Princess Cruises to Alaska: The Pros and Cons. Even within the Princess fleet, there is variety in the ships cruising to Alaska in terms of size, age, and amenities. The 8 deck Star Breeze holds just over 300 passengers, making it the perfect ship to access lesser visited areas in this region. Discover Alaska with Princess in 2023-2024 - Princess Cruises This makes Carnival Luminosa a great ship for families traveling to Alaska. Top 6 Reasons to Get Travel Insurance for a Cruise, Carnival Cruise Line Cancels June Cruises, Princess Cruises Announces 2023 Alaska Cruise Program, Norwegian Cruise Line Cancels Remaining Summer Cruises, Complete Guide to Drink Packages on Celebrity Cruises (2023), Complete Guide to Princess Cruises Drink Packages, Everything You Need to Know About Norwegian's Free at Sea in 2023, Complete Guide to Drink Packages on MSC Cruises, Complete Guide to Drink Packages on Carnival (2023), Royal Caribbean Drink Packages Guide (2023). Best Cruise For Families With Young Children: Disney Cruise Line, Disney Wish. Perhaps, you love that new ship smell. Cruises call at Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway with a 'More Ashore' late-night call in . Transfers on and off ship smooth, embarkation was, Wife/I flew from Detroit-Seattle on Alaska Airlines the day before the cruise. With personal service, well-executed dining, and diverse entertainment, Holland America Lines Nieuw Amsterdam is an ideal backdrop to the amazing vistas of the Alaskan wilderness. Finally, since Princess Cruises is known as one of the best cruise lines in Alaska, its no surprise another Princess Cruises ship makes our list of the best Alaska cruises 2023. What are some of your pros and cons for sailing with this cruise line? Cruising roundtrip from Vancouver, these 7-day itineraries visit Juneau, Ketchikan, and Icy Strait Point, along with cruising Hubbard Glacier, the longest tidewater glacier in North America. Silversea has Door-to-Door pricing on many of its Alaska cruises, meaning the cruise fare includesairfare, hotels, and all transfersincluding transfers from home to the departure airport. The 10 Best Cruises for Teens 2023 - U.S. News Travel Choose from 3 Cruise Packages for Princess, Princess: up to $250 Onboard Credit for Military. The guest service manager did not even apologize or show any symphony or empathy and she was actually laughing after I left! Sabatinis Italian Trattoria and the Crown Grill specialty restaurants will tempt your palette. Every journey features two glacier-viewing experiences, which can include Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier or College Fjord. Princess Cruises offers roundtrip sailings that depart from Seattle, Vancouver, and even San Francisco. Follow our social media and blog for the latest cruise and travel news, including our best vacation deals. ages 13 to 17 to socialize and meet others their age when sailing on a Princess Cruises ship . When not sightseeing, guests can unwind in the adult-only Sanctuary, enjoy shows in the main theater and Princess Live!, and dine at one of the many complimentary or specialty venues. This means that you wont find sky diving simulators or bumper cars like on Royal Caribbeans Ovation of the Seas. Verified Review. Our comprehensive guide to Best Alaska Cruises 2023 includes our picks for the best Alaska cruise ships and itineraries of the year. Offering another small ship experience in Alaska, Viking also features an ocean ship sailing in the region this season. Norwegian Encore boasts a few unique features of her own too, like the specialty restaurant Onda by Scarpetta. Phone: 1.800.377.9383 International: 001.240.487.0155 Fax: 1.240.487.0154. Best All-Inclusive Cruise For Families: Royal Caribbean, Wonder Of The Seas. New for 2023, Princess is offering an expanded Wild for Alaska Seafood menu. 2023 Alaska cruises and cruisetours, you can experience the whales, wonders and wildlife of Alaska with a 7 day Voyage of the Glaciers cruise, rail travel, exquisite dining and comfortable wilderness lodges. Best Alaska Cruises of 2023 - TripSavvy Sister ship Celebrity Solstice will also be sailing in Alaska in 2023 making roundtrip journeys from Seattle visiting similar ports and cruising Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier. There is also the option to include a land tour with your cruise. Whatever you choose, you wont be disappointed. In fact, another differentiating factor is that Princess owns and operates five wilderness lodge properties and several luxury railcars. Hi Amit, I am also planning to visit Alaska and go on a cruise, but I am alone. We've added 10 and 11-day roundtrip Vancouver, B.C. Required fields are marked *. Sailing in region for over 75 years now, Holland America Line has six ships scheduled to sail in Alaska for the 2023 cruise season. This ship will sail the popular 7-day roundtrip itinerary from Seattle. Further, you wont be able to beat the views from the SeaWalk, a 60-foot glass walkway extending 28 feet off