Alaska Inside Passage Cruises in 2024 Your Ultimate Guide

Table Of Content

• Glacier Bay National Park
• One of the biggest reasons people visit
• What Sets It Apart from Other Cruises
• Wildlife and Natural Wonders of Alaska Inside Passage
• Where is Alaska’s Inside Passage?
• Do You Need a Passport for Alaska Cruise?
• Best Time to Go
• Activities and Excursions during the Alaska Inside Passage Cruise

So some people believe they are not really getting as much "Inside Passage" on the Seattle itineraries. Always, the exact route is up to the Captain with safety the first consideration so any particular voyage may vary in route. Heading North on an Alaska itinerary, you pass by Vancouver Island and then a large number of small islands all along the coast.

Glacier Bay National Park

I’m not a cruiser, but Alaska changed everything - Escape

I’m not a cruiser, but Alaska changed everything.

Posted: Fri, 29 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

These cruises sail through the tranquil, sheltered waters of the Inside Passage, offering you front-row seats to glaciers, diverse wildlife, and pristine wilderness. A range of Activities - Climb into a skiff (small one-person rowing boat) or kayak to feel completely free on the waters, soaking up the air of tranquility as you lose yourself in the many magical sights. Join a guided hike to learn more about the magnificent landscapes and how they were formed over the years and discover more about the cultural groups and animals that occupy the remote areas. Discover the traditions and customs of different groups, including the Tlingit and the Haida, see intricate totem poles, visit cultural centers and much more.

One of the biggest reasons people visit

Southeast Alaska small ship cruises are our specialty and our team of specialists have collectively been to every port. Virtually all Southeast Alaska small ship cruises sail in the Inside Passage, so the terms “Southeast Alaska” and “Inside Passage” are pretty much synonymous when it comes to cruising. Inside passage just means between the islands and not cruising in the "open" ocean. You don't really need to worry about which it is, just decide on which ports (Juneau, Sitka, Skagway, Ketchican) and which glaciers you want to visit and look for a ship that meets your needs.

What Sets It Apart from Other Cruises

Combine a cruise + train + lodge + Denali for an in-depth Alaska experience. From exploring Denali National Park to fishing for salmon in Anchorage, discover the top Alaska destinations on a Princess cruise. No one does seafood quite like Alaska—which is why we brought the best of the Great Land on board, so you can experience it all with Princess. As a common Scandinavian saying goes, "There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing." The better you prepare and the more meticulous you pack, the more comfortable you’ll be. That doesn’t mean overloading your suitcase, it means including enough of the right gear for the weather in Alaska. Discover remote outposts and isolated towns as you cruise Alaska’s Inside Passage.

Wildlife and Natural Wonders of Alaska Inside Passage

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Glacier Bay National Park is a haven for geology and marine biology enthusiasts. The park is home to a dynamic landscape of glaciers, fjords, and a diverse range of wildlife, including seals, sea lions, and humpback whales. If you look closely, you will also be treated to traces of Alaska history along the Inside Passage in totem poles, Russian-influenced architecture, and gold rush remnants. Get an up-close view of Alaska’s wild seascapes, no matter which direction you look. Sail through ice-carved fjords flanked by sky-piercing mountains. Tongass National Park is filled with lofty spruce, hemlock and cedar trees, while giant calving glaciers pack Glacier Bay National Park.

THE 25 BEST Cruises from Seward, AK 2024 (with Prices) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic

THE 25 BEST Cruises from Seward, AK 2024 (with Prices) on Cruise Critic.

Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 18:59:17 GMT [source]

The Inside Passage is one of the few routes in the world where large cruise ships requiring relatively deep water can safely sail next to steep mountainsides. It was heavily used by prospectors from the American West Coast during the Klondike Gold Rush. Our team is adept at personalizing recommendations for an Alaska Inside Passage cruise to fit your timing, budget, activity level and travel style.

Do You Need a Passport for Alaska Cruise?

We bring you not just authentic Alaska itineraries and insider tips but also a treasure trove of our own photos and first-hand experiences from the places we've explored and activities we've relished. Each month offers something different, from calmer seas in May to warmer temperatures in July. Small ships provide a closer look at nature but have fewer onboard activities. Look for packages that include excursions or onboard credits for added value.

Best Time to Go

A stop in Skagway on an Inside Passage Alaska cruise is a must if you want to experience the thrill of the gold rush. Once a rowdy frontier hub and the gateway to the gold fields, Skagway is now a collection of curio shops, taverns, galleries, and museums nestled in natural beauty. Dis­cov­er South­east Alaska’s nat­ur­al won­ders aboard a char­tered sail­boat with Sail­ing Alas­ka. Cus­tomize your pri­vate expe­di­tion with expe­ri­enced cap­tain John Joeright and enjoy all-inclu­sive meals, com­fort­able accom­mo­da­tions, and end­less adven­tures on the 46-foot S/V Sham­rock.

There were a few days in quiet bays that were not as exciting as the other days. We saw a large pod of orcas, sea otters, humpback whales, bears, jelly fish, sea lions, eagles, jumping salmon and more. Just to the east of Lynn Canal on the northernmost end of the Inside Passage Alaska is the famed Glacier Bay National Park. To experience the park, you need to technically sail out of the Inside Passage coastal route, and into Glacier Bay. Many Inside Passage cruise itineraries will explore both Glacier Bay and the Inside Passage, spending two to three out of eight days within the national park.

It’s now by far the most popular destination to take a small ship Alaska cruise thanks to its protected waters, interesting geological features and abundant wildlife. These cruises usually sail northbound or southbound between either Vancouver or Seattle and Anchorage (via the port towns of Whittier or Seward). Itineraries include many of the same stops that a round-trip Inside Passage cruise does, plus extras such as Valdez, Hubbard Glacier, College Fjord or another town in the gulf. As much as I loved these other Alaska cruise shore excursions, my favorite activity from my two Alaksa trips was the one we did right off the back deck of the Admiralty Dream. So our trip through the Inside Passage really boiled down to a choice between two small Alaska cruise companies, Alaskan Dream Cruises and UnCruise Adventures.

So when my daughter Allie began expressing interest in visiting Alaska, I decided to surprise her with an Alaska trip as a high school graduation present. Since we loved our previous voyage to the Galapagos Islands together, I started reading Alaska cruise reviews and planning our 2-week Alaska vacation. Expedition cruises are for the adventurous at heart, usually accommodating around 50 to 200 passengers. Operated by smaller vessels equipped with Zodiac boats for closer exploration, companies like National Geographic and AdventureSmith Explorations offer these cruises. Large ship cruises are akin to floating cities, offering a plethora of amenities and activities.

We saw massive Ravens, Black Oystercatchers, Semi-Palmated Plovers, and several American Bald Eagles in Juneau before we even set foot on the Admiralty Dream. It was an invigorating way to wind down our 8-day adventure with Alaskan Dream Cruises. Located near the northeast coast of Baranof Island, the Lake Eva trail leads 1.5 miles, from picturesque Hanus Bay to the south end of the lake.