Alaskan Small Ship Cruises

The visibility was not great and we really didn't see that much. We’ve scoured the new itineraries, schedules, ships and trends to bring you AdventureSmith Explorations’ annual round-up of what’s new, and on sale for the small ship Alaska cruises. Plus view a complete list of all 2024 & 2025 small Alaska cruises. By this we mean, considering your group size, ages of travelers, if you plan to also travel by land, your activity interests, how customized you like to travel, and so on.

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When visiting Alaska in the summer, the name of the game is layers. Traveling between mid-May and mid-September means you can enjoy temperatures ranging from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, though temperatures are generally in the mid-60s, and can change in minutes. Experience Alaska small ship style with the experience of Lindblad Expeditions in partnership with National Geographic. Being aboard the Discovery, a small vessel with a storied past, one feels immersed in, rather than removed from, the immediate environment.

Day Classic Voyage

See our Alaska land tours for a full selection of trip extensions and land-based tours. Next up in choosing an Alaska cruise is often deciding when to go. This deciding factor can sometimes dictate what region is best to cruise.

UnCruise Alaska Northern Passages & Glacier Bay

Discover the freedom of a truly customized Alaska cruise experience, where your aspirations set the course. These reviews can not only help you plan the perfect small ship Alaska cruise but also inspire you for the journey ahead. Get a feel for what it’s really like on the ship and off on shore excursions by hike and kayak. Debuting in 2025 is a unique itinerary ideal for those who’ve been to Alaska and want to return for something different. The seafaring 36-guest Safari Explorer will take guests along glaciers, volcanic fields and petrified forest.

Want to Learn More About Alaska’s Climate?

See his incredible grizzly bear photography and read stories of the bears in this detailed trip review. The 84-guest Safari Endeavour offers the luxury and amenities of a yacht with the price and efficiency of a small ship. Suites on this ship feature balconies, and activity options include stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking. Thus, the best type of Alaska cruise review is a personal referral. Ask your booking agent to put you in touch with a past client that has traveled on a comparable trip. Reputable Alaska small ship cruise agencies will gladly refer their past clients; you can read some of our traveler testimonials below and on each trip and ship page.

A standard oceanview stateroom is 147 square feet and has a picture window. Unlike the massive 100,000 ton cruise ships, a small ship can follow its own schedule to maximize wildlife sightings. The average Princess cruise ship carries over 2,400 guests in Alaska. A state designated bear viewing area where you’ll often see bears gracefully fishing in streams for salmon.

Adult-Only & Kid-Friendly Departures

On this 8-day cruise aboard 40-guest Alaskan Dream, sail along the waterways of Admiralty Island, with 1 day in Glacier Bay National Park and 2 unscripted days to take advantage of weather and wildlife. 100+ combined years of experience, 7 continents explored, decades of expedition cruising around the world & here to help you find & book your dream trip. The 84-guest Safari Endeavour raises the bar for comfort along the way.

A Comprehensive Guide to Alaska Cruises - AARP

A Comprehensive Guide to Alaska Cruises.

Posted: Mon, 21 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

To learn more about these unique guides, read our review of Lindblad Alaska. In Glacier Bay National Park, I remember going ashore through a bow ramp for an impromptu hike led by a park service ranger. Another time, I recall the excitement onboard when we came upon a humpback whale “lobtailing” — slapping its fluke against the surface of the water to create a big splash. I saw bears foraging in the intertidal grasses lining the shore and sea lions basking in the sun on an outcropping of rocks.

Head to our Alaska Small Ship Cruise Finder to view all available cruises. Ask our past travelers, and they’ll say it was their trip! Since our Alaska cruise specialists pair travelers with the best small boat Alaska cruise experience for their needs, it’s usually a match made in heaven. Read some of our expert and traveler-written reviews about their small yacht Alaska cruise routes.

Such refunds are based upon the number of overnights missed less a fee of $40 per person per day for unused transportation and other fixed expenses. This plan provides cancellation coverage for your trip and other insurance coverages that apply only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker.

Biking River Cruise With Backroads & AmaWaterways By John Roberts You can have it all as a cycling enthusiast who wants to explore Europe on a highly curated, hassle-free vacation. In fact, I took a river cruise bike tour that combines the best elements of sailing... Some also include alcoholic drinks in the fares — American Cruise Lines and Lindblad Expeditions do, while Alaskan Dream Cruises offers a complimentary glass of wine or beer at dinner. Two vessels are available for cruises of the Inside Passage. Trips focus on wildlife, Indigenous cultures and the natural beauty of the Inside Passage.

Andrew was most helpful in passing on knowledge to plan our trip. Have always wanted to see Alaska and your representative, Andrew was the deciding factor. Read some history like Muir's Travels in Alaska, history of decimation of tribes by European exposure and books on Northwest art.

This approach to small vessel expeditions in Alaska offers travelers a comprehensive look at all the Inside Passage has to offer. Every experience is hand-picked for its value in immersing you in True Alaska. View the new trips mentioned in this post, or use our Alaska small ship cruise finder to see all the Alaska small cruises 2024 options. We offer the largest selection of small ship Alaska cruises in 2024 and beyond to ensure you find the ideal trip. Next, contact our experts to help you find the best small ship Alaska cruise in 2024 or 2025 for your interests, budget and timeline. Our team has personal experience living, working and cruising in Alaska and we can match you with the perfect ship and trip.

Beyond the ubiquitous wildlife, little-seen villages and bucket-list moments, what I recall most vividly are the people I met, both passengers and crew. My fellow nature-loving small-ship travelers were of every age and from all over the United States. Often it was an international group, with one or two among us originating in some far-flung corner of the world, especially from Australia. The owners of the Discovery, Dean and Meg, were so accommodating and helpful. Dean got a sense for what the group wanted to do and tried to cater to everyone’s interest and activity level. The two guides, Phyllis and Hugh, were extremely knowledgeable and fun to be around.

These small ship Alaska cruise reviews are honest reports of what it’s like aboard a small Alaskan cruise. Another consideration some travelers ask us about is seasickness. Seasickness is typically not an issue on most Alaska small ship cruises.