Alaskan Small Ship Cruises

Table Of Content

• Yellowstone & the Tetons: American Safari
• Authentic and personal small expedition adventures through Alaska’s Inside Passage
• Glacier Bay, AK
• Traveler Advice
• Alaska Cruises Small Ships Versus Big Ships

Our Alaskan cruises showcase the beauty of the United States in places like Mendenhall Glacier, Skagway, and Haines. The small-ship cruises plying southeast Alaska tend to include more in their fares than the standard giant cruise ships — namely excursions. In addition to four coastal-type vessels carrying 62 to 100 passengers that cruise the Inside Passage, Lindblad operates expedition ships in the Arctic on Northwest Passage transits that begin or end in Nome. 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.

Yellowstone & the Tetons: American Safari

Visit Alaska National Parks with wilderness, nature & solitude. These small ships and remote lodges let you skip the crowds. Learn about the various options to explore Glacier Bay, Kenai Fjords & Denali in this itinerary round-up. Consult this month-by-month guide for help planning your Alaska travel with tips on everything from weather, wildlife, daylight and the benefits of each month. Compare and contrast the various Lindblad Alaska cruises and ships from an expert who's been aboard.

Authentic and personal small expedition adventures through Alaska’s Inside Passage

Explore the nat­ur­al won­ders of north­west­ern Prince William Sound Alas­ka in this 3‑day ver­sion of our Clas­sic Dis­cov­ery Voy­age. This is the per­fect cruise for those who don’t have time to do the whole Inside Pas­sage or wish to com­bine their Alas­ka cruise with more shore-based activities. Dis­cov­er South­east Alaska’s nat­ur­al won­ders aboard a char­tered sail­boat with Sail­ing Alas­ka. Cus­tomize your pri­vate expe­di­tion with expe­ri­enced cap­tain John Joeright and enjoy all-inclu­sive meals, com­fort­able accom­mo­da­tions, and end­less adven­tures on the 46-foot S/V Sham­rock. Watch whales, hike, fish, vis­it local com­mu­ni­ties, and more — all at your own pace. Most of the Constellation’s cabins have private balconies, and six are designed for single travelers.

Glacier Bay, AK

There are many reasons to choose an Alaska small ship vs big ship, but at the top is that small ships to Alaska focus on immersive, off-ship activities in wilderness areas. In Alaska, large cruise ships are synonymous with cruising, but they really just cruise (fast) past it all. An open bar, all shore tours, hotel accommodations and airport transfers are included in the price. The ships cruise between Sitka and Juneau, stopping for nature activities at places like Admiralty and Brothers Islands, with glacier-viewing at Tracy or Endicott Arms along the way. There are no traditional port calls on these cruises; your time is almost entirely spent on the water, with stops for hiking, wildlife-viewing and from-land fishing. Choosing the right trip - Which type of trip you choose depends on personal preference, but all Alaskan cruises will offer a great experience in this remote region.

Traveler Advice

Seasickness is typically not an issue on most Alaska small ship cruises. Most cruises travel in protected waters, rarely traveling more than a few miles away from shore. Positioning cruises and small ship Alaska cruises that venture close to the open water of the Gulf of Alaska are more prone to exposure to ocean swells for brief periods of their itinerary.

Wildlife Viewing

A small ship Alaska cruise is one of the most intensive ways to explore Alaska's coast. Unlike the massive ships that ply the waters of the Gulf of Alaska and Inside Passage, small Alaska cruises can dock in isolated bays and fjords or picture-perfect small towns far from the crowded tourist trail. If you book on Oceania's OLife Choice promotion you get tochoose from a menu of added values, including selectedcomplimentary shore excursions, and you can also splash out on moreexciting options including seaplane flights. You will travel in comfortable sea-view accommodation, and enjoygourmet cuisine. Pick from expedition-style itineraries in remote territorieswith extraordinary landscapes and varied wildlife, or cruise-styleoperations on the captivating Inside Passage route between Juneauand Vancouver.

Alaska Cruises Small Ships Versus Big Ships

We greatly appreciated being able to rent the slogging boots on the boat. An AdventureSmith Specialist is 1 of only 8 passengers on this Katmai bear viewing cruise in Alaska. See his incredible grizzly bear photography and read stories of the bears in this detailed trip review. Small ship Alaska cruises make the most of the summer months when passengers can enjoy warmer temperatures, long days with late sunsets and accessible wildlife. Throughout the summer, weather is variable ranging from warm sunny days in the 70s or 80s to chilly rainy days in the 50s and 60s.

