Friday, April 19, 2024

10-Day Alaska Cruise Review: Norwegian Sun Experience

norwegian alaskan cruise

This duration allows for a seamless combination of a cruise along the breathtaking coastline and a land tour that takes in the best of Alaska’s interior and Southcentral destinations. In addition to a memorable 7-day cruise, this comprehensive package offers an immersive experience that showcases the diverse landscapes and wildlife of this captivating region. From massive glaciers to dense forests, pristine fjords to picturesque coastal towns, Alaska promises an unforgettable adventure. But with so many Norwegian Alaska cruises to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide which one is the best fit for your preferences.

Alaskan Itineraries

Crossing it is perfectly safe, but it will get your adrenaline pumping. Since the bridge crosses into Canada, you will need a passport or passport ID card. Since Skagway is located more south than some of Alaska’s other towns and cities, temperatures are relatively mild.

Cruise Line Excursions and Things to Do Around Skagway

With an Alaska cruise having been on our bucket list for quite some time, I feel such happiness having gotten to take our family on this epic Alaskan adventure. In addition, the captain opens up the bow of the ship on Deck 8 for this day only, and passengers can enjoy coffee, tea, and hot chocolate while viewing Glacier Bay outdoors. Recommendations if touring downtown include Red Onion Saloon, Klondike Doughboy, Skagway Brewing Co., and Alaska Christmas Store. We needed our passports on this day’s excursion as our tour entered Canada. Recommendations if touring downtown include Red Dog Saloon and Tracy’s King Crab Shack. I suggest first going to Deck 6 to make all dining reservations (at Teppanyaki), then all showtime reservations (at The Social Comedy Club).

Another Night of Dinner and Comedy

With that said, if you do depart from Skagway, the most popular way to travel to the town is to take a roughly 45-minute commuter flight from Juneau, Alaska. Some will also choose to fly into Whitehorse, Canada, then drive the 110-mile journey along the Alaska Highway. Due to this strategic location and its proximity to some of Alaska’s most alluring attractions, there is a good chance you will stop in Skagway if you have booked an Alaskan cruise. To help you get the most out of your time there, this comprehensive guide will explain everything you need to know. Norwegian Bliss is only one ship that is part of the 275 planned sailings from the Port of Seattle this year. Up next is Carnival Spirit with her first departure on April 23, followed by Norwegian Encore departing on April 28.

6 best Alaska cruises for families - The Points Guy

6 best Alaska cruises for families.

Posted: Thu, 19 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Alaskan Cruises are typically only offered from May through September. If you want the best weather July and August will provide warmer temperatures and typically sunnier weather. But overall, the weather in Alaska can be rather wet and cloudy many days out of the year. I can’t really suggest paying the extra cost for specialty dining. I just think it is way overpriced, service was slow and too similar to the food already offered complimentary. We only got to try out 1 of the specialty dining restaurants (Cagney’s Steakhouse).

Pay airfare for one guest, and you'll automatically lock-in roundtrip flights for two. Secure these savings online by choosing your nearest airport in step one of your cruise booking, and enjoy air-to-sea made easy. We'll coordinate your roundtrip flights, and transportation between the airport and cruise port.

Dinner and Some Laughs

So we felt that the Norwegian Jewel didn’t quite provide for that enough. For U.S. Citizens on an Alaska Cruise, you may benefit from using your cellular data at port. Many of the cell towers will work for main cell phone carriers without any additional charges. If you don’t have a cell phone or laptop to connect to the wifi, then this can be a great option to get connected. Actually, it’s perhaps a weird complaint, but we sometimes felt like there were too many events going on.

Or put your bedtime on hold and join in Fairbanks' Midnight Sun events during the bright summer solstice. Our Alaska tours give you hundreds of unique moments to capture, keep and treasure forever. Despite the town’s small size, its booming tourism industry means that a diverse array of dining options are available to visitors. Visiting Skagway offers cruise passengers a wide range of outdoor adventure and exploration opportunities. Beyond Skagway’s small-town charm and famed ties to the Gold Rush Era, the surrounding area offers breathtaking views of the rugged Alaskan wilderness.

Checking out of the hotel by 11 AM, we simply walked across the street, dropped our bags with the porters, and were onward to the terminal check-in process in no time. Feeling a bit tired from all our recent travels, we didn’t do much in Seattle this time around. With the beautiful weather, we did manage to walk around the waterfront area a bit and grabbed some food at Elliott’s Oyster House.

While this time of year brings the great thaw and a rise in wildlife activity and wildflower blooms, you still need to pack appropriately. Expect daytime temperatures between 40° and 55°F, as well as fairly frequent showers and fog. Don’t forget waterproof clothing if you plan on spending most of your time outdoors.

norwegian alaskan cruise

Surprisingly, the weather was on our side, even though it was the beginning of September—a month that can be hit or miss in Alaska. The skies were clear, and the sun was out, making it a perfect day to lounge by the pool or take in the ocean views. In summary, Ketchikan is a multifaceted destination that offers a mix of nature, history, and adventure. Despite the slight hiccup with the docking location, the port serves as a condensed version of Alaska’s beauty and culture. The port is also home to the world’s largest ZipRider, starting from the mountain peak and descending 1,300 feet.

norwegian alaskan cruise

By researching and comparing different options, travelers can make an informed decision based on their individual needs and desires. Lucky cruisers may even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights in the evening. For 2023, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) continues to offer numerous Alaskan itineraries, with 5 ships in the fleet sailing to this popular northern destination. Sailing spring, summer, and even into fall, there are plenty of unique voyages, that extend to Hawaii or Japan, as well as add-on land-based options. Other cruise lines, including Norwegian, offer itineraries with varying ports of call. Embarking on a 10-day Alaska Inside Passage cruise aboard the Norwegian Sun was an adventure we’ll never forget.

If you’re considering an Alaska cruise, we wholeheartedly recommend Norwegian Cruise Line for its mid-sized ships and affordable pricing. And if you’re short on time, our guide to picking the perfect 7-day itinerary will help you make the most of your trip. The city offers a wealth of activities for those planning to explore Seattle further.

The ship boasts a state-of-the-art theater that showcases Broadway-style shows, as well as a variety of live music acts and comedy performances. Guests can also enjoy the thrilling Speedway go-kart track, laser tag, and a sprawling water park with multiple slides and pools. Hawaii and Alaska in one trip is an unusual pairing, but a reality on the Norwegian Spirit. The ship is quite the international traveler, sailing from departure ports such as Seward, Honolulu, Oahu, and Vancouver, British Columbia.

Numerous tour operators can provide safe and guided rafting experiences. Despite its small size and population, Skagway has plenty to offer visitors. Since Skagway once served as the main gateway to the gold deposits of the Klondike region of Yukon, Canada, the town has a very noticeable link to the Klondike Gold Rush. At the same time, the port is working hard to ensure environmental responsibility, preserving its position for phenomenal, unspoiled sailings for generations to come. You will also see two other hot tubs 2 decks above from the main pool deck, but you must be part of the Haven Club. For the people outside taking in the scenic views, it got very crowded on the pool deck and deck above along the railings.

Perched over the pool deck, we had a great vantage spot of the ship with the Space Needle on one side and Mount Rainier on the other side. After a bit, we also headed down to the pool deck to catch some of the sail away party. It was certainly more lively than our recent sail away on Princess Cruises. Since our last sailing on Norwegian Encore back in 2019, not much has changed.

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