Alaska Small-Ship Cruises: 7 Options for Up-Close Adventures

Table Of Content

• Kodiak and Coasts of Katmai & Lake Clark National Parks
• Best for off-the-beaten-path travel: National Geographic Quest
• Lady of the Sea Adventures
• Trip Length
• Two Weeks+ Alaska Cruise
• Southeast Alaska

In 2004, it was listed as a historic place in the National Register. Embark on an Alaskan journey where luxury meets adventure, without the worry of hidden costs. You will be visiting the warmer, dryer area of the interior and the cooler, wetter rainforest of the southeast coast.

Kodiak and Coasts of Katmai & Lake Clark National Parks

New Small-Ship Cruise Itineraries & Charters Offer Extraordinary Exploration Opportunities in Alaska - Breaking Travel News

New Small-Ship Cruise Itineraries & Charters Offer Extraordinary Exploration Opportunities in Alaska.

Posted: Thu, 04 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

With sustainability front and center, expeditions are focused on local culture, regional cuisine and nature. The larger ships in the line feature built-in docks for kayaks and stand up paddleboards, while the smaller yacht-style ships include drinks and a spa treatment in the fare. Fortunately for adventurous travelers several cruise lines offer small ship Alaska cruises -- and they’re expanding their fleets, itineraries and excursion offerings.

Best for off-the-beaten-path travel: National Geographic Quest

I have traveled between all continents by sea and cruised along three dozen rivers. My journeys have translated into many books and many hundreds of articles. You’ll spend all your time immersed in Alaska, both aboard ship and ashore, and that, to my way of thinking, is what an Alaska cruise vacation should be all about. Although the phrase has been used so often it’s become a cliche, taking a small-ship cruise really is the best way to discover “the real Alaska,” close-up and personal.

Lady of the Sea Adventures

When cruise lines send a fleet of ships to Alaska for the summer, the older, smaller ships tend to offer more reduced prices than you'll find on the lines' larger and newer ships. Since 1986, Maple Leaf has been operating sailing cruises in British Columbia, Haida Gwaii (the former Queen Charlotte Islands) and the Inside Passage. On Maple Leaf's fleet of three vessels, expect an even more intimate experience than on a regular small ship, and a program that is full of First Nations history. If you like planned activities and want a larger choice of tours, the small-ship experience is not for you. But for me, the ability to wander the streets of the less tourist-oriented towns was better than any group tour.

Offer valid on new bookings, subject to availability and cannot be combined with any other offer. See all Alaska small ship cruise deals for a comprehensive list of current savings on this and other adventures. 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.

Trip Length

Contacting small ship Alaska cruise lines directly does not always answer critical questions about how much activity there is, what the cabins are like compared to other ships and so on. Many offer honest advice, but many need to be taken with a grain of salt. Use online reviews as a tool, but don’t rush to judgment when you read a poor review. Often this is a result of a mismatch between the style of the traveler and the type of cruise they were on.

Although the cabins were small, we had what we needed and the public spaces were sized to handle the passengers comfortably, and there were so many activities we didn't spend much time in our rooms. The ship cruised smoothly in the inland passages, and even an overnight relocation cruise didn't interrupt sleep. The launch/retrieve platform is an awesome modification, and probably what makes launching kayaks in a short time possible. We greatly appreciated being able to rent the slogging boots on the boat.

Manitoba: Polar Bear Adventure

Design your exclu­sive itin­er­ary then set sail into the vast open waters and wildlife-rich shore­lines of Prince William Sound. 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. Lindblad employs a talented expedition staff, with one naturalist (including a photo expert) for every 10 guests.

The family can come together for meals in a variety of casual and fine dining restaurants, and enjoy original production shows as the ship sails between ports. The line always stations one or two Quantum-class ships in Alaska for the season. Adults can linger in the glass-walled Solarium, relaxing in the indoor pools and whirlpools, while their kids zoom around the SeaPlex in bumper cars. Swell, a unique 88-foot converted tugboat built in 1912, carries up to 12 guests in six private en-suite cabins. The classic wooden construction of the vessel has been maintained, and cabins are paneled with wood.

With some luck, you’ll see brightly-colored puffins, mountain goats, eagles, bears, and sea lions, all with a stunning backdrop and the amazing sounds of nature. We build, flag, and crew our ships right here in the United States. Our pride in the All-American experience we provide is the backdrop and an ode to the incredible, breathtaking landscapes that this country has to offer.

For even more detail on each month, view our best time to visit Alaska guide. We send hundreds of passengers on small ship cruises to Alaska each year; thus, we answer a lot of questions about Alaska cruising. We offer an unmatched selection aboard more than 25 small Alaska expedition ships. 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.

If you are planning to venture into Canada for excursions, perhaps when you are in Skagway, you will need your passport, otherwise you will not require a passport for itineraries that stay within the US. A small ship vacation always takes you into the most remote Alaskan locations. It's impossible for the big ships to get you this close. There are no "early" and "late" seating and set dinner arrangements and tables like you have on the big ships. By Heidi Sarna I had a chat with travel advisor Kevin Flink about travel insurance.

Note that the ship is departing the cruise line after its Alaska season, so this is your last chance to sail on the elegant cruise ship. Experts onboard these sailings include naturalists, biologists and other scientists who are members of the expedition team. They lead the outdoor activities and provide passengers with a deeper insight into Alaska.

If your idea of vacation is to sample as many restaurants as possible, small cruise ships aren't for you. Uncruise emphasizes the natural areas of Alaska on their excursions. The bushwacking, kayaking and skiffs allow you to experience the natural beauty of Alaska close-up. Alaska is a delight for bird watchers, boasting 521 species of birds including the largest population of bald eagles.