Alaska continues to grow in popularity, and knowing that many of you have previously been there, I thought I’d offer some different ways you can see this naturally spectacular corner of the world. You can go again, and have a completely different experience.
You probably already know that Alaska is big, but to put it in context, the area of Alaska and British Columbia combined is about the same size as one-third of the lower 48. Together, Alaska and BC are over one million square miles, and if it were a country, it would be the 10th largest in the world. Texas is about 25% this size. That’s BIG… and if you’ve done a coastal Alaska Cruise, you’ve only seen a small portion of it.
If you’ve previously been, here are some different ways to experience Alaska:
I WANT TO SEE IT ALL
- You’ve said: “I’m only doing this once”, OR “I’ve been before, but didn’t see everything”
- You only see coastal Alaska by cruise ship (it’s not possible to drive to these communities), then go to Denali (and perhaps a few other lodges), and perhaps into the Yukon Territory of Canada.
- TIP: Travel in one direction, which means using Fairbanks Airport, rather than Anchorage.
- Holland America has some itineraries that cover all these bases, and we have a Private Sale until the end of the month that will save you a lot of money. Here’s the link to that post: https://pamperedcruiser.com/holland-america-private-sale/ . The CATCH: must be booked by April 30.
I LOVE THE SCENERY, AND WANT GREAT FOOD AND WINE
- Oceania is THE cruise line for FOODIES, and they run itineraries out of both Vancouver and Seattle. They also visit some less frequented port stops.
- 2024: This is the last year the 680 passenger REGATTA will be in Alaska, so if you like the Oceania small-ships, this is the last chance.
- Vancouver to LA departing September 14 for 12-days.
- Visit Ketchikan, Sitka, Holkham Bay Fjord, Klawock, Prince Rupert, Victoria, and Portland
- Verandas from $5199 with a $300 per person shore excursion credit.
- 2025: Oceania Riviera (1200 guests) will be in Alaska next season. She had a stem to stern refurb last year, and has all the latest Oceania culinary delights, and larger staterooms.
- Vancouver to Seattle departing June 17, 2025 for 9-days.
- Visit Ketchikan, Juneau, Haines, Tracy Arm Glacier Cruising, Wrangell, & Victoria.
- Verandas from $4099 with a $200 per person shore excursion credit.
All Oceania fares include beer/wine with meals, specialty dining, wifi on the ship, and a shore excursion credit as indicated. On the above two departures, we can also get prepaid gratuities thrown in (only available through our agency).
I WANT TO SEE REMOTE ALASKA, AND GET UP CLOSE TO NATURE
- You’ve said, “I’ve been there before”, OR “I want to walk, kayak, see wildlife, and visit where others DON’T go”.
- Roald Amundsen (530 guests) is operated by HX, and is the world’s first hybrid-electric cruise ship. See our ship tour video: https://youtu.be/1L_ByDqhGR0?si=k6EKNdSgunln85CZ
- Sail between Vancouver and Anchorage for 13-days.
- Visit Ivy League Glaciers, Glaciers at Icy Bay, William Henry Bay, Haines, Tracy Arm, Endicott Arm, Sitka, Petersburg, Wrangell, Misty Fjords, Sail BC’s Inside Passage, Alert Bay.
- 2024: depart June 22 from $5963 per person
- 2025: depart May 29 from $5106 per person
I WANT TO TAKE MY KIDS OR GRANDCHILDREN TO EXPERIENCE ALASKA
- The age of those children, and what they like to do will determine the best option for you. Here are some options:
- DISNEY: You will pay a premium for the brand, but there is no denying the Disney magic. Arguably, a Disney cruise is better for less defined destinations than Alaska, because on Disney, the ship IS the destination.
- ROYAL CARIBBEAN: Nobody does floating amusement parks better than RCL. They normally have three ships in Alaska.
- PRINCESS: Along with their sister-brand, Holland America, they take more people to Alaska, than all the other cruise lines combined. They own much of the infrastructure on shore, and if you’re going to Denali, they will have many more options than anyone else. Princess also brings Alaska Park Rangers on board the ship, and your kids will be more immersed in Alaska than any of the other options.
I’M A VIKING CLIENT, BUT HAVEN’T BEEN ABLE TO FIND SPACE
- For the first time, Viking will have TWO ships in Alaska in 2025, so you’ll find space easier to find, and the pricing a bit more moderate.
- Viking runs 11-day itineraries between Vancouver and Anchorage, and you’ll visit Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Icy Strait Point, Yakutat Bay (for glacier cruising), Valdez, and Seward.
- 2024: Verandas from $6499
- 2025: Verandas from $4799
RESOURCES TO HELP MAKE YOUR DECISION:
- ALASKA: How to Choose video: https://youtu.be/CwWytuiuK8M?si=Bk0XzTgcgdk57cZH
- ALASKA PRINCESS & HOLLAND AMERICA LODGES Video Blogs: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA1r3eOMaDVEZh4TwDNnSFedD8FOItXHe&si=CNO-BKWSCvGu9_dR
- COASTAL ALASKA PORTS: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA1r3eOMaDVGIkLzMGzGDOfx8xOSpC2Vt&si=tA76ZQKVTd5EXlX1
- SEATTLE & VANCOUVER Article: https://pamperedcruiser.com/alaska-pre-post-destination-focus-on-seattle-vancouver/
Today’s Travel Opportunities
If Alaska’s not on your radar, here are a few other suggestions:
AMA WATERWAYS FREE LAND PACKAGES
AMA Waterways is a great choice for those that like to be a bit more active on their vacations, for those that want lots of choices for shore excursions, or those really into food. Here’s our discussion with Kristin Karst if you want to learn more about how AMA differentiates:
They are also offering FREE LAND extensions on select voyages. Here’s the complete list:
https://www.amawaterways.com/agent/pamperedcruiser/freeland-2024
Here’s one example:
PROVENCE from Arles (Marseilles) to Lyon departing December 12 for 7-nights
- Visit Arles, Avignon, Viviers, Tournon, Vienne, and Lyon.
- Visit Van Gogh’s house, a Truffle Farm, sample local red wine & chocolate, see the Roman ruins, and do a Beaujolais wine tasting at a vineyard.
- $4698 for a Twin Balcony Room with a $150 per person on board credit.
- Optional extensions to Barcelona (3-nights pre), or Paris (3-nights post).
We did this cruise in December of 2023. Here’s a link to our video blog: https://youtu.be/H2rBL8J7DIU?si=wkaBzaibNhRxtV8B
COLLETTE LAND-CRUISES
ITALY for 11-days
- Visit Rome, Umbria, Tuscany, Florence & Chianti.
- See the Roman Ruins, visit an olive farm, attend a cooking class, see the gothic cathedrals and medieval palaces, eat at a cheese farm, drink at estate wineries, enjoy farm to table cuisine, and visit a truffle farm
- 2025 departures March through November from $3199
- 2024 departures: space is tight…enquire.
CROATIA and the Balkan States for 16-days
- Visit Dubrovnik, Kotor, Sarajevo, Karanac, Zagreb, Plitvice Lakes, Ljubljana.
- 2024: September and October departures from $4399
- 2025: April to June from $3999
VIKING FREE AIR FOR CANADA & NEW ENGLAND ITINERARIES
- Travel between Montreal, and
- Boston (13-days) on August 31 from $5999
- New York (13-days) on September 12 or 24 from $5999
- Fort Lauderdale (15 days) on September 26 or October 6 from $5999 per person
- Fares include all taxes & fees, round-trip AIR, transfers, beer/wine with meals, a shore excursion in every port, and wifi on the ship.
- Must be booked by April 30.
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If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
