Alaska, with all its beautiful landscapes, diversity of wildlife, and rich cultural heritage, has long been an exciting destination for many travelers. There’s no other way to see this amazing region than on a Royal Caribbean cruise. This blog explores in detail what awaits you on a Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise-from cost and packages through itineraries and dining options to onboard services and excursions-and offers tips for the best time on your adventure.
Why take a cruise with Royal Caribbean for an Alaskan adventure?
Royal Caribbean is renowned for its innovative ships and top-flight service. Here are some reasons you should consider booking a cruise with Royal Caribbean for your Alaskan cruise:
Modern Ships: Royal Caribbean boasts among the world’s most modernized cruisers, incorporated with hi-tech amenities and entertainment services.
Diverse Itineraries: There are various itineraries to suit your interests, so you can choose a cruise that suits you well.
Family-Friendly Options: Royal Caribbean is famous for its family-friendly features where there are activities and amenities for guests of all ages.
Excellent Service: The crew is always dedicated to service towards the needs of the customer, ensuring that you have an enjoyable and memorable experience on your cruise.
Pricing and Packages
Since the ship, the itinerary, the cabin type, and even sometimes the time of booking, a Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise will vary in price. Here is a breakdown of what one can expect:
| Cabin Type | Starting Price (Per Person) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Cabin | $950 | Cozy accommodations without windows |
| Oceanview Cabin | $1,200 | Offers scenic views through a window |
| Balcony Cabin | $1,500 | Private balcony with stunning views |
| Suite | $2,500 – $5,000 | Spacious accommodations with exclusive perks |
Additional Costs
Your main fare includes accommodations and any meals provided in the ship’s dining venues, but you will also incur some additional costs:
Tips: Tips will be billed to your shipboard account for around $14.50 per day in most stateroom categories.
Shore Excursions: Shore excursions vary from a modest $50 or more to hundreds of dollars for some types of tours, such as whale watching or glacier hiking.
Specialty Dining: Specialty restaurants add a surcharge of between $15 and $60 per person extra above your cruise fare.
Drink Packages: If you enjoy cocktails or specialty coffees, you might want to consider purchasing a drink package. This will add between $50 and $60 each day per person to your cabin expenses.
Family Packages: It caters to families; many options are available for traveling with a family, and they can have great savings on total costs. Children even receive free or discounted rates on some types of cruises. Cabins can be connected or even be a family suite that allows for plenty of space.
Itinerary
Royal Caribbean provides several options for cruising, all of which include Alaska cruises. Most of the trips vary in length from 7 to 9 nights and are offered out of some of the major ports, such as Seattle or Vancouver. Here’s what you can expect:
Common Ports of Call
Juneau: The capital city of Alaska, Juneau is renowned for its extraordinary landscapes, beautiful snow-laden mountains and glaciers, and as an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. There are plenty of things to do here, including visiting Mendenhall Glacier and watching whales. A flight-seeing tour to this amazing city would indeed be a fulfilling experience as you get to witness the scenic mountains and amazing glaciers.
Ketchikan: Dubbed the salmon capital of the world, Ketchikan boasts rich Native American culture and scenic beauty. Don’t miss the Totem Heritage Center!
Sitka: This quaint town is filled with Russian history and breathtaking views. Tourists can spend time in Sitka National Historical Park, or dig into local seafood.
Skagway: Historic Gold Rush town that accesses Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. The train ride on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway is scenic.
Icy Strait Point: A port that uniquely offers cultural experiences and wildlife viewing opportunities with the native Tlingit people.
Scenic Cruising
Scenic cruising is one of the best features of an Alaska cruise. You get to go through stunning landscapes without touching the ground by passing through breathtaking scenes, including:
Glacier Bay National Park: You will witness massive glaciers calving into icy waters while listening to interpretive talks of park rangers onboard.
Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier: Witness sheer beauty with towering cliffs and icebergs as your sailing fjord, a pretty scene indeed.
Dining Options
Dining is one of the highlights of any cruise travel. Royal Caribbean provides passengers with a wide range of dining options, catering to tastes:
Main Dining Room
The main dining room offers free dining. Guests can enjoy a daily rotating menu of international dishes inspired by regions around the world. This meal can be either for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and enjoyed in a formal setting with attentive service.
Specialty Restaurants
For the fearless foodie, Royal Caribbean offers some specialty restaurants-you’ll have to pay extra for them:
| Restaurant | Cuisine Type | Price Range (Per Person) |
|---|---|---|
| Chops Grille | Steakhouse | $50 – $60 |
| Izumi Japanese Cuisine | Japanese | $15 – $30 |
| Giovanni’s Table | Italian Trattoria | $15 – $30 |
| Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine | Creative Cuisine | $45 – $60 |
Casual Dining
For a more laid-back dining:
- Windjammer Marketplace, which is a buffet-style international cuisine, open for breakfast, lunch, and snacks
- Java Cafe Promenade, where light fares and coffee are available at any time during the day.
