Within the short season extending from may through september the. A cruise from seattle to alaska through the inside passage follows the same routes whales travel in spring and fall, taking you to the foot of towering glaciers and into what many call the last frontier. Visit alaska to enjoy a unique whale watching experience during your cruise. Whales begin to migrate toward alaska in february and arrive in april.
One of the biggest thrills for many alaska visitors is to see these giants of the sea. Whale watching in alaska is fun, accessible andexciting. Jan 6, 20 whales that breed and birth in warm climates like hawaii and mexico come to alaska to feed in our nutrient rich waters. They often come close to the boats and seem to be in no hurry to leave. Whale watching on an alaska cruise is nothing short of spectacular, and not just because of the magnificent wildlife. Although the whales are present on into november, these are the better months because of the anticipated weather. From juneau to kodiak, these whale watching areas are popular among tourist and residents alike. So after months of planning, the birthday cruise was finally booked. First timers guide to taking an alaska cruise tips we are. Be sure to check out these alaska cruise tips before you sail. General tips for cruising to alaska when to go, passport requirements. From cuddling sleddog puppies to hiking denali national park. Isp is the most active whale watching port i have experienced in 15 visits to alaska. Even if you have sailed the caribbean or another region of the world before.
Whale song cruises set sail with a 40year alaska resident. Travelers are bound to view whales aboard just about any small ship cruise in alaska and whale watching is a big part of any cruise experience. Alaskan cruisetour photo gallery tips and suggestions for. When the calm waters of alaskas inside passage are first broken by a large, dark humpback as it rises and breaches from the sea, viewers on the open deck of an alaskan whale watching ship cant help but gasp at the thrill. During the summer months, whale watching is one of the most popular activities within alaskas inside passage and the frederick sound. Checking in person with tour companies in the early afternoon for vacancies on a sameday trip can sometimes conjure up a bargain discount. Experience an allinclusive alaska small ship cruise through the inside passage. The best place to see orcas is on a whale watching excursion from victoria or seattle before or after the cruise. From the mighty caribou and the grizzly bears to humpback whale and seals. A search for whale watching cruises in alaska will bring up a crippling flood of information. In july 2010 we were off on a 7day alaskan cruise aboard diamond princess. From the mighty caribou and the grizzly bears to humpback whale and seals, theres a good chance youll be close to more than one type of wildlife when you visit alaska. Clipper vacations offers whalewatching cruises in march, april and may as the whales migrate through seattles puget sound on their way to alaska. I hope that you enjoyed the 5 practical alaska whale watching tips you need to know.
Best cruise apps, cruise trips to alaska with alaska shore tours. Heres a list of list of popular whale watching tips to keep in mind to improve your odds of seeing whale while in alaska. Find custom cruises to alaska departing from the pacific northwest that offer whale and wildlife watching, sport fishing, scenic excursions, gourmet cuisine and more all from the comfort of a luxurious cabin and spacious viewing decks. Princess cruises has tips on what to bring, wear and how to capture these amazing memories. Enjoy gorgeous scenery as you search for humpback and orca whales, then enjoy an allyoucaneat alaskan feast at the gold. You are going to have a truly unforgettable vacation. Top 15 alaska cruise tips every traveler needs to know for. Many alaska cruise visitors ask us, alaska cruises offer hundreds of shore excursionswhich are the best and most unique.
Between may and september, humpbacks stay in the northern parts of the passage to feed. It is a casual destination, so during the day it is battle gear and layering. When the cruise port opens for boarding there is a huge mass of people trying to get on board. Whale watching cruises in anchorage, alaska usa today. See more ideas about whale, alaska and sea creatures. Alaska cruise itinerary an introduction to each port of call on our 7 day alaska cruise. Alaskan cruises run a variety of different routes depending on what cruise line you book with. Juneau whale watching, glaciers or other shore tours albom. All about alaska cruising alaska forum tripadvisor. Photo and camera tips for whale watching in juneau, alaska. The best place to look for them are in western johnstone strait, where they seem to congregate to feed on salmon in the summer, and lynn canal, between juneau and skagway. Sightseers may see both types of whales on a juneau whale watching excursion, especially during the summer months of may and june for orcas and june and july for humpback whales. The captain didnt see the wake from another boat at one point and our boat was.
