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Additionally, refunds are usually in the form of onboard credit instead of going back onto your credit card. These items are worth bringing along ‘just in case’, as the easiest way to ruin a shore excursion is to end up too cold – too wet – or both. For this reason, I strongly recommend booking a balcony stateroom when cruising Alaska. Though some “closed loop” cruises may not require a U.S. passport, I always recommend bringing yours in case of an emergency. Depending on how many and how long your excursions are, you may be spending the majority of your time off of the ship and away from the ‘free drinks’. Cruising during the shoulder seasons of May or September will save you money.
More Royal Caribbean
Some of these tips may apply to all cruises and some are specific to Alaskan cruises. Either way, I hope it helps someone else get ready to cruise. While phone cameras are great for most shots, they often lack in the zoom capability. If you want to spot wildlife in Alaska and catch a snapshot, then you’ll want a decent camera with a zoom feature.
Be prepared for 30 to 90 degrees on your cruise, sun and rain.
As well, you have to factor in things like shore excursions, which tend to cost more than on a cruise to elsewhere. Every cruise ship will be different but the Norwegian cruise line had 5 restaurants included in our dining plan. After that, we could pay extra to eat at another 15 (or more) restaurants. Frugal travelers that we are, we decided to forgo the extra dining and save money. There were plenty of food choices at the included restaurants!
Enjoy the Views
For those looking for a couples retreat, Viking Cruises cater exclusively to adults. The minimum age is 18, and the ship is designed for a luxurious and tranquil experience, so you can truly get away from it all. With a little planning and a lot of love, lifelong family vacation memories can be made at all ages, stages – and places both near and far. A prominent content creator and influencer on Instagram, Jen has over 150K unique monthly blog readers from countries all over the world.
Hone your photography skills prior to sailing
So, decide what is most important to you and review itineraries closely. So, perhaps the most important thing you need to decide on is the itinerary. Food tours, such as Juneau Food Tours, target locally owned establishments and afford a chance to meet local chefs and food producers. Hiking trails afford an opportunity to get out in the wilderness, breathe deep and feel at one with Mother Nature.
Bring Binoculars and a Camera
Dinner in the Main Dining Room is a traditional part of any cruise experience, but think twice before selecting your dining time. If so, you can almost always expect warm temperatures and, aside from a chance of rain, pleasant weather conditions. Outside of clothing, there are other essentials you should pack for an Alaska cruise. While not required, bringing items like motion-sickness medication, binoculars, and cabin essentials like outlet adapters are helpful to have handy. You’d be surprised by how many activities you can fit into a pre-cruise stay in Seattle or Vancouver. Even if you arrive at 3PM the day before your cruise, you will have around twenty hours in either city before embarkation begins.
What is the Dress Code for an Alaskan Cruise?
Don’t let the damp weather impact your trip though, just be prepared with the right gear. If you are lucky, the rain will only pop up here and there, but Ketchikan is one of the rainiest places in the United States after all. Even if the day starts off sunny, be prepared for some fog and rain to roll in eventually. Layers that can be easily packed, and taken on and off during the day, are preferable.
Be sure to watch for promotions such as free onboard credit, discounted airfare and excursions, as well as free beverage packages and specialty dining. Most cruise lines offer specialty dining restaurants that require reservations. Because of this, the most popular Alaska shore excursions fill up fast.
What to Pack for An Alaskan Cruise: A Complete Checklist - Travel + Leisure
What to Pack for An Alaskan Cruise: A Complete Checklist.
Posted: Thu, 18 Apr 2024 21:11:15 GMT [source]
Alaska cruises offer a wide range of activities in port, with options for active travelers, wildlife lovers, history buffs and shoppers. Whether you're traveling with young kids or require more sedentary recreation, the Alaska cruise ports won't disappoint. Finally, you'll find some San Francisco round-trip itineraries — usually 10 or 11 nights long — as well as longer sailings between San Francisco and Vancouver. These cruises are best suited to travelers who love days at sea.
We knew we needed to sign up for Andy to ride the go karts on our ship. Because we were the first ones there, we had our pick of times. When we first walked onto our ship (the Norwegian Bliss), Andy and I were both overwhelmed. We got a map of the ship at check in and the staff welcomed us aboard, but that was it. It took us a couple days of wandering around but we learned the ins and outs of the ship faster than we anticipated.
Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of the best free and low-cost activities to do in each Alaska cruise port, which should help give you some ideas. Of course, you’ll want to look at the terms and conditions of each tour operator before booking. Check the tour’s cancellation policies—and whether or not they provide a guaranteed arrival back to port before your ship's departure—before booking. The last thing you want to happen is have your dream excursion sell out, leaving you scrambling to find other plans.
Consider too that Alaska is a market that is a very long drive from anywhere, meaning most travelers fly in, leading to limited space on planes as the season gets going. You will, however, find some advantages to traveling early and late in the season. The biggest benefits are reduced off-season prices and fewer crowds. That's when the tourist towns and attractions are in full swing. If you're happy to visit the typical, well-known ports of call — such as Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point and Ketchikan — a big ship will suit you just fine.
Layers are key when it comes to packing for an Alaska cruise. Weather can change rapidly and several times throughout the day, so it’s important to be prepared with layers of clothing you can take on and off while in port or onboard. Just like eating, drinking can be a way to learn more about the culture of Alaska. Our recommendation is to plan shore excursions for the morning and spend the afternoon walking around the port to try local food and drinks. Either before or after your Royal Caribbean cruise, you can book a Cruise Tour that combines a cruise and a land tour, which usually runs three to seven nights. Popular destinations include Denali National Park (for wildlife viewing), Talkeetna (best place for Denali views) and Fairbanks (Alaska pipeline).
One of the best times to travel is in late June, just before the busy peak season, when it tends to be dry and sunny. July and August are the warmest months and the weeks when bears are most active, as the salmon are spawning. Many of these experiences can cost upwards of $500 a person, or more.
There will be a small store or two where you can pick up sundries. You’re going to be bound by airline restrictions if you fly into the port, but if not, don’t be afraid to overpack for your trip. Alaska can throw a lot of different weather at you in a short period of time, meaning different clothing is needed. Add in things like elegant night, and you’ve got something else to pack for. Meanwhile, it’s not so easy to run out and get anything you might have forgot at home.
While most ships have an open deck for glacier and wildlife viewing, there’s nothing quite like sitting on your own balcony and taking in the scenery with a warm beverage. Additionally, waking up to beautiful mountain views or watching the sail in or sail away from the port from the comfort of your own room is also a wonderful experience. I am a firm believer in not carrying debt and only use credit cards if I can pay them off each month. That said, United (one of the most popular Seattle airlines if you are cruising to Alaska) has a great credit card program! They offer a $0 fee for the first year (and it is easy to cancel the credit card after your flight, if you so choose). Plus, it gives you free baggage fees – which at $30+ per bag, per flight – saved us $120.
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