Royal Caribbean releases new 2023 Alaska cruises to book

Table Of Content

• Cultural and historical tours in Alaska
• When is the best time to find deals on Alaska cruises?
• Is the Hubbard Glacier excursion worth $450?
• Royal Caribbean releases new 2023 Alaska cruises to book
• Cruise News Recap: Carnival Tampering, Dining Changes, Evacuation
• Departure Ports
• What is the minimum number of days for an Alaska cruise and land trip?

Whether in the Caribbean or Alaska, Royal Caribbean offers the same family-friendly activities and programs for its guests. Many cruisers to Alaska dream of seeing the northern lights while visiting the state, but the northern lights viewing season does not coordinate well with the summer cruise season. There is little difference between the two routes, and it isn’t worth booking one itinerary over another just for a few extra views on the way to and from Alaska. Instead, book the itinerary that works best with your interests and schedule, whether that means sailing from Seattle or from Vancouver.

Cultural and historical tours in Alaska

ROYAL CARIBBEAN OPENS 2025 ALASKA SUMMER ADVENTURES - Royal Caribbean Press Center

ROYAL CARIBBEAN OPENS 2025 ALASKA SUMMER ADVENTURES.

Posted: Wed, 01 Nov 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Others, like hiking, visiting museums, and trying Alaska’s cuisine can easily be done without a pre-booked excursion. While it’s possible to find great deals on cruise fares to Alaska, shore excursions can often be more expensive than what you are used to on a Caribbean cruise. Knowing how much you’re willing to spend on Alaska cruise excursions can better help you budget your vacation while still having an incredible cruise experience. Simply put, there are many more shore excursions available in Alaska than the limited supply offered by Royal Caribbean.

When is the best time to find deals on Alaska cruises?

If there’s one thing I learned during my time in port, it was to disembark the ship early to avoid crowds. While Brilliance of the Seas may not offer as many family-friendly activities as a ship like Quantum of the Seas, she still offers more than enough to keep kids occupied. From Adventure Ocean programming to mini golf, rock climbing, and an indoor movie theater, you’ll find plenty to do onboard. The 7-night Multi-Glacier Experience itinerary, on the other hand, includes a visit to not only Tracy Arm Fjord, but also Hubbard Glacier. This impressive glacier stands 400 feet above the ocean's surface and, due to its remote location, is usually only found on one-way Alaska cruise itineraries. Radiance of the Seas was built to sail in all types of climates, so you’ll be able to enjoy both indoor and outdoor spaces during the cruise.

Is the Hubbard Glacier excursion worth $450?

If you’re planning a cruise to Alaska, it’s natural to have questions about cruising to the 49th state. From selecting a ship and embarkation port to reserving the best shore excursions, there’s a lot to know before your cruise begins. With only five hours in port, I decided against an excursion in favor of walking around the city, which proved to be a lovely experience.

Royal Caribbean releases new 2023 Alaska cruises to book

Radiance of the Seas is a Radiance-class vessel with capacity for 2,143 passengers at double occupancy, while Enchantment of the Seas is the largest Vision-class ship and can accommodate 2,252 passengers at double occupancy. Both Ovation and Quantum will deliver unparalleled, signature adventures against the jaw-dropping backdrop of Alaska’s picturesque landscapes for the second consecutive summer, sailing from Seattle, Washington. Once again, Radiance of the Seas will sail alternating southbound and northbound itineraries that depart from Seward and Vancouver. Travelers will visit Icy Strait Point, Sitka, and Skagway, and sail the Inside Passage and see Hubbard Glacier. Both Ovation and Quantum of the Seas will set sail from Seattle, offering rides on the North Star observation capsule and experiences in the RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator all on board.

I recommend taking a Lyft or Uber to the cruise port as opposed to a hotel shuttle service, as it’s easier to leave on your schedule rather than wait for a shuttle to arrive. Alaska cruises are becoming increasingly popular—it’s estimated nearly 1.6 million cruise passengers will visit the state in 2023. After my recent Royal Caribbean cruise to Alaska on Quantum of the Seas, I gained a few important insights that I wanted to share with those visiting Alaska this summer.

Royal Caribbean cancels second sailing on Radiance of the Seas ship - USA TODAY

Royal Caribbean cancels second sailing on Radiance of the Seas ship.

Posted: Fri, 08 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

If your ship visits Skagway, be prepared for extra lines.

If you’re feeling really adventurous, consider a 15-mile downhill bike ride following the path of the White Pass & Yukon Railway in Skagway. In 2023, Serenade of the Seas is replaced by Enchantment of the Seas -- a Vision-class ship that is older and a bit smaller than the Radiance-class ships, but which has been retrofitted to have many of the same offerings. The casino is not open during the hours these ships sail into and out of Puget Sound, including often on the entire last night of the cruise. When Victoria is the final port, the ship never escapes to international waters to allow gambling. Radiance sails 7-night, one-way cruises between Vancouver and Seward, while Serenade is sailing 7-night, round-trip cruises from Vancouver. The perceived advantage of these ships is that they are smaller, allowing them to go where Royal Caribbean's bigger ships cannot.

