Free 3D design software

Table Of Content

• SketchUp
• TinkerCAD — best free 3D modeling software for beginners
• Our UI is modelled on traditional desktop tools, so you can get productive fast.
• Tools to express your creativity in 3D
• Spline, a place to design and collaborate in 3D.
• Best 3D Printers For Beginners in 2024

It’s perfect for beginners who want to modify their designs, as well as experts who need to optimize their industrial designs. Therefore, Meshmixer is a great free 3D software which encompasses many sectors. The 3D design courses we offer are tailored to provide you with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the field of three-dimensional modeling and design. Whether you aspire to become a 3D artist, animator, game developer, or architect, our courses will equip you with the latest techniques and tools in this rapidly evolving industry. The board also asked Oder to arrange an agreement to transfer intellectual property rights. That way, if Owens could not complete the work, the authority could still proceed with creating the memorial.

SketchUp

We pride ourselves on our relationships with our customers, promising to keep you satisfied. Join us in our journey, as we revolutionise the path of online shopping. This is more than a shopping experience; this is where creativity meets craftsmanship.

TinkerCAD — best free 3D modeling software for beginners

Unleash your creativity on phone cases, a canvas that wraps your phone in not just protection but bespoke art, born from your imagination. You can work magic on the everyday utility items like fridge magnets – why not turn an ordinary magnet into a refrigerator statement piece exuding your personal style traits and vibrancy? Our keychains are perfect tiny baubles you can ornament with your distinct design, making something so routinely used, a mark of your special touch. Most thrilling of all, we open up a world of possibility with the chance to create unique 3D models on your command. Give form to your ideas, bring your visions to life.

Our UI is modelled on traditional desktop tools, so you can get productive fast.

Encounter the delight of creating, and take home not just a product, but a piece of your own art. Arguably the most popular 3D design software, Blender has a huge, active community who share their STL files and 3D models as well as information online. A quick Google or YouTube search will yield thousands of results with people eager to showcase their 3D designs or teach you how to use the Blender 3D software. This is down to Blender being a 100% free 3D modeling software tool which is open source, giving users freedom to create just about anything with its huge range of tools.

Tools to express your creativity in 3D

Business workspaces enable company administrators to distribute and regulate user roles, project access, and other features that improve team productivity without compromising on security. Create 3D objects, edit materials, add interactivity, and export. It’s fairly easy to navigate with features that make tweaking your models — such as via sculpting, welding, cutting, bridging or bending parts — simple even for beginners. Created by Lastsoftware in 2000, SketchUp is a veteran of the 3D modeling software industry. A versatile and powerful option, Google acquired the software in 2006 to implement into their services, though it has since been sold to Trimble Inc. Massive online library of content created by professional artists.

How 3D Platforms Are Adding Value To Virtual And Hybrid Events - Live Design

How 3D Platforms Are Adding Value To Virtual And Hybrid Events.

Posted: Sat, 15 May 2021 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Learn Design Software with Pros in Our Online Crash Course - 3DPrint.com

Learn Design Software with Pros in Our Online Crash Course.

Posted: Fri, 20 Sep 2019 07:30:11 GMT [source]

The clay models will eventually be sent to a foundry for production. The intuitive and user-focused interface provides an easy design process without any tutorials or instructions. Ideal plan for designers delivering concepts to clients or any external partners. Benefit from access to features for setting up quality visualizations, interactive experiences and multiple sharing options.

There are now hundreds of different free 3D modeling software tools for users looking to create their own 3D models – so it can be tricky to know where to start. The free package includes access to Vectary Studio to create and design models, as well as the ability to export your creations in OBJ or STL file formats, though for other formats you’ll need to upgrade. Within their free offering you can create up to 25 projects, and you get access to Vectary’s library of 3D assets, materials and icons. Upgrading gives you access to their AR preview tools, and have project and team sharing features for better and quicker feedback between multiple people.

Create Anywhere, Anytime

The memorial is slated to be located on Fenwick Road near the state’s marker designating the first enslaved Africans’ arrival. Both easy and intuitive, HomeByMe allows you to create your floor plans in 2D and furnish your home in 3D, while expressing your decoration style. Use the 2D mode to create floor plans and design layouts with furniture and other home items, or switch to 3D to explore and edit your design from any angle. With Clara.io you can make complex 3D models, create beautiful photorealistic renderings, and share them without installing any software programs. Meshmixer is an interesting 3D software, in the unique position that doesn’t fit into any one particular category. What’s more, FreeCAD is open source, so if you wish to tinker with the software itself, you’re free to do so with Python.

It’s undoubtedly a 3D software modeling tool for experts, however it is user-friendly enough for an educated beginner to be able to use. Packed to the brim with innovative features, Fusion 360 is a very collaborative 3D software that allows users to share STL files via the cloud to collaboratively edit and optimize models. Designed to collaborate closely with OpenSCAD, BlocksCAD is designed to be simple, fun, and child-friendly. 3D designs can be created through colorful, easy-to-manipulate blocks, which can then be exported either as STL files or as files to be opened and edited in OpenSCAD. For complete beginners, BlocksCAD offer extensive tutorials on the basics of 3D modeling, and how to use their 3D software.

But that doesn’t limit you to just the basics — you can still create impressive and more complex objects if that’s your goal, but beginners will still find the features intuitive and user friendly. I’d recommend Daz 3D as the best free 3D modeling software overall due to its massive library of pre-built elements, allowing users to assemble amazing characters and scenes quickly. Each menu is context-sensitive, so when you right-click different selections, different options appear based on what you’re most likely to need.