Best whale watching pictures alaska inside passage cruise. Your guide to whale watching in alaska in 2020 scenic states. Humpback whales can be spotted in alaska from midmay through september. Knowing this, my husband and i had to make it happen. So, you have decided to take your first cruise to alaska. Cruise passengers watch as majestic whales breach the surface of the pristine waters of alaska s inside passage near juneau. Easily recognized by their tall black tails, orcas are seen throughout the alaska cruise area. Read more about our own alaska cruise tour in kenai fjords national park. Whether you want to go whale watching for orcas, humpbacks, grays or beluga whales, most alaska whale watching tours are just an easy day cruise away.
The 10 best alaska whale watching tours book alaskan excursions. If youre planning a cruise to alaska, i think youll also enjoy this article about why everyone should take an alaskan cruise. Most of the cities visited during the alaska cruise are really easy to get to from the cruise ship terminal. Alaska cruise itinerary an introduction to each port of call. This juneau whale watch and glacier tour is an unbelievable way to do both in a single excursion helping keep your alaska shore excursions cheap. If you find yourself on an alaska cruise, i highly recommend a whale watch.
Here are my top 5 tips to ensure you maximize your next the whale watch. This is one of the most popular excursions for cruise ship passengers and a way to see more of natural alaska. They mostly stay in the same area for 15 weeks or more, mostly in glacier bay or icy strait. Whales from cruise ship alaska cruise critic community. This 3 12hour tour out of juneau is equipped with an amplified hydrophone system so you can listen to the whales underwater, while also enjoying the lush rainforest views. While juneau whale watching topped my list, there are plenty of other things to do in juneau for nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and tourists. You might be on a glacier cruise, for example, but later realize you were also on a wildlife cruise due to the incredible amount of alaska marine life which passed by while you were on the way to that glacier. Vancouver and seattle are the top two alaska cruise embarkation and debarkationport cities. I explore topics like when is the best time to go to alaska, which alaska cruise itinerary is. Do you have to get on a boat cruise or smaller tour boat to see the whales. Nearly 1 million visitors arrive in juneau annually, 900,000 of them via cruise ship. Keep your eyes open as the whales breech right near the cruise pier.
Others picture brown bears pouncing into crystal clear creeks chasing salmon and still others imagine cruising the crystal clear waters of the inside passage in. Alaska marine wildlife cruises wildlife day cruises. It can be 50ish in the morning, at night and when the ship is sailing. Unless you are considering one of our custom cruise itineraries, certain cruise lines prohibit usbased travel agencies from selling to nonus residents. Because small ship overnight cruises usually spend a week or more in the alaskan wilderness your chances of seeing. Alaska whale watching cruise discusses whale watching as being one of those unforgettable alaskan experiences. The ultimate list of useful and fun cruise apps alaska shore tours. Anchorage, alaska a cruise ship reached an alaska port with a surprise on its bow. This state is home to grizzly bears, polar bears, bison. Discover the 6 top alaska cruise tips that you need to know to make the most of your alaskan cruise. Southeast alaska is where a slew of the states highlights are concentrated, many of which are inaccessible to automobiles but easily reached by boat.
When you do, keep an eye out for spot, and tell him i said hi. Instead of arriving right when the cruise port opens we like to. Jun 04, 2015 after cruising alaska s inside passage for over 12 years, we compiled our best whale pictures. To see the available options you should download the excursions options from the. Top 15 alaska cruise tips every cruiser needs to know for 2019. Cruise passengers watch as majestic whales breach the surface of the pristine waters of alaskas inside passage near juneau. But before you arrive on your whale watch, there are a couple of things you can do to ensure youll have the best time possible. We just got back from our celebrity cruise and booked our private whale watching with weather permitting alaska and captain greg. Picking a route pulling away from seattle on an uber clear day. I saw 14 separate whale breeching episodes during my halsponsored excursion. The complete guide to the alaska cruise experience by anne vipond is also a recommended read. How to see whales in alaska the best whale watching spots. Skagway is about a 1015 minute walk from where our boat docked.
