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Likewise, you could take a shuttle bus to Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau for $45 roundtrip, which is much cheaper than excursions booked through the cruise line. The casino is not open during the hours these ships sail into and out of Puget Sound, including often on the entire last night of the cruise. When Victoria is the final port, the ship never escapes to international waters to allow gambling. Both ships have outdoor movie nights at the pool, as well as actual cinemas for afternoon matinees. Plus, there are climbing walls, sports courts, and kids' pools for use when weather allows.
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A variety of museums, restaurants, and bars are located just a few minutes away from where cruise ships dock in each port. In addition to convenience, roundtrip sailings also provide an excellent Alaska cruise experience. On a roundtrip cruise, you’ll still visit Alaska’s most popular ports, such as Juneau and Skagway, and most itineraries include a scenic glacier viewing as well. Instead of booking directly through Royal Caribbean, search shore excursions on websites like Tripadvisor, Viator, and Shore Excursions Group. By going through these websites, you can find tours that may be priced lower compared to those offered by the cruise line. Before booking an Alaska cruise, take time to research the activities and shore excursions offered in each port.
Quantum Class: Royal Caribbean Big Ships Seemingly Designed for Alaska
All Royal Caribbean cruises can be subject to itinerary changes, but you may find changes more common when sailing to Alaska. When most people think of an Alaska cruise, they imagine chilly temperatures, snow, and glaciers. Because of this, many passengers are surprised when they feel warm (or even sweat) on an Alaska cruise.
Cons of a Radiance-class Ship in Alaska
The worst months to cruise to Alaska - Royal Caribbean Blog
The worst months to cruise to Alaska.
Posted: Mon, 18 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
All Alaska cruises from Seattle must also include a port stop in a country outside of the United States. Because of this, you’ll find a port stop in Victoria, British Columbia on each Alaska cruise itinerary from Seattle. Understanding the differences between the ships and itineraries will ensure you make the right choice for your family. Packing a warm hat and gloves is also recommended, particularly if you’re cruising to Alaska in the shoulder season months of May and September. Packing for an Alaska cruise excursion is a bit more complicated than bringing a beach towel and flip flops.
Book shows and dining on the first day
The real differences are in what these smaller ships offer -- and don’t offer -- for those who choose to cruise on them. Some ships sail one-way itineraries which start in Vancouver and end in Seward, Alaska (and vice versa). This allows ships to visit more ports on a 7-night cruise and allows guests to enjoy land tours in Alaska or Canada pre or post-cruise. One of the most popular active activities is a kayak tour along Alaska’s scenic fjords, lakes, and glaciers. Kayak tours are offered in most cruise ports, offering passengers the chance to feel connected with nature by the gentle rock of a kayak. You can still have an amazing Alaska cruise by depending on public areas to enjoy the view.
Dreading transporting your luggage from the cruise terminal to the airport check-in desk? Royal Caribbean and the Port of Seattle offer a luggage valet service, which allows you to bypass standard airport check-in. Whether you’re cruising with an elaborate mirrorless camera or just your cell phone, it’s hard to take a bad photo of somewhere as beautiful as Alaska. Alaska’s landscapes are spectacular, so you’ll want to brush up on your photography skills before your cruise. One of our favorite “tricks” when planning an Alaska cruise on Royal Caribbean is to take advantage of cheap last-minute sailings. Outside of clothing, there are other essentials you should pack for an Alaska cruise.
At the conclusion of the Alaska cruise season, the ships reverse the itinerary and sail from Vancouver to Hawaii. One other consideration is Royal Caribbean offers land tours that you can add onto Alaska cruises from Vancouver, where you can explore the interior of Alaska before or after your cruise. Binoculars can be another great item to pack for an Alaska cruise excursion, as they give you the chance to view Alaska’s wildlife and scenery up close. If excursions sell out, Royal Caribbean will occasionally add more tour options and times to book, but this is not guaranteed. Prices of shore excursions through independent providers are often cheaper than Royal Caribbean’s pricing, so be sure to look outside of Royal Caribbean for better deals. Royal Caribbean excursions tend to be priced higher than independent excursions because the cruise line receives a cut of the excursion cost from the tour operator.