Immerse yourself in our world of customisability with our innovative online shopping app. We bring you unique personalised products, crafted to perfection, directly from the factory. Our intuitive user interface lets you put your unique spin on the design, ensuring your items are as unique as you are.Delve into a treasure trove of products ready for your custom touch. Give life to your vision with elaborately customised phone stands, which not only prop up your device, but also elevate the style quotient of your space.

Utilizing what some might consider to be basic shapes, TinkerCAD allows you to create detailed 3D models by connecting different shapes together. The learning curve is far shorter than some of the more in-depth 3D software out there, making TinkerCAD the perfect 3D modeling software for beginners or children. It’s ideal for teaching kids 3D printing by creating models to print. With powerful tools for accomplishing almost any industrial 3D design, Fusion 360 really is an incredible piece of software.

Homeless Services City of Los Angeles

Table Of Content

• What to Make of the ‘Zombie Vote’ Against Donald Trump
• How many people are unhoused in L.A. County?
• Paths that lead to being unhoused
• Bass budget would reduce homelessness funding, scale back LAPD hiring goal

Key to the argument is whether Grants Pass treats homelessness as a "status." Doing so could run afoul of a 1962 case, Robinson v. California, which held that it violated the Eighth Amendment to make drug addiction as a "status" illegal. "Presumably, you would not think it's okay to criminalize breathing in public." "What if the person finds that person in a homeless state because of prior life choices or their refusal to make future life choices?" asked Justice Samuel Alito.

What to Make of the ‘Zombie Vote’ Against Donald Trump

Based on the data available, the audit also revealed that most people involved in state programs are placed into interim housing such as shelters and do not end up in permanent housing. Over the past year, 3,551 unhoused residents were moved into permanent housing, due in part to the completion of projects financed in part by Proposition HHH, a property tax increase approved in 2016. At the same time, real estate developers have proposed more than 9,000 units in 100% affordable housing projects that are participating in a fast-track approval program initiated by Bass. The change also puts a time limit on the service, defining “transitional housing” as a place that provides housing and services for up to two years, with the primary purpose of getting individuals and families into independent living and permanent housing. The Los Angeles controller’s office also recently reported that despite a count of more than 46,000 unhoused people in the city, there were only 16,100 interim housing beds. Project Homekey is a joint effort by Los Angeles County and the state to purchase and rehabilitate hotels and motels that will be converted to permanent housing for unhoused people.

How many people are unhoused in L.A. County?

“I’d rather claw back dollars and say, ‘We’re going to spend an average of $150,000 or $175,000 on prefabricated or modular housing units that can be built within three months,’” he said at the time. For all of this, HHH was a good idea in theory, even if the execution has been less than sparkling. Los Angeles was and still is way short of the supportive and affordable housing it needs, and the 8,000 HHH units will end up housing 10,000 or more people who might otherwise languish or even die if left on the streets. With the costs of building housing on the rise, Los Angeles City Controller Ron Galperin is recommending that some projects be re-evaluated to see if their budgets can be cut to use less of the city’s $1.2-billion homeless housing bond. The homes, which are mostly makeshift structures made out of different materials like tents and tarps, were created by homeless people.

Paths that lead to being unhoused

A refurbishment was completed before it reopened, including a partnership with Federation TAFE which provided new furniture to furnish the rooms. The facility reopened to residents in November 2022 after nine month's closure, due to a fire which damaged the inside of the building. "Reid's is an iconic building to Ballarat, but sadly it's no longer fit-for-purpose and doesn't meet the standards required of modern rooming houses," he said.

Keep up with our local independent news

At full capacity, the building should be able to house 55 families, according to the state, while officials look for more permanent solutions. A new emergency shelter is opening in Lexington, Massachusetts, to house migrant and other homeless families as the state continues to grapple with a strained and over-capacity shelter system. The structures used must abide by all building and fire codes, and the capacity for these structures will be capped at 60 people. Minors who are not with a parent or legal guardian would not be allowed to stay. That area is currently zoned residential, which does not support that type of housing. The city of Burien’s planning commission is now recommending that the City Council approve the changes needed to utilize the empty lot to house people.

Former Liberal MP Nicolle Flint to recontest Adelaide seat of Boothby at next federal election

Boston will move migrant families and homeless into National Guard ARMORY as overflowing shelter hits capacity - Daily Mail

Boston will move migrant families and homeless into National Guard ARMORY as overflowing shelter hits capacity.

Posted: Tue, 30 Apr 2024 18:31:21 GMT [source]

It builds on the temporary Project Roomkey program, and Los Angeles County currently receives roughly $78 million in funding from the state of California for this program. Measure H is a Los Angeles County sales tax to fund homeless services approved by voters in 2017. The measure raises $335 million annually for 10 years to, in part, coordinate outreach services such as street engagement and to subsidize housing costs. The pandemic wreaked havoc on funding for this measure and the county CEO projected a $71 million shortfall for this fiscal year. “Collecting and reporting all state homelessness programs’ financial data allows for more complete and timely information about the state’s overall spending on homelessness.

Bass budget would reduce homelessness funding, scale back LAPD hiring goal

Mr. McCormick won an unopposed Republican primary for Senate in Pennsylvania, pitting him against Mr. Casey, the Democratic incumbent. While Mr. McCormick had no rivals this time around, his victory represents something of a redemption arc after his defeat in his first Senate primary run in the state in 2022. Mr. Biden, who grew up in Scranton, Pa., took 93 percent of the vote in the Democratic primary, scoring a yawning lead in a key battleground state. Representative Dean Phillips, who was on the ballot but dropped out of the race last month, got nearly 7 percent of the vote.

A 2021 report found that there is a lack of accountability in L.A.’s affordable housing programs leaving many renters on their own. The Housing Authority of Los Angeles (HACLA) is also having difficulty staffing. The Luskin report claims this was due to the city’s efforts to re-orient the region around the growing suburban population by building freeways that broke up mostly Black and Latino working-class neighborhoods, and was more important than building affordable housing. LASHA says the shortage of affordable housing options in Los Angeles is a result of decades of intentional policy choices to decrease housing capacity and exclude and marginalize people of color. This has led to Los Angeles now having the fewest number of housing units per adult of any major American city.

