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As the salmon capital of the world, Ketchikan’s waters make for incredible fishing. With no roads connecting it to the rest of Alaska or North America, it is truly a protected destination. Founded as a gold mining town and now the state’s capital, Juneau has one foot in history and one in the future. Embark on a whale watching tour, or sail past Mendenhall Glacier on an Alaska cruise.
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Temperatures are relatively mild, with daytime highs in the upper 40s and into the 50s depending on where you're visiting and cloud cover. There's nothing quite as exhilarating as a helicopter tour over Alaska's sprawling landscapes. Discover the top tips for planning a cruise to Alaska and uncover the best times of the year to spot Alaskas wildlife, locate must-see attractions, find Alaskan cruise deals and more. There's nothing like an amazing adventure during an Alaskan vacation, and if you're looking for things to do then dog sledding is a bucket-list experience.
Best Alaska cruise lines
Temperature is relative, so don’t be shocked if you see an Alaskan sporting shorts and a tank top in June. The 60s can feel downright tropical after winter temperatures in the 20s and 30s. While temperatures are warmer and the snow is typically gone at lower elevations, the highs in Juneau average in the low 60s, with lows in the upper 40s.
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Actually, it’s not dark half the year in Alaska, but there are certain times of the year when it’s darker than others and the days are much shorter. December is one of those times, and in fact, the shortest day of the year occurs on December 21st, so it’s arguably the darkest time to visit Alaska among any of the winter months. Embark on a breathtaking adventure with an Alaskan cruise departing from Los Angeles in December 2023. Journey through pristine wilderness filled with glimmering glaciers, towering mountains, lush forests, rare wildlife, and charming waterfront communities. Discover a range of available cruises departing from Los Angeles in December 2023, and easily compare options to find your perfect itinerary. Alaska is a primarily summer destination; over 90% of people visit Alaska during the summer season between the end of May and mid-September.
The largest tidewater glacier in North America, Hubbard Glacier has been moving its mass towards the ocean at a rate faster than most of its kind. Towering above the water over 30 stories, the glacier often calves 100-foot chunks of ice into the ocean. What lies beneath the waves is almost as impressive, where ice plunges 1,200 feet beneath the surface. This 30-mile waterway is surrounded by cliffs, valleys and dozens of waterfalls.
Alaskan Cruises Shut Down In Winter: Here's The Best Way To See The Sights - TheTravel
Alaskan Cruises Shut Down In Winter: Here's The Best Way To See The Sights.
Posted: Sat, 09 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Whether served up in jams, candies, pies or cobblers, Alaskan blueberries, high-bush cranberries and other local wild berries are a staple when it comes to Alaskan summer eats. We’ve curated the ultimate guide to visiting some of the most romantic destinations to vacation for couples. Whether you're curious about Alaska native culture or other Alaska traditions, here's how to make these an integral part of your trip up north. Embark on a thrilling journey with young explorers through breathtaking landscapes. Since New Year’s Eve technically happens in December, I’d be remiss to not mention it in a guide for visiting during this month.
Best cruise lines for adventure-seekers
Whether you're traveling with young kids or require more sedentary recreation, the Alaska cruise ports won't disappoint. Some activities are included in the cost of the cruisetour; other outings can be booked like shore excursions, depending on your interest and budget. If you're hoping to see the northern lights, booking a cruisetour in September might be your best bet to see the aurora on a cruise vacation.
Rush across the snow on a dog sled with a professional musher, fly fish for salmon in fresh rivers and soar over miles of glacial tundra in a helicopter. Watch migrating humpback whales from the deck of a catamaran or Native craftsman carve a traditional totem pole, and expand your Alaska cruise experience. No vacation in the world delivers once-in-a-lifetime adventure like Alaska. Mark this as your year to cross this bucket-busting destination off your list once and for all.
Home to Mendenhall Glacier, this is a popular port for hikes by, kayak tours to and helicopter landings on the glacier. If you want to cruise Alaska but also see some of the interior and enjoy a stay in a lodge or hotel, go for a cruisetour package from either Holland America or Princess Cruises. Both have fantastic itineraries that take passengers not only to the Inside Passage, but also to Anchorage, Denali National Park, the Yukon, Kenai Peninsula, Talkeetna and Fairbanks.
Spend 14 days roundtrip from Vancouver, B.C., stopping in historic port cities like Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway. Enjoy three glacier-viewing experiences on every itinerary — including Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier and College Fjord. Sail 500 miles deeper into the Gulf of Alaska and Prince William Sound on our top-rated Voyage of the Glaciers Alaska cruise. Spend seven days traveling from Anchorage (Whittier) to Vancouver, B.C., stopping in historic port cities like Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway. Enjoy two glacier-viewing experiences on every itinerary — including Glacier Bay National Park, and Hubbard Glacier or College Fjord.
Enjoy an insider’s guide to discovering the best family cruises for your next vacation onboard Brilliance of the Seas. Sail into the Last Frontier from Seward or Vancouver onboard Radiance of the Seas®. With over three acres of windows and glass exterior viewing elevators, you can watch for whales along Alaska’s Inside Passage when you aren’t wandering wilderness paths from Ketchikan to Juneau. And for the ultimate outdoor adventure, take a CruiseTour into Alaska’s interior where you can hang with huskies in Denali, and scale glaciers in Alyeska.
Don't forget to check out our Alaska cruise deals page to save even more on your next sailing. There is a chance you will see some snow, so a winter coat, gloves, and a hat are a smart addition to your packing list. The loss of daylight does mean you could see the Aurora Borealis while cruising to Alaska in late August.
Because Gulf of Alaska cruises sail farther north, scenic destinations might include College Fjord, in addition to Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier. One nice thing about the Inside Passage is how calm the water is because you're sailing between land masses. If you worry about seasickness, an Inside Passage trip is the best Alaska cruise itinerary versus a sailing where your ship transits rougher, open waters. Alaska might be one of the most beautiful places in the world, but it's rugged and can be tricky to get around. Explore the Last Frontier by cruise ship, and you can travel to gold rush towns, glaciers, Alaska Native heritage sites and natural areas brimming with wildlife in comfort, even luxury.
If you cruise to Alaska in June, you can expect warmer and drier temperatures, fewer children onboard, increased wildlife sightings, and more cruise offerings. Summer workers (typically college students) begin to arrive for the peak tourist season, and shops and restaurants open for the summer. Another thing to keep in mind when deciding the best month for your Alaskan cruise is wildlife viewing opportunities. Orca whales (which are actually members of the dolphin family) are a fairly common site on an Alaskan cruise. “Resident” orcas (who stay near shore and feed on fish) are easy to spot and fun to watch from the cruise ship or on a whale-watching excursion. However, the views and ability to go sightseeing from your room on ocean days make the higher price worth it.
