Alaska Cruise Holidays - Jaw-dropping views and unique experiences
An epic journey to experience the vast natural beauty of the largest US state – cruise along the Inside Passage to Alaska. Sail in comfort through the icy fjords, watching the wildlife and admiring the snowy peaks. A must-see is Glacier Bay, where vast chunks of ice split away from the glacier and go crashing into the sea. Take the opportunity to join a whale-watching expedition or soar over the Juneau ice-field and Mendenhall Glacier on a helicopter tour.
"Ketchikan was my favourite port of call, and not just because this was where we finally saw bears! The town itself is really quirky, and as we were there at the tail end of the salmon run, we were able to watch seals hunting in the creek in the centre of town! The bear viewing tour in Ketchikan exceeded all expectations as we saw many, many bears feasting on the salmon and could get really close while they were in their wild environment."
Holly, Destination Specialist
Discover the incredible Inside Passage
Alaska cruise holidays continue to grow in popularity and it is not hard to understand why. Such cruises are calming and majestic experiences in equal part – who wouldn’t want to witness the stunning scenery of south-eastern Alaska and historic ports of call from the comfort of the floating resort of a luxury cruiser?
Since the towns of Alaska have historically been built along the coastline and the state’s waterways, anyone looking to visit the area should do so by boat for their own convenience. Water transport provides the most access for visitors, for many towns (Juneau, for example) cannot be easily entered via other means of transport.
What will I see on an Alaskan Cruise?
Anyone who decides to take cruises to Alaska will have plenty to see whilst on their trip. You'll witness immense Alaskan glaciers undergoing the process of calving (in which large blocks of ice break off and loudly crash into the cold waters below) and most itineraries also see the ship sailing through the island-littered Inside Passage; an unforgettable scenic experience.
Other activities include whale watching, fishing for salmon, kayaking, panning for gold, dog sledding and bear viewing.
Where does an Alaskan cruise go?
Depending on the Canadian Sky Alaska cruise that you pick, your cruise itinerary will probably include the following Glacier Bay, Icy Strait Point, The Inside Passage, Juneau and Ketchikan.
When is the best time to take a cruise across Alaska?
Cruise season in Alaska is between the months of May and September. Days outside of this late spring to early fall period tend to bring weather conditions which are too harsh for cruising visitors to comfortably – and therefore; fully – appreciate what the area has to offer. Anyone who visits the state during cruise season will experience pleasant temperatures between 19 and 24 degrees Celsius (area and month dependant); a beautiful contrast to the backdrop of Alaska’s icy coastline. Do be sure to pack yourself some warm clothing though. The days in June and July are the longest and so cruises booked for this time provide tourists with lots of daylight in which to see/do everything that they wish each day.