the side of the ship. We are 4 families, plus two sets of parents, and young children under 11 years. To offer more all-inclusive cruise vacations, Princess Cruises has rolled out its Princess Plus and Princess Premier pricing options. Take advantage of limited-time offers and special deals, NEW! Top 10 Alaska - All Cruises July 2023 - AffordableTours This itinerary also includes scenic cruising of the Inside Passage and Yakutat Bay. Some of Norwegian Spirits enhancements include a larger Mandara Spa, complete with a new thermal suite and relaxation area. On this list is Koningsdam. Best Alaska Cruise 2023 | Best Time to Cruise to Alaska - Reader's Digest Beginning June 1, 2023, Princess Cruises is offering 40% off cruise faresyes, 40% off. With an overwhelming world of choices, we understand you may need some personal assistance to plan your perfect vacation. Norwegian Encore is a 169K gross ton ship carrying close to 4,000 guests at double occupancy. Each summer season there seems to be another cruise line sailing Alaskan waters, while the longtime incumbents are relentless in their addition of new itineraries, amenities, and excursions. Celebrity Eclipse is a 122K gross ton vessel that is part of Celebrity Cruises beloved Solstice Class of ships. Fishing With waters as prosperous as the treasures on land, discover what lies below the surface on our Alaska cruise excursions that take you out to sea. Royal Princess also has two sister ships cruising the region this year, Majestic Princess and Discovery Princess. Cond Nast Traveler does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. sailings, in addition to our popular Voyage of the Glaciers and Inside Passage cruises. Looking for July 2023 cruises to Alaska? Find travel deals, trip inspiration, insider tips, and more. Chose Princess and invited 6 first time cruisers to come with my wife and I. Princess transfers, Princess plus package, balcony rooms, and shore excursions all through Princess. We sailed Windstar Cruises Star Breeze in Tahiti last year and had a great time. Other onboard events include Puppies in the Piazza during your visit to Skagway (which we did not get to experience as our ship did not call into this port), a Night at the Klondike, the Midnight Sun Experience, and more. The itinerary will visit similar ports of call with scenic cruising in Endicott Arms and the Dawes Glacier. Compared to some other ships cruising the region, Princess ships tend to have fewer dining options. Alaska Cruises 2023-2024 - Cruise to Alaska - Best - Princess Cruises Princess Alaska Cruisetour Deals, 2023, 2024 and 2025 - The Cruise Web Taxes, fees, and port expenses not included. Beginning June 1, 2023, Princess Cruises is offering 40% off cruise faresyes, 40% off. We just want to explore & see Alaska. The pros of Reserve were the cabin size/location and definitely in having a reserved section of the MDR. Fuel supplement may apply. If you are cruising with kids or a multi-generational family, you will want to ensure the ship has activities that will interest everyone. You can also find a spa, fitness center, and casino onboard Princess ships. Norwegian Spirit is just over 75K gross tons and carries roughly 2,000 passengers at double occupancy. Get to know the best of Alaska, From the land and the sea. You can even warm up with afternoon tea in the Wintergarden after a long day ashore. Alaska Cruise Tours: 2023 Further, every cruisetour visits Denali National Park. With 2,650 passengers, Koningsdam is the perfect mid-sized ship for your Alaska cruise. Looking for G pa, Daughter, and two grand kids cruse. There is no better time than now to start planning the ultimate Alaska cruise. Home Ports of Call Alaska Best Alaska Cruises 2023. Princess Cruises to Alaska: The Pros and Cons - EatSleepCruise.com Princess Cruise Lines Is Offering 40% Off Fares This June [2023 There is also a brief evening stop in Victoria, BC. <meta name= Highlighted below are some of our best offers for Princess Cruisetours . Be sure you have discount code MRN handy when booking. The itinerary includes Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and cruising Tracy Arm Fjord. Thus, Viking is our pick of the top Alaska cruises 2023 for luxury travelers. Review for a .css-nczv9q{transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-fast);transition-timing-function:var(--chakra-transition-easing-ease-out);cursor:pointer;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;color:inherit;font-weight:500;}.css-nczv9q:hover,.css-nczv9q[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-nczv9q:focus-visible,.css-nczv9q[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}Alaska Cruise on Sapphire Princess, .css-1v3efdk{font-style:normal;font-weight:400;}.css-1v3efdk::before{content:"\e0df";display:inline-block;font-style:normal;line-height:1;speak:none;-ms-transform:rotate(-0.001deg);-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;-moz-osx-font-smoothing:grayscale;} Traveled with children, Review for a Alaska