When people think of cruises, they want beautiful surroundings and to be entertained. Throw in a touch of luxury and people will find themselves with a wonderful vacation. It’s true that many people feel like tropical destinations are the only way to get all of these things. However, those people are forgetting one of the best cruise destinations out there. They forget about Alaska.
Alaskan cruises have been an alternative to the typical tropical cruise for quite a long time. People hear that and often are nervous that they are heading up to the frozen North. However cruise season for Alaska lasts from May to September. This means that the weather is typically going to vary from coolish to warm. There’s the added benefit that it rarely reaches the scorching heat that can be uncomfortable to many people and no freezing temperatures to chill a person to their bones. So what makes an Alaskan cruise so tempting? Read further to answer those questions.
Things to Do and See on an Alaskan Cruise
As mentioned, an Alaskan cruise is about the beautiful environments that are difficult to find anywhere else in the world. Alaska is one of the last places on the planet that has huge swaths of untamed wilderness. Or at least one of the last places in the world where you can get to it fairly easily. Here are some of the highlights for many people as they enjoy their Alaskan cruise:
- Glaciers - Alaska has some of the most easily accessible glaciers in the world. Alaskan glaciers can be viewed, or the adventurous can climb on them. If you’re not claustrophobic, you can even explore into the crevasses and ice caves that open up in the glacier.
- Whale Watching - Alaska is one of the best places to see whales in the world. The icy waters are perfect climates for many of them. Alaska is specifically home to 8 different species of whale. While most people think of the Killer Whale when they go whale watching, there are also tours to find the Humpback or Beluga as well. Committed watchers may even see a sight of the immense gray whale.
- See the Rainforests - That’s right, Alaska has rainforests! The most common for the purpose of a cruise are by the port of Ketchikan. This wilderness can be experienced through hiking, canoe trips across pristine lakes or even a zip line tree top adventure.
- Aurora Borealis - One feature that many people are excited to see is the Northern Lights. These magnificent natural shows are more common in colder weather. Therefore if the Aurora Borealis is one of the things you’re hoping for on a trip, it’s best to go early or late in a season.
Popular Alaskan Cruise Lines
Norwegian Pearl Cruises
The name suggests cruises in a different part of the world, but it’s certainly a part of the world that understands colder climates. The Norwegian Pearl Alaskan cruise package is very convenient for Americans since it starts and ends in Seattle. In fact, every stop aside from a brief one in Victoria Canada are on US soil. A passport is barely needed! These cruises are 7 days and fairly affordable.
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity cruise lines are another Alaskan cruise company with a couple of ships that are known for the trip. They are well stocked with activities at ports and many people get to enjoy dog sledding or a crab feast at stops. Their cruises will often last from 7 to 21 days and typically have a specific theme for each one. Some may focus on nature, while others will focus on the culture of the region.
Royal Caribbean Cruises
Another great cruise liner comes from Royal Caribbean and cruises around Alaska for the people’s touring delight. This monster ship is almost 300 meters long and holds 2500 passengers for each voyage.
