Ketchikan (below) is a very, very close second, but Juneaus many hiking trails that you can get to easily from the cruise ship dock edge it into the number one spot for me. Your budget is an important first consideration as small ship cruises are generally at least double the cost of big ship cruising. For couples looking for a more in-depth exploration of Alaska's coastal areas than most lines offer, Viking may be the perfect choice. Pros: The biggest benefits of small ships are the small number of guests and the intimate setting as well as the opportunity to explore smaller inlets and places where bigger ships arent able to go. For many people, visiting Skagway may be a memorable spot because it is the farthest north they will ever venture on the planet. If youre traveling on a small ship, your ship may call at Wrangell, Petersburg or go ashore at Bartlett Cove in Glacier Bay National Park. Alaska cruises can cost anywhere from $500 to $7,500 per person for a five-night sailing, but total costs will depend on the size of the ship, length of the trip, and other factors like whether onshore excursions and food and beverage are included in the base rate. A train ride on the White Pass Railroad is a must-do. Said trail takes you along the Chilkoot Trail in part, as well as along the water, through the forest, and past Slide Cemetery which dates back to a landslide in 1898 and the many prospectors and frontiers-people who perished in this part of The Last Frontier. When I say best weather I mean less rain than most other ports (except Skagway) but it doesnt have the wind that Skagway has. Skagway is a tiny town with a very busy cruise port! Alaska Cruise Routes | Inside Passage or Cross Gulf of Alaska Cruise? THE 10 BEST Skagway Tours & Excursions for 2023 (with Prices) - Tripadvisor Skagway in Focus: Guided Photography Adventure, 10. If your ship calls at Victoria, read all about my suggestions for making the most of a short port call there. Let me take you through my Alaska cruise excursions, city by city. Onboard amenities on this ship include two pools, six outdoor hot tubs, a fitness center, a nine-hole putting green and a spa. Seven Seas Explorer sails to destinations in Alaska, Africa, Asia, Australia,the Mediterranean and more. Its served on paper towels (not even a paper plate! Hi! Skagway Shore Excursion: Yukon Discovery Tour. Another high point: the cuisine. No trip to Alaska is complete without a ride on the White Pass & Yukon Route narrow gauge railroad. At the White Pass & Yukon Route Depot, board a vintage railcar for a ride up the White Pass Summit. Hit Skagway Brewing Company for sockeye salmon sandwiches paired with a Blonde Ale made from hand-picked Sitka spruce tree tips. Interior staterooms can accommodate up to four passengers, while larger Suites can sleep up to seven. Explore Klondike Gold National Historic Park mountain peaks, lakes and more on a visit to Skagway. These trips range from 13 to 15 nights in total. That's it. If you dont mind bundling up with some hot drinks while watching the rain and getting the full Inside Passage experience then September is the time for you! Throughout Free cancellation. No matter which way you turn, there are gorgeous mountains. Nighttime entertainment options are just as abundant, with more than a dozen bars and lounges on board. However you get there, Haines is worth a visit for plenty of reasons. We can think of nowhere else that its possible but here. Live performances include various musical acts, from high-energy dance numbers to the Tony Award-winning Kinky Boots Broadway show. In addition the forest, there are several view points out across the channel where you can see the water and the bustling activity in the channel. Ive visited Skagway several times during my various adventures living in and traveling to Alaska, including during my Windstar cruise in 2022. Related: DIY travelers guide to having a blast on a cruise. Discover the best things to do in Skagway, Alaska, from Princess Cruises. 2. In this post, I promote travel to a destination that is the Lingt Aan (traditional lands) of the Tlingit peoples. The Best Alaska Excursions For Your Alaskan Cruise In a town the size of Skagway, there isnt a big transportation network. Even so, if youre worried about finding your way, then theres a navigation tool to help you. Wed suggest the $5 pass as youll see markers all around town where it stops, providing a ride for folks that dont want to or cant easily walk. Cabins also feature bathrooms with glass-enclosed showers and heated floors. When it comes to dining, guests can choose fromNew York Pizza on the pool deck, Asian delicacies at Tamarind and more. This post was originally published in March 2020, and was updated most recently in November 2022. The vessels carry skiffs for exploring and landings, kayaks, paddleboards and other adventure toys. They cater mostly to older