Cruise on Discovery Princess, Review for a Alaska Cruise on Majestic Princess, Review for a Alaska Cruise on Ruby Princess, .css-5j432c{font-style:normal;font-weight:400;}.css-5j432c::before{content:"\e0fc";display:inline-block;font-style:normal;line-height:1;speak:none;-ms-transform:rotate(-0.001deg);-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;-moz-osx-font-smoothing:grayscale;} Traveled with disabled person, Review for a Alaska Cruise on Royal Princess. The ship will visit popular ports in southeast Alaska including Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, as well as cruising Stikine Icefield for glacier viewing. These itineraries will venture further north beyond your typical ports in southeast Alaska. We would suggest you investigate Norwegian Bliss. Though, you wont find all the flashy bells and whistles found on some other cruise lines. She is always looking for the latest and greatest adventures onboard and ashore, enjoys researching top things to do in ports of call, and loves dressing up for formal nights. Best Alaska Cruises 2023: Top Alaska Cruise Ships & Itineraries Drop us an anchor below to share your picks for the best Alaska cruises 2023. Thats right, even Disney Cruise Line cruises way up north to Alaska! We sailed "Reserve." After a long day exploring the Alaskan wilderness, you can relax in the Solarium or the Spa, join in on the fun at the Martini Bar, indulge in some fine dining at Murano or Tuscan Grille, or take in a show at the theater. While not much has changed in terms of theming in the venue, the food selections were certainly a step above the former Bistro Sur La Mer. Making it easily one of our picks for best Alaska cruises 2023! Now that you are better equipped to decide which of these Alaska Cruises 2023 is right for you, lets dive into our picks. Finally, you should consider the Alaska cruise itinerary. This year, the ship will feature one-way itineraries from either Anchorage (Whittier), Alaska or Vancouver, BC. Preview The Cruise Webs best Alaska Cruisetour deals for Princess Cruises. We are Don and Heidi, the husband and wife travel team behind EatSleepCruise.com. The list ranges from family-friendly cruise lines to more all-inclusive, luxury cruise lines. Just ok. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, Alaska is Majestic, but not the Princess ship we were on, Wonderful cruise with amazing ship and staff, Lack of concern for passengers health and wellbeing, Excellent service, beautiful sights, way too many people. July 2023 Cruises to Alaska - Cruise Critic Cabin type: Suite. Like almost any choice one makes when booking a cruise, it all comes down to personal taste. Theres also the popular Good Spirits Bar showcasing local ingredients and one of a kind cocktails. In general, Alaska cruises are more relaxed. The 9 Best Ketchikan Shore Excursions for Your Alaska Cruise in 2023 The Princess Premier package is the most inclusive offering and is $80 per person, per day to upgrade. On sale from August 18, the 2023 Alaska season will feature six Medallion Class ships, including the cruise line's newest Discovery Princess . Among the best Alaska cruises is our top-rated 7-day, one-way Voyage of the Glaciers itinerary. Impressions so far: Its worth noting that shoreside transportation outside of cruise line-operated transfers can be more limited in Whittier, so passengers embarking there may wish to ensure they include transfers from Anchorage in their cruise package. Not to mention, theres the indoor Solarium, plenty of whirlpools, and an outdoor pool to enjoy while soaking in the views. Whittier is also a convenient port for cruising College Fjord, which most northbound sailings do on the final day before arriving in Whittier. Cond Nast Traveler may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Ruby Princess is a 113K gross ton ship and carries just over 3,000 guests. Depends on what your preferences are for travel. Viking Orion will offer an 11-day Alaska and Inside Passage Cruise in 2023. Discovery, Majestic, and Royal all belong to Princess Cruises largest class of ships to date, the Royal Class. The best part is this trip includes seven guided tours. I have been on several cruises with Celebrity, a few with Holland America and one Norwegian. Cruise Critic offers deals on Alaskan cruises as short as 7-days with well-know cruise lines like Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Princess, and more! Which Is The Best Princess Cruise Ship For Alaska Thankfully, Princess has finally listened, and the new Sun Princess debuting next year will fix both of these issues! 