Alaska Cruises Central » Cruise Lines

Smaller Cheap Family Fun Alaska Cruise

Brigitte — Mon, 24 May 2010 03:35:41 +0000

American Safari Cruises‘ “Kids in Nature,” or KIN cruises, include a luxury yacht as the schoolhouse, an Expedition Leader/Naturalist as the teacher, and the wildlife-rich waters of Alaska’s Inside Passage as the laboratory. KIN convenes in Alaska during summer vacation aboard the upscale 22-passenger yacht Safari Quest with the first of two seven-night cruises from Sitka in July. The voyage takes in various wilderness sites, sights and communities throughout Southeast Alaska. The journey ends in Juneau. Another seven-night sailing commences in July.

Activities abound for all ages: kayaking, hiking on a remote island followed by a full-scale picnic, hopping shore-to-shore by Zodiac, viewing whales directly off the bow or dolphins right below, collecting shells to study, and more. With 9 crew members to serve no more than 22 guests, kids and adults alike are accompanied on a variety of personal-choice excursions while the yacht is at anchor.

At the end of a week of up-close adventure, the crew of the Safari Quest presents each family member with a photo disc of several hundred images to share and reminisce for years to come. In addition, each child receives a Kids in Nature backpack filled with mementos of their various explorations including a certificate of achievement signed by the Captain and Expedition Leader, a tee shirt and cap, a pair of binoculars, disposable camera and a typed list of all of the flora and fauna observed during the cruise. Far from the typical family vacation getaway, a yacht cruise provides kids a fun way to learn about nature and other cultures.The program offers kid-size pricing – two kids under 12 for 1 adult fare.

Aboard other sailings during the season American Safaris Cruises’ three mega yachts offer very upscale amenities and cuisine best appreciated by sophisticated adults. For these cruises the line normally discourages guests from bringing young children and does not normally offer child-oriented services.

Norwegian Cruise Line 2010 Alaska Preview

Brigitte — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 04:24:03 +0000

NCL will operate two vessels in Alaska: Norwegian Star (2,244 guests) and Norwegian Pearl (2,394) will sail seven-night/eight-day “Inside Passage Sawyer Glacier” and “Glacier Bay” cruises in 2010, mostly roundtrips from Seattle. The company’s season starter, however, will be a May 1 Norwegian Star open-jaw voyage from Los Angeles to Alaska ports and sites with return to Vancouver, B.C. Following another open-jaw trip starting May 8, Vancouver to Alaska to Seattle, the ship’s core sailings will offer weekly roundtrip departures from the Washington state port. Port calls and viewing sites include Ketchikan, Juneau, cruising Tracy Arm and Sawyer Glacier, Skagway, Prince Rupert, B.C., and return to Seattle.

The Norwegian Pearl inaugurates its 2010 season with a series of Glacier Bay sailings scheduled to depart Seattle weekly from May 9 through September 12. Itinerary includes Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay cruising, Ketchikan, Victoria, B.C. and return to Seattle.

Carnival Cruises Alaska 2010

Brigitte — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 02:54:55 +0000

The world’s largest cruiseline has announced that for the first time ever the company has scheduled its Alaska-bound vessel Carnival Spirit (2,124 guests) for Seattle departures on all but two of its 2010 Inside Passage weeklong round trips to Southeast Alaska. Ports of call and cruising areas include Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan plus cruising Tracy Arm Fiord with twin Sawyer Glaciers.

The two exceptions are the line’s first and last voyages of the 2010 season: A five-night/six-day open-jaw sailing departs May 5 from Vancouver, B.C., sails to and through Southeast Alaska then ends in Seattle. A six-night seven-day season closer departs from Seattle September 7 sailing to Southeast Alaska, including Glacier Bay, then concludes the voyage at Vancouver.

Princess Cruises 2010 Alaska Cruise Preview

Brigitte — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 03:55:09 +0000

This line has scheduled seven vessels offering a total of four itinerary options between May and September in 2010. Two ships, Golden Princess (2,600 guests) and Sapphire Princess (2,670), will sail 37 weeklong “Inside Passage From Seattle” voyages. Port calls and scenic viewing sites include Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Victoria, B.C. plus Glacier Bay National Park or Tracy Arm fjord with Sawyer Glacier.

Three ships, Diamond Princess (2,670), Coral Princess (1,970), and Island Princess (1,970), will feature 54 weekly sailings along the line’s “Voyage of the Glaciers” route between Vancouver, B.C. and Whittier, Alaska. Port calls and scenic viewings include Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay National Park, and 16 glaciers of College Fjord in Prince William Sound (or Hubbard Glacier southbound).