couples and solo travelers and draw relatively few families, though you do sometimes find some children on board. Its hard to choose, but among Alaska cruise ports, Skagway is probably my favorite. Each one marks the occasion when a ship visited the port. Planning a cruise? When it comes to dining, SilverMuse boasts eight venues that showcase a variety of cuisines, including Italian and Asian, as well as French fare at the upscale La Dame. Its important to read the description for any Skagway excursions youre interested in, since they may actually occur in Haines but all of the ones on this list are actually in Skagway. Specializing in Alaska trips, UnCruise operates a fleet of super-tiny vessels the biggest carries just 86 people that are so small they can go to remote, outdoorsy parts of Southeast Alaska that no big ship could visit. This varies based on the length of the trip and the choices you make (especially about shore excursions) as well as the specific cruise company you plan to travel with. Alaska Cruises Skagway, Alaska Shore Excursions - Norwegian Cruise Line If you want to write to someone back home, then Skagway offers the perfect opportunity. All of it is packed into a valley between soaring mountains that has to be seen to be believed. The excursion takes you to the Klondike Gold Rush National Park Historic District where youll learn from historic actors about life in a stampede town during the gold rush era. The entire downtown area revolves around cruise ship tourism. Alaska Cruises 2023-2024 - Cruise to Alaska - Best Alaska Cruise It's easy to see why tiny Skagway is Alaska's top visitor destination: It has wide-ranging appeal, including a compelling history, architecture, a scenic railway, a national park and walkability found in few other Alaska towns. Princess has particularly robust offerings when it comes to such trips because it operates five wilderness resorts in Alaska that it incorporates into its itineraries. Read more. I recommend the cross gulf (one way) trip if you are also adding a land portion of your trip to other parts of Alaska, such as Denali National Park, Anchorage or Fairbanks. So, if you're on the younger side, this might not be the perfect couples cruise for you. Originally launched in 2008 and updated in late 2015, Eurodamcarries up to 2,104 passengers and 876 crew members. Seven Seas Explorer is the top-ranked ship overall. Staterooms range from Interior and Ocean View cabins that span from 127 to 282 square feet, to Verandah rooms and three Suite categories. Its more straightforward and usually less expensive to fly if you do a round trip from the same port. If youre interested in this history (which the town revolves around), then head to the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Visitor Center. Recent travelers said this spa experience is not to be missed. National Park Service rangers lead free walking tours of the historic district five times daily. {{card.shipName}} of the Seas, We've circled the globe and couldn't find any sailings that match your search. After the ride over, youll actually land and be able to walk on the glacier itself. (And Im working on a list of Haines excursions coming soon.). My picks are the seven-night sailings to the state that Holland America offers out of Seattle. When you think of the state, you likely imagine small, remote, rustic towns that sit in the middle of soaring mountains. I'm Jennie. On an UnCruise Adventures trip, the vessel serves as a floating adventure platform that can get you into the most remote areas in a small-group setting. If you're looking for an Alaska cruise for couples that won't break the bank, I'd probably steer you to one of the Holland America ships sailing north to Alaska out of Seattle. Stores around the town sell all sorts of postcards along with stamps, with pictures of everything from wildlife to mountains, cruise ships, and more. Every port you visit in Alaska will have some dramatic scenery and landscape. So, if you are doing a one way cruise, you will start in Vancouver and end near Anchorage (either Whittier or Seward) or the other way around. Small ships generally run between towns in Southeast Alaska, usually Juneau, Sitka or Ketchikan. Who Offers This Shore Excursion in Skagway? Or a tiny native settlement that is home to just hundreds of people. Is it better to do an Alaska cruise from Seattle or Vancouver? kwis29. All cabins come equipped with flat-screen TVs, seatingareasand classic Disney designs. ), but its large enough to feed 2-3 adults. Each cabin is equipped with a separate living area and bedroom, a stocked bar, a flat-screen television, a walk-in closet and a bathroom with a tub, shower and dual sinks. Operated by the National Park Service, this spot tells the history of the gold rush. Here are the best skagway shore excursions, ranked to help you choose the best one! There you have it my