Unaffordable housing is driving the crisis

Chronic homelessness in Franklin County nearly doubles; the housing crisis is to blame - WOSU Public Media

Chronic homelessness in Franklin County nearly doubles; the housing crisis is to blame.

Posted: Tue, 30 Apr 2024 13:31:00 GMT [source]

President Biden and former President Donald J. Trump, who had been heading toward a 2020 rematch for months before securing their parties’ nominations in March, scored overwhelming victories in their primaries, facing opponents who had long since dropped out of the race. But Nikki Haley, Mr. Trump’s former rival in the Republican primaries, still took more than 155,000 votes across the state. That exceeds the margin of 81,660 votes by which Mr. Biden won the state in the 2020 election. Aside from the homelessness provision, the new legislation largely focuses on election administration. It requires new voting technology and makes it easier for a voter to challenge another voter’s eligibility. Activists have criticized the bill as unnecessary and rooted in debunked theories about Democrats committing rampant voter fraud.

Wepromote life sustainability through social services, job readiness, education, and advocacy. Homelessness crosses all demographics, from age to race to gender and sexual orientation. As unique as each homeless person’s story is, standardizing a response to the issue and committing resources accordingly begins to address our homeless crisis. Basic needs of tens of thousands of homeless persons and families are not being met. Services available include temporary housing, shelter, restrooms, showers, meals,  transportation, alcohol/drug, and mental health counseling, job training, and case management.

Young people may also participate in our transitional housing program, Rights of Passage, our Supportive Apartments Program and Rapid-Rehousing. In July, the county Board of Supervisors approved roughly $571 million in funding for homeless initiatives through July 2022, the bulk of which will support interim, permanent and rapid re-housing efforts. Nearly $455 million will come from funds raised through Measure H. The remaining funds come from federal stimulus money, state grants and other funding sources.

LAHSA found that 60% of L.A.’s homeless population has cycled through the criminal justice system. They include, in part, poverty, lack of affordable housing, employment discrimination, substance abuse or mental health challenges, LGBTQ kids who are rejected by family, domestic violence, lack of familial ties, and kids who age out of foster care. California has spent $20 billion over the past five years dedicated to the state’s homelessness crisis, including funneling money toward supporting shelters and subsidizing rent.

Your contributions large and small will benefit the lives of those emancipated youth and families who have no place to call home. Search within your hearts and help Home at Last to mitigate the ever-increasing number of homeless in our city. We thought Covid-19 was a pandemic, but homelessness is the ultimate pandemic as lives are not only destroyed, but families are also separated, and the world we often take for granted is a mere fairy tale to over 40% of citizens of Los Angeles County. Over the past year, Los Angeles city and county agencies have moved more than 21,000 unhoused Angelenos into interim housing — motel rooms, shelter beds, tiny home villages and an assortment of other sites, Mayor Karen Bass said Wednesday.

Last year, while campaigning for mayor, Bass said she would move 17,000 people indoors during her first year in office. During the final year of former Mayor Eric Garcetti’s administration, 16,931 homeless residents made their way into interim housing, according to numbers provided by Bass’ team. The longer people are unhoused, the harder it becomes to access stable housing, and the data shows California has one of the highest rates of long-term unhoused people on the streets. California continues to lead the nation in homelessness, with US data showing the state has the highest rate of unhoused people living outside in a worsening humanitarian crisis. Black people were referred by the Municipal Service Bureau to places such as the Sojourner Truth Home or what was known as the Colored YMCA, which were Black-operated and funded.

The package contains a fourth bill aimed at implementing sanctions and policies to counter China, Iran and Russia. It also includes a version of a House bill that passed overwhelmingly in March that forces TikTok to divest from its Chinese parent company or face a ban in the U.S. He said the difficulty in finding accommodation for the 50 residents displaced by the fire showed the dire need for more housing options in the region. "The building has some major limitations, including inadequate heating and limited accessibility for people with disabilities."

Column: HHH supporters didn't have $800,000 housing in mind Los Angeles Times

Table Of Content

• More From the Los Angeles Times
• Former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa joins cryptocurrency company Coinbase as advisor
• Unaffordable housing is driving the crisis
• Could new rules in the UK help solve Australia's scam crisis?

In 2020, 1,390 people experiencing homelessness died in tents and alleys, under freeways, in cars and in hospitals. Matches their growing popularity, including another handful in Los Angeles County, at least a dozen more across California, and still others nationwide. Pallet, the company that manufactures the sleeping structures used at Alexandria Park, has built approximately 2,500 shelters for over 90 villages around the country since 2020. If the Supreme Court reverses the 9th Circuit in a case lawyers are arguing today, city officials and their police forces in the Western states could remove homeless encampments from sidewalks, parks or other public areas.

Salvation Army to expand homeless housing in the South Bay - NBC Bay Area

Salvation Army to expand homeless housing in the South Bay.

Posted: Tue, 30 Apr 2024 00:16:29 GMT [source]

More From the Los Angeles Times

The hotels and motels were rented by the county and the program was initially supposed to put 15,000 people in shelter, but fell short. Up until the 1980s, Skid Row’s population was mostly older, single, white men (many who suffered from alcoholism), according to the Luskin report. Of the nearly 4,700 people experiencing homelessness on Skid Row in 2020, 59% identified as Black and 23% as Latino, according to LAHSA.