Sea Princess (1,990) returns to San Francisco for 13 nine-night/10-day voyages through the Inside Passage to Glacier Bay National Park visiting Victoria, B.C, Juneau, Ketchikan, and, depending on voyage, either Skagway, Haines, or Icy Strait Point.

The cruiseline’s smaller and more intimate Royal Princess (680 guests), has scheduled eight 13-night “Connoisseur” trips from Seattle. Itinerary includes some of the Big State’s smaller and less visited ports including Kodiak, Icy Strait Point, and Seward plus Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Victoria along with cruising in Glacier Bay and Tracy Arm.

Celebrity Cruises 2010 Alaska Cruise Preview

Brigitte — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 21:25:51 +0000

The company has scheduled three vessels – Celebrity Infinity (1,950 guests ), Celebrity Mercury (1,870), and Celebrity Millennium (1,950) – for cruising Alaska in 2010.

Celebrity Millennium will inaugurate the cruiseline’s first sailing of the season with a 14-night, 15-day Ultimate Alaska voyage departing San Diego on April 30 and visiting Seattle, Sitka, Hubbard Glacier, Skagway, Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Tracy Arm Fiord, Ketchikan, Victoria, and Vancouver. Core season for the vessel will be seven-night, eight-day voyages between Vancouver heading north starting May 14 and south from Seward beginning May 21. Last sailing for the season departs September 10 from Seward.

Celebrity Mercury will sail seven-night, eight-day roundtrip cruises after kicking off its season May 5 with a 12-night, 13-day “Ultimate Alaska” roundtrip from Los Angeles to Southeast Alaska and return followed by another “Ultimate Alaska” voyage departing May 17 from Los Angeles and ending in Vancouver. Core of Celebrity Mercury’s summer season begins May 30 with the first of 16 seven-night, eight-day sailings from Vancouver. Highlight of the itinerary will be cruising the six-mile, 300-feet-high face of awesome Hubbard Glacier. Season closer will be a 12-night, 13-day sailing September 19, Vancouver to Alaska then San Francisco and San Diego.

Celebrity Infinity’s season begins with a May 10 departure from San Francisco for an 11-night, 12-day voyage to Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, and Sitka with journey’s end in Seattle. The vessel will then offer 18 seven-night, eight-day roundtrips to Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway plus Tracy Arm for glacier cruising and a port call at Victoria, B.C.

Celebrity Cruises
1-800-437-3111 www.celebritycruises.com

Royal Caribbean 2010 Alaska Cruise Preview

Brigitte — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 03:51:22 +0000

RCI has scheduled two ships and 37 sailings for the season. They include seven- to 14-night itineraries aboard Radiance of the Seas (2,100 guests) and Rhapsody of the Seas (2,000). Guests may choose departures from San Diego, Seattle, Seward, or Vancouver, B.C.

Alternating north- and south-bound on seven-night itineraries between Seward and Vancouver every Friday, Radiance of the Seas will call at four Alaskan ports – Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Icy Strait Point which is the only wilderness port in Alaska. Guests also will visit Hubbard Glacier, an astounding ice river six miles wide and 300 feet high. Radiance of the Seas also will offer two special “Ultimate Alaska” itineraries: a 13-night open-jaw cruise from San Diego on May 8 northbound to Alaska then southbound to Vancouver as well as a 14-night voyage sailing in the reverse direction on September 10.

Rhapsody of the Seas will offer a seven-night roundtrip itinerary, sailing from Seattle and plying the Inside Passage with calls at Alaska’s Juneau and Skagway, as well as Victoria, British Columbia. Highlights will include a cruise through the 32-mile Tracy Arm Fjord, with its narrow walls rising more than 8,000 feet high en route to Sawyer Glacier, whose glacier face rises approximately 200 feet. (1-800-327-6700; www.royalcaribbean.com)

Cheap Alaska Cruise Planning Guide

Brigitte — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:04:13 +0000

Most of the world’s major cruise companies are cruising Alaska’s waters in the summer months.

Following are some of the companies and vessels scheduled to visit Alaska this year.