This is our first cruise to alaska and we have decided not to do the whale watching excursion because i get seasick on smaller boats. Alaska packing tips alaska cruises and 2018 alaska cruise deals. Whale watching aboard small ship cruises in alaska. But dont let that title mislead you, this family operation is all about the customer experience. Alaska cruise tips by travel authority howard hillman. You can enjoy marine wildlife with whale watching from seward in kenai fjords national park. Ketchikan you are literally docked right next to town.
But you could also see whales in the spring and fall. Alaskan wildlife and whale watching trip disney cruise line. Whaletrips alaska the best tips for whale watching in. Does anyone know if it is possible we might see some sea life during the cruise. Oct 10, 2019 the two biggest alaska operators are princess and holland america, but nearly every major cruise line has at least one ship in alaska each summer, including celebrity, carnival, cunard, disney. If you go to both ports, you could do a whale watching tour out of each to double your chances of seeing something unusual. Whether you decide to book a shore excursion or do some whale watching from the deck of the cruise ship, make sure to bring a pair of binoculars to get a glimpse of the wildlife at further distances on your alaska cruise. The where and when of the best time to see whales in alaska. But some of the best things to do on a cruise to alaska is to get off the boat and explore. Alaskas spectacular marine life and one of its best known glaciers all in a half day program on a boat holding a maximum of 40 guests. Spring and summer are ideal times for whale watching in alaska, particularly from the months of may through september. The jawdropping scenery, fun shore excursions, and onboard luxury make for a truly unique travel experience. Please note that all prices on our website are in us dollars, and travel purchases must be completed with a major credit card. Whale watching shore excursions alaska shore tours.
Embark on a scenic cruise with guaranteed whale sightings as you observe alaskan wildlife with a naturalist guide. Youll cruise the same waters as tlingit natives did centuries ago and sail through icefields from which norwegian immigrants gathered glacier ice to preserve. Jun 24, 2015 6 of the best cruises for whale watching photo courtesy of thinkstock during the spring and summer months, many species of whales make the northern waters in alaska, the arctic, canada, and new england their homes. In its 15 th year of operation, alaskanowned company juneau tours and whale watch weighs in as the largest independent tour provider in southeast alaska. You may also want to pack water and a snack to eat while you wait for the animals to surface. You can book these ahead of time through the cruise line or directly through companies like juneau whale watch. Best time to see whales in alaska alaska whale watching. Juneau is the best spot for whale watching in alaska. Includes photos and tips for taking an alaska cruise. If you are heading out on an alaska cruise check out a few of our other great alaska cruise articles.
Oct 07, 2015 here are my top tips for enjoying planning a cruise to alaska. To see the available options you should download the excursions options from the cruise line. The major cruise lines can access some of the best alaskan sights, while offering convenience and bang for the buck. The best time of year to take a cruise from seattle to alaska. Our small ship alaska cruise takes you to these magnificent creatures and put you in position to see many different types of whales in their natural surroundings. Summertime is the best time for whale watching in alaska because thats usually the peak of the whale migration season. One of the delightful things about visiting alaska is that you get so much more than you bargained for. Windy and rainy conditions are not uncommon in alaska throughout the cruise season.
Apr 10, 2015 a search for whale watching cruises in alaska will bring up a crippling flood of information. Do you see many whales humpback and blue from the cruise ship. For this reason, we thought it would be helpful to organize some of the basics about whale watching in alaska in one brief article, covering what whales you can see and some of the general places you can whale watch. Pricey but the crew found whales and took us on an extra special ride to see an island loaded with sea lions.
Your whale watching cruise adventure begins with a short drive to a scenic harbor. The grand princess, a 949foot ship in the princess cruises fleet, on. Wildlife is one of the primary draws of visiting alaska. It was our first time on a princess cruise and were.
