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The inside passage is an ice-carved track that hugs Canada’s west coast and offers guests access to several iconic ports of call. Starting in 2024, Uncruise Adventures will be offering a winter cruise, where winter sports and northern lights viewings are all part of the package! Running February through March, this is a great option for travelers looking to experience Alaska during the winter months. Many cruise lines also travel to additional locations such as Sitka, Hoonah/Icy Strait Point, and Haines.
Learn More About Vancouver Shore Excursions
Then, you’ll travel over to Kodiak Island, out to the far stretches of the Aleutian Islands to Dutch Harbor, and around to Nome, and through the Arctic Circle. Some cruise lines offer pre or post-cruise fly-in opportunities to remote areas of Alaska, like leaving from Fairbanks to the visit the Arctic Circle. The Alaska cruise season generally starts in April and ends in October.
Glacier Bay On All Inside Passage Cruises
The ship schedule for the year 2024 includes numerous exciting voyages from Vancouver, the picturesque capital city of Alaska, to various enchanting destinations across the beautiful state. Embark on an unforgettable journey aboard luxurious cruise ships, and experience the breathtaking natural wonders, rich wildlife, and charming coastal towns that Alaska has to offer. Explore magnificent glaciers, witness majestic humpback whales, and immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and history of this remarkable region. Vancouver, a bustling coastal city on Canada's west coast, serves as an ideal departure port for your Alaska cruise, offering a seamless blend of urban sophistication and natural beauty.
How Much Do Alaska Cruises from Vancouver Cost?
Vancouver standby cruises: Dozens of sailings for $49 a day - Vancouver Is Awesome
Vancouver standby cruises: Dozens of sailings for $49 a day.
Posted: Thu, 11 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
A flavorful fusion of African/Indian, Greek/Italian, and Mediterranean/French, as well as fresh seafood, can be found on nearly every menu. As the third-largest Chinatown (after San Francisco’s and New York’s), Vancouver’s Chinatown is an essential stop for any Chinese cuisine lover or shopaholic. Stop into three iconic ports of call and see Alaska’s remote wilderness areas. Combine a cruise + train + lodge + Denali for an in-depth Alaska experience. From exploring Denali National Park to fishing for salmon in Anchorage, discover the top Alaska destinations on a Princess cruise. No one does seafood quite like Alaska—which is why we brought the best of the Great Land on board, so you can experience it all with Princess.
Real Alaska from local Alaskans
Roundtrip Alaska cruises depart Vancouver Harbor in late afternoon, affording passengers spectacular city skyline views as they sail underneath Lions Gate Bridge and into the Strait of Georgia. The first full day at sea is spent cruising among splendid fjords within the Inside Passage. Cruise lines typically take shore days in Ketchikan, Juneau, and either the historical goldrush town of Skagway or the quieter Icy Strait. In between ports of call, most ships spend a full day glacier viewing in places like Disenchantment Bay, Glacier Bay, or Tracy Arm. Cruisers return to Vancouver via Queen Charlotte Sound and Johnstone Strait. Small ship cruises tend to offer more adventure-focused shore excursions alongside personalized service and luxurious accommodations and amenities.
Of course, if you book your land tour independently, you can spend as much time as you like exploring the interior of Alaska. Alaska Railroad and Knightly Tours both offer itineraries for the independent traveler. Sister brand Celebrity Cruises also offers cruises from this homeport. Celebrity Eclipse sails round-trip from Vancouver, while the newly updated Celebrity Millennium alternates one-way itineraries from Seward, AK or Vancouver. Immerse yourself in Vancouver’s natural beauty at Shannon Falls Provincial Park, a national park just outside of the city, where you’ll find the third-tallest waterfall in British Columbia. Vancouver’s number one attraction, Stanley Park, was created in 1888 and still lands near the top of the list of best parks in the world.
Types of Cruises
Discover this small fishing town or capture views of glaciers by helicopter, boat or kayak. The city of Vancouver was first inhabited by several Native Canadian tribes. Around the late 1850s, Europeans started moving into the area after the establishment of the town of New Westminster. After gold was discovered in the banks of the Fraser River in 1858, tens of thousands of gold prospectors came to the area. It took its name from British explorer George Vancouver, who discovered the area back in 1792.
What to Know About Cruises from Vancouver
One thing that is great about the inside passage is that you are in relatively calm water. With all options, you may be curious if there is a type of cruise better suited for you.
The ship has even gone under a recent renovation, so expect some spruced up interior design and more amenities for guests. This line is known for its all-suite and all-balcony rooms and is frequently ranked high for their luxury accommodations. For those looking for a couples retreat, Viking Cruises cater exclusively to adults. The minimum age is 18, and the ship is designed for a luxurious and tranquil experience, so you can truly get away from it all. No matter how you arrive in Vancouver, it’s always a good idea to arrive at least a day prior to your cruise departure.
They groan, creak and shudder on their march to the sea, punctuated by the booms and crashes of "white thunder" — a sound that echoes across the water when ice calves into the ocean below. On an Alaska cruise, let us show you Glacier Bay National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier, College Fjord or Hubbard Glacier. Add flights, hotel packages and onboard celebrations to your cruise from Vancouver. If you intend to travel in the late summer, keep in mind that the Gulf of Alaska can have some rough seas. This just means if you are particularly prone to seasickness, maybe the inside passage is more your style.
When sailing away from Vancouver, get on a deck to take in the scenery along the way. The ship will pass by Stanley Park, a lighthouse, and sail under Lions Gate Bridge. From there, you will be on your way to more scenic views and the great state of Alaska. You will soon be enjoying the wonders of the Tongass National Forest, the largest intact rain forest in the world. Park rangers board the ships with displays, books and souvenirs of the experience. They are available to answer questions and also provide commentary.
Watch for whales from the Lawn Club or your spacious private veranda on Celebrity Solstice®. Marvel at lush mountain landscapes while sipping hand-crafted cocktails at the Sunset Bar on Celebrity Summit®. All three ships perfectly complement the wonders you’ll discover on our cruises from Vancouver. The main cruise season in Alaska is May through September, though many cruise lines are adding shoulder season itineraries in April and October. The sunniest months are July and August and the best time for whale watching is May and June.