Southeast Alaska Cruise

Need help narrowing down all the Alaska adventure cruise options? Consider your special interests to further hone in on your many choices. Our experts are just a phone call or email away to assist you find everything from the top Alaska cruises for couples or single travelers to the best small ship Alaska cruises for families. Contact us to receive a personalized-to-you recommendation for your travel style, budget and timing needs. Head to our Alaska Small Ship Cruise Finder to view all available cruises.

Dramatic scenery all around you as you cruise Alaska's fjords

Eryn was an outstanding naturalist and patient teacher. Rab really set the tone and having the experience of Linda, Betty Lou, Eryn, and the others enhanced the experience. The handling of bear confrontation on shore showed exceptional knowledge, training and leadership. Our guide to whale watching Alaska from small overnight ships will help you plan and prepare, with tips on whale types, visitor sites and packing tips. Maximize your chances of close encounters with whales in Alaska.

Fly from Anchor­age by sea­plane to the North­west Odyssey, anchored off the coast of Kat­mai Nation­al Park. This lux­u­ri­ous yacht will be your home base for spec­tac­u­lar bear view­ing and fish­ing in uncrowd­ed waters. Set sail on a lux­u­ri­ous 70-ft yacht out of Homer for 3+ days of fish­ing, hik­ing, kayak­ing, and wildlife view­ing while indulging in mass amounts of seafood. Your itin­er­ary will depend on the inter­ests of the group, and the expe­ri­enced local crew can ful­fill those interests. Besides showcasing Alaska’s wildlife and landscape, Alaskan Dream Cruises offers experiences that focus on the region’s Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian native cultures. The majority of Alaska cruises last a week (though there are longer itineraries), exploring southeast Alaska’s Inside Passage via round-trip or one-way journeys from Juneau, Sitka, Seattle, and Vancouver.

Oceania Cruises Elevates Small Ship Luxury Offering in Alaska, with Riviera Debuting in "The Last Frontier" in Summer ... - PR Newswire

Oceania Cruises Elevates Small Ship Luxury Offering in Alaska, with Riviera Debuting in "The Last Frontier" in Summer ....

Posted: Wed, 04 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Every crew member was professional, informative and fun. They were so knowledgeable and happy to answer any questions. They payed attention to what people wanted out of the trip.

Bear Paw Char­ters offers pri­vate, all-inclu­sive day trips and longer tours on its lux­u­ry yacht — per­fect for whale watch­ing, bear view­ing, and expe­ri­enc­ing Alaska’s scenic majesty. Small ship cruises are more expensive than big-ship cruises, but in return, you get a more personal level of service, and the chance to travel with a typically curious, adventurous group of travelers. Lindblad pioneered the expedition cruise several decades ago and has partnered with National Geographic since 2004,. It remains a leader in the field and is a great option for small ship Alaska cruises that put landscapes and wildlife front and center.

Being aboard the Discovery, a small vessel with a storied past, one feels immersed in, rather than removed from, the immediate environment. The crew is very attentive, and the food was fresh, creative, and delicious; beautifully presented and accompanied by a very nice selection of wine. No stone goes unturned with the 25 page annual inspection by the US Coast Guard which assesses every aspect of vessel safety from construction and condition, safety equipment, to the qualifications of crew onboard. Remarkable small-ship cruises in Alaska’s Prince William Sound. The MY Golden Eagle boasts state-of-the-art amenities and elegantly appointed cabins, providing a comfortable and luxurious base as you explore the rugged beauty of Alaska.

Glacier visits were well done, awesome, and sobering to see the impacts of climate change. Potlach dances were highlight also as was the ability to meet Jim Hart and Christian White. Big ships may at first seem appealing for price, but learn all about the full package of considerations for everything from activities, kids and itineraries in this side-by-side comparison. Hit all four corners of Southeast Alaska on this dynamic itinerary featuring active excursions and indigenous culture aboard the 49-guest Admiralty Dream. All you need to know before you take an Alaska UnCruise. Read this review to hear from an expert’s eye what sets this operator's cruises apart from others in Alaska.