7-Day One-Way Alaska Cruise. Expert guidance. This 142K gross ton ship has a capacity of close to 3,600 guests (at double occupancy). Making her debut in Alaska this year is Carnival Luminosa. Some exclusives include Alaskan lumberjacks, Deadliest Catch, and Libby Riddles who is a retired dog musher. If you are looking for other options to cruise Alaska with Holland America in 2023, Nieuw Amsterdam is another great pick. The itinerary will visit all the popular stops, Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, and Victoria as well as cruise through Glacier Bay. We chose this ship for its itinerary, wanting to see Glacier Bay (GB did not disappoint!!). The ship also features the newer Onda by Scarpetta specialty restaurant. Discovery Princess is the newest ship in the Princess Cruises fleet. Find and plan a July 2023 cruise to Alaska on Cruise Critic with cabin comparison, variety of departure ports and popular cruise lines to choose from. We love the fact that we dont have to carry around a room keycard. If you want to visit Alaska but the larger cruise ships mentioned above dont really appeal to you, then you should consider traveling with the small ship cruise line, Windstar Cruises. Happy to answer any questions you have about this post. The state's long, cold winters are not conducive to cruising, so the Alaska cruise season is relatively short. No Black tie, and free kids would be great. You can start by reviewing some of our guides listed below for popular ports of call. Ship Rating. There are also several different cruise and land tour packages from Vancouver to Anchorage available ranging from 9 days to 14 days. This was our first princess cruise. One of the highlights of MedallionClass is OceanNow where you can order food and drinks anywhere on the ship. Foodie cruisers, this one's for you! Get ready for exquisite, one-of-a-kind dining experiences and world-class entertainment venues hosting dazzling performances. When it comes to onboard activities, the cruise line offers a traditional series of cruise activities and enrichment, nighttime entertainment, EXC talks, live music, and more. Cruisers have the choice between Discovery Princess, Majestic Princess, Crown Princess, Sapphire Princess, Royal Princess, Grand Princess, and Ruby Princess in 2023 and 2024. Along the same lines, you will want to consider your travel party. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), 2023-2024 Cruise Deals and Special Promotions, 100 Women-Owned Businesses to Support Year-Round, The 8 Best Singles Cruises for Solo Travelers, Ive Been on Over 145 CruisesThese Are My Favorites, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The ship still offers a classic Freestyle NCL experience but with less crowds and less up-charges. With a govt rate, we got a room for a very good price. Your email address will not be published. Home Cruise Princess Cruises Princess Cruises to Alaska: The Pros and Cons. We chose princess because we heard they were the best Alaskan cruiseWrong. Alaska Cruise Excursions - Princess Cruises The five Princess Lodges include: Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge, Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge, Mt. One has Denali land tour, the other top notch services and food. Heidi is a physical therapist by profession, cruise enthusiast at heart, and Princess all the time! Further, you wont find any over-the-top theming at the bars and lounges or any high energy nightlife. Celebrity Millennium 11nt Majestic Tundra Explorer Cruisetour #4B Departing From Seward, Alaska (Jun 2023 - Sep 2023) Noordam 13-day Triple Denali: Tour R1l Departing From Whittier, Alaska (Jun 2023 - Sep 2024) Majestic Princess Connoisseur Escorted T3apb5 Departing From Whittier, Alaska (Jun 2023 - Sep 2023) EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS: Get Deals on Princess Cruises to Alaska! This package includes thePremier Beverage Package, WiFi for 4 devices per guest, Crew Appreciation, and two specialty dining meals per guest. Trying to decide between Holland America vs Princess?!?! There is even the option to extend the trip with a pre-cruise land tour with overnights in Fairbanks, Denali, and Anchorage making this an unforgettable 13-day Alaskan adventure. Not great. For instance, perks that are typically part of the Princess Plus and Princess Premier offer . Download this image SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (Aug. 5, 2021) - More guests choose Princess than any other cruise line to experience the incredible glaciers, wildlife, fresh seafood and the local culture of Alaska. WATCH OUR LATEST VIDEO OF THE PROS AND CONS OF PRINCESS CRUISES! Preview The Cruise Web's best Alaska Cruisetour deals for Princess Cruises. Of course, the ship also offers upscale dining that is all included in the cruise fare, bars and lounges with live music in the evenings, and enrichment opportunities to fill your time between ports of call. Ready to head out on your next cruise adventure? Each cruise visits at least one glacier Glacier Bay, College Fjord, Hubbard Glacier, Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier or Tracy Arm Fjord. Carnival Luminosa is a nearly 93K gross ton ship carrying just over 2,800 guests (double occupancy). Alaska cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do Other options out of Seattle also include Royal Caribbean, which tends to be family