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The cruises offered by this mutigenerational family of local Alaska Natives are authentic and personal. Because of their Tlingit Alaska Native heritage, Alaska Dream Cruises include unique access and more visits to rural towns and villages than other small ship Alaska cruise lines. On board they employ naturalists who will focus on science and wilderness plus True Alaskan Guides who will offer insight into the region’s compelling history and distinct Native cultures. Instead of just sailing between ports, small cruise ships in Alaska offer expedition days. The ships sit anchored, completely alone, and expedition teams lead passengers in the exploration of rugged coastlines via onboard kayaks and Zodiacs.
Cordova & Brown Bears
Big ships may at first seem appealing for price, but learn all about the full package of considerations for everything from activities, kids and itineraries in this side-by-side comparison. Find your Alaska family cruise with our selection of top family-friendly small ship cruises. Plus discover planning tips, extensions and insight into charters and deals, from the Alaska family cruise experts. What are the benefits of cruising expedition style through Alaska?
Southeast Alaska – Inside Passage & Glacier Bay
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.
Alaskan Explorer Cruise
My journeys have translated into many books and many hundreds of articles. Although the phrase has been used so often it’s become a cliche, taking a small-ship cruise really is the best way to discover “the real Alaska,” close-up and personal. All the lines covered in this story include daily guided tours in their fares, from hearty hikes to kayaking and skiff explorations.
The quality of onboard guides is one of the most important criteria we think about when considering which Alaska small ship cruises we represent. 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.
Pro: Intimate ships
One of my first small-ship cruises ever was in southeast Alaska on the 102-passenger Spirit of Endeavour, which sails today as the Safari Endeavour for UnCruise Adventures. The lone young sea lion we saw clinging to a cliff near Petersburg was likely a scared survivor of a raft of sea lions eaten by a killer whale in the area a few days earlier, Schwartz told our group. From the jet boat, we delighted at the sea lions piled up almost impossibly on top of each other to sunbathe on buoys that lined the port entrance. We laughed out loud as we passed one late-comer trying, unsuccessfully, to muscle his (or her) way onto the already overcrowded platform. At AdventureSmith Explorations, how we compare cruise lines to Alaska comes down to a one-on-one conversation with each traveler.
That to me is the biggest plus of small ship cruising. You don't need to sign up for excursions, disembark, then travel somewhere else to launch your adventure. On my cruise, we simply walked to the Deck 4 mudroom to suit up in life jackets and rain gear (when needed), then boarded the kayaks and Zodiacs right from the side doors and a rear platform that folded out from the ship. If you choose to sail a small cruise ship in Alaska, forget about nightlife. Intimate ships like Ocean Victory do not provide casinos, musical shows or specialty bars for your entertainment. On Ocean Victory, the expedition team and onboard scientists are encouraged to eat with the passengers so you can get to know them and tap into their expertise about the Last Frontier.
That's why they serve delicious informal meals in comfortable dining rooms where you can sit wherever and with whomever you like. Small ship guests would rather watch for whales in Frederick Sound than spend the afternoon in a casino. They linger outside on deck as the Captain noses under a waterfall, rather than watch a video. On a small ship, the focus is very often outside, on what Nature has provided for entertainment, rather than on amusements provided to occupy your attention on board. A great place to take a stroll along the boardwalk and soak in a private tub filled fresh with hot springs water or take a dip in the natural springs a short hike from the dock. Another great paddle is into a salt water chuck for bear viewing.
6 best Alaska cruises for families - The Points Guy
6 best Alaska cruises for families.
Posted: Thu, 19 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Why Cruise with Sea Wolf Adventures
Contact an expert today for details on eligible itineraries and rates. Save 5% when you pay in full at the time of booking a select 2025 departure Alaska cruise. Everything was planned in detail, the guides were awesome, the crew on board were delightful and the food was fantastic. Would definitely recommend this trip to anyone who loves the outdoors. Zodiak tours were uniformly outstanding and exciting.
If you take a small ship cruise line to Alaska, your company might be Alaskan-owned instead of part of an internationally based and staffed corporation. The fish served aboard may be freshly caught that day thanks to the captain’s connections and the logistics of serving a smaller passenger count. And your guides are more likely to be immersed and invested in Alaska since many small Alaskan cruise lines have office staff based right in Alaskan ports of call. Because the smaller ships have fewer passengers looking to book tours, and the smaller ports have fewer companies offering day trips, shore excursion options are limited. You will get a greater variety of excursion choices on big ships.
Look to the spring for statistically drier albeit colder weather, more solitude and the best prices of the year on Alaska small ship cruises. Darker skies in the early spring and late fall can be a chance to spot the northern lights, or aurora borealis. For even more detail on each month, view our best time to visit Alaska guide. We offer an unmatched selection aboard more than 25 small Alaska expedition ships. Many of the small ships sailing in Alaska today are the same ones I traveled aboard many years ago. Only one company, Lindblad Expeditions, has built new coastal ships for Alaska in recent years, these being the 100-passenger sisters National Geographic Quest (2017) and National Geographic Venture (2018).
I'm up to 78 countries and 110+ cruises worldwide, and it's the small ship journeys that I love writing about most. And so QuirkyCruise.com was born, an excellent research tool for planning your own unforgettable small ship trip. Based in Victoria, British Columbia, Maple Leaf Adventures offers a trio of small ships. The 138-foot Cascadia is a 24-passenger catamaran with 12 cabins, all with private facilities. The Swell is an 88-foot converted tugboat with room for 12 in six cabins, all with private heads.
Brown bear viewing tour, flightseeing, float trip down the Copper River, and exploration of the largest wetland along the Pacific Coast of North America — The Copper River Delta. Bear Paw Charters offers private, all-inclusive day trips and longer tours on its luxury yacht — perfect for whale watching, bear viewing, and experiencing Alaska’s scenic majesty. I am attention span-challenged, meaning you'll rarely find me enjoying or paying much attention to a lecture like those offered on traditional and adventure cruises alike.
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. Southeast Alaska is by far the most popular cruise destination in Alaska. It’s the closest region for North American travelers to access since it’s located on the arm of land that hugs the shoreline of northern British Columbia.
Our partners may have a limited supply of face coverings, gloves, and hand sanitizer, so please bring such personal items for your own comfort. Save up to 15% or up to $1,500 per person in an air credit when you book your select 2024 departure of the below-linked Arctic expedition cruises aboard Greg Mortimer or Sylvia Earle. Select dates include both discounts so act fast as availability is capacity controlled. Offer valid on new bookings, subject to availability and cannot be combined with any other offer.
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