Alaska Cruises 2024-2025 Award-Winning Cruises to Alaska

Table Of Content

• Alaska Souvenirs to Take Home With You So You Never Forget Your Trip Royal Caribbean Cruises
• UnCruise, Alaska Northern Passages from Juneau, September 14, 2024
• Alaska Cruises to See The Northern Lights
• WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Alaska Cruises Insider
• Norwegian Encore, Alaska Glacier Bay cruise from Seattle, September 22, 2024

Your best bet for catching these magical lights are in locations close to the Arctic Circle. This is because the magnetic fields of Earth’s North and South Poles are consistently weak enough for the sun’s charged particles to enter our atmosphere at high speed. Find out the best time to see the northern lights on your Alaska cruise and what Alaska locations offer the best viewing. Located in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, Seattle is a natural gateway to Alaska. It has one of the world’s most impressive seaports, with numerous port facilities. Seattle makes traveling entertaining and thrilling both before and after your voyage, with downtown cruise ports and excellent air travel links.

Alaska Souvenirs to Take Home With You So You Never Forget Your Trip Royal Caribbean Cruises

However, solar storms that enhance aurora activity can, in extreme cases, interfere with satellite and communication systems. Research, pack appropriately for cold weather, bring necessary photography equipment, familiarize yourself with the ship’s amenities, and remain flexible in your expectations given the unpredictable nature of the aurora. However, ships traversing Alaskan waters are equipped with stabilizers to minimize motion. If prone to seasickness, consult your doctor for recommended medications or remedies. While cruises optimize the chances by navigating to areas with minimal light pollution and frequently clear skies, the Northern Lights remain a natural and unpredictable phenomenon.

UnCruise, Alaska Northern Passages from Juneau, September 14, 2024

Most people tend to focus on the Caribbean for summer cruises, but an Alaska summer vacation can be a great option, too. Embark on a thrilling journey with young explorers through breathtaking landscapes. After traveling somewhere new, you want to bring something back with you to remember all of your fun adventures. The sheer size of Alaska lends itself to a wide variety of terrain and travel experiences.

Alaska Cruises to See The Northern Lights

One of the best viewing locations is Fairbanks, Alaska, which is why this landmark is one of the central highlights of a Norwegian Cruise Line tour. In fact, Fairbanks is often voted as one of the top ten places in the world to witness the brilliant green waves of light. Some make the most of the expedition and travel to the small town of Manley Hot Springs to witness this amazing wonder from the view of a steamy spring-fed hot tub. While we can’t guarantee you’ll see the Northern Lights on your cruisetour, we can promise you’ll walk away with a deep appreciation for Alaska’s rugged wilderness, flora, fauna, and rich history. Consider a trip to the University of Alaska Museum of the North, which features exhibits on Arctic dinosaurs, diverse wildlife, Alaska Native cultures and 2,000 years of Alaska art. You could also visit the impressive collection of antique cars and clothing at the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum, or take a walk with the reindeer into the woods at Running Reindeer Ranch.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Alaska Cruises Insider

Alaska’s northern lights viewing season stretches from late August through late April. The best time to visit Alaska for Northern Lights is winter or early spring. As far as cruises go, Alaska cruises in September is a good pick because nights are long and dark. Head deeper into the frozen wilderness with one of our Alaska Cruisetours on board Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Spirit, combining your cruise with an immersive land vacation that goes beyond the expected. Spanning from 11- to 14-days, these cruise vacation packages include overnight stays in Denali, Anchorage, Fairbanks, Homer, Talkeetna, and Valdez. Exclusive to Norwegian, all Cruisetours are led by local Alaskan guides to provide you with an authentic Alaska experience.

The Best Time to Cruise Alaska 2024: A Month-by-Month Guide - Condé Nast Traveler

The Best Time to Cruise Alaska 2024: A Month-by-Month Guide.

Posted: Thu, 29 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

The Northern Lights can appear anywhere in the sky, so it’s not strictly about choosing a side. However, finding a spot with minimal light interference from the ship is crucial. Remember, while all these destinations provide potential sightings of the Northern Lights, the natural phenomenon remains unpredictable. Still, the journey through these pristine, remote landscapes coupled with the anticipation of an aurora display makes for an unforgettable experience. Choosing the right cruise is akin to personalizing an adventure tailored to your preferences.

And if they don't show, well, you still get to explore Iceland's Westfjords and Greenland's eastern shores — and that's a worthwhile journey in itself. Denali National Park is another spectacular place to view the northern lights in Alaska — not to mention one of the top tourist attractions in the U.S. Pioneer America’s Last Frontier onboard Ovation of the Seas®, one of the world's most groundbreaking ships and among the boldest ships to ever sail Alaska. Gaze at giant glaciers from the pool deck while you sail through Endicott Arm.