Since our film crews have shot more than 150 alaska cruise excursions in the past few years, we know them intimately. The most basic alaska cruise tours usually run directly between your ship and denali national park, where youll have a day or two to explore. Whales, salmon and glacier trekking in juneau, alaska. Aug 15, 2017 its a metropolitan city surrounded by the rugged wilderness that makes alaska famous. Your whale watching juneau adventure begins with convenient pickup near the cruise docks, followed by a 25minute drive through downtown juneau, with narration provided during the journey to introduce you to the sights of alaskas capital city and its rollicking history as a wild frontier mining town. Im hoping to get some advice for an upcoming trip to alaska. The 10 best alaska whale watching tours book alaskan. Or, download our free packing list when you subscribe to our mailing list. Look for the blow of a whale, which is the cloud of spray or mist that appears as the air is exhaled through the blowhole. Whale watching cruise with kenai fjords tours in seward alaska. Whale watching and wildlife quest is a disney cruise line port adventure in juneau, alaska featuring whale watching and sightseeing from a catamaran.
There are two things you definitely need to experience while youre in juneau. Set sail with a 40year alaska resident who is anxious to introduce whale song cruise guests to the spectacular sights of what many say is the most beautiful part of southeast alaska. How did a dead whale get stuck to the bow of this cruise ship. These humpbacks are busy feeding and seem innocuous about the whale tour boats. Arrive at the port terminal to board a little after it opens. But as frommy said they were in the distance and just blows and tails.
Witness the amazing annual migration of california gray whales, traveling 5,000 miles to kenai fjords national park, alaska. In addition, pack a good camera for capturing stunning photos and videos as well. You may have a good chance at seeing a while right from the deck of the ship if youre cruising during these months. When the calm waters of alaska s inside passage are first broken by a large, dark humpback as it rises and breaches from the sea, viewers on the open deck of an alaskan whale watching ship cant help but gasp at the thrill. Air canada has the most vancouver flights and air alaska the most seattle flights of the major airlines. Here, you will board a mammalfriendly jet boat equipped with water jet drives to ensure a quiet underwater operation without dangerous propellers that may frighten or harm the animals. Aug 10, 2017 anchorage, alaska a cruise ship reached an alaska port with a surprise on its bow. Juneau is about a 1015 minute walk from where our boat docked.
I thought i would share 9 tips for an alaska cruise. These alaska cruise tips and insights will help you make the right choices for your alaska cruise trip. I have been to alaska many times, but never on a cruise. We were a group of 12, so he added a second boat both drivers picked us up at the dock, and we were off. Whether its whale watching, dog sledding, or a helicopter landing on a glacier, many. Best port for whale watching juneau, skag, ketchikan. Top 15 alaska cruise tips every traveler needs to know for 2019. Alaska s spectacular marine life and one of its best known glaciers all in a half day program on a boat holding a maximum of 40 guests. Alaska whale watching tours whalewatching in alaska. Whalewatching cruises in seattle travel tips usa today. For those planning on going on an alaska cruise soon, there are some important tips to make sure your whale watching experience is as memorable and. You technically can spot whales from different shorelines and cruise points, but the only way you can guarantee that you actually get to spot whales in alaska is to go on a whale watching boat tour is morning or afternoon better for whale watching. The best time to go to alaska for whale watching is between the months of april through september. Jun 07, 2017 photo and camera tips for whale watching in juneau, alaska.
Best places to see whales in alaska and where to see whales in alaska is answered in full. For my motherinlaws 60th birthday she had dreamed about a family cruise to alaska. I dont want to see what is on land and would only take a cruise to whales and dolphin. Temperatures may drop into the 30s f, or even lower early or late in the season. Watching for alaska wildlife on vacation princess cruises. General tips for cruising to alaska when to go, passport requirements, customs and. Well, weve done the legwork for you, and you find the answers to that question here. Instead of arriving right when the cruise port opens we like to arrive an hour or so later. Explore the waters around juneau aboard a scenic cruise. Cruise ships will book your whalewatching trip for you, but you can often get a better price by contacting tour operators directly. Find out what to expect from whale watching in alaska.
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