Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Alaska Small Ship Cruises Best Selection & How to Choose

small alaska cruise ships

The leader in small-scale Alaska cruises, the Uncruise fleet carries from 22 to 86 passengers on wide-ranging... Alaska’s only Indigenous-owned cruise line, Alaskan Dream Cruises (ADC) is run by the Allen family of Sitka, who are of Tlingit descent. Its fleet consists of four small ships carrying 40 to 80 passengers. To this day, my fondest memories of Alaska are from those small-ship cruises. True to their promise, they did go where the big ships couldn’t and brought me closer to everything that makes Alaska grand. The captain of that boat was Dan Blanchard, who is now the owner and CEO of UnCruise Adventures, which today has become the largest operator of small-ship cruises in Alaska.

Alaska Yacht Cruising

His articles have appeared in a wide range of consumer magazines, websites and travel industry publications. He has also edited several guidebooks on the state. The line has expanded beyond its home waters of the Inside Passage to offer itineraries in Prince William Sound and, coming next year, the Aleutian Islands. Two vessels are available for cruises of the Inside Passage. One of the oldest names in Alaska small-ship cruising, Lindblad Expeditions has a history here dating back to the 1980s.

Canadian Rockies & Glacier National Park

Divers, Jim and Lynn, added a whole different dimension to our experience. Local guides were essential to understanding Haida and Kwakwaka wakaw cultures. And the Watchmen gave such authenticity to our experience. AdventureSmith helped us know what to expect and what we needed (and didn't need) to bring. Great trip and overall experience, I would recommend AdventureSmith to anyone looking for a vacation.

Ask an Expert or Past Traveler

This exquisite vessel offers an intimate cruising experience, designed to bring you closer to Alaska’s untouched beauty. 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. 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.

Glacier Bay, AK

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. Like any wilderness-oriented trip, the longer you stay in the backcountry, the better chance you have of seeing animals.

small alaska cruise ships

The largest small ship is the American Cruise Lines' American Spirit. The smallest oceanview stateroom is 240 square feet in size and has a port hole window. The smallest Princess Cruise Line Ship in Alaska is the Pacific Princess. She is 30,277 tons, and carries 672 passengers plus 375 crew members. A standard oceanview stateroom is 147 square feet and has a picture window.

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]

Another time, I recall the excitement onboard when we came upon a humpback whale “lobtailing” — slapping its fluke against the surface of the water to create a big splash. I saw bears foraging in the intertidal grasses lining the shore and sea lions basking in the sun on an outcropping of rocks. These are experiences you’re not likely to have aboard a big ship, certainly not at such close range. You can use our easy Cruise Finder to find cruise ship and itinerary descriptions for Alaska cruises based on when you'd like to sail and where you'd like to embark from. Want to know more about what makes each larger cruise company unique? Embark on an unparalleled journey through Alaska’s breathtaking landscapes aboard the MY Golden Eagle, where luxury meets adventure in the heart of the wilderness.

Looking for your next greatAlaska adventure?

Adventure Fishing Tours offers private daily and multi-day trips in Southeast Alaska for groups of up to 6 people. Heidi & Ted and their team of curious travel writers explore the far corners of the world to share their experiences & insights about small-ship cruising. Alaska Cruise Packing Tips By Heidi Sarna I’ve been to Alaska many times over the years, having done nearly a dozen cruises there, on big and small ships, but mostly on the small ones, my favorites. And I've learned some things along the way; what to pack and what to...

Fishing Trips

The 9-day Inside Passage Sojourn aboard the 49-guest Baranof Dream combines easy wilderness cruising and glacier viewing with visits to Alaska's unique towns and Native villages. Cruise between Ketchikan and Sitka with a focus on Alaska's nature, history and First Nations culture. This is your one-stop shop for small ship cruises to Alaska. Interested in the most active Alaska adventure cruise with kayaking and hiking? Seeking an intimate small boat Alaska cruise with a focus on fresh cuisine?

And if you've avoided cruising because you thought it would be like traveling in a floating mall, it's time to think again. This is something else altogether.Small ship cruises let you experience Alaska - up close and personally. Our all-inclusive, small expedition itineraries offer a mix of excursions in intriguing towns and Native villages and adventures in raw wilderness bays and glacial fjords. This approach to small vessel expeditions in Alaska offers travelers a comprehensive look at all the Inside Passage has to offer. Every experience is hand-picked for its value in immersing you in True Alaska.

Our voyage on the Discovery in July 2019 surpassed all expectations. Not being keen on big ship cruising, yet having a husband who is reluctant to rough it, a six day trip on this sturdy and surprisingly spacious vessel had to be the ideal solution. Enjoy the endless views from our walk around deck, a glass of tea with a book in our charming lounge, and watching floating ice or sea otters out your porthole located just above waterline in one of six cozy cabins.

The common areas were more than adequate for the expedition. That was easily one of the best vacations I've ever had. We enjoyed seeing Sawyer Glacier, Baird Glacier, hiking and many things we would never have seen on a big cruise ship. Snorkeling was a little disappointing, especially because we had to pay more for it. The visibility was not great and we really didn't see that much. Find your Alaska family cruise with our selection of top family-friendly small ship cruises.

Our vessels, the MY Golden Eagle and MV Sikumi, are designed to provide an intimate atmosphere that feels both welcoming and exclusive. Call us, or call your travel advisor, to book your preferred departure date today – and explore our beautiful brochures to find your inspiration for your next journey. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or on the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may be inaccessible during daytime travel.

Numerous options to explore beyond your cruise on an Alaska land tour include world-class fishing on the Kenai Peninsula or further exploration inland to Denali National Park. Mid-April until the end of August offers the best time to see whales, particularly Orca and Humpback whales. An open bar, all shore tours, hotel accommodations and airport transfers are included in the price. The ships cruise between Sitka and Juneau, stopping for nature activities at places like Admiralty and Brothers Islands, with glacier-viewing at Tracy or Endicott Arms along the way. There are no traditional port calls on these cruises; your time is almost entirely spent on the water, with stops for hiking, wildlife-viewing and from-land fishing. The privacy of these cruises can make for a secluded getaway or the family vacation of a lifetime.

Glacier Bay was spectacular and we loved having the ranger along. Tracy Arm was the next best day - we loved the feeling of isolation we got by being a small boat where others couldn't get to. They were also really welcoming and open to chatting with our kids. The crew was amazing, and the food was a very nice surprise. All you need to know before you take an Alaska UnCruise.

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