Plan Your Cruise Vacation Travels

Table Of Content

• One Day, Three Ways At Perfect Day At Cococay
• Decide: Travel agent or On Your Own
• UltimateWorld Cruise
• The Most Epic World Cruise Ever To Set Sail

Here are some fun European cities to visit on your next European cruise — plus tips to make it a memorable, stress-free experience. Traveler’s guide to planning a memorable Dubai vacation filled with extraordinary things to do while making the most of your journey across the world. Explore the 10 best family spring break destinations in the United States and the Caribbean and find the perfect mix of relaxing and adventurous vacation destinations.

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One Day, Three Ways At Perfect Day At Cococay

While the cruise line's internal pricing logic isn't publicly known, anecdotally, there isn't any reason a price would be less on a certain day. When it's time to raise or lower the price, it happens in real-time. When choosing a room, we recommend staying away from those near elevators and just above nightclubs and other late-night venues. Cabins just below the pool deck and near the anchor also can be problematic, as well as cabins near casinos. There is a way to make calls and access the internet from Royal Caribbean ships without spending a boatload of money. You can buy a Wi-Fi package, which will let you make FaceTime calls and stream videos over Wi-Fi without using phone data.

Decide: Travel agent or On Your Own

For years we’ve led the vacation industry with first-at-sea innovations, continually pushing the limits of the imagination with award-winning ships packed with revolutionary thrills. Like our Oasis Class Wonder of the Seas℠ and Icon Class Icon of the Seas℠ — the biggest, boldest ships to ever set sail. Our fleet has 28 thrilling ships, each delivering bold onboard thrills, world-class dining, jaw-dropping entertainment, and incredible accommodations. As Alaska cruises have grown in popularity, the crowds have grown as well.

UltimateWorld Cruise

Some recently built ships even have skydiving simulators — giant acrylic tubes where you get to experience the sensation of skydiving. On Oasis Class ships, there also are 735-seat outdoor "aqua theaters" that are home to dazzling aerial and water shows (Icon of the Seas has its own version of this under a glass dome called the AquaDome). Quantum Class ships have Two70, an extraordinary, high-tech theater space that offers multisensory shows combining singing, dancing and acrobatics. In addition, some ships feature private restaurants just for passengers staying in suites along with top-tier members of the line's Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program. Some, such as the Royal Loft Suites found on Oasis Class ships, are two decks high with sweeping views across the top of the vessel.

Regardless of where your cruise starts and ends, it’s always better to plan transportation logistics ahead of time to avoid any surprises and confusion upon arrival. If your cruise is a one-way itinerary that starts or ends in Seward, Alaska, transportation logistics require more pre-planning. The closest major airport to Seward is Anchorage, which is over two hours away by car. Due to this, you might want to consider taking a Royal Caribbean shuttle or the train from Seward to Anchorage, which must be scheduled in advance. Because you will arrive in your embarkation city the night before your cruise, remember to book your hotel stay sooner rather than later.

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No matter where you choose to sail from, you’re bound for a bold adventure. From snorkeling in the Caribbean to dog sledding in Alaska, castle chasing in Europe and kayaking in the Mexican Riviera — wow-worthy adventures are yours for the taking. Nothing fuels bolder bonding like an epic adventure with your squad. One of my favorite Alaska cruise “hacks” is to utilize Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s luggage valet service.

The Most Epic World Cruise Ever To Set Sail

Maybe your flight to your ship gets canceled and you miss the vessel's departure. These are specific Royal Caribbean cruise tips that will save you money and time, and let you maximize the experience both on board the vessels and during port calls. Regardless of when you book, be sure to consider new promotions and sales that may come out later. Residents of the United States and Canada are free to re-book under new sales promotions until their final payment date with no penalty.

You can also reserve individual meals at specialty restaurants for lunch or dinner on the Cruise Planner. You can filter excursions by activity level, duration, and interest to find the excursion that fits your needs best. While you aren’t required to reserve a Royal Caribbean shore excursion, it’s worth browsing what’s available to get a better understanding of activities available in each cruise port.

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Many passengers don't know about this secret spot for watching sailaways, found on Radiance-class, Voyager-class and Freedom-class vessels. Royal Caribbean usually allows passengers to walk out onto these helipads around the time that a ship is departing. Check-in for Royal Caribbean sailings can open as far as 45 days in advance, and it pays to go through the check-in process as early as you can.

There are thousands of travel agencies, both online and local to where you live. Finding a good one is a matter of word of mouth and recommendations from trusted friends. Speaking of phone calls, Royal Caribbean's toll-free number can sometimes get very busy. Canceling and rebooking is easy to do on Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner site. This section is where you can purchase stateroom surprises and decor that will be delivered to your stateroom on embarkation day.