Alaska Cruises from Vancouver

The property features 20 individual igloos, resembling those you’d find at Arctic research stations and on polar expeditions, as well as five glass cubes. All accommodations allow guests to gaze up at the aurora and the starry night sky while snuggled up in bed. You’ll also enjoy many amenities you’d find in a hotel, including full bathrooms with toiletries and a selection of coffee, hot cocoa and tea. Coldfoot Camp is situated above the Arctic Circle in the Brooks Mountain Range, near the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Alaska cruises from Princess can transport you to enchanting and intimate ports of call that boast culinary and cultural experiences for all. Whether or not you’re lucky enough to witness the aurora borealis, your adventure to the Great Land will be just as enlightening and colorful as Alaska’s iconic skies. News & World Report contributor and an avid travel adventurer who fell in love with Alaska on her first visit to the state many years ago. She’s returned several times both by land and sea to view wildlife and chase the northern lights in one of the best places on the planet to view them.

The surprising takeaway from a recent study on the best time to cruise to Alaska - Cruise Blog

The surprising takeaway from a recent study on the best time to cruise to Alaska.

Posted: Tue, 02 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

You can board your preferred cruise at Smith Cove Cruise Terminal Pier 91 or the Bell Street Pier 66 Cruise Terminal and travel to breathtaking destinations in Alaska or along the Pacific coast. The Alaska cruise season winds down in October, with only a few ships setting sail. Just as in April and May, you’ll likely have the water to yourself, and even fewer people in the ports you call upon. Along with cooler weather, you’ll also find lower fares that will please your bank account. Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Edge sets sail for the first time in Alaska this year and has four six- and seven-night itineraries in September, starting at $599 per person.

According to the Alaska Travel Industry Association, the best time to see the northern lights is from Aug. 21 to April 21, also known as the Aurora Season. Whether you're interested in hiking through a forest, trekking to glaciers or a shopping spree downtown, the towns along Alaska's inside passage provide a variety of adventurous activities. Alaska cruise ports such as Juneau and Ketchikan are small cities with their own personalities. Anchorage is the state's largest city and a gateway to the rest of the state. Denali National Park takes you out of the city altogether, into a wilderness full of spruce forests and snow-capped mountain peaks.

It’s never a guarantee but following expert predictions and being prepared can enhance your chances. The prime season for Northern Lights viewing in Alaska is between late September and early April. The dance of colors in the sky isn’t just a natural phenomenon; it’s a testament to the universe’s beauty and wonder. Setting sail to witness Alaska’s Northern Lights is thrilling, but ensuring you’re well-equipped can make your experience comfortable and memorable. Embarking on a Northern Lights cruise in Alaska is a significant commitment, both in terms of time and resources. Making an informed decision ensures you get the most out of this once-in-a-lifetime journey.

The Mill at Ward Cove near Ketchikan is a newly built cruise ship port that serves as a jumping-off point for outdoor activities in the Tongass National Forest, from hiking and biking to kayaking and sea cycling. You can even pick up souvenirs, grab a bite to eat and sample a cold Alaska brew at the mill. The cruise itinerary also includes one day at sea and a stop in Victoria, British Columbia, before you disembark in Seattle. The 10-Day On Your Own cruisetour with Princess Cruises begins with three nights on land, including overnights in Fairbanks, the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge and the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge. While at the Mt. McKinley resort, be sure to check out the lodge’s treehouse.

Finding a clear sky typically means driving, often in icy mountainous environments. For many, the best and most convenient solution is to take a Northern Lights cruise, the popularity of which has been booming in recent years. The peak time is late August to late April when the nights are long and dark. Most of these sightings are of the faint aurora on the distant horizon, only detectable by camera.

You’ll then land 60 miles north of the Arctic Circle in the community of Coldfoot and receive an Arctic Circle Adventure Certificate before your return flight to Fairbanks. September is an ideal month to watch for the spectacle in the sky as the nights start getting longer and darker. The elusive display is most likely to appear on crystal-clear evenings between midnight and 4 a.m. While you can see incredible light shows in Anchorage, consider an extended tour of Fairbanks or the Interior that takes you away from light pollution (such as to Denali National Park & Preserve). Remember, while these FAQs provide a broad overview, each traveler’s experience is unique. Personal research, consultation with cruise experts, and maintaining flexibility in expectations can ensure an enriching and memorable Northern Lights journey.