take on the best Alaska cruise excursions in Skagway. Relive the good old Gold Rush days through interactive exhibits at its Visitor Centre, housed in the restored 19th-century Railway Depot. The Best Alaska Cruise Ports and Choosing the Right Itinerary for You Indeed, Viking is known for catering specifically to a certain type of thoughtful, inquisitive, generally older traveler who is as interested in learning while on vacation as being pampered. Go through White Pass to the Carcross Desert, Emerald Lake, and Caribou Crossing, visit a dog mushing camp, and look for wildlife such as bear, moose, and caribou. Built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush, this narrow gauge railroad is an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. Launched in 2016, the 2,650-passenger Koningsdam is one of Holland America's newest ships and the first in the more contemporary Pinnacle Class. Small ships generally stop in fewer ports and do more exploring with kayaking and hiking instead of in towns. We care about privacy. Visit the CDC website for additional COVID-19 cruise ship health and safety data. Have other questions about visiting Skagway, taking an Alaska cruise, or choosing Alaska cruise excursions? Our cruise went to Juneau, Skagway, Ketchiacan. There are specific programs for kids. You get some of the most postcard-worthy vistas you can imagine as the train heads along the pass. With a history in Alaska that goes back more than 70 years, Holland America is one of the longtime leaders in cruises to the state (along with its sister brand, Princess Cruises), and its target market is couples (skewing to the older side, with lots of retirees) rather than families. When is the best month to take an Alaskan cruise? Big cruise ships either sail one way from Seattle or Vancouver to Whittier or Seward near Anchorage, or they sail round trip in the inside passage from Seattle or Vancouver. Seven Seas Explorer is the top-ranked ship overall. Many of the ships that sail on such itineraries have permission to visit Glacier Bay National Park, a highlight of any Alaska trip. Skagway was put on the map by the Klondike Gold Rush in 1898 and has a colorful history. What about taking a helicopter ride to go land on and explore a glacier? Here are the best skagway shore excursions, ranked to help you choose the best one! There's a public-use cabin about 1.5 miles from the tracks. #1 Cruise Line in Alaska* Our Alaska cruises are your ticket to adventure amidst the Great Land's glaciers, wildlife and national parks. Even longer "Connoisseur" cruisetours combine stays at up to five Princess lodges in multiple locations around the state and last up to 17 nights. Skagway is famous for the discovery of gold in the late 1800's. The Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park is not to be missed. Who Offers This Shore Excursion in Skagway? So many photo opportunities and special spots that you were only aware. I love the adventure focus of these tiny, no-frills ships, which hold fewer than 100 people and focus on getting travelers into remote parts of Southeast Alaska for hiking, kayaking, whale watching and other outdoorsy pursuits. . Have you figured out the theme of many Skagway excursions? The town sits about 59.5 degrees north the same latitude as the southernmost point of Greenland, and well north of most of Europe. Appreciate your photo suggestions and expertise. Generally speaking, the larger the ship, the cheaper the initial price tag. The majority of the Inside Passage Cruises start in Vancouver, but it is possible to find cruises that begin in Seattle and even San Francisco. 48 EXCURSIONS Already Booked Your Cruise? The 930-passenger Viking Orionset sail in 2018. The 8 Best Alaska Cruises to Take in 2023 - AFAR Carnival, Disney, Holland America, Regent, Royal Caribbean, and Viking. Youll also want to make sure you have sunscreen because when the sun does come out its INTENSE during Alaskas long summer days. Just don't expect anything too fancy. For first-timers we recommend the Alaska Zipline Tour in Juneau or the Bear Creek Zipline Adventure in Ketchikan. It is possible to have much hotter days but definitely be ready for some chilly and damp days, even in the middle of summer! Today it features not just food and drink in a lively atmosphere but upstairs is also a brothel museum. . For such a small town, Skagway can handle a significant number of ships. There are non-alcoholic options for underage guests. All cabins come equipped with plushEuro-Top mattresses and flat-screen TVs. Which Alaska Zipline Tour is Right for Me? Alaska Shore Tours At night,the ship screens poolside movies under the stars. Enjoy Mendenhall Mudd or Klondike Walnut fudge at the Alaska Fudge Company and then sip a nightcap at Red Onion Saloon, the oldest watering hole in town. this is a perfect Skagway excursion for your whole group. 