Former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa joins cryptocurrency company Coinbase as advisor

Citing positive preliminary results of pilot studies in several cities, including Los Angeles, they argue the income could provide access to housing for a portion of the population who became homeless primarily as the result of an economic setback. This could ultimately save millions of dollars in public services, they argued, and leave the overstretched and far more expensive subsidized and service-enriched housing for those who have more complicated social needs. Rehousing connects the homeless population to temporary and permanent housing through the provision of time. Gov. Maura Healey had previously said the state lacks the space, services, and funding to provide shelter for more than 7,500 families, according to Newsweek. Massachusetts has spent nearly $1 billion on state-run shelters for families and migrants, the Boston Globe reported.

Unaffordable housing is driving the crisis

Mr. Trump helped sink Mr. McCormick’s first run when he backed a rival candidate, the celebrity physician Dr. Mehmet Oz. In a race that hung on a knife’s edge, Mr. Trump’s backing of Dr. Oz, and his scorching attacks against Mr. McCormick, proved decisive — Dr. Oz eked out a win by fewer than a thousand votes. He is positioned with the best chance yet for Republicans to unseat Mr. Casey, an 18-year incumbent who has previously sailed to re-election.

The motion was authored by Supervisor Hilda Solis, who said in a statement that the board voted to close the facility, in part, to increase access to the county’s system of care in order to meet Angelenos’ health needs instead of relying on jails. Although LAHSA couldn’t do an unsheltered count in 2021, the agency was able to do a sheltered count in January and found there were ​​17,225 people in interim or permanent shelter, which was about the same as the previous year. Black people represented 42.6% and Latinos represented 38.7% of the sheltered population. Someone can experience homelessness while sheltered (couch surfing, shelters, transitional housing) or unsheltered (cars, tents, out in the open). But “somewhere around half of the people on the street and in those encampments don’t need supportive housing,” he said. “Providing interim housing during this process can be very costly, as is adding to the supply of housing,” they wrote.

LAPD had no security at mayor’s house when intruder broke in; suspect targeted Bass, D.A. says

According to a Times review of contested primaries since 2000, sizable shares of the electorate routinely choose someone other than the eventual nominee, even after all other serious contenders have dropped out. The zombie vote against Donald Trump this year has been low by historical standards. The growth of homeless communities in open spaces throughout the city speaks to that problem, whether they’re under freeway onramps, in RVs lining the curbs or in encampments in and around green spaces. Occasionally, he finds work as a day laborer, but it’s not a stable source of income. A set of French doors cover the entrance next to a red refrigerator powered by a solar panel and a battery that are just strong enough to keep a carton of almond milk chilled.

The system had remained at capacity for months, with some families on wait lists or living in transitional "safety net" sites. Although those efforts are showing results, Bass has concluded that many sheltered homeless residents will have to stay in interim housing for extended periods of time. The city had more than 46,000 unhoused residents in January — a 10% increase, according to the region’s annual homelessness count. In San Diego, which has ramped up a police crackdown on encampments, the housing crisis is worsening, noted Bob McElroy, CEO of Alpha Project, a provider with roughly 600 beds. A new report found that for every 10 San Diegans who found housing in the last year, 16 people newly entered homelessness, an increase from the 10-to-13 ratio the previous year.

If they were required to pay rent, their median monthly rent was $450.19,” they wrote. Tsemberis is the founder of Pathways to Housing, a New York program that pioneered the Housing First approach now adopted across the nation as a model for housing chronically homeless people with compounding issues of mental illness and substance abuse. The paper offers no prescriptions for how the payments should be funded or who should receive the money. Instead, the authors, coming from four separate disciplines, contrast the simplicity and documented effectiveness of basic income with the high cost and inadequate results of programs to provide standard housing for every homeless person.

Roughly four in 10 renters in Los Angeles County live in fear of becoming homeless, according to a recent study from UCLA’s Luskin School of Public Affairs. Seven homeless Angelenos sued the city after their belongings were destroyed during encampment sweeps in 2018 and 2019, according to their lawsuit. A federal judge recently ruled that the city altered evidence to support the its defense in the lawsuit and will probably face sanctions. One reporter described Diaz’s home as having “riverfront appeal,” and other news stories have highlighted the ingenuity of the encampment amid an ongoing homelessness crisis. "Our process, in the end, ensured that each member was able to consider the individual supplemental elements on their own merits, which is exactly how the House is supposed to work," Johnson said after the vote on Saturday afternoon.

A Times report in 2020 put California at the top of the heap in the cost of government-subsidized housing complexes, and the story laid out details of a Solana Beach housing project that topped $1 million per unit. We all knew it would be impossible to erect 10,000 units overnight and bring immediate relief to the city’s homeless multitudes. We serve young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness or human trafficking with absolute respect and unconditional love. Our ultimate goal is to help each young person move on with their life in positive ways with counseling, education, stable employment, and secure housing. In March 2020, at the onset of the pandemic, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order that banned landlords from evicting tenants for not paying rent, and it prohibited law enforcement and courts from enforcing evictions because of COVID-19.

However, those efforts may not translate into a reduction in the overall number of homeless Angelenos. The changes, if approved, would also limit transitional housing to lots that are at least .5 acres and not greater than 2 acres and owned by a nonprofit or public agency. This process has been going on for more than a year since the city first moved people off sidewalks surrounding City Hall.

It has 117 structures, with a total of 224 beds, and a per-unit cost that he put at roughly $55,000. LAHSA says not only is there a demand for affordable housing for people experiencing homelessness, but also for low-income people on the verge of losing their housing because they can’t afford the rent. During its 2021 shelter count presentation, LAHSA said Los Angeles needs 509,000 affordable housing units.

