Alaska Archives - Luxury Cruise News

The Natural Beauty of Alaska

Summer is approaching and there’s no better time for choosing the “best” Alaska cruise can offer. To quench your thirst, it really all depends on individual preferences and priorities, such as itinerary, ship size, onboard amenities, and budget. However, several cruise lines are consistently praised for their Alaska cruises due to their exceptional experiences and offerings. Here are some of the top Alaska cruise options:

Princess Cruises: Princess Cruises is one of the most popular cruise lines for Alaska voyages, offering a wide range of itineraries and ships that cater to different preferences and budgets. Their ships feature expansive viewing decks, onboard naturalists, and immersive shore excursions, including visits to Glacier Bay National Park and the Hubbard Glacier.
Holland America Line: Holland America Line offers classic Alaska cruises with a focus on enrichment and exploration. Their mid-sized ships provide a comfortable and elegant setting for cruising Alaska’s scenic waterways, with onboard amenities such as culinary experiences, live entertainment, and educational programs.
Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Cruises offers modern luxury Alaska cruises aboard their upscale ships. Guests can enjoy stylish accommodations, gourmet dining options, and innovative onboard activities, along with scenic cruising through Alaska’s Inside Passage and visits to iconic ports of call like Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway.
Norwegian Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line provides flexible and freestyle cruising options for travelers exploring Alaska. Their ships offer a variety of dining venues, entertainment options, and onboard activities, with itineraries that include glacier viewing, wildlife encounters, and cultural experiences in Alaskan ports.
Royal Caribbean International: Royal Caribbean International offers Alaska cruises aboard their large and innovative ships, providing a mix of adventure and relaxation for guests of all ages. While their Alaska itineraries may be less extensive compared to other cruise lines, Royal Caribbean’s ships offer a wide range of onboard amenities, including rock climbing walls, surf simulators, and Broadway-style shows.
Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival Cruise Line offers affordable Alaska cruises with a focus on fun and relaxation. While Carnival’s Alaska itineraries may be limited compared to other cruise lines, they provide a budget-friendly option for travelers looking to experience the beauty of Alaska’s glaciers, wildlife, and wilderness.
Disney Cruise Line: Disney Cruise Line offers family-friendly Alaska cruises with immersive experiences for guests of all ages. Their Alaska itineraries feature visits to picturesque ports, wildlife sightings, and exclusive Disney entertainment onboard, making it an ideal choice for families seeking a magical vacation in the Last Frontier.

These are just a few of the top Alaska cruise options, each offering its own unique blend of amenities, experiences, and itineraries. Whether you prioritize luxury, adventure, family-friendly activities, or budget-friendly options, there’s an Alaska cruise to suit your preferences and make your journey to the Last Frontier unforgettable.

Adventure Cruising

Adventure cruising has gained popularity among travelers seeking immersive and active experiences in diverse and off-the-beaten-path destinations. Several cruise lines specialize in adventure cruising, offering unique itineraries that focus on exploration, wildlife encounters, and outdoor activities. Here are some notable adventure cruising brands:

Lindblad Expeditions: Lindblad Expeditions specializes in expedition cruises to remote and wild destinations around the world. Partnered with National Geographic, their ships are equipped for exploration, with expert naturalists and photographers on board to enhance the guest experience. Lindblad’s itineraries often focus on wildlife viewing, cultural immersion, and adventure activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking.
UnCruise Adventures: UnCruise Adventures offers small-ship cruises to adventurous destinations in Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, Hawaii, Mexico’s Sea of Cortez, and Central America. With a focus on active exploration and wilderness encounters, UnCruise itineraries feature activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding, hiking, and snorkeling, along with opportunities to interact with local communities and wildlife.
Ponant: While Ponant is known for its luxury cruises, the cruise line also offers expedition voyages to some of the world’s most remote and captivating destinations. With a fleet of small expedition ships, Ponant’s itineraries include polar expeditions to Antarctica and the Arctic, as well as cruises to destinations such as the Amazon, the Kimberley region of Australia, and the islands of the South Pacific.
Aurora Expeditions: Aurora Expeditions specializes in small-group expeditions to the polar regions, as well as other remote destinations such as Papua New Guinea, the Russian Far East, and South Georgia Island. Their ships are equipped for active exploration, with Zodiac excursions, wildlife watching opportunities, and expert guides providing insight into each destination’s natural and cultural heritage.
Adventure Canada: Adventure Canada offers expedition cruises to the Canadian Arctic, Greenland, Newfoundland and Labrador, and other remote regions of Canada. Their small expedition ships provide access to wilderness areas and cultural sites, with a focus on learning, discovery, and authentic experiences guided by experts in history, culture, and natural science.