Whether you are a new cruiser or experienced, having someone who knows their stuff and can work on your behalf to troubleshoot any problems you encounter is worth any amount of onboard credit. When you approach a travel agent to book a cruise, they should ask you a series of questions related to what you're interested in booking and be able to help navigate the dizzying array of choices. It may surprise you to hear travel agents still exist and they are a very popular way to book a cruise. A nice perk of booking with the cruise line directly is you can manage your own reservation. This means you can change who's booked, the sail date, or other details by simply picking up the phone and calling.

The Best Time of Year for an Alaska Cruise A Complete Guide

Table Of Content

• Best cruise lines for adventure-seekers
• Adventure Awaits on a Cruise to Québec, Newfoundland and New England
• What to Expect on an Alaskan Cruise in August

On dry land, bears are more common in May, though not as frequently spotted as they are in peak summer. Alternatively, birders might want to time their cruise with the Copper River Shorebird Festival, which takes place early in May in Cordova. Check ahead to make sure your itinerary will stop here, as it's usually only featured on longer 14-day cruises to Alaska. Although the weather will likely include more rain, you have a better chance of viewing the Northern Lights, which might outweigh this drawback.

Best cruise lines for adventure-seekers

Since the skies do still get dark during this month, there is a slight chance that you’ll be able to view the Northern Lights on an Alaskan cruise in April. Peak viewing of the Aurora Borealis happens between November and March, but on a clear night with lots of solar activity, you have a shot at this once-in-a-lifetime viewing experience. Locals typically call the months of April and May “break-up” because the snow and ice begin to break apart and melt after the long winter. In April, mountains will still be snowy, and high temperatures will max out in the upper 40s for most cruise ports. For those embarking on their first Alaska adventure or with limited time, we recommend two outstanding options.

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Adventure Awaits on a Cruise to Québec, Newfoundland and New England

If it's marine life you've come to see, you'll find it in abundance, from whales and dolphins to sea lions and harbor seals. On land, you'll likely spy bears and Dall sheep while eagles, puffins and a host of seabirds circle above. With that in mind, Alaska is still a dynamic destination—no one snapshot of time during the year is guaranteed to encompass all this state has to offer. Whatever month you choose for your Alaska cruise, though, is sure to bring the opportunity to visit charming towns, explore phenomenal nature, and make memories with family and friends. There’s no right or wrong time to cruise to Alaska, but having an idea of the pros and cons of each season should help decide which time of year works best for you. Likewise, while weather should be colder during the shoulder seasons of May and September, Alaska’s weather is quite unpredictable.

What to Expect on an Alaskan Cruise in August

Balcony cabins are still available on the season’s inaugural sailing at a discounted fare of $1,029 per person. When traveling from Vancouver in the Inside Passage of Southeast Alaska, the waters are mostly protected and provide smooth sailing. If ports include Anchorage, Seward, or Whittier, cruise ships must cross the Gulf of Alaska, which has notoriously rougher waters.

You won’t want to miss this indescribable sight, so watch for clear night skies and set an alarm to go on deck (or on your balcony) for potential middle-of-the-night Northern Lights shows. Not only is it your best shot for warmer weather, but you’re also sure to see a good amount of the wildlife Alaska is famous for. The loss of daylight does mean you could see the Aurora Borealis while cruising to Alaska in late August. The best time to see the Northern Lights is between late August and April, typically peaking in March. By the end of August, the sunrise and sunset times in Alaska are pretty close to “normal” times for most states in the USA.

What Is The Best Time of Year to Go On An Alaska Cruise?

If you want to avoid the cooler temperatures and potential for rain, you may want to choose the late summer to early fall. With that in mind, recognize that you may have to contend with larger crowds and the dreaded Alaskan mosquito swarms. While late spring and early summer might offer pleasant weather in the lower American states, Alaska’s far north latitude means that temperatures are still cooler. If you choose to cruise Alaska during this time, bring water-resistant clothing and plenty of warm layers. While it may seem counterintuitive that a popular time to travel would mean that cruise fares are lower, the reason is that there are more ships operating at this time. With more options to choose from, you can typically find a good deal if you are booking for the period that stretches between May and June.

Hatcher Pass typically opens up in July, depending on the specific Hatcher Pass weather conditions. Mt. Denali is another option for cruisers, but be sure to check on the Mt. Denali weather with your cruise line. Peak cruising months, July and August, are the best time of year to cruise to Alaska. During these months you will have the warmest weather and the greatest chance to see wildlife. Small-ship Alaska cruise lines like American Queen Voyages and Uncruise can go further into narrow passages and get closer to shoreline wildlife like Dall sheep and bears.