1. Read on for the best Skagway cruise excursions! What all three of the Silversea ships that will sail in Alaska over the next two years have in common is that they offer large, elegant and supremely comfortable suites (and every cabin is a suite on these ships); pampering service (that fancy suite comes with its very own butler); and gourmet cuisine of the sort you find at the finer restaurants in big cities. We personally took a walk through the town and before we turned around the head back to the ship, took a picture of the spot realizing that we may never reach a point that far north on the planet again. They can rise 20 or 30 feet above the water on a steep rock face. Well, today you can now ride the rails on a scenic route that takes about three hours and carries you up into the mountains. From the room stewards to the restaurant servers, Celebrity Eclipse's staff was also a point of praise among recent guests. Icy Strait Point near the town of Hoonah is a unique port in Southeast Alaska. White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad. In fact, the three different cruise docks (Ore Dock, Broadway Dock, and Railroad Dock) accommodate four ships, meaning that there can be potentially 10,000 cruise passengers or more during a single day. The musher will give a talk and give you a chance to meet any puppies they have in the camp that day. These cruises are selling out fast, get them while you can. Alaska cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do from. Many ports, such as Juneau and Skagway, are nearly impossible to visit by car,. In many ways, thats a great thing as its easy to get around, theres plenty to do and see, and nearly every storefront caters to tourists, such as souvenir shops, restaurants, and breweries. Columbia Steens Mountain Full-Zip Fleece Jacket. The most common train ride to book is the journey on the White Pass Railroad, which takes passengers north . This three-hour tour pairs you up with a local photographer to explore the whole region. The ship offers 10eateries, including four specialty venues where reservations are required and additional charges apply. At night, entertainment options include casino games, cocktail lounges and shows in the Constellation Theater. I also keep in mind some of the othertips on choosing Alaska cruise excursions. I share travel resources and stories based on my personal experience and knowledge. Next, youll board a traditional 12-person canoe, much like the Klondike prospectors used back over 100 years ago. 15 Best Cruises to Alaska | U.S. News Travel If you're a couple looking to see more of Alaska than its coastal areas, a hybrid trip combining a cruise with a multi-day land tour to inland areas is your best bet. You can also visit Haines by taking a shore excursion when your ship calls in nearby Skagway. 13 Best Alaska Cruise Excursions for Families - We3Travel In addition, Princess offers longer and more far-ranging "Off the Beaten Path" routings that add nights at the remote Copper River Princess Lodge in eastern Alaska near Wrangell-St. Elias National Park or the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge on the Kenai Peninsula. Inside Passage. If youve made it this far in the list, and your mouth is watering like mine, this is the excursion for you! The Red Onion does suggest that parents and guardians should use their discretion as tour material is a tad risque. More than a dozen major cruise lines operate Alaska cruises during the spring, summer and fall, giving couples wanting to explore the state on a cruise a wide range of choices. In addition to stops at classic Southeast Alaska cruise destinations such as Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan, Viking's 10-night Alaska itineraries include a visit to Valdez, Alaska a less touristy coastal town known for its fishing boat fleet that's home to fewer than 4,000 people and a cruise into little-visited Yakutat Bay. Couples who want the ultimate in pampering when exploring The Last Frontier and for whom money is no object might want to look at an Alaska cruise on one of several ultra-luxury ships that sail regularly to Alaska. Im so glad to have you along on the journey to experience your best adventure in Washington, Alaska and Western Canada! View at the incredib At the White Pass & Yukon Route Depot, board a vintage railcar for a ride up the White Pass Summit. Learn more in my complete guide to riding the Alaska ferry here. As part of 'Regent Experience,' all specialty dining is included in the cruise fare. Reservations are required and made through the U.S. Forest Service. With so much to do, make sure you plan ahead! Find the right card for you. You have entered an incorrect email address! If youre traveling with kids or just a kid at heart, in which case, I feel you! Best of Skagway in Skagway, Alaska | Celebrity Cruises Who Offers This Shore Excursion in Skagway? In any case, this