Informal housing is no substitute for the thousands of units of supportive housing that are needed. Pointing to research by the Benioff Homeless and Housing Initiative at UC San Francisco, the authors suggest that more than half of people living on the streets fall into that category. That system, relying on housing navigators to “seek very scarce subsidized housing subject to strict criteria” is a “lengthy and expensive process” leaving thousands of rental subsidy vouchers unused and thousands of people unable to find housing. Los Angeles Times senior writer Doug Smith scouts Los Angeles for the ragged edges where public policy meets real people, combining data analysis and gumshoe reporting to tell L.A. They are installed quickly, at low cost, and are being used as singles, even if they have multiple beds. Bailey said a sense of ownership and security contributes to the mental stability homeless people need to move forward.

Of those, nearly 7,000 youth were found on the streets, making up roughly half of all US youth living outside. The three US cities with the greatest youth crises were San Jose (where 86% of unaccompanied youth were on the streets), San Francisco (81%), and Oakland (77%). In two suburban California areas, nearly all unaccompanied youth were on the streets and not in shelters – 99% in the Santa Cruz region and 96% in Marin county. Young people in Los Angeles can access our short-term emergency care through CHC’s street outreach, drop-in center, and emergency shelter programs.

When a self-styled homeless activist started delivering hand-made tiny homes to people living on the streets, the city ruled the structures illegal and quickly stamped out the movement. Another part of the audit examined spending by the cities of San José and San Diego, which have both struggled to help unhoused residents. The audit found that neither of those cities have “evaluated the effectiveness” of their programs despite millions in funding to respond to homelessness. That dearth of information means the state lacks pertinent data and that policymakers “are likely to struggle to understand homelessness programs’ ongoing costs and achieved outcomes,” the audit says. Massachusetts is the only state in the country that guarantees emergency shelter services to some families and pregnant women under a right-to-shelter law. Last fall, Gov. Maura Healey imposed a capacity limit of 7,500 families as the state saw a record number of people in need, spurred forward by an influx of migrant families arriving in the state.

George Santos, who was expelled from Congress, has told so many stories they can be hard to keep straight. We cataloged them, including major questions about his personal finances and his campaign fund-raising and spending. In a social media post, Mr. Santos said he was worried that he and Representative Nick LaLota, the Republican he was running to unseat, might split conservative votes. “I don’t want to split the ticket and be responsible for handing the House to Dems,” he wrote. Ms. Haley, the former South Carolina governor, did not endorse Mr. Trump in exiting the race, and the Pennsylvania vote reflected his continuing difficulties in wooing her supporters and in fully winning over the Republican electorate. Ms. Haley won small but significant protest votes this month in G.O.P. primaries in Wisconsin, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York, capturing at least 10 percent of the vote in each state.

Cruise Gift Cards Celebrity Incentives, Meetings & Charters

Table Of Content

• Read the fine print before buying a gift card
• The 1-item upgrade you need for a better cruise ship cabin experience (it’s already in your house)
• Why you should get your cruise cabin serviced in the evening instead of the morning
• What’s the Best Length of Time for a Cruise?
• Royal Caribbean
• Are the Gift Cards Physical or Digital?

Gift cards have always saved the day when you need to buy a present for the person who has everything, or on the flip side, if you haven’t a clue about what to get. And e-gift cards let you send them digitally to anywhere you wish. Carnival Cruise Line sells gift cards that can be pre-loaded with a value between $100 and $1,000. You can buy a physical card to be mailed to you, and have the option for a decorative tin that costs $1.99.

Read the fine print before buying a gift card

Everything you need to know about Carnival Cruise Line Gift Cards. Where to find the cruise gift cards and how to use them on your next Carnival cruise vacation. We’ll admit that it was a little confusing on how to find the discounted cruise gift cards at first. When creating a new account like we did, we suggest that once you register, go ahead and sign out, then close your browser. When we signed up, it seemed to not recognize our new account at first. Even better, before you think you have to be an older American to join up and get these savings on cruise gift cards, membership is open to anyone.

The 1-item upgrade you need for a better cruise ship cabin experience (it’s already in your house)

The e-gift card can also be applied towards your onboard account by presenting the gift card information to the ship’s Guest Services department once onboard your cruise. Gift cards may be used for purchases on board Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd. (“Princess”) vessels or applied as payment to a Princess cruise booking. If you have any questions or would like more information about your Gift Card, you can call us toll free at the number below. General Description Standard Gift Cards have no expiration date.

Got an AARP card? You now can get a lucrative perk when booking a Holland America cruise - The Points Guy

Got an AARP card? You now can get a lucrative perk when booking a Holland America cruise.

Posted: Mon, 24 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Why you should get your cruise cabin serviced in the evening instead of the morning

So it’s good to know that cruise lines are also offering e-gift cards, making them the perfect gift for your cruise-loving friends and family. Most cruise gift certificates are available in US dollars only, although Disney does offer gift cards in Canadian dollars. In addition, the majority are not available for residents outside of Canada and the United States, so not suitable for out of country friends and family.

Any family members or friends who know how much you enjoy cruising or who suspect you want to set sail with Carnival could purchase a gift card, and the cards are also sold online as well as onboard each ship. Each gift card will come with restrictions on how many are able to be purchased at once. The “Premium” items like Carnival gift cards had a limit of 25 per month. The non-premium cards had a lower limit of just five gift cards per month.

The ordering process is easy to follow, but you must have your recipient’s valid email address to send the e-gift card. Enter the information required and use your credit card for payment. The e-gift card will be delivered to the recipient immediately or on the date you specify.

Royal Caribbean

Recipients can also settle part or all of their onboard bill with gift cards at the end of the cruise at the passenger services desk. That means gift cards can essentially pay for meals in specialty restaurants, shore excursions, spa treatments and other onboard splurges. Celebrity says gift cards must be used for the cruise fare only, and cannot be used to pay any ship board charges, including but not limited to gift shop purchases, casino debts, shore excursions or gratuities. After your cruise, if you have extra funds available from the gift card or cards you applied to your onboard account, you will be mailed a new gift card with the remaining balance. No cash or check will be sent, but the new gift card can be redeemed on a future cruise.