friendly as well. This Pinnacle Class ship will be sailing 7-day roundtrip cruises from Vancouver, British Columbia. She will be cruising roundtrip from Seattle as well. The 145 departures will come in 14 itineraries with . Overall, it was an amazing vacation (as our naturalist Mark said, This is Alaska, This is Why You Came). On a Viking Ocean cruise, you receive a free tour in each port of call, WiFi, no up-charges for specialty dining, and complimentary room service. Are you ready to embark on your journey to sea the world, one port at a time? However, there were Alaska wines, Alaska beer, and a few spirits sourced from local distilleries like an Anchorage whiskey. During the land portion of these cruisetours, travelers can visit some of the states most popular areas that are not accessible by cruise ship, spending three or more nights on land at Princess Wilderness Lodges. Built for cold water cruising, the ships SeaPlex is a massive indoor complex featuring bumper cars and roller skating. We are not the black tie style of people. There is also the option to add-on a Cruisetour with visits to Anchorage, Denali, Fairbanks, or even Homer. Yet, they are missing with Princess. Talk about a deal! - we boarded at approximately 2:00pm. Welcome Aboard! It will feature stops in Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Victoria, BC. What is your view on coral princess which is the only one with the return trip by Vancouver BC? 2023 Cond Nast. This is very exciting news and I will make good use of this opportunity to visit Alaska in 2023. With more and more travelers never fully disconnecting on vacation and even working remotely, we think the extra seating area is essential. Not to mention, Ruby Princess also offers the latest MedallionClass technology. The ship will also cruise Glacier Bay National Park and College Fjord or Hubbard Glacier for some amazing scenic vistas. Some may also boast small groups or local connections to get you closer to your destinations. Have you sailed with Princess Cruises to Alaska? In early 2020, Norwegian Spirit underwent a $100 million renovation, the most extensive bow to stern makeover in the companys history. When you are not exploring the Last Frontier, Koningsdam offers plenty of top-notch amenities, entertainment, and dining as well. Further, you can relax in the adults only Sanctuary and rejuvenate on the Princess Luxury Bed before another full day ashore exploring all that Alaska has to offer. Other new additions to Norwegian Spirit include an extra main dining room, the 24-hour Local Bar and Grill, and the adults-only retreat Spice H2O. On Celebrity Eclipse, you can play some bocce ball at the Lawn Club or partake in a Hot Glass Class. There is so much natural beauty, rugged landscapes, and wildlife waiting for you in Alaska. Comparing the Princess cruise ships sailings to Alaska in 2022 In conjunction with your Alaska cruise vacation, Princess Cruises also offers cruisetours and lodges to extend your stay in the Last Frontier. If you are considering a cruise to Alaska, the first cruise line that may come to mind is Princess Cruises. Further, during the scenic cruising through Glacier Bay National Park, a park ranger will come onboard the ship to provide real time narration, Additionally, they will offer a formal presentation in the main theater with more in-depth information. Of course, even within a cruise line, the price can vary based on time of year you travel, the type of cruise cabin you pick, and other factors. On most of the Princess ships sailing Alaska, you will only find a Sabatinis Trattoria and a Crown Grill steakhouse. While there are many pros of sailing Princess Cruises to Alaska, there are also some cons of which to be aware. You can also enjoy some amazing views in the Sky Observation Lounge or sip a cocktail at the aft-located Sunset Bar if the weather permits. We took our first cruise vacation together 13 years ago and have been hooked ever since. You have shared and provided very interesting information for me,Octordle, many thanks. Playing this endless runner game is a blast. It first sailed in 2017 and was originally designed to sail from Shanghai and has many unique offerings. 7 Night Inside Passage With Glacier Bay National Park (Seattle Roundtrip) Sail date: June 03, 2023 Ship: Royal Princess . We had a chance to dine at The Catch during our sailing and really enjoyed it. as well. Crown, Sapphire, and Ruby Princess are similar in size at around 113-115K. #alaskacruise #alaskatravel #cruisetips #ketchikan This all new section includes a number of new cabins, as well as new public venues, in addition to several other improvements throughout the ship. Contributor Level: Purser Cruises: 4 . Of, We have been on 7 other cruises with other lines in the past. Well, weve just returned from our 5th Alaska cruise, 2nd with Princess, and want to share our thoughts with you. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Even though we cruise Princess we do agree with your assessment.