Keep an eye out for my favorite, the ever-adorable puffins, Arctic terns, cormorants, and bald eagles. Another thing to keep in mind when deciding the best month for your Alaskan cruise is wildlife viewing opportunities. Alaska is still gaining sunlight as the Summer Solstice approaches, so you’ll experience longer days during your May cruise. While prices in the early season are generally less expensive, your experience during a May cruise will look different from during the high season in July and August. Orca whales (which are actually members of the dolphin family) are a fairly common site on an Alaskan cruise. “Resident” orcas (who stay near shore and feed on fish) are easy to spot and fun to watch from the cruise ship or on a whale-watching excursion.

explore near and far

Nights are dark again, and while your chance of seeing them in Southeast Alaska is low, taking a land tour package along with your September cruise gets you farther north into Aurora Borealis country. It is the rainiest month of the summer season, especially in Southeast Alaska, with Juneau averaging about 16 days with precipitation. Packing a good rain jacket and waterproof shoes is all it takes to make rainy port days enjoyable. Mature travelers who'd like a more adult-centered experience often choose to wait until the middle or end of August to cruise, when most kids are back in school. The beginning of September is much like August, but after the kids go back to school and the family crowd departs, it's shoulder season for cruising and pricing drops. Most cruise ships will have repositioned out of the state by the end of the month.

The worst months to cruise to Alaska - Royal Caribbean Blog

The worst months to cruise to Alaska.

Posted: Mon, 18 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Wet weather aside, late summer months bring the best chances of seeing wildlife on expeditions. These months are also your best bet if you want active fishing trips on a shore excursion. A limited number of cruises in October (predominantly on Norwegian Cruise Line) make it possible for cruisers to experience a taste of Alaska in winter without sub-zero temperatures.

Alternatively, Inside Passage cruises in Alaska tend to be calmer as the waters are protected. Temperatures in Alaska can change considerably from one destination to the next. That includes warm days, where even being near a glacier or a passing cloud (or socked-in rain) can make things chilly. Holland America and Princess are the biggest mainstream lines for an Alaska cruise. But you'll also see Alaska itineraries from Carnival, Disney, Norwegian (NCL) and Royal Caribbean, which gives you an array of price points to consider. You'll need to set aside a good chunk of money to spend on shore excursions when you're in Alaska.

Rainfall slows down a bit in June, with about 13 days of the month having some precipitation. If you purchase a balcony cabin, you can take advantage of the long days in the Land of the Midnight Sun. As your ship reaches the Inside Passage, the early morning views outside of your room are breathtaking. However, the views and ability to go sightseeing from your room on ocean days make the higher price worth it. The average rainfall in Juneau during the month of April is 2.77 inches. Although the rain isn’t convenient, it is the reason for the lush vegetation you enjoy.

But if you’re thinking of exploring this vibrant region on an Alaskan cruise, the best time to do so is between May and September. However, within these months there are differences that may impact the time during which you choose to travel. When planning your Alaska trip, you’ll find endless activities to choose from that will let you view the wildlife up close. A whale watching tour in Seward’s Kenai Fjords National Park, where you’ll also encounter brightly colored puffins and spirited sea otters, is a favorite.

A September cruise has its benefits, including less crowding and cheaper prices. However, a cruise this time of year will also slightly decrease your chance of viewing wildlife and make for sleepier ports of call because most summer workers return home for college. For major cruise lines, the Alaska cruise season runs between May and late September, including Viking and Disney. In this guide, we’ll explore why the summer months, from early May to late September, are the best time of the year for an Alaska cruise. Get ready to discover the beauty, wildlife, and adventures that await during your summer cruise to Alaska.

You will want to bundle up; the average temperature in Juneau in October is 39 degrees. As someone who has cruised Alaska many times, I love cruising in May when the weather is dry and locals are emerging from their winter cocoons, embracing the sunshine. The wildlife is doing the same, and you might spot bears with their cubs, moose with their calves and humpback whales returning from their winter home in Hawaii. The Alaska cruise season winds down in October, with only a few ships setting sail. Just as in April and May, you’ll likely have the water to yourself, and even fewer people in the ports you call upon.

The Alaska cruise season is a little over six months long, but choosing the best time to cruise Alaska is surprisingly not that simple. An additional perk of opting for a shoulder season cruise, particularly in September, is that it is also the best time to cruise Alaska for Northern Lights. The darkening skies offer a chance to view the Northern Lights from the deck of your cruise ship.