Quark Expeditions: Quark Expeditions specializes in polar adventures, offering expeditions to Antarctica and the Arctic. Their ice-strengthened ships are equipped for exploring remote regions, with activities such as Zodiac cruising, kayaking, and shore excursions led by experienced guides. Quark’s itineraries provide opportunities for wildlife encounters, scenic exploration, and learning about polar environments.

These adventure cruising brands cater to travelers seeking active and immersive experiences in some of the world’s most remote and awe-inspiring destinations. Whether you’re interested in polar exploration, wildlife encounters, cultural immersion, or outdoor activities, these cruise lines offer unique and unforgettable adventures.

Silversea Savings, 2024 – 25 Voyages

Whether you dream of a luxury voyage with lavish surroundings or a thrilling expedition to some of the most remote places on the planet, take time now to plan your trip of a lifetime. With voyages sailing to over 900 immersive destinations on all seven continents, the choices are remarkable, and the savings are, too. Silversea fares include ocean-view suites, wines and spirits throughout the ship to free WiFi, included gratuities, a butler for every suite and more.

OCEANVIEW SUITES

Silversea cruises have been voted the best luxury cruise line, so it is no surprise that our suites offer one of the highest space-per-guest ratios of any luxury cruise accommodations. All of our suites feature ocean views, and most with a private teak veranda. Regardless of the ship or suite, all guests will be pampered by the personalized services of an attentive butler, sailing in style aboard the best luxury cruise line.

Welcome to an exceptional season of luxury sailing! Our brand new collection of 2024 itineraries is our largest ever – choose from over 300 breathtaking journeys across all seven continents, with 660 destinations in 114 countries and over 60 new ports of call. The numbers are only half the story – this rich collection features enhanced classic itineraries and magical overnights in iconic destinations. With five unprecedented Grand Voyages and stunning new expeditions across the Indian Ocean and on the Amazon River, you’ll find a new favourite corner of the world with us. And- for the first time ever- you’ll enjoy shore excursions in every port of call, now also included in our Classic voyages starting in April, May and June depending on the ship and voyage.

Seabourn Unveils Dining Options on New Ships

Seabourn Cruise Line has a reputation for offering incredible ultra-luxe cruise experiences. If you’re a fan of Seabourn, they have a treat in store for you. The cruise line is introducing eight fantastic dining experiences on future voyages. These experiences will be available on their brand-new ships, which set sail in June 2021 and May 2022. Check out the details (and get ready to drool!).

These new dining options will provide incredible delicious possibilities for travelers during breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Since Seabourn is an ultra-luxury cruise brand, all experiences are of these complimentary to cruise-goers. These new experiences will be available on the upcoming brand-new ultra-luxury expedition ships.

Check out the eight experiences:

The Restaurant will offer an open-seating fine dining experience. It will be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals.
The Colonnade will provide a casual dining outlet for travelers — and will offer both table service or buffet dining or table service during breakfast and lunch hours. A themed table-side dinner is also served here, and family-style menus will be available.
The Patio is a casual alfresco dining experience which can be enjoyed during lunch hours when the weather cooperates.
Sushi in the Club will offer made-to-order sushi during the evening hours.
Seabourn Square provides a hangout space and will serve up coffee, sandwiches, pastries, and homemade gelato. This spot will be open during the day and into the evening hours.
Constellation Lounge offers a place for those who want to start their day early. Beverages and pastries will be served. Afternoon tea and cocktail-hour tapas are also available.
Pantry in the Bow Lounge is a grab and go freshly prepared light fare and refreshments spot.
24-Hour In-Suite Dining is another option for cruise-goers. Varied menus are available at any time of the day or enjoy The Restaurant menu (which is served course by course) in your suite or veranda.

As you can see, there are so many dining options on these new cruise ships. If you enjoy cruising and like taking part in incredible dining experiences, we have a feeling you’ll want to hop aboard these expedition cruises.

