Alaska Shore Tours comprises a network of top-rated shore excursions throughout the Inside Passage and the interior of Alaska. More than half the ships in Holland America's 14-ship fleet sail to Alaska, including the ms Nieuw Amsterdam, built in 2010, the ms Eurodam, and the ms Noordam. When we think of one of our best Alaska cruise experiences, a helicopter ride to the Mendenhall Glacier comes to mind. The full cancellation policy can be found here. Shore excursions typically highlight the marquee attractions or culture of the destination you're visiting. Our business hours and toll-free phone numbers from the following countries are listed below: Please note that all prices on our website are in US dollars, and travel purchases must be completed with a major credit card.Unless you are considering one of our custom cruise itineraries, certain cruise lines prohibit US-based travel agencies from selling to non-US residents. But beyond the wildlife, a Holland America cruise to Alaska is one of the best ways to see spectacular scenery, especially that of Glacier Bay National Park. In order to receive a refund, changes and cancellations must be made more than 7 days prior to your tour date. Who Offers This Shore Excursion in Icy Strait Point? With stellar dining, endless entertainment options, and luxurious staterooms, you're sure to love a cruise to Alaska with Holland America. If you are a visitor of this website:Please try again in a few minutes. In 2017, Holland America celebrated 70 years in Alaska - that's longer than the area has even been a state! Have you cruised to Alaska yet? Alaska cruise costs fluctuate considerably depending on a few factors. Thanks for reading, Helen! You can save some money that way. Still, you could get lucky. Its also a good idea to pack a water resistant day bag to easily store these extra layers when going ashore. That said, its not exactly unique to encounter these kinds of excursions, so it doesnt rank particularly high on my personal list of the best Icy Strait Point cruise excursions. We occasionally get e-mails from HAL to book our tours online, before embarkation. Fly in a classic de Havilland seaplane over five breathtaking glaciers flowing from the Juneau Ice Field, deep blue crevasses, snow-capped mountains and the lush Tongass National Forest. Unfortunately, the biggest ships have a tendency to scare off a lot of the wildlife you hope to see. Sorry to hear that, John. The advantage is that there is supply available for those who are seriously committed to that excursion. On the Big Island of Hawaii you can tour historic Kona or Volcanoes National Park. This is especially true in Alaska. If you are using a CNAME origin record, make sure it is valid and resolvable. The shore excursion that we chose in Ketchikan was the "Misty Fjords and Wilderness Explorer" one and it was a highlight of our time in Alaska. Prime dining times do fill up quickly. Typically, you have a better chance of seeing the northern lights further north in Alaska, as cloudy skies are common in southeast Alaska. Also consider whether the ship has an indoor pool or indoor amenities for the kids. Cruises can have a bad rap in certain circles. We now feature over 5,000 tours in over 300 ports around the world. Easton, Pa 18040. As specific sailings begin to fill up, prices will go up. Stay up late in hopes of spotting the northern lights. So, you have decided to take your first cruise to Alaska. Celebrity, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Regent, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, and Viking. Alaska Cruises: Princess vs. Holland America | USA Today Discover the gorgeous Chilkoot Lake and be amazed at Alaska's striking beauty. Photo credits: Icy Strait Point building (L) Moira Dunworth; Glacier Bay flightseeing (R) Joseph; salmon on grill Didriks; Tlingit tribal dance James Brooks; halibut fisherman Bryan Wilkins; all via Flickr. Obviously, you can (and should) also pick up your binoculars and look for animals on your own time. Photo: Jesse Adams, The Club Orange restaurant. And while anytime is a great time to book a cruise, we always suggest booking as early as possible. not allowing adequate time for your chosen tours itinerary. In Ketchikan, a wilderness cruise in Misty Fjords National Monument and attend an Indigenous performance. As a souvenir, youll get recipe cards so you can try to prepare these meals once you return home. Seller of Travel Reg. Duration: 8 hours Price: $255 per person View Details Skagway White Pass Summit and Beyond Tour This 100 miles roundtrip includes a guided scenic drive to the Yukon border with multiple photo stops, admission to the Yukon Suspension Bridge site, and crossing the bridge. Skagway. We provide top-notch customer service with our team of tour specialists and travel agents that are eager to share