Are the Gift Cards Physical or Digital?

You may be responsible for the shipping costs that apply to traditional cards. Note that gift cards cannot be used to pay shipboard charges, including gift shop purchases, casino debts, shore excursions or gratuities. Carnival's gift cards are available in over 9,000 retail outlets, including Best Buy, Walmart, Kroger, Albertsons, Lowe's, Safeway, Winn-Dixie and Publix.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Mandara Spa certificates are offered in amounts of $25, $50 and $100. You can also use a gift card to set up your onboard spending account, but will need to do that once you are on board your ship – simply visit the Guest Services desk to make the arrangements. From the onboard account, the gift card will help cover any charges you add up during your cruise vacation, from buying drinks and pictures to shore tours, gift shop items, jewelry or even gratuities. Cruise line gift cards, including cards for Carnival, are also often given away as promotional items or prizes by car dealerships, home builders, real estate agents, radio stations or travel agencies.

They’re perfect for customers, vendors, clients, employees, loyalty reward recipients and anyone you want to thank or reward. They’re easy to purchase and use, have no expiration or fees, and can be applied toward new bookings of a Celebrity Cruise in increments of $25, $50, $100, $250, and $500. Like most gift cards from major retailers, the cards are not redeemable for cash, and are not refundable or replaceable if they are lost, stolen or damaged. Traditional plastic cards can be mailed, although it can take a couple of weeks. As a note, most cruise lines will not mail gift cards outside of the United States but will allow e-cards for Canadian residents.

To send the gift, you'll need to know some personal information, including the birth date of the recipient or the reservation number for the booking. You can order the gift of onboard credits on Norwegian's website. Buyers are limited to a $10,000 online aggregate purchase in one day and a maximum of five transactions a day. Anyone can use the gift card since there's no name on the card. You cannot use the gift card to pay for land excursions as part of a cruisetour, flights booked through Princess or gratuities. Cruisers will appreciate a gift they can use toward purchasing their cruise fare or splurging on a beverage package, specialty restaurant or spa treatment.

And even if you don’t see a great cruise option in a search, you may be able to book cruises that aren't listed when you call Chase. If you’re looking for a deal, it doesn’t get much better than this. With no strings attached, hoops to jump through, or other headaches, you can essentially get 10% off the cost of your cruise by buying these gift certificates and then using them to pay for the trip.

Terms & ConditionsIntroductionPrincess® offers closed loop prepaid cards (“Gift Cards”) for purchase. This document contains the full set of terms of use governing your use of the Gift Card. Treat your family, friends, clients or that special someone to a gift that can take them places.

Cruise Gifts Cruise Gift Cards, Ideas & Services

Table Of Content

• Branded cruise line credit cards
• Balance Inquiry
• Are the AARP Discount Cruise Cards a Good Deal?
• Read the fine print before buying a gift card
• Royal Caribbean

However, if you're in the market for cruise line gift cards, read on to find out which seven lines offer them, where to buy them and how to use them. It must be noted that Carnival Cruise Line gift cards are not valid on sailings that use non-United States currency onboard. Cruises departing from Australia, then, cannot use gift cards. If you aren’t sure about the currency used on your cruise, you can contact your travel agent or Carnival Cruise Line to ask. Everyone loves a deal, and occasionally there are some promotions on gift cards.

Branded cruise line credit cards

Holland America Line offering bonus gift cards this month - USA TODAY

Holland America Line offering bonus gift cards this month.

Posted: Thu, 01 Dec 2022 08:00:00 GMT [source]

If you're a Rakuten fan, they often offer cash back on cruise line gift cards. As of February 2023, they are currently offering 1.5% cash back on Princess Cruises gift cards. If you are planning a trip on Princess Cruises, you might want to gift yourself one via Rakuten for some cash back or American Express Membership Reward Points.

Balance Inquiry

It is important to note, however, that promotional cards – those that may be given as prizes or offered as incentives by other companies – may have expiration dates, which are typically printed on the front of the card. If you plan to cruise one of the lines offering the cards, we see no reason not to take advantage. And since you can still shop around and buy your cruise how and when you want, you can buy the cards, and then wait for a deal that looks good to you. The only difference is instead of paying full price, you get a discount. You can also give specialty dining certificates for $45 each.

Are the AARP Discount Cruise Cards a Good Deal?

If you prefer, you can choose an e-gift card that's sent to the recipient online. Holland America offers gift cards in denominations between $5 and $2,000 that are available to buy on its website. You can either purchase a physical card to send enclosed with a personal message or choose a digital version that the recipient can open online with personalized audio and photos. But the truth is, for most people, these cards aren't the best option for cruises.

Choose from a variety of gift card designs and denominations. With easy and convenient redemption options, these gift cards can be used for a cruise, an onboard service – drink package or excursion perhaps? You can purchase up to $2,000 in gift certificates for someone that they can use towards the purchase of a cruise or onboard credit toward the spa, gift shop, bar, specialty restaurants and more. Terms & Conditions Introduction Princess® offers closed loop prepaid cards (“Gift Cards”) for purchase. During the busy holiday period, please note that orders using standard shipping methods may be delayed by an additional 3-5 business days.

Read the fine print before buying a gift card

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card also comes with cell phone protection, so your phone is protected on the high seas and on dry land. Use the card to pay your cell phone bill and you’ll get secondary cell phone insurance for a damaged or stolen phone. Here are NerdWallet's best cards for cruises, why we like them and why many co-branded cruise credit cards may not be your best bet. For instance, Royal Caribbean only allows you to use the card for a new reservation. And you have to book the cruise, pay a deposit, and then email in a copy of the gift certificate to apply to your remaining balance.