Silversea 2026 – 17 Voyages.

Silversea has announced its first-ever full summer season in French Polynesia, opening an exclusive pre-sale on 17 voyages between April and September 2026 aboard Silver Whisper. The line will offer deep immersion into 11 of the world’s most remote destinations in three of the region’s five archipelagos—the Society, Tuamotu and Marquesas Islands.

From April 6, 2026, the 392-guest Silver Whisper will undertake 17 voyages in French Polynesia, Papeete, Tahiti. Travelers can choose from seven- or 14-night itineraries—both of which aim to foster meaningful connections with the destination.

The shorter of the two itineraries sees Silver Whisper journey among the Society Islands’ most iconic destinations, as well as off-the-beaten-path gems. From Papeete, guests will journey to Moorea on an overnight call, besides Huahine and Bora Bora. Three late departures maximize guests’ time in Papeete, Moorea and Huahine. Hosted by an expert guide aboard a traditional boat in Bora Bora, guests will learn about the important role of storytelling in local culture and how early navigators used the stars to sail through the Pacific Ocean. In Huahine, travelers can join a cultural nature walk to discover the archeological sites of the village of Maeva, while admiring tropical plants and treetop views of the coastline. In Moorea, Bora Bora and Huahine, guests can snorkel in crystal-clear waters for the chance to witness hundreds of fish species and corals. Guests will also have the option of relaxing on a private island or motu, enjoying a traditional barbecue and local music.

Departing from Papeete on a 14-day voyage aboard Silver Whisper, guests will explore Moorea on an overnight call, besides visits to Fakarava, Nuku Hiva, Fatu Hiva, Atuona, Tahuata, Rangiroa and Bora Bora, before returning to Papeete. In addition to discovering the peaks of the Society Islands and snorkeling to admire the archipelago’s abundant marine life, guests on both itineraries can spot whales (August to November), accompanied by expert guides; learn about local culinary traditions in a test kitchen in Moorea; and discover Raiatea by electric bicycle, among other immersive experiences. As on the seven-day itinerary, guests will also have the chance to relax on a private island, as a highlight experience.

Additionally, a 21-day Easter Island sailing, departing Valparaiso on March 16, and two combination voyages broaden the regional offering for guests.

Our Favorite Cruise Ships to Alaska

Discover the wilderness and untouched natural territory around the glaciers of Alaska with a cruise. Several major cruise lines have renovated their biggest ships to provide an unparalleled experience cruising around the Inside Passage, Skagway, and Icy Strait Point.

Here are three of the best cruise ships to Alaska:

Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas

Royal Caribbean offers cruises to dozens of destinations around the globe but the Ovation of the Seas will be the largest ship ever to make its way to Alaska. The ship feature an indoor activities complex that includes a roller skating rink and bumper cars. The ship is designed with its own gondola that that takes you 300 feet above sea level to take in views of the mountains and water. A digitally enhanced entertainment complex, oversized common areas, and plenty of gourmet dining provide a resort-like experience. The Alaska adventure will give you a chance to explore the wilderness and forest around Denali National Park, bike along the Anchorage Coastal Trail, and go on a whale watching tour around Kenai Fjords National Park in Seward.

Celebrity Millennium

It’s been part of a grand revitalization of Celebrity cruise ships and the Celebrity Millennium is finally ready to set sail. This summer, guests traveling to Alaska can enjoy upgraded cabins with eXhale bedding, renovated bathrooms, an updating dining experience in the main dining room, Oceanview Cafe, and Sunset Bar, and suites with private Retreat Decks and lounge areas. The Celebrity Millennium cruise ship will be taking travelers along Northern and Southern Glacier routes.

Norwegian Joy

Another ship that’s been refurbished and updated will set sail to Alaska later this spring. This is one of two Breakaway-Plus class ships from Norwegian and offers deluxe amenities along with an interactive digital playground where guests can experience virtual reality gaming. The ship has a dedicated Observation Lounge that offers incredible views of the North Pacific Ocean. You can look forward to luxury amenities and the VIP treatment with Concierge accommodations. The Alaska trip takes you from Seattle, Washington, all the way up to Icy Strait Point and then back down through Victoria, British Columbia before returning to Washington.