Tuesday, April 2, 2024

7 Cruises in Inside Passage, Alaska

inside passage cruise

It’s now by far the most popular destination to take a small ship Alaska cruise thanks to its protected waters, interesting geological features and abundant wildlife. The Inside Passage is one of the few routes in the world where large cruise ships requiring relatively deep water can safely sail next to steep mountainsides. It was heavily used by prospectors from the American West Coast during the Klondike Gold Rush. Simply put, cruisers aboard these sailings witness some of the most astounding wildlife and scenery. You’ll be cruising during your time through Alaska’s Inside Passage. However, Alaska does use the U.S. dollar as its official currency.

THE SCENIC ROUTE

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. Sometimes Sitka, with its heavy Russian influence and alpine meadows, or Haines, known for exceptional fishing and its bald eagle preserve, swaps in. Glacier Bay National Park, or another scenic cruising area like Tracy Arm Fjord, is normally part of the itinerary. Let Princess pick you up from the airport and take you directly to your ship or hotel when you arrive, even if you didn't book your airfare through us.

inside passage cruise

Pre: Vancouver

This trip exceeded our expectations (and that isn't an easy thing). The scenery in SE Alaska was spectacular and the weather (mostly) cooperated. The guides were knowledgeable and really seemed to enjoy their jobs. We liked it so much that we signed up for a future cruise with them. Enjoy 2 days venturing farther than 99% of visitors into Glacier Bay National Park.

The best Alaska cruise for every type of traveler - The Points Guy

The best Alaska cruise for every type of traveler.

Posted: Mon, 05 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Best time to cruise Inside Passage

Refer to the Dates & Pricing itinerary for specific details by departure date. Sightseeing trips via seaplanes or boats take you up close to wildlife and glaciers, lodging options, and nearby communities. 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.

Myriad animals roam dry land, from bears, wolves, and deer to smaller creatures like weasels, ermine, and rodents. Misty Fjords - A sublime wilderness area and a national monument, be awed by the gigantic glacial cliffs as your Inside Passage Cruise makes its way through Misty Fjords. A smaller cruise ship might pass close enough to the many waterfalls for you to feel the spray from the powerful water. You can see the volcanic Eddystone Rock and listen to the calls of seabirds that musically fill the air.

Alaska Inside Passage Cruises

That doesn’t mean overloading your suitcase, it means including enough of the right gear for the weather in Alaska. Explore our Alaska Inside Passage cruises with convenient departures from Seattle and Vancouver. Itinerary and shore excursions are subject to change and may vary by departure.

Remove the hassle from air travel and give yourself the gift of flexibility, time and a thicker wallet with Princess EZair flights. We negotiate lower rates with the airlines, allow you to modify your flight up to 45 days prior with no penalty and protect you if your flight is late or canceled. From exploring historic gold mines to venturing in the footsteps of early explorers, learn about Alaska’s Inside Passage and discover the wonders awaiting you. When you cruise to Alaska from Seattle, encounter unique ports of call that are rich in history, culture and natural beauty. We have the answers so your first time will be nothing but smooth sailing.

This web of waterways known as Alaska’s Inside Passage runs from Seattle to the southeastern Alaska panhandle. It’s a common network for ships, as it offers protected, smooth-as-glass sailing. It’s one of the few routes in the world with water deep enough for cruise ships to sidle up to cliffs. The opportunities to land on pristine rainforest bay areas with untouched wilderness was simply magnificent.

Best Dishes to Try on Your Alaska Cruise

Sail through ice-carved fjords flanked by sky-piercing mountains. Tongass National Park is filled with lofty spruce, hemlock and cedar trees, while giant calving glaciers pack Glacier Bay National Park. This roundtrip Inside Passage cruise from Vancouver delivers spellbinding scenery from narrow fjords to scattered islets and towering peaks. Get close to massive glaciers in Glacier Bay National Park and wait breathlessly for ice to calve off and plunge into the ocean. Inside Passage waters are as smooth as it gets, while on shore you’ll find endless thrills and chills. Fish for salmon in Ketchikan, helicopter onto Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, or ride the rails along the rugged White Pass Summit in Skagway.

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. Learn about the native craft and legends of totem poles or venture to Alaska’s misty fjords. 100+ combined years of experience, 7 continents explored, decades of expedition cruising around the world & here to help you find & book your dream trip.

British Columbia’s Inside Passage is dappled with forested islands and nature reserves. Explore the southern portion, passing Vancouver Island’s remote villages and Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. To the north, the Great Bear Rainforest is home to grizzlies, while the peaks lining Grenville Channel reach 3,500 feet above sea level. Many pods to view and captain did a great jump keeping them in fairly close view for our enjoyment. Wilderness Bay/Kake hike to rainbow falls and totem viewing was nice. Overall, I took more than 800 photos and videos, many from the deck of the Alaska Dream.

inside passage cruise

The temperatures are pleasant, especially in the summer; the days can be sunny and bright. Do be aware though that, although the rainiest months are generally October and November, the area is known for lots of rainfall all throughout the year. Extend your cruise vacation, and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise. With a Cruise Plus Hotel Package, a Princess representative meets you at the airport and pier, transporting you to and from your hotel. The package includes the cost of your hotel stay, transportation, luggage handling and the services of the representative.

Small-ship cruises are usually confined to localized areas within the Inside Passage and start out from Juneau, Ketchikan or Sitka. With national parks and four of North America’s tallest mountains, Alaska’s wilderness has been preserved for generations. Denali National Park is larger than Vermont and home to the highest peak on the continent. Meanwhile, Glacier Bay National Park has over 2,000 square miles of glacial coverage. Elias and Kenai Fjords, a world of natural wonders awaits on an Alaska cruise or cruisetour. We have a 50-year legacy of sharing the best places and experiences with our guests.

Experience the Alaskan wilderness; get up close to a glacier and marvel at the wildlife. Discover this small fishing town or capture views of glaciers by helicopter, boat or kayak. We have the answers so your first  time will be nothing but smooth sailing. Compare and contrast the various Lindblad Alaska cruises and ships from an expert who's been aboard. Learn what stands out about Lindblad's Alaska programming, guides and crew. It rained the entire week, and so good waterproof gear is a must.

Listen to Gold Rush history while admiring scenery of the Yukon and White Pass Summit. Call or email us your tour questions or to customize your Alaskan vacation. [I chose this destination and trip based on the] Reputation and expertise of National Geographic and adventure to somewhere I’ve never been. I can't imaging the hiring process to find such knowledgeable and upbeat, fun, happy people. You can't teach the service attitude that they demonstrated. Combine a cruise + train + lodge + Denali for an in-depth Alaska experience.

They're usually one-way trips starting or ending in Seward or Whittier, Alaska. The largest national forest in the country, Tongass National Forest, blankets the entire southeast Alaska portion of the Inside Passage, and many glaciers can still be seen. Many adventurous cruisers join an Inside Passage Alaska cruise visit or view majestic glaciers.

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