- Poolside Grills, which have burgers and hot dogs to please along with great tan Bars and Lounges
There are many bars and lounges on the Royal Caribbean ships. You can enjoy cocktails and just relax or have live music played:
- Rising Tide Bar: This is a bar that moves between three decks while serving the drinks.
- Vintage Wine Bar: This is a wine bar that offers the best available wines from almost all the world’s wine-producing regions.
Entertainment Options
- Royal Caribbean offers one of the best entertainment options in all sailings. Entertainment options range depending on the taste of each guest, including Broadway-style shows.
- Be prepared for fantastic productions featuring talented vocalists and dancers in elegant productions including Broadway hits.
Live Music
Enjoy from jazz bands to classical orchestras that fill all available venues onboard every evening.
Themed Parties
Join themed parties such as 70s Disco Night or formal nights during which guests dine seriously dressed for the occasion.
Onboard Activities
Royal Caribbean ships offer a variety of onboard activities designed to keep guests entertained:
1. Adventure Activities: Scale the climbing wall or enjoy one of the many pools on board.
2. Fitness Centers & Classes: Stay fit through a range of fitness classes, from yoga to spinning sessions, available throughout your cruise.
3. Spa Services: Unwind and revitalize with refreshing spa therapies, including massages or facials, at the onboard Vitality Spa.
4. Kid Clubs: Toddlers are provided with the opportunity to engage in age-based clubs and activity breaks taken up by well-trained staff.
Cruising Excursions
One of the great attributes of Alaska’s cruising experiences is her wonder and grandeur, and Royal Caribbean does not disappoint when it comes to shore excursions:
Alaska’s Wildlife Tours
Alaska has amazing wildlife, and most trips are specifically designed to see animals in their natural surroundings:
Whale Watching Expeditions: Witness humpback whales spouting or spy-hopping as you go on guided boat excursions. Watching the whales playing, and feeding in water is a sight to behold.
Bear Viewing Expeditions: Take guided expeditions into bear habitats for safe observation.
Exciting Adventures
Adrenaline junkies seeking adrenaline rushes:
1. Dog Sledding Expeditions: Ride on glaciers with trained sled dogs while mushing during the summer. Riding on the sweet, energetic Huskies is a thrilling experience indeed.
2. Zip-line Tours: It is the adventure of crossing the ridges of treetops with the perspective of a bird’s eye over world-class landscapes.
3. Kayaking Excursions: That is the fun of paddling through clear waters, wearing the heights of towering mountains and wild creatures as your color.
Alaska Cruise Hacks Tips to Make Your Royal Caribbean Experience Unforgettable
Here are some helpful tips to make your experience aboard your Alaskan cruise. Consider these useful tips to have an unforgettable Alaska cruise experience onboard Royal Caribbean:
Book ahead: Booking early could ensure fantastic deals and a great cabin of your choice before they’re sold out.
Plan your Excursions: This means you may want to make online shore excursion reservations early to snag your spot on the ones you want while they’re still available.
Dress for Layers: The Alaskan weather can be pretty unpredictable, so pack layered clothing to make yourself feel comfortable during sunny or cooler afternoons on shore.
Enjoy Onboard Fun: Be sure to check out the different onboard activities, especially on sea days. Try out the rock climbing wall or perhaps a cooking demonstration!
Never forget your camera! These moments need to be photographed so that you will long remember your tour after leaving.
Some of the Cruise Lines When Planning for A Royal Caribbean Alaska Cruise
If planning for a Royal Caribbean Alaska Cruise, here are some cruise lines to consider:
- Quantum of the Seas: You can take pleasure in gazing at the mighty glaciers by going to the ship’s topmost deck. Every room gives you a clear and unique view indeed.
- Anthem of the Seas: It offers a thrilling and chilling experience indeed, giving you the scope to do umpteen activities like glacier grazing, and a lot more.
- Serenade of the Seas: You will have a fulfilling experience indeed when on board.
- Radiance of the Seas: This cruise offers lovely exterior views. And you could go glacier-gazing or whale-watching to your heart’s content.
Conclusion
A Royal Caribbean Alaskan holiday guarantees breathtaking landscapes, exciting experiences, and luxurious facilities in one unforgettable experience! Gaze at the calving glaciers into icy waters, or tour charming towns along the coast filled with history and culture. Every experience on this trip will surely leave a treasured memory.
From wildlife enthusiasts who look for bears to families yearning for a fun-filled vacation, there is always something for everyone on these elegant vessels traveling in the majestic region. So, don’t wait. Plan that dream Alaskan adventure of yours with Royal Caribbean Cruises!
Frequently Asked Questions
The best time to cruise Alaska is from June to August when the weather is warm, animals are particularly active, and all excursions take place.
A 7-night Alaska cruise would cost between $950 for an inside cabin and $5,000 for a suite, depending on the cabin type and services.
Many recommend Royal Caribbean as the best cruise line for an Alaska cruise, owing to its most modern ships available in the market, diversified choices of itineraries, and excellent service.
The cheapest month to cruise to Alaska is undeniably, May, as it falls in the low season before the summer begins when tourists are at their peak.