their knowledge of Alaska and find the . So, you have decided to take your first cruise to Alaska. on the western end of Kauai, offers history and as much adventure as Juneau. Packing for an Alaskan cruise is altogether different than what you would typicallypack for a Caribbean cruise. For Norwegian Cruise Line passengers. In this post, I promote travel to a national park that is the Lingt Aan (traditional lands) of the Huna (Hoonah) Tlingit people. Often times, announcements will be made for wildlife sightings and during glacier viewing. cruise, Shore Excursions in Hawaii also offers a number of other tours Even if you have sailed the Caribbean or another region of the world before, a cruise way up north is quite different. Mid summer usually offers the best combination of average temperatures, rainfall amounts, hours of daylight, and wildlife sightings. We have an upcoming Zuiderdam 26 day cruise from Athens to Ft. Lauderdale, on Oct 14. You will want to check your providers coverage area prior to sailing. Photo: Jesse Adams, Classical music performance on board the Koningsdam. Think some ships now have an interactive booking system in the hallways - outside the forward elevators on the Noordam if I remember. Activities are planned for guests age three to 17, and kids even have their own spaces to play and meet friends while sailing. When Alaska cruise planning, you should know that Alaska cruise vacations are a bit on the pricey side when compared toCaribbean cruises. An easy way to remember this is that port has four letters as does left. Starboard is the righthand side of the ship when facing the front. But nobody knows if this will work. There were 27 accessible staterooms on the Koningsdam. In the main dining room, you can sit in the very back and enjoy great views with your meal. WMPH Vacations and AlaskaCruises.com are located in Delray Beach, Florida. Don't veer off the trail and be mindful of signs about recent wildlife activity, including bears. If you've sailed with Holland America before, you are automatically welcomed into the Mariner Society. Thanks to Aimee, we had a very smooth and enjoyable first cruise ever! Has anyone seen a popular tour totally sold out, a week or so in advance, and they could never clear the waitlist ? A large number of shore excursions were designed and reserved for people with mobility issues. Baby food, high chairs and booster seats can be requested prior to boarding through your Cruise Specialist. Yes, there is a buffet section on Holland Americas Koningsdam, but the Lido Market, as its named, is not the only place to eat on board. A Perfectly Accessible Day in Ketchikan: The Best Things to Do in Photo: Jesse Adams, The outdoor pool on the Koningsdam on a grey day. Go river-rafting, explore Denali Square - a retreat within Holland's 60-acre McKinley Chalet Resort - and then return to the ship and enjoy a beer from Alaskan Brewing Co. as you sail to the next destination. A challenging and rewarding hike! Let your Cruise Specialist know as soon as possible if you would like to stay in an accessible stateroom or if you have any questions regarding accessibility onboard a Holland America ship. Im glad youre happy with it! Supervised by trained staff, children, including those with special needs, can work on age-appropriate crafts, art, team games, video games competitions, and more. All public rooms and elevators onboard Holland America ships are wheelchair accessible, as are designated public restrooms. The Lido Market is open for all three meals, but you dont have to have any of them there. Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Regent, and Royal Caribbean. Any other suggestions or comments would be appreciated. Intrepid travelers love to turn their noses up at cruises, as if youre not really traveling if you dont sleep on an airports dirty carpet or endure bumpy bus rides. Select your excursions as soon as youve booked your cruise to ensure you dont miss out on your activity of choice, but take the time to look at them all carefully. (This Icy Strait Point excursion is not for those who are faint of heart or afraid of heights!). Pass Bridal Veil Falls, Inspiration Point and more as your guide regales captivating Gold Rush history. Holland America cruise shore excursion - Review of Alaska Travel Tours have to be oriented toward when the ships are in port, so thats why its so early. Treat yourself to the wonders of Haines Alaska! Install our FREE Chrome Plugin to instantly get coupons at checkout. When he is not sailing the high seas, he does whatever his wife tells him to do-it only took 10 years to realize this. If there is a tour I definitely want, I will book it online early. 