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Alaska cruise guests can expect to see harbor seals, humpback whales, and salmon feeding in the areas’ coastal waters, rivers, and streams. Moose, wolves, and black bears can be spotted roaming freely along the shore. Need help narrowing down all the Alaska adventure cruise options? Consider your special interests to further hone in on your many choices. Our experts are just a phone call or email away to assist you find everything from the top Alaska cruises for couples or single travelers to the best small ship Alaska cruises for families.
Southcentral Alaska – Prince William Sound & Katmai
My fellow nature-loving small-ship travelers were of every age and from all over the United States. Often it was an international group, with one or two among us originating in some far-flung corner of the world, especially from Australia. You’ll spend either 4 or 7 days sailing around Lake Clark, experiencing all the natural majesty this national park has to offer, with its many craggy mountains set close to the water. Look for wildlife, hike, explore with kayaks and paddleboards, and enjoy bonfires on the beach.
Itinerary Review
8 great vacations that combine a cruise and a train trip - The Points Guy
8 great vacations that combine a cruise and a train trip.
Posted: Thu, 28 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Failure to make payment will be a considered a cancellation by the guest and all applicable cancellation fees will apply. Charter a sailboat out of Seward and hit the waters of gorgeous Resurrection Bay! Choose an afternoon tour if you’re just in Seward for the day, or opt for a multi-day cruise.
Cruises
It was fine, but that day turned into a very long one. Sitka and Ketchikan, and even Juneau, were OK, but we could have done without any of them. We met one couple who will be a life-long friend, and most every other fellow passenger was pleasant, as well.

Sailing Alaska Limited Private Charters
The Sea Bird is old and cabins are what they are, but still really good. The common areas were more than adequate for the expedition. Every crew member was professional, informative and fun. They were so knowledgeable and happy to answer any questions. They payed attention to what people wanted out of the trip. Bethany, Chris the bartender, Phil, Sarah and Paul took good care of us especially.
A small ship vacation always takes you into the most remote Alaskan locations. It's impossible for the big ships to get you this close. There are no "early" and "late" seating and set dinner arrangements and tables like you have on the big ships. All naturalist guides were excellent and were clearly passionate about their work and sharing the wilderness with us. 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.
Best Rated Alaska Small Ship Cruises
Select the cruise direction, and the year, you would like to travel. Stay updated with the latest trends and special offers in Luxury Alaska Cruises. This was the first US-governed lighthouse opened in Alaska, which was first lit on March 21, 1902. The original lighthouse burned down, and the now-standing lighthouse was built two years later in 1935. It sits on a small island between Stephens Passage and Fredericks Sound. In 2004, it was listed as a historic place in the National Register.

Maple Leaf has a permit to bring its cruisers to the Pack Creek bear-viewing area on Admiralty Island. Maple Leaf also offers eight-night Inside Passage voyages between Petersburg and Sitka, and between Petersburg and Prince Rupert. Alaskan Dream Cruises operates a fleet of six small, expedition-style ships.
How Small Is an Alaska Small Ship?
If you love to spend hours looking for deals and gifts to bring home, you'll find the most variety in the big-ship ports. You can also forget about waterslides, expansive spas, kids clubs and the like. But most of the small lines who sail Alaska are bare-bones, focused on adventure rather than amenities.
The line’s eclectic 22- to 86-passenger ships explore the nooks and crannies of southeast Alaska’s inlets, bays, and coves. Unlike the massive 100,000 ton cruise ships, a small ship can follow its own schedule to maximize wildlife sightings. The average Princess cruise ship carries over 2,400 guests in Alaska. Some people automatically think that bigger is better. They believe that close is better than far away...that personal is better than mass produced...that a few like-minded friends are better than thousands of strangers. Since 1986, Maple Leaf has been operating sailing cruises in British Columbia, Haida Gwaii (the former Queen Charlotte Islands) and the Inside Passage.
Intimate ships like Ocean Victory do not provide casinos, musical shows or specialty bars for your entertainment. Begin planning your U.S. cruise adventure with American Cruise Lines today. From the coast of Maine, to the mighty Mississippi and Pacific Northwest, our Free Cruise Guide provides detailed information about all of our more than 50 U.S. itinerary options. Alaska's ultimate small ship cruise adventures in the beautiful and remote Kenai Fjords National Park and Prince William Sound!
In between lies a massive bay of blue ice, which can be experienced on a Prince William Sound glacier cruise. Flights to Juneau and Anchorage are common, while the smaller ports used by many Southeast Alaska small ship cruises may require a bit more padding on your travel days. A pre-cruise overnight is always recommended in case of delays. Travelers east of the Rockies will certainly require one in order to safely embark their Alaska small ship cruise on time. The length of your travel window can also help you figure out how to choose the best small ship Alaska cruise. Most travelers will take only one Alaska cruise in their lifetime and of course want to make the most of it.
My journeys have translated into many books and many hundreds of articles. You’ll spend all your time immersed in Alaska, both aboard ship and ashore, and that, to my way of thinking, is what an Alaska cruise vacation should be all about. Fly from Anchorage by seaplane to the Northwest Odyssey, anchored off the coast of Katmai National Park. This luxurious yacht will be your home base for spectacular bear viewing and fishing in uncrowded waters. Discover Southeast Alaska’s natural wonders aboard a chartered sailboat with Sailing Alaska.
Contact us to receive a personalized-to-you recommendation for your travel style, budget and timing needs. Head to our Alaska Small Ship Cruise Finder to view all available cruises. Wave goodbye to busy ports to instead view bears, hike, paddle by glaciers and forge local connections in small towns.