It’s Alaska Season!
You might think this is a bit strange as the last cruise ships are leaving Alaska right now, but most Alaska bookings take place between Labor Day and Christmas. It’s good you’re planning ahead for Alaska especially now – after effectively having been closed for 2020 and 2021, and 2022 being a half-season due to the Canadian Government dithering on their entry requirements, 2023 was largely sold out. If you want to go in 2024, things are fine right now, but tighter than normal this far in advance.
Your questions about Alaska are often about pre and post, so I thought today I’d offer a bit of information about Seattle and Vancouver.
With deference to residents of both Seattle and Vancouver, I would consider the two cities somewhat interchangeable. They are both naturally spectacular port cities, with their downtown cores both right on the ocean and near the mountains. The two cities are only 120 miles apart, and if not for an international boundary between them would almost be one continuous city.
I would not recommend one over the other, and you should visit both cities if you have the opportunity. The Amtrak connects the two cities (about 4 hours from downtown to downtown including border crossing time) several times a day.
If you’re looking to differentiate the two, here are a few points:
Seattle probably has the more funky urban vibe. If you’re a sports fan, the Mariners and the Seahawks dominate the south portion of the downtown core, and with year-round mild weather, it’s easy to get around by foot. On a sunny day, with snow-capped volcanoes in the backdrop, Seattle isn’t like other American cities.
Insider Tip: If your ship departs from the Bell Street Pier (Pier 66), then stay near the Pike Place Market – there’s lots going on there, and you can walk to the cruise ship terminal. The original Starbucks is in this same neighborhood.
Vancouver has a much more Asian influence (Canada’s immigration patterns are different than the US) that affects both its culture and its culinary scene. Vancouver is also somewhat closer to nature than Seattle. Both cities are about the same size, but in Vancouver, you can walk out of your hotel, and into the rainforest (at Stanley Park) with relative ease.
Insider Tip: Vancouver is very compact, so you won’t be far from anything, but if you want views of the ocean, the mountains, and seaplanes taking off, stay near the cruise ship terminal. There are two Fairmont hotels nearby that both have spectacular views. Don’t miss Stanley Park and Granville Island.
Vancouver is the larger of the two ports, and there are more options out of there (still plenty from Seattle). However, SEATAC Airport is much better served for domestic flights than Vancouver, and there are more round-trip cruises from Seattle than Vancouver. Lots of our clients use Seattle airport, and then travel independently for a few days before boarding a ship in Vancouver. It is easily done.
Finally, if Alaska is a bucket-list trip for you, then make the most of the experience and spend some time in Seattle or Vancouver (or both!).
All the cruise lines are represented in Alaska, so making choices can be a bit overwhelming. We recently posted this video on our YouTube channel to help people narrow down their options:
Today’s Travel Opportunities
All the cruise lines have some presence in Alaska, so the possibilities are endless.
Seabourn Odyssey departing Juneau May 17 for 7-days
- Visit Glacier Bay, Wrangell, Misty Fjords, Prince Rupert, Alert Bay, and Vancouver
- Perfect for those wanting to avoid the more touristy ports in Alaska, or perhaps those that have been previously, and want to see something new.
- Window suites from $4184 and Veranda suites from $4685.
- All the rooms on Seabourn are suites, and include an open bar, specialty dining, gratuities, and wifi. Our agency has a host on board this sailing, and all of our guests will receive a $175 per person on board credit.
- See our ship tour video of Seabourn Sojourn (Odyssey’s identical sister) here: https://youtu.be/RJT7BVFpoqo?si=wOP90Lgdpb0kLxRw
- See our Seabourn Alaska VLOG playlist here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA1r3eOMaDVGIkLzMGzGDOfx8xOSpC2Vt&si=YRm5q_a6x9eZCJ0H
Denali Cruise Tour with Princess. Vancouver to Fairbanks for 13-nights departing May 8:
- Visit by ship (7-nights): Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, College Fjord.
- Visit on land (6-nights): 2-nights at McKinley, 2-nights at Denali, 2-nights Fairbanks
- Includes all transportation and accommodation, meals on land, tour of Denali NP, Gold Dredge #8 (Fairbanks), and Chena River Sternwheeler Riverboat (Fairbanks).
- Fares start at $3528, and include Beverage package, as well as wifi and gratuities on the ship.
- See our Princess Alaska Lodges VLOG Playlist here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA1r3eOMaDVEZh4TwDNnSFedD8FOItXHe&si=OTVzhVNa_H66TgC3
Round-trip from Seattle with Oceania departing August 6 for 10-days
- Visit Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, Sitka and Victoria
- Includes beer/wine with meals, specialty dining, wifi on the ship, and a $400 per person shore excursion credit.
- PLUS: Free pre-paid on board gratuities (only for our clients!), due to our exclusive arrangement with Oceania.
- Veranda cabins from $5499 per person. Ocean views from $3599.
SilverSea Expedition from Nome to Vancouver for 18-days
- Visit St. Matthew Island, St. Paul Island, the Aleutian Islands, Tanaga, Atka Island, Dutch Harbour, Unga Village, Hubbard Glacier, Elfin Cove, Point Adolphus, Sitka, Misty Fjords, Metlakatla.
- Sail on board the 212 guest Silver Wind, and get an additional $300 pp on board credit due to our exclusive arrangement with them.
- Fares from $12,550 per person. Includes open bar, gratuities, shore excursions, expedition activities and gear, wifi on the ship.
Alaska Land-Cruise with Collette
If you’d rather just do the land portion of Alaska, then travel with Collette for 9-days between Fairbanks and Anchorage:
- Visit Fairbanks, Denali, Talkeetna, and Anchorage
- Departures June through September $4999 pp double
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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