31 May 2023. Tourists can soak up the sunny South of France lifestyle on leisurely seaside strolls, by relaxing at outdoor cafs and basking on the beach. Think add-ons like a free specialty dinner, free gratuities, onboard credit, and more. The 9 Best Juneau Shore Excursions for your Alaska Cruise in 2023 These are not your typical port shopping presentations but rather enrichment programs that provide valuable information about the history, culture, and wildlife of the ports of call you will be visiting. Given how many cruise companies offer a number of interesting and unique shore excursions in Icy Strait Point, it was hard to choose which ones to recommend. reserve with Shore Excursions in Hawaii. On Maui, you can go on the Heavenly Hana Adventure, a scenic road trip along the island's northeastern shore surrounded by lush rainforests. Dinner at the Club Orange dining room was just as indulgent, with three-course meals Im not going to forget any time soon. book onboard packages and make reservations before boarding, Disney Wish Hits Water For the First Time, Carnival Announces More Fleet Deployment Plans, American Cruise Lines Ready to Cruise Alaska, Best Alaska Cruise Planning Tips & Hacks (2022), Ella is interested in your profile! Choose from a one, two, or three-day stay in Denali, where you can see wolves, moose, and grizzly bears in their natural state and glimpse Mt. Also, for the only time in our sailings, we were not allowed to purchase transportation to the airport once on board (they claimed my flight out of BCN was too early, but they in fact had a half empty bus that left around the same time we did for the airport, most passengers of which were on our flight! Thank you for sharing this. Just like HAL does (and no, the lines are NOT related), it is what I would expect so I have no difficulty with it.;). Only Seabourn offers this one. You should also invest in some binoculars for this trip. Even if you have cruised before, we recommend using a travel agent to book your Alaska cruise. Best Skagway Excursions & Tours | Alaska Shore Excursions You are going to have a truly unforgettable vacation. The onboard naturists and/or historians really make the cruise that much more enjoyable. Portside refers the left side of the ship when facing forward. I agree with Bruce, we book in advance mainly for budgeting reasons, that way we are not hit with a huge bill at the end of the cruise. Purchase your fishing license, put your line in, and hope for good fishermens luck! Visiting in September of 2023. Many cruise lines now offer packages that include airfare. We rented a zoom lens for our camera during our last trip to Alaska and are so glad we did. The vendors have limits. Experience the true wilderness that Alaska is famous for on our narrated river tour in the heart of the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve which explores miles of tributaries of the stunning glacially carved, braided Chilkat River system. Would love the wildlife search! With such a diversity of cruise ships sailing the region, even within brands themselves, you should review the cruise ships amenities before you decide on one. I never thought I would enjoy a voyage on a large ship with over 2,500 other passengers, but my recent trip on Holland Americas Koningsdam from Vancouver to Alaska proved me wrong. Unfortunately, the biggest ships have a tendency to scare off a lot of the wildlife you hope to see. I put these Icy Strait Point cruise excursions in order based on what I know Alaska visitors will love. you discover the best Hawaii has to offer. With the sun out until 10 pm during peak season, you will want to take in all of the majestic views until late in the evening as well. The deck of a cruise ship is an amazing spot to see wildlife when youre traveling to Alaska. destinations offered by the cruise line, but you save money when you There are also luxury cruise lines like Viking. Set out towards the Chilkoot Late State Park for your relaxing kayaking trip will leave you with a most memorable experience that you'll remember for years to come. Do you really think HAL is making a lot of money at today's rates having your money for a couple of months? Your email address will not be published. If you dont want to book an excursion and would rather do your own thing while docked at port, nobodys going to say you cant. The possibilities are endless. more information. Alaska Shore Excursions: Alaska Tours & Things to Do We were delighted to do just that. Theyre labeled as for the olds, the buffet-obsessed, and those who are too lazy to plan an itinerary of their own. This is the most popular year in Alaska ever, so it doesnt surprise me that things are sold out. We use cookies for analytics tracking and advertising from our partners. I also keep in mind some of the othertips on choosing Alaska cruise excursions Ive previously shared. Its a beautiful drive up the slope of Mauna Loa volcano. Photo: Jesse adams, Bento box breakfast in the