I was surprised to see Radiance of the Seas coming in with the highest price for a balcony cabin given that Radiance is older and smaller than either Ovation or Quantum of the Seas. Plus, Radiance is sailing an open-jaw from Seward to Vancouver, which usually turns off a lot of people. Perhaps the itinerary is particularly appealing to many, along with the fact Quantum Class ships have a higher percentage of balcony cabins. Typically, Royal Caribbean discounts its oldest and smallest ships because there is less demand for these vessels, regardless of where they are sailing to.

In fact, Royal Caribbean canceled Quantum of the Seas visits to Skagway in 2023, but Ovation of the Seas is still making her scheduled visits. I booked an interior cabin for my Quantum of the Seas cruise, and I found the room to have much more walking and storage space than I thought it would. Brilliance of the Seas, like Radiance of the Seas, offers a more intimate feel to an Alaska cruise compared to a larger ship.

Despite traveling through a cold climate, there’s no lack of pool time on an Alaska cruise. Other venues vary from ship to ship, but you’ll find a mix of included and extra cost food on any cruise ship visiting Alaska. Jenna DeLaurentis enjoys exploring new ports of call around the world on a cruise ship, learning about new cultures, discovering beautiful landscapes, and trying diverse cuisine. She loves to get active while at port, whether cycling through mountains in the Caribbean or scuba diving under the sea. The 7-night Alaska Glacier Experience itineraries visit four ports in Alaska along with a visit to Tracy Arm Fjord for glacier viewing. Exact ports vary by itinerary, but every Brilliance of the Seas cruise includes a stop in Alaska’s capital of Juneau.

Enchantment of the Seas will make its debut Alaska season in 2023, sailing roundtrip 7-night itineraries from Vancouver. Guests will be able to take in outstanding glaciers and Tracy Arm fjord, plus visit inspiring destinations like Haines, Ketchikan, Skagway, and Juneau. Victoria, British Columbia is visited on Royal Caribbean Alaska cruises departing from Seattle. One of the most popular activities in Victoria is visiting the Butchart Gardens, a 55-acre floral display dating back to 1904.

He oversees all the writers at Royal Caribbean Blog, and writes a great deal of content on a daily basis. Three returning vessels — Ovation, Quantum, and Radiance of the Seas will be joined by Enchantment of the Seas in the region to offer seven-night voyages from Seattle, Vancouver, and Seward between May and September 2023.

Likewise, Quantum of the Seas will sail to Alaska and offer 7-night cruises from Seattle. Quantum will bring travelers up close to Dawes Glacier at the end of Endicott Arm fjord, along with visits to Ketchikan, Victoria, Sitka, and Icy Strait Point. Indicates package will include travel aboard the Wilderness Express®, glass-domed, double decker rail cars which offer extraordinary views, attentive service and a sumptuous menu of locally inspired culinary sensations. Binoculars can be another great item to pack for an Alaska cruise excursion, as they give you the chance to view Alaska’s wildlife and scenery up close. Packing a warm hat and gloves is also recommended, particularly if you’re cruising to Alaska in the shoulder season months of May and September.

Instead of an umbrella, wear a waterproof jacket with a hood that you can take on and off throughout the day. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly way to spot brown bears, consider a visit to Fortress of the Bear, a bear rescue facility and sanctuary located in Sitka. For only $15, you can visit the sanctuary and learn about how the facility rescues orphaned bears that may otherwise have died in the wild. You’ll be able to get relatively “up-close” to the bears and witness their behavior as well. All cruises come to an end, and unfortunately this means you will have to return home after your Alaska cruise. The caveat is that you cannot see the hotel name and are only given the number of stars and approximate location of the hotel, thus leading to a “blind” booking.

All itineraries give passengers the chance to explore the state’s wildlife, history, and cuisine regardless of the town. There’s no right or wrong itinerary to book for Alaska, but it’s important to know what to expect in each port before booking one cruise over the other. One-way itineraries on Radiance of the Seas have offered cheap cruise deals a few months before the sailing. Booking a cruise as soon as the itinerary is released will often bring the lowest prices as well as the most selection of available cabins.

In addition to port stops—where guests disembark the ship—most itineraries include a scenic viewing day of a glacier. During these visits, your cruise ship will sail into a fjord and stop within sight of one of Alaska’s magnificent glaciers, such as Hubbard Glacier or Dawes Glacier. In between exploring storied destinations, guests can enjoy both award-winning ships’ memorable Royal Caribbean experiences. To wind things down after an action-packed day, travelers can kick back at the Vitality Spa and the indoor or outdoor pools that double as front-row seats to see the spectacular surroundings the region offers. In addition to convenience, roundtrip sailings also provide an excellent Alaska cruise experience.