particular one caught my eye, as its got a lot of things going for it: first, youll transport up the Klondike Highway to Summit Lake, which sits high in the White Pass this gives you ample opportunity to enjoy the incredible scenery of this area. Its hard to imagine a more Alaskan port than sailing into Skagway. Outside the cabins, guests can spend their days participating in cooking demonstrations, lounging by the pool or relaxing in the library. You've probably never heard of UnCruise Adventures. Make the most of your time on land with this shore excursion of Canada's Yukon Territory. Other ultra-luxury lines that operate in Alaska are Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn and Scenic Luxury Cruises, each of which sends one vessel to the state for all or at least part of the summer season. The 2,713-passenger Disney Wonder first debuted in 1999 and was most recently updated in 2019, rolling out new family-oriented amenities and entertainment offerings, like Tiana's Place with live music and southern cuisine inspired by the Disney movie The Princess and the Frog. On this 6.5-hour tour, youll have three incredible experiences and three that are totally unique to Skagway. To find out more, please. The Laughton Glacier Hiker Service takes you 14 miles out of Skagway to the Laughton trailhead, where you'll hike through an old-growth forest, along a glacial-fed river, and up the moraine for a look at the glacier. Descubra las mejores actividades en Skagway, Alaska, en Princess Cruises. Fortunately, Alaska's cruise ports are all small and . This is one of the questions I get frequently from my readers and clients. On 3rd Avenue, there is a storefront called Alaskan Fry Bread which is home to the Klondike Doughboy. Ketchikan is a very close second for me for the top spot as the best Alaska cruise port! Want to know more? This small walking trail with park is located between the docks and the town, so youll pass by as you leave the ship. While the ship does offer youth clubs for children ages 3 to 17, most of the entertainment and activities aregeared towardadults. This question is worth considering because they are very different experiences. In addition to shore excursions organized by your ship, you can also easily explore Juneau on your own by going for a hike, shopping around town or taking the wonderful Juneau food tour to get an insider and local perspective on Juneaus delicious food scene. When it's time to relax, cruisers can head to the spa for a treatment or for a unique experience cool their body temperatures down in the snow grotto (where snowflakes fall) before jumping into the sauna or hot tub to warm up. Skagway is a small city that doubles as a cruise port and is a popular . That tour is still available, but I realized it just wasnt as compelling as others you could now enjoy, and if youre going to explore the Chilkoot Trail, riding it on horseback is definitely a more unique experience! During this excursion, youll be transported by boat from Skagway to Burro Creek Lodge and learn about this rustic off-grid accommodation. Small ship cruising is ideal for outdoor adventurers and those who want to focus on experiencing Alaska with less focus on the ship itself. This fitted, hip-length jacket is made of a polyester . Let me know in the comments or join me in my Alaska Travel Tips Facebook Community! While all passengers are treated to a complimentary hour of internet per day, those staying in upgraded suites get extras like balconies, multiple flat-screen TVs and interactive media libraries. 39. Visit the CDC website for additional COVID-19 cruise ship health and safety data. Learn the best things to do at the port of Skagway, Alaska. It served as a hub during the Klondike Gold Rush, but today has transformed into a major tourist destination that plays up the historic charm for cruise ship passengers. Thinking about setting sail for Alaska? If youre looking to spend a few extra days exploring, read more about all the wonderful things to do in Anchorage here. THE 25 BEST Cruises to Skagway, AK 2023 (with Prices) - Cruise Critic 2023 Cruzely.com | Laisman Publishing, LLC, The two-hour tour runs about $340 per adult, 44 Must-Have Alaskan Cruise Tips, Tricks, and Secrets, How Alaskan Cruises Differ From Caribbean Cruises (And Its NOT Just Colder), 29 Must-Have Things to Pack for an Alaskan Cruise (11 Youd Never Think Of), 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of), Park & Cruise Hotels for Every Port in America, 107 Best Cruise Tips, Secrets, Tricks, and Freebies, Can I Use My Phone? We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. The ship makes service a top priority, with 567 crew members on board. In my opinion, Juneau is the best Alaska cruise port overall. And you get to wake up in a new stunningly beautiful place every day without having to repack! Best Things To Do In Skagway - TravelAwaits