The 6 best Alaska cruise shore excursions

Table Of Content

• Restaurants On The Norwegian Jewel
• Wildlife Is a Highlight on Alaskan Cruise Tours, But Not Always that Easy to See
• Norwegian Jade / Norwegian Jewel12-Day Denali by Rail Explorer
• Overall Review Of Our Norwegian Alaska Cruise – Pros and Cons
• Bottom Line: Cruise Tours Are Unique Ways to Explore Alaska's Vast Wilderness
• Norwegian Encore Alaska Itinerary

When you think of a cruise ship, you’re probably thinking of a tropical sunny destination. And well, this ship is certainly designed for a cruise of that nature. Again 2 are family-friendly, and two are located in the adult-only area (ages 18+). Other cruise lines, including Norwegian, offer itineraries with varying ports of call.

Restaurants On The Norwegian Jewel

NCL is not very forthcoming on when and how to make dining and show reservations, so mark your calendars accordingly. Once onboard, make reservations at the Guest Services on deck 6, or at the electronic touchscreen kiosks located at each elevator bay. This allowed them to plan ahead of time which activities they wanted to spend their onboard credit on and prevented overspending.

Wildlife Is a Highlight on Alaskan Cruise Tours, But Not Always that Easy to See

This tour combines the work done at the raptor center with Sitka's cultural side. The most complete tour of Denali and Alaskan life in the past and present. For the active, outgoing guest, this tour offers spectacular vantage points of Mt. McKinley with time to purchase an optional all-day fishing excursion in Homer - the halibut capital of the world. There are deck chairs that surround the boat lined up for you to soak up the sun and less of an emphasis on unobstructed views. And views are typically the main reason people go on an Alaskan Cruise in my opinion.

Norwegian Jade / Norwegian Jewel12-Day Denali by Rail Explorer

Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. As such, there is no air conditioning in the coaches, so passengers can expect things to feel a bit stuffy if it's a hot day. There, you'll also find The Train Shoppe, which sells all sorts of memorabilia and apparel.

That's a huge chunk of change for an outing that lasts three hours. The lodges typically feature a carefully created rustic look with exposed-log exteriors and blond-wood interiors. Lobbies are homey with cozy seating, fireplaces and taxidermy mounts of various animal heads, like moose and caribou. June through August is considered the high season in Alaska, and Alaska shines during this period, with endless hours of daylight due to the midnight sun.

In Juneau, food tours have become popular; think King crab bisque and Alaska salmon. You should at least walk its main street (Broadway), with its wooden-board sidewalks. If you're a craft beer fan, like me, you also might want to sample a Spruce Tip Blonde Ale at the Skagway Brewing Company. That said, you don't have to splurge for a big outing at every call.

Check out the wildlife view­ing plat­forms and fol­low the self-guid­ed trail marked by Native totemic carv­ings for access to upper alpine hiking area. The boat used for this excursion has both inside and outdoor viewing areas. The trips last about four hours, including transfer time from your cruise ship to the whale-watching boat.

Panoramic Seattle & Pike Place Market

In Alaska, many of the biggest "attractions" — breathtaking mountain landscapes, glaciers, fjords, breaching whales and feeding bears, for instance — are related to the Great Outdoors. As a result, many of the best Alaska shore excursions for cruisers are found outside of the towns where ships stop. If you just stay in the towns and explore on your own, you'll miss a big part of what Alaska is all about. While our review is based on a 10-day cruise, the insights we share can also help you choose a 7-day itinerary.

Review: Is the Norwegian Sun a Good Ship to Cruise Alaska?

From your comfortable seat, watch the veteran fishing crew reel in all kinds of creatures, including crabs, eels, octopuses, and even sharks. After you touch down, you'll get a quick lesson from seasoned Iditarod racers about how to command your huskies before taking the reins yourself. Listen to the enthusiastic yips and howls of your sled dogs and feel the icy wind in your face as you speed through the awe-inspiring snowy landscape. The ride takes only 90 seconds before your gentle, brake-activated touchdown on the beach. For even more adventure, some tours combine the Icy Straight Point zipline with an ATV ride.

Norwegian Bliss Cruise Ship First-hand Expert Review - Cruise Critic

Norwegian Bliss Cruise Ship First-hand Expert Review.

Posted: Wed, 12 Jul 2023 15:12:15 GMT [source]

Don’t miss our in-depth article on the best time for an Alaska cruise, where we break down the pros and cons of each season and month. 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. From its natural wonders like Port Frederick and Mud Bay to adrenaline-pumping activities and convenient amenities, this port offers a well-rounded Alaskan experience. A free gondola ride connects the Adventure Landing dock to the Historic Cannery, making exploring the port’s shopping and dining options easy. For those looking to elevate their experience, the Mountaintop Forest Tram is a must.

Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. Experienced climbing guides will meet you at your ship and drive you up the Klondike Highway to an area of granite cliffs that's the perfect playground for beginner and more seasoned climbers alike. Upon arrival, the guides provide you with all the gear you need — climbing shoes, helmets and harnesses — for a safe scramble up a 70-foot-high wall.

Our most picturesque tour of Denali and the Alaska wilderness featuring rarely seen vistas, spectacular mountain passes and glaciers galore. This tour offers abundant marine wildlife viewing opportunities during the day boat cruise across Prince William Sound. Head deeper into the frozen wilderness with one of our Alaska Cruisetours on board Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Spirit, combining your cruise with an immersive land vacation that goes beyond the expected. Spanning from 11- to 14-days, these cruise vacation packages include overnight stays in Denali, Anchorage, Fairbanks, Homer, Talkeetna, and Valdez. Exclusive to Norwegian, all Cruisetours are led by local Alaskan guides to provide you with an authentic Alaska experience.