Thursday, April 18, 2024

Is Carnival The Best Cheap Cruise to Alaska?

alaska cruise carnival

Some venture farther north into the Gulf of Alaska; these are often one-way cruises that begin and end at the ports near Anchorage. If you want to see landlocked areas, such as Denali National Park, you can tack a cruise line-operated tour onto the beginning or end of your sailing for a seamless land and sea vacation. It's easier than fumbling with multiple train, bus, ferry and hotel reservations to cobble together the same trip on your own. Your itinerary will begin by departing from Seattle and spending two days at sea. Finally, on Day 3, guests will encounter Tracy Arm Fjord – a narrow passageway between two large glaciers. In addition to numerous ports of call, Carnival’s Alaska cruises provide lots of scenic cruising to spots such as Tracy Arm Fjord,  Endicott Arm Fjord, and the Hubbard Glacier.

GLACIERS WILL MOVE YOU

Scan the surrounding waters on your way to Juneau for glimpses of wildlife from the North Star®, the tallest viewing deck on a cruise ship. Some activities are included in the cost of the cruisetour; other outings can be booked like shore excursions depending on your interest and budget. If you're hoping to see the northern lights, booking a cruisetour in September might be your best bet to see the aurora on a cruise vacation. You'll have up to two days of scenic cruising, in addition to sailing the Inside Passage.

Carnival Cruise Line Opens More Sailings in 2025 with Itineraries Now Available for Alaska from Seattle and New ... - Carnival-News.com

Carnival Cruise Line Opens More Sailings in 2025 with Itineraries Now Available for Alaska from Seattle and New ....

Posted: Thu, 24 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Day 5: Juneau

alaska cruise carnival

You'll have four sea days (for example, two days from San Francisco to Juneau) plus a day of scenic cruising at a spot like Tracy Arm (Twin Sawyer Glaciers), Endicott Arm, Hubbard Glacier or Glacier Bay National Park. The waters before you enter the Inside Passage can be calm, rough or anything in between, depending on when you go. For these itineraries, you'll need to fly into or out of Anchorage and take a train or bus to/from the cruise departure ports, which can take an hour or two. You can book the transportation on your own or through your cruise line.

What to know when picking a Carnival cruise to Alaska

Passengers can also visit Alaska’s top three attractions with a whales-guaranteed cruise, viewing the Mendenhall Glacier, and participating in a salmon bake. Carnival is famous for its great prices, and their cruise fare includes basic drinks like non-bottled water, lemonade, coffee, and tea, a number of complimentary dining venues, and much of the entertainment. They do not have all-inclusive packages, but rather, drinks and wi-fi are separate. So, while the cruise fares have great advertised prices, add-ons should be considered when budgeting a cruise to Alaska.

You can take advantage of discounted fares, free upgrades or complimentary add-ons, such as Wi-Fi, gratuities, restaurant meals, beverage packages and tours. Some of the most desirable cabins might be sold out; being flexible about your sail date or itinerary can help. Nearly every major cruise line has a presence in Alaska from May through mid-September, with some offering sailings as early as April or as late as October. Cold temperatures, icy waters and a long snowy season are not conducive to early spring and late fall cruises. They want to admire its rugged beauty, seek out wildlife (such as eagles, bears and whales) and learn about its native cultures and Gold Rush history.

Day 6: Ketchikan

As you plan your Alaska vacation, you might be torn between traveling by cruise ship, plane or even car. On our family Alaska cruise, we created lifetime memories by sharing glacier spotting, dog sledding, flightseeing and other adventures with our teens. Brilliance of the Seas makes it impossible to feel bored during a vacation!

Day 8: Seattle

Towering walls of ice like the Hubbard Glacier, Endicott Arm Dawes and the twin Sawyer Glaciers thunder as they calve massive icebergs. Some shore excursions allow up close interaction with these natural wonders. There are also quiet spaces aboard each Carnival ship that the more bookish adults among us can retreat to in order to escape te din of the broader ship. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. Kids can hang out in the youth lounges while parents hit the spa or try a wine-tasting class.

If you enjoy art, there is a thriving art scene complete with totem poles. Follow our social media and blog for the latest cruise and travel news, including our best vacation deals. But Carnival's greatest asset is the hardworking, friendly crew aboard Carnival Spirit. The ship feels nearly full, yet not understaffed (at least compared to 2019).