Are the Gift Cards Physical or Digital?

Don't rule out the first-timers on your list; you can help them fund their first foray into cruising or surprise them with something extra to make their upcoming trip special. The Platinum Card® from American Express also comes with luxury travel perks that can make your journey to the cruise ship more pleasant when you enroll, like automatic hotel elite status and airport lounge access. Plus, the card comes with an annual credit of up to $100 at Saks for pre-cruise shopping.

Gift cards may be used for purchases onboard Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd. (“Princess”) vessels or applied as payment to a Princess cruise booking. This card may not be redeemed for cash, unless required by law. Princess does not accept responsibility for cards lost, damaged or stolen, or any unauthorized use of cards.

Royal Caribbean

You can buy as many cards as you'd like, but there is a maximum online transaction of five gift cards at one time. Gift cards purchased with Target's RedCard receive a 5% discount. You can also look for Black Friday sales on Disney gift cards at Sam's Club and other promotions offered through the cruise lines or retailers.

Purchasers may not acquire Gift Cards from Princess® in any given day in an aggregate amount that exceeds $10,000. Each single Gift Card may be purchased in any denomination between $25 and $2,000. Gift cards are activated upon receipt, and they cannot be resold. In addition, buyers cannot purchase an aggregate amount exceeding $10,000 in one day. When you pay for your trip with The Platinum Card® from American Express, you’ll be covered for trip delays and cancellations, lost luggage and emergency medical assistance, and you’ll get primary rental car coverage, too.

If the price for a transaction is greater than the balance or value on the Gift Card, the purchaser must pay the difference. Princess specifies “Digital gift cards redeemed by Canadian residents can only be used towards cruise passage for bookings made in US Dollars”. Royal Caribbean notes that gift cards must be redeemed ahead of time, especially for payment toward the cruise fare. EGift Cards are available for immediate delivery by e-mail, and no shipping fees apply to emailed Gift Cards. Princess® is not responsible for Gift Cards that are undeliverable or not received due to inaccurate delivery information, including physical and e-mail addresses.

When you call this specific department at American Express and book with your card, you’ll earn 2X points on the price of a cruise. And just as you have many cruise options to choose from, there are numerous credit cards you could choose to pay with. Cruise line-specific cards might seem like an obvious choice, but they aren't always the best. Flexible rewards credit cards have more redemption options, often provide heftier bonuses for new cardholders and usually earn more points in many categories.

The 49 Best Gift Cards for Travel Lovers - Travel + Leisure

The 49 Best Gift Cards for Travel Lovers.

Posted: Wed, 12 Oct 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Use Disney gift cards to purchase a cruise, shore excursions, merchandise on the ship and other onboard expenses. You can also spend the cards at Disney-owned properties, like Disney's Vero Beach Resort; on trips or cruises with Adventures by Disney; for Disney on Broadway; and at retail stores and other Disney businesses. Gift cards for Disney Cruise Line are sold online at shopdisney.com in preset amounts, from $25 to $500. You can choose from over 60 Disney designs of physical gift cards and have them shipped, or you can send a themed eGift Card. Not every cruise line offers gift cards, and some have alternative ways to help pay for a portion of someone else's vacation.

Well, today’s cruise ships can suit almost any sensibility and budget. Please note that Princess Cruises Plastic Gift Cards cannot be mailed to Canada so Canadian residents wishing to purchase a Gift Card should select the Digital Card option. Lines like Princess and Carnival are more lenient on when and where you can use the card, but it’s still smart to understand the rules about the cards before buying. Before you buy the cruise cards, you’ll definitely want to read through all the fine print that’s provided on the AARP website about their use. Each cruise line seems to have different rules regarding usage.

End of Season Alaska Cruises: Are They Worth It?

Table Of Content

• Sign Up For Special Offers
• Best Alaska cruise lines
• Why Cruise Our Mid-Sized Ships
• Cruise To Hubbard Glacier
• The Great Land awaits – set sail with Princess, the #1 Alaska cruise line
• Enjoy the Freedom to Cruise Alaska the Way You Like
• Featured Alaska Cruise Itineraries

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.

Sign Up For Special Offers

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.

Why Cruise Our Mid-Sized Ships

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.

The Best Time to Cruise Alaska Month by Month

Table Of Content

• WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Alaska Cruises Insider
• Dog Sledding Tours
• Explore Alaska's Wilderness on a December 2023 Cruise from Los Angeles
• The Best Way to Experience Alaska is with Norwegian
• End of Season Alaska Cruises: Are They Worth It?

In some parts of the state, dog sledding is still the primary mode of transportation through the winter months. Visit Alaska and get the experience for yourself at the Skagway Yukon Discovery and Dog Sled Tour. The Siberian Huskies are sweet and energetic, and the ride is a thrill. Adventuring in Alaska is all about getting to know this state's stunning landscape. To illustrate how the weather differs at the end of the season compared with the peak season, I’ve pulled data using Juneau as a representative community for the entire Inside Passage. However, it’s worth noting that many communities have more dramatic weather than Juneau, which is relatively sheltered and in the middle of this waterway.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Alaska Cruises Insider

THE 16 BEST Cruises from Mobile, AL 2024 (with Prices) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic

THE 16 BEST Cruises from Mobile, AL 2024 (with Prices) on Cruise Critic.

Posted: Tue, 24 Oct 2023 06:43:05 GMT [source]

Stretch out your Alaska cruise vacation with convenient weekend departures. Enjoy a roundtrip Alaska cruise from Seattle on Alaskan Explorer itineraries or from Vancouver on Alaskan Inside Passage itineraries. Active travelers can explore Alaska by sea kayak or canoe, hike on glaciers and through rainforests, zip line, bike, ride an ATV and even snorkel (you'll need a dry suit). Some lines also offer Alaska cruisetours that venture into Canada's Yukon, including a few Holland America tours that combine half a cruise with a cruisetour that starts or ends in Skagway.

