Thursday, April 25, 2024

7 Alaska Small Ship Cruises To Consider

smaller cruise ships alaska

These reviews can not only help you plan the perfect small ship Alaska cruise but also inspire you for the journey ahead. Get a feel for what it’s really like on the ship and off on shore excursions by hike and kayak. So if you are choosing a classic cruise ship, it's all about theshore excursions (although of course food, service and levels ofcomfort are going to be important to you too). Here, withoutfurther ado, are 8 of the best small ship cruise lines operating inAlaska. Other than pre- and post-cruise city tours in Sitka and Vancouver, our 10-day sailing on Ocean Victory only had three days with excursion options. Each included one free basic highlights tour of the port and a few premium experiences, including sport fishing, a nature walk and two different jet boat tours.

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The common areas were more than adequate for the expedition. Every crew member was professional, informative and fun. They were so knowledgeable and happy to answer any questions.

Uniquely Tauck

smaller cruise ships alaska

The Captain and Crew of the Discovery made us feel special during the entire voyage. Their knowledge of the region, the hidden coves, the history, and the culture, all made for a magical experience. I can truly say that this trip exceeded my already high expectations. My two sons and my father-in-law also joined and they were equally impressed. Being aboard the Discovery, a small vessel with a storied past, one feels immersed in, rather than removed from, the immediate environment.

Alaska Small Ship Cruises To Consider — Alaska Expert M.T. Schwartzman Shares Details

Read this review to hear from an expert’s eye what sets this operator's cruises apart from others in Alaska. This sleek 80-guest vessel features expansive viewing areas on the bow and aft promenade decks, and a commanding hull design, optimized for supreme comfort in Alaskan waters, regardless of weather. A replica turn-of-the-century coastal steamer, the 86-guest Wilderness Legacy features a dance floor, full bar and old-world charm, with modern adventure gear including kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. National Geographic Sea Lion is a tried and true educational-based 62-guest expedition ship.

Small ship cruises to Alaska

Our connections and longtime partnerships translate into savings and knowledge about when to secure the best deal on a small Alaska cruise. Whether you’re planning ahead, or seeking to get aboard last minute, let us help you save. Another consideration some travelers ask us about is seasickness. Seasickness is typically not an issue on most Alaska small ship cruises.

The Discovery itself was a comfortable, if compact, ship. Fully equipped not only with kayaks, “Zodiacs “ & rain gear but also with cozy quarters and Megs great meals! With just 10 other guests, we developed warm and lasting friendships.

smaller cruise ships alaska

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Design your exclu­sive itin­er­ary then set sail into the vast open waters and wildlife-rich shore­lines of Prince William Sound aboard your own spa­cious and pri­vate yacht. Up to six pas­sen­gers can sit back, relax, and expe­ri­ence an inti­mate tour. Most guests enjoy the 5‑day/​4‑night trips, but you can book longer 10-day/9‑night expeditions. Like the Southeast, Southcentral Alaska offers remote wilderness, but it is linked via roads and numerous communities that can serve as base camps for land adventures. In fact, this region is home to over half of Alaska’s population, so small Alaska cruises here embark from unique road-accessed port towns like Whittier and Homer, with the city of Anchorage being the hub for your 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.

Alaska Family Cruises

The ships sit anchored, completely alone, and expedition teams lead passengers in the exploration of rugged coastlines via onboard kayaks and Zodiacs. The Alaska cruise ship size you choose will have a profound impact on your experience. Smaller vessels go where the big ships can’t thanks to shallow drafts that allow them to sail closer to shore. They also have more flexible itineraries and can anchor overnight in remote coves instead of busy ports. On big ships, the daily agenda is watching Alaska pass by through a set of binoculars, walking around the casino and eating at buffets. Small cruise ships to Alaska bring your experience to a whole new level—namely, eye level, by encouraging active adventures off the ship.

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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. Fly from Anchor­age by sea­plane to the North­west Odyssey, anchored off the coast of Kat­mai Nation­al Park. This lux­u­ri­ous yacht will be your home base for spec­tac­u­lar bear view­ing and fish­ing in uncrowd­ed waters.

Lindblad employs a talented expedition staff, with one naturalist (including a photo expert) for every 10 guests. Each ship carries multiple Zodiacs, kayaks, and paddleboards. The company’s five cozy vessels were built in the 1970s and '80s, getting refits over the years to carry 12 to 76 passengers each.

My journeys have translated into many books and many hundreds of articles. You’ll spend all your time immersed in Alaska, both aboard ship and ashore, and that, to my way of thinking, is what an Alaska cruise vacation should be all about. All the lines covered in this story include daily guided tours in their fares, from hearty hikes to kayaking and skiff explorations.

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. Design your exclu­sive itin­er­ary then set sail into the vast open waters and wildlife-rich shore­lines of Prince William Sound. If you would like one of AAA’s professional travel agents to assist you in booking your intimate Alaskan cruise, get in touch by calling or emailing one of our travel agents today. If there are specific excursions that you hope to participate in, you should look at cruise itineraries to find one that includes the activities that you would like to do. The benefits of embarking on a small, intimate cruise are numerous and give passengers a more luxurious, relaxing experience. A 26 day cruise that introduces you to the wild natural beauty of Alaska, Canada, and Greenland, AAA’s Northwest Passage Cruise will satisfy your craving for frosty fjords and majestic arctic wildlife.

If you intend to do a small cruise to Alaska during peak season, make sure that you get your dates locked in and tickets booked well in advance so that you don’t miss out on your Alaskan adventure. The best time to cruise Alaska depends on the excursions you want to have, the weather conditions you want to experience, and the crowds you are willing to endure. If you are leaning towards booking a small Alaska cruise, here are some answers to frequently asked questions regarding small ship cruises. This is considered a small ship cruise as the MS Roald Amundsen can only accommodate just over 500 passengers. Here, pristine waters reverberate with life, animals migrate across the shores and distant peaks are clad in dazzling glaciers — the welcoming spirit of Alaska is palpable.

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