While you can take a Misty Fjords boat tour on a day trip, nothing compares to the broader experience of sailing farther up the Inside Passage. During the Klondike Gold Rush, the Inside Passage was popular for American prospectors seeking gold, but today its popularity remains for tourism and commercial fishing. 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. Bear Paw Charters offers private, all-inclusive day trips and longer tours on its luxury yacht — perfect for whale watching, bear viewing, and experiencing Alaska’s scenic majesty. Cruise lines often run sales in the fall or in the early months of the year (a period known in the cruise industry as "wave season"). You can take advantage of discounted fares, free upgrades or complimentary add-ons, such as Wi-Fi, gratuities, restaurant meals, beverage packages and tours.
Ports of Call
Don’t miss the Mendenhall Glacier, a 13-mile-long river of ice, and the Alaska State Museum, which provides a deep dive into the state’s history and culture. Alaska Inside Passage cruise itineraries can vary significantly, making selecting a route that aligns with your interests and desires crucial. While some cruises focus on natural wonders and wildlife, others may emphasize cultural experiences and historical sites.
Alaska Ports of Call
Dog sledding is a quintessentially Alaskan adventure that you won’t want to miss. In Skagway and Juneau, you can combine a helicopter tour with a dog sledding experience on a glacier. You’ll meet a team of Alaskan huskies and even have a chance to mush your own sled. Sitka offers kayaking adventures through its intricate waterways, where you might spot eagles and even bears along the shoreline. For those who love to explore on foot, the Inside Passage offers a plethora of hiking opportunities.
Sitka
We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. This is also the trip for a camera with good telephoto lenses and binoculars. For more on what to bring on an Alaska cruise, check out our Alaska cruise packing list. If you've got active teens who have an interest in nature and the environment, an expedition voyage could be exactly what will keep them engaged and off their devices.
To experience the park, you need to technically sail out of the Inside Passage coastal route, and into Glacier Bay. Many Inside Passage cruise itineraries will explore both Glacier Bay and the Inside Passage, spending two to three out of eight days within the national park. These ships often feature complimentary shore excursions, kayaks and bikes for guest use and onboard scientists and naturalists.
By sharing our personal experiences and tips, we’re committed to helping you choose an itinerary that not only meets but exceeds your expectations. The Sky Bar is a place to enjoy a refreshing tropical beverage during the day, or an evening cocktail under the stars. Dinner from The Restaurant menu is served, course by course, in your suite or on your veranda. Our Fitness Center features high performance Technogym equipment for cardio and strength training. We also offer a series of complimentary classes including yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi.
Best Alaska cruise lines
Operated by smaller vessels equipped with Zodiac boats for closer exploration, companies like National Geographic and AdventureSmith Explorations offer these cruises. Skagway’s Lower Dewey Lake Trail offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and is perfect for a half-day hike. In Ketchikan, the Deer Mountain Trail takes you through the lush Tongass National Forest, offering breathtaking vistas of the town and ocean below.
Wildlife lovers have plenty of opportunities to search for whales and eagles here; adventure-seekers won't want to miss the ZipRider, with its course of six zip lines. If you're interested in Alaska's gold rush history, Skagway — 90 miles northwest of Juneau — is a port you shouldn't miss. In fact, it's the gateway to the Klondike and Dawson mining district in Canada's Yukon territory, where prospectors searched for gold in the late 1890s. The historic district still has a Wild West feel, though that's been a bit commercialized for the modern era. This port can get crowded in summer when several ships can call on the same day.
Northern Passage and Glacier Bay Cruise
If you’ve never seen a glacier in person, you’ll be amazed at their scale and enormity here. Alaska’s glaciers constantly shift and change, attracting thousands of environmental scientists and nature lovers to the region each year. 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. They groan, creak and shudder on their march to the sea, punctuated by the booms and crashes of "white thunder" — a sound that echoes across the water when ice calves into the ocean below.
These cruise tours include excursions and expert guides to enhance your experience. Search by your travel dates or price range to find your best Alaska Inside Passage cruise. An Alaska Inside Passage cruise is the most iconic way to explore Alaska.
At the northern reaches of the Alaska Inside Passage are the small towns of Skagway and Haines located up the Lynn Canal. These two towns are not the most commonly visited on Alaska Inside Passage cruise routes, so be sure to look for them in an itinerary if you wish to visit these historic places. 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. They're usually one-way trips starting or ending in Seward or Whittier, Alaska.
Alaska cruise review: a voyage through the Inside Passage - The Week
Alaska cruise review: a voyage through the Inside Passage.
Posted: Wed, 02 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The Inside Passage encompasses islands, coves, bays, national parks, and fjords, and gives you the opportunity to explore remote towns only accessible by boat or plane. During the best Inside Passage cruise, the summertime sunshine offers plentiful photo opportunities. You might see orcas and humpback whales from your stateroom on your way to destinations like Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point.
The bed was incredibly comfortable, and the ship sailed so smoothly that I could tell if we were cruising or anchored. Ask questions about last day arrival, and connections to the airport. We were unaware that we would have transportation to the airport.
Glacier Bay National Park, or another scenic cruising area like Tracy Arm Fjord, is normally part of the itinerary. Alaska's Inside Passage is the area that makes up the Southeast Region of Alaska. Approximately 1,000 miles North of Vancouver, it was the center of activity during Alaska's 19th century Gold Rush. Also known as the "Panhandle," the Inside Passage is popular for spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife, vivid Native cultures, astounding history and exceptional hospitality.
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