While a balcony is not a requirement on an Alaska cruise, there’s no denying a balcony cabin is nicer than an interior cabin on such a scenic itinerary. If you booked an interior or oceanview cabin for your 2024 Alaska cruise, consider upgrading to a balcony before your sail date. Radiance of the Seas was built to sail in all types of climates, so you’ll be able to enjoy both indoor and outdoor spaces during the cruise. Whether you choose to relax in the beautiful adults-only Solarium or catch a movie in the indoor cinema, you’ll find plenty of ways to pass time on a chilly day at sea. Some itineraries visit the charming gold-rush town of Skagway whereas others visit Sitka, the former capital of Russian Alaska. After a successful 2022 cruise season in Alaska, Quantum of the Seas will return to Seattle to offer 7-night Alaska Glacier cruises departing on Mondays.
Shore excursions are expensive
Starting your cruise in Seward is recommended for those who plan to travel in the interior of Alaska ahead of time, whether independently or on one of Royal Caribbean’s organized Cruisetours. One-way Alaska itineraries tend to be more port-heavy, as well, as there is less distance to cover than on a round trip sailing. Getting close to nature and wildlife is recommended while in Icy Strait Point, with whale watching and ziplining popular activities to book. Cultural excursions are another option, where guests can learn more about the Huna Tlingit people through song and dance at Icy Strait Point’s Native Heritage Center Theater. Ketchikan, the southernmost Alaska cruise port, is a quaint waterfront town surrounded by the Tongass National Forest. The town’s gold rush history alongside its Native culture offers a chance for visitors to experience Alaska through history.
Even though you’re sailing through Alaska’s Inside Passage, your phone data may not cover the remote areas when sailing, and you want to avoid incurring hefty data charges. Internet on a Royal Caribbean cruise is expensive, often costing $20 or more per day for one device. If you’re from the United States (or another country with access to US phone service), you may not need an internet package. If the captain deems the approach to a glacier too dangerous, whether due to icebergs or low visibility, your highly awaited glacier viewing may be canceled.
If a balcony stateroom is in your budget, then definitely book one and enjoy the opportunity to have a private area to enjoy the natural beauty of Alaska anytime you see fit. There is no denying that having easy access and private space, especially when near a glacier, is a lovely perk. Nonetheless, you can occasionally come across a good deal by booking in advance or finding a last-minute deal offered by a hotel. If you really need a budget hotel, your best bet is to stay further from downtown or near the airport.
These low fares are almost always on Radiance Class ships sailing one-way itineraries from Vancouver. It’s important to reserve these activities in advance to not only ensure you can try the activity onboard, but to reserve the best time, day, and price that works for you. Hats, gloves, and sunglasses are all important items to bring with you to ensure you stay warm in the chilliest temperatures you may encounter. While you may walk around in flip flops in the Caribbean, you probably will not want to do this on an Alaska cruise! Packing the right shoes to fit Alaska’s terrain and shore excursion opportunities is essential to ensure you remain comfortable during your vacation.
If you have a dining package, head to any of the restaurants onboard to reserve all specialty dining days and times for the week. Royal Caribbean offers complimentary lectures presented by higher education staff on the history and culture of the ports your cruise will visit. If you’re sailing on a Quantum Class ship to Alaska, head to the back of the Windjammer or the Solarium bridge wings for some fantastic views of the scenery with fewer crowds. On Radiance Class ships, check out the helicopter pad, the front of deck 12 above the bridge, or the Viking Crown Lounge. On the first day or two of your cruise, we recommend exploring the ship to make note of areas from which you can view the scenery once you get to Alaska. The pool deck is a popular option, but you may find some hidden gems throughout the ship.
You can purchase a travel insurance plan directly through Royal Caribbean upon booking or through an outsider provider. If you travel frequently, we recommend an annual travel insurance plan that covers you all year round. In addition to a 7-night Alaska cruise, you can extend your trip with a land-based tour.
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