Alaska Glacier Cruises
Explore the Unique Natural Beauty

Alaska glacier cruises are perfect for those we enjoy being in the outdoors and long for excursions that discover the natural beauty of Mother Nature. Not only will you be able to appreciate the breathtaking scenery and being close to nature, you will also experience unique cultures on the Alaska glacier cruise. Going on one of these Alaskan glacier cruises is definitely an extraordinary opportunity because the environment is inimitable; no other cruise destination will be able to match that kind of natural, majestic beauty.

Most individuals are concerned about the weather, that it might be too cold for them to enjoy themselves. However, Alaska glacier cruises run seasonally unlike other cruises that run all year round. They operate between the months of May and September, which the locals consider the “summer” season. So the temperature usually ranges from 50oF to 80oF and may get a bit cooler at night. Therefore the best way to dress would be in lightweight layers and carry a pair of gloves, a hat and waterproof shoes would be beneficial as well. Most travelers enjoying going on the Alaska glacier cruise in May because there is still some snow on the mountains and the weather is considered to be quite mild which something different to experience. An added bonus is that the rates are usually lower in May and September as well.

Cruise lines offer a range of Alaskan cruise packages due to Alaska’s unique scenery and environment. There is a variety between the larger ships and smaller ships, and depending on what you are looking for in your vacation each ship will range from casual activities to exceptional adventures. Also, make sure you decide ahead of time if you want to go on port excursions because those can get fairly expensive. However there are certain ones that are popular so book your port excursions the moment you arrive on the ship so that you ensure the excursions you want and avoid disappointment. Alaskan ports are easy to navigate and the locals that work there are very friendly, so even if you’re not the typical outdoors-type or extremely adventurous it would still be a worthwhile experience.

To figure out what are some ports that would interest you, let’s look at the main routes that the Alaska glacier cruises take. There are 2 main routes; the first one is the Inside Passage which is a round-trip from Vancouver or Seattle. This route is less exposed to the open sea which is good for those looking for a more relaxing trip and those prone to motion sickness. Some of the possible ports that they will stop at are Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, Skagway, Haines and Glacier Bay. They also include one day of scenic traveling of the waterway.

The other main route is the Northbound/Southbound route along the Gulf of Alaska. As you can tell by the name, you can either go north or south between Anchorage and Vancouver. The route is for the more adventurous type because there’s more variety everyday, it is typically a 7-day trip and most travelers do prefer the southbound route because of the flow of travel. The possible ports on this route would be College Fjord, Hubbard Glacier, Ketchikan, Juneau, Sitka and Skagway. You may notice that some of these ports are also explored on the Inside Passage route.

Alaska glacier cruises accommodate all ages; and not the myth that it is mainly targeted towards seniors; for example there are activities and excursions geared towards children, families, adults and seniors. These options allow room for customizing each cruise trip, there are adventure cruises that travel between the two cities of Sitka and Juneau, a land tour option at Skagway, and a side trip can be booked for before or after the cruise to explore the Denali National Park. Then again, if you just want to have a more traditional cruise trip and absorb the natural beauty onboard that is also a popular option.

The Alaskan cruise package is very flexible due to its range of ships and cruise lines that offer this destination. It is important to first decide what kind of cruise you are looking for and choose from there. The advantage is that you can customize your trip from all the exceptional options and activities on and off the ship. Just remember that larger ships provide a more extensive array of activities onboard the ship, however smaller ships are easier to explore, cozier atmosphere and lets you get closer to Alaska’s natural beauty. So it is your preference in how personal you want to experience this extraordinary natural environment.

Cruise Destinations

Navigation
Cruise Line Reviews
Cruise Destinations
Related Articles
Blog Cruise Articles
Resources
Sitemap

NEW
Redesigned site to help make your research experience easier.