Holland America Line: Amsterdam, Oosterdam, Westerdam, Ryndam, Statendam, Zaandam, Veendam, Volendam.
Princess Cruises: Diamond Princess, Sapphire Princess, Coral Princess, Island Princess, Tahitian Princess, Star Princess, Golden Princess, Sun Princess.
Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival Spirit.
Norwegian Cruise Line: Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Sun.
Royal Caribbean International: Serenade of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas.
Celebrity Cruises: Millennium,Infinity, Mercury.
Cruise West: Spirit of Alaska, Spirit of Discovery, Spirit of Yorktown, Spirit of Oceanus.
American Safari Cruises: Safari Explorer, Safari Escape, Safari Quest, Safari Spirt, Safari Legacy
Linblad Expeditions: Sea Lion, Sea Bird.
Majestic America Line: Empress of the North.
All Aboard Yacht Charters: The Discovery.

Cheap Alaskan Cruise from Holland America

Brigitte — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 06:11:54 +0000

Check Out These Great Deals from Holland America for a Cheap Alaskan Cruise. You can find more information at:

http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruise-vacation/SpecialOffers.action?mainMenuItem=SPECIAL+OFFERS

ITINERARY/SAIL DATE(S)	PORTS/SHIP	INTERIOR FROM*	OCEAN-VIEW OBSTRUCTED FROM*	SUITES FROM*
7-Day Alaskan Explorer via Glacier Bay 5/3, 5/10/10	Roundtrip Seattle ms Amsterdam	$699	$799	$1,349
7-Day Alaskan Explorer via Hubbard Glacier 5/15, 5/22, 5/29/10	Roundtrip Seattle ms Rotterdam	$649	$749	$1,299
7-Day Glacier Bay Inside Passage 5/12, 5/19, 5/26; 9/15/10	Roundtrip Vancouver ms Volendam	$649	$799	$1,399
7-Day Glacier Discovery 5/16, 5/23, 5/30/10	Vancouver to Seward (or reverse) ms Statendam	$499	$749	Inquire
14-Day Alaskan Adventurer 5/17, 5/31/10^‡	Roundtrip Seattle ms Amsterdam	$1,899	$1,999	$4,099

Disney Cruise Lines to Aaska

Brigitte — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 04:22:38 +0000

Source: Huliq News

Disney Cruise Lines is expanding its intinerary in 2011 when it sails to Alaska. Disney will kick off the Alaska sailings in 2011 aboard the 2,400-passenger Disney Wonder, which will operate out of Vancouver, B.C. The ship will offer seven-night roundtrip voyages that stop in the Alaskan port towns of Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway and visit scenic Tracy Arm.

While Carnival makes plans to pull more ships out of Alaska due to growing fees, taxes and regulations imposed on cruise companies by the state, Disney is going to venture into Alaska to help expand its fairly limited itineraries.

The Disney Wonder’s visit to Alaska is a first for Disney. The ship typically travels in warm climates so it will require a few upgrades to handle the different weather. However, with the amazing views and places to visit in Alaska, it should be worth the wait til 2011 for many who want to cruise on the Disney Wonder.

Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz made the announcement at an event in Anaheim, California.

“Our guests have longed to explore the wild, natural beauty of Alaska with Disney Cruise Line,” Holz says in a statement. “With this itinerary, families will enjoy all the outdoor adventures Alaska has to offer.”

The first-ever Disney cruise to Alaska will depart on May 3, 2011 with the last cruise of the season scheduled for Aug. 30, 2001. Rates for the seven-night Alaskan itinerary start at $939 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Disney also announced the addition of the Outlook Cafe, which will be atop the Disney Wonder during a dry dock in October. Located on deck 10 of the cruise ship, the 2,500-square-foot indoor lounge will offer a place for passengers to watch for wildlife such as whales as the ship sails along Alaska’s scenic Inside Passage. The venue will have floor-to-ceiling, curved glass windows.

Guest will be able to book Disney Wonder’s itinerary for Alaska for the Disney Cruise Line’s 2011 season beginning Sept. 28, 2009.

Choosing A Cruise Ship?

Brigitte — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 07:43:51 +0000

More than 30 ships from 13 cruise lines sail in Alaska’s waters. The ships range from the medium size (800 to 1500 passengers) to mega-size (2000 and more) to smaller, nature-oriented ships with fewer than 200 passengers. The medium size and mega-ships are floating resorts with a wealth of entertainment facilities and organized activities. The focus of these cruises as much on the shipboard activities as it is on the passing landscape of Alaska. The smaller ships are focuses more on nature and cultural activities. They can also get closer to shore and enter some fjords that may be too small for the larger liners. However, the small ships do not have the resort facilities of the larger ships such as nightclubs, casinos, shops and spas. Therefore, you should choose your ship on the basis of what kind of cruise experience you want.