Dog Sledding Tours

If you're considering an Alaskan cruise in December, you're in for a truly magical experience. While it may be one of the coldest months in Alaska, December offers unique opportunities to see the landscape transformed by snow and ice, and to enjoy festive holiday events. The winter weather can also bring opportunities to see the northern lights, which can be especially spectacular against the snowy landscape. It's important to pack warm clothing and gear, including a heavy coat, gloves, and a hat, as well as waterproof boots and a waterproof outer layer to protect against snow and rain. Our Alaska cruises are your ticket to adventure amidst the Great Land’s glaciers, wildlife and national parks. Voyage through the untamed beauty from the comfort of our world-class ships, exclusive rail service and Princess Wilderness Lodges near national parks.

Explore Alaska's Wilderness on a December 2023 Cruise from Los Angeles

If you’re trying to decide whether to plan a December trip to Alaska and just need a bit of extra info to help you choose, hopefully, this covers it all as I say in the title! If you still have other questions, please let me know in the comments below so I can answer and add extra sections to this guide as needed. I was born on the East Coast and currently live in the Midwest – but my heart will always be out West. I lived for 15 years in Alaska, as well as four years each in California and Washington.

Alaska Souvenirs to Take Home With You So You Never Forget Your Trip Royal Caribbean Cruises

Kayak silent fjords on your journey along the coast of the Last Frontier. Let Celebrity’s award-winning ships take you to the most dazzling locations in the 49th state, from bustling Juneau to pretty Ketchikan. Or extend your stay with one of our Alaska Cruisetours to explore Alaska’s interiors. Head deep into the wilderness of Denali, immerse yourself in the exciting contemporary culture of Anchorage, and spend time in quirky, arty Talkeetna. Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S.

Holland America Line Opens Bookings for Four 2025-2026 'Legendary Voyages' Including New 28-Day Cruise to ... - PR Newswire

Holland America Line Opens Bookings for Four 2025-2026 'Legendary Voyages' Including New 28-Day Cruise to ....

Posted: Wed, 13 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Scan the surrounding waters on your way to Juneau for glimpses of wildlife from the North Star®, the tallest viewing deck on a cruise ship. Creamer’s Field prepares tons of activities to make the most of the jolly season. On December 7, 8, 12, and 13, they’ll be hosting the Holiday Craft Nights. On December 9, when the night comes, visitors can enjoy the luminary trail – a wintertime stroll through the landscape adorned with glowing lights.

End of Season Alaska Cruises: Are They Worth It?

Alaska cruise weather can be chilly (in the 40s to 50s) first thing in the morning and at night. However, if it's a sunny summer day, temperatures can shoot into the 70s and even low 80s. It also rains a lot in Alaska; it's drier in the spring than in the summer. 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. Remove the hassle from air travel and give yourself the gift of flexibility, time and a thicker wallet with Princess EZair flights.

This means that cruising during the summer is a very popular – and pricey – activity, and will probably give you some sticker shock even if you find a good deal. The thought of cruising in winter might send a chill down your spine but fear not. Modern cruise ships are equipped to provide cozy comfort, turning the icy adventure into a warm and inviting experience.

Bears prowl rock-strewn beaches, while salmon-laden rivers rush through pristine, old-growth forest, bald eagles perched watchfully in the treetops. There's a reason why the best way to cruise Alaska is with Norwegian – we've got something for every type of traveler. The newly revitalized Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Spirit bring that and more with beautifully renovated spaces and staterooms.

If you have a low tolerance for cold weather, cruising Alaska during the warmest months of July and August is a better choice. You’ve got about a 50/50 chance of getting rained or snowed on during excursions. You’ll be very happy if you purchase a quality raincoat and pack clothing you can add or remove in layers. Since the skies do still get dark during this month, there is a slight chance that you’ll be able to view the Northern Lights on an Alaskan cruise in April. Peak viewing of the Aurora Borealis happens between November and March, but on a clear night with lots of solar activity, you have a shot at this once-in-a-lifetime viewing experience. Many cruise lines also have limited early cruise ships departing for Alaska in April.

Various wildlife-viewing trips (whale, bears and more) and visits to dog-sled camps and salmon bakes leave from Juneau. Floatplane and helicopter tours take you around scenic areas like Misty Fjords or land you on a glacier, perhaps for a dog-sledding or hiking adventure on the ice. If you prefer to stay grounded, you can find informative trolley tours of ports like Skagway. Hop a bus, kayak, boat or plane to look for bears, eagles, whales, sea otters and other wildlife. Note that moose don't regularly show up in the Inside Passage; you'll need to head farther north to find them. Alaska cruises offer a wide range of activities in port, with options for active travelers, wildlife lovers, history buffs and shoppers.

I probably could write a huge list of things to do in Alaska in December as there are so many unique experiences and they vary from one area of the state to another. Instead, let me just share my top five specific to December to help inspire you to plan your trip. Let us create the perfect event while you relax and have the time of your life.

In fact, taking a stroll with a guide to animal tracks can make any fresh dusting into an open book about wildlife activity. Uncover treasures in the Great Land on an Alaska cruise from Vancouver. Relive Gold Rush history, experience Native Alaskan culture and come face-to-face with some of Mother Nature’s greatest masterpieces. On a roundtrip Inside Passage cruise, enjoy quicker access to Alaska while also exploring the friendly ports of British Columbia. As you plan your next adventure, consider stepping off the beaten path and discovering the serenity of an Alaska winter cruise.