Club Orange restaurant. Clothing is not the only gear you should pack for a cruise to Alaska. So, I guess my only options are to take a chance on sold-out tours or book the critical ones online. Visit Hawaii Discount for Tend to 'do my own thing' in several ports and have found that the very 'touristy' ports tend to have a lot of capacity for people on tours so tend to worry less in these ports. This is especially true if you want to book some of the once in a lifetime tours during your Alaska cruise. Once on board, I was not allowed to fully book an excursion for the 2nd segment; they waitlisted us until the final half began even though it was not full (thankfully, we were able to join). She was especially knowledgeable of the Juan was very helpful..I enjoyed working with him! Located in the panhandle of Alaska and the Gastineau Channel, it is the second-largest city in the United States by area, and a popular destination for cruise ships each summer. Beyond the music and dancing, movies were shown most nights on the giant screen on the indoor pool deck, and fascinating destination-themed presentations about wildlife, the Iditarod, and more, were peppered throughout the sailing. Shore Excursions of America. He gave expert advice and I appreciated him sharing his knowledge of the trip.. Who Offers This Icy Strait Point Cruise Excursion? It's known for its beach resorts and volcanic landscape of craters and cavelike lava tubes. Holland has teamed up with America's Test Kitchen to offer onboard cooking shows and hands-on workshops where you can learn cooking techniques and delicious recipes to make back on land. The only problem I can see with booking online is if I wanted to use OBC to pay for my excursions. That is my situation, I have a bunch of OBC, plus more coming as a gift from a friend. We guarantee Magic of England | Independent Shore Excursions. Holland America offers a combined 127 excursion options for the three Alaskan ports of call on our itinerary ( Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan). So I decided to use that knowledge to come up with a list of the best Icy Strait Point excursions. There is also the popular Creek Street with shops and restaurants in Ketchikan. Fill your days on a Holland America Cruise with an array of entertainment, enrichment activities, and nightlife. They dont have to be expensive, but a pair of binoculars is crucial when scouting the area for wildlife. Congrats! I was born on the East Coast and currently live in the Midwest but my heart will always be out West. If youve read any of my other lists of cruise excursions, you know that getting active is one of my personal travel priorities. The form where you check your tour and drop it in the box outside the excursion desk is a huge time saver. Across the fleet, all suites have recently been updated to include new premium duvets and soft, cotton robes and slippers; binoculars for use during your travels; a teak-lined private verandah; fresh flowers; and one-touch telephone concierge service. The summer in Alaska may have the warmest temperatures and the most wildlife sightings, but it also means increased crowds and increased price. However, this tour can cost $500 or more per person. Once we were going to take a jungle tour in Costa Rica and someone on these CC boards mentioned to take an early tour time. The dining room is fancy affair, with grand decor and white-shirted staff trained in hospitality. Holland America's Signature Beverage Package can be purchased onboard, allowing you a convenient way to pay one price for unlimited beverages throughout your cruise. I have heard of people booking online, then cancelling on the ship, with the intention of using OBC to rebook. Prepare for wet and cold weather, and dress accordingly so you can enjoy your hike. What are some of your best Alaska cruise tips? Of course, if you decide not to upgrade to a balcony, there are still plenty of viewing areas around the ship. Im also a not-so-secret space nerd and speak fluent emoji! TheWhite Pass and Yukon Route Railroadin Skagway is the number oneAlaskan cruise excursion. Only Holland America offers this one. Bring your cameras to make your vision come alive. As you accumulate more days at sea with Holland, rewards increase to include benefits like priority disembarkation and check-in, discounts on spa treatments, and complimentary dinners in the Pinnacle Grill. Despite it being last on the list, I personally love this excursion as it offers the opportunity to both get up in the air and burn off some of those ship calories youve been consuming (yes, they count!). This is also where movie nights take place. Celebrity, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Regent, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, and Viking.
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