Planning a Trip To Alaska: Land vs. Sea Royal Caribbean Cruises

With little significant differences between the ships (beyond age), itineraries and prices may be the bigger driver when booking the ultimate Alaska cruise vacation. They have a good number of itineraries sailing the Inside Passage, but they don’t offer one-way cruises with land tours. However, these Inside Passage cruises can be a great introduction to Alaska cruising with a balance of fun things to do onboard in renovated ships. 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.

You'll find magnificent mountains (often snow-capped, even in the summertime), lush forests, waterfalls, fjords and calving glaciers. If it's marine life you've come to see, you'll find it in abundance, from whales and dolphins to sea lions and harbor seals. On land, you'll likely spy bears and Dall sheep while eagles, puffins and a host of seabirds circle above. Most sail along the Inside Passage, a maritime route along the state's southern coast (and into British Columbia and Washington state) that weaves around the area's thousand islands.

alaska cruise carnival

Choose from Carnival's basic fare package, which includes accommodation and dining, to all-inclusive package, encompassing shore excursions, onboard credits, and beverage packages. Carnival Cruise Line also offer themed packages, like the romance package perfect for couples, and the adventure package ideal for thrill-seekers. Furthermore, Carnival's luxury package elevates your cruising experience with exclusive amenities and services. With Carnival Cruise Line, you're guaranteed to find a package that perfectly suits your travel style and budget. These ships often feature complimentary shore excursions, kayaks and bikes for guest use and onboard scientists and naturalists. Most big-ship and luxury cruise lines send at least one cruise ship to Alaska every summer.

We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports.Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. Alaska cruises offer a wide range of activities in port, with options for active travelers, wildlife lovers, history buffs and shoppers. Whether you're traveling with young kids or require more sedentary recreation, the Alaska cruise ports won't disappoint. These cruise lines, especially on their newer ships, offer something for everyone — as well as a higher caliber of onboard dining than on the cheapest cruises. Finally, you'll find some San Francisco round-trip itineraries — usually 10 or 11 nights long — as well as longer sailings between San Francisco and Vancouver. Many of the Carnival’s cruises sail the calmer waters of the Inside Passage, visiting ports such as Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Haines, and Sitka.

Carnival Spirit sails from Seattle, offering six, seven and eight-day Alaska cruise itineraries between now and the end of the season in September. A six-day sailing starts at a little over $400 per person as of this writing, in an inside cabin. Where other lines take a ship and put it on a seven-day run that never varies, Carnival offers several departure ports and itinerary lengths that vary depending on vessel and departure date. Cruise lines often run sales in the fall or in the early months of the year (a period known in the cruise industry as "wave season").

Carnival Cruise Line Details 2025 Alaska Season and Beyond - Travel Agent Central

Carnival Cruise Line Details 2025 Alaska Season and Beyond.

Posted: Mon, 28 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Shore excursion operators in Alaska are currently stretched to the max; all it takes is one motorcoach driver calling in sick to throw the entire day's program off track. Operators and cruise lines are doing their best to keep things running smoothly, but as with anything these days, staffing in Alaska does remain a problem that cruisers should be aware of. Pre-booking excursions is essential; many were already sold out by the time we had stepped aboard Carnival Spirit.

The best Alaska cruise ports are also the most crowded because no matter which type of itinerary and cruise line you select, you'll likely visit a mix of the same ports. If you want to see nature at its finest, you must book a tour or venture farther afield. Hop a bus, kayak, boat or plane to look for bears, eagles, whales, sea otters and other wildlife. Note that moose don't regularly show up in the Inside Passage; you'll need to head farther north to find them.

Plus, our experienced travel consultants have access to exclusive vacation deals to make sure you get the best value for your time and money. After four days onboard, it's clear to see how well Carnival Spirit is suited to Alaska. This entire class of ship -- which encompasses Carnival Spirit, Pride, Miracle and Legend -- is already loved by cruisers for its relative spaciousness compared to other Carnival Cruise Line ships. You don't need an excursion to enjoy Alaska; we spent an enjoyable day roaming around Icy Strait Point, sampling the local seafood and admiring views of the ocean, the whales, and Carnival Spirit and Splendor docked nearby.

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