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Traditional excursions are created to fit a specific number of people, all of whom come from the ships and are expected to be in port for a specific time. They provide an overview of Alaska's history, culture, recreation and industry, and don't offer much of a personal touch. While all travel has environmental and cultural impacts, cruising leaves its mark to varying degrees on Alaska's fragile ecosystems. The average large cruise ship can have a carbon footprint greater than 12,000 cars and produce up to a ton of trash each day. While there can be a positive economic impact on ports of call, a small community visited by 15,000 people per day during sailing season can intrinsically change. Additionally, with the Northwest Passage now open to marine traffic, the northwestern city of Nome is a regular port of call for higher-end, midsize cruise lines to expose passengers to the rural reaches of coastal Alaska.
Best all-inclusive: Viking Expedition Cruises’ Great Lakes Collection
Holland America Cruise Line is another historic cruise company that began its operations back in 1873. It makes great efforts to acquaint its passengers with its achievements in shaping the cruise industry over the last 150 years. However, in the modern era, it has gained a lot of praise for its voyages into the waters of Alaska for which it has been honored with several accolades over the years.
Alaska
A few ports of call on this itinerary, or the Olympic National Park one, are lesser-known towns like Port Townsend and Anacortes. This cruise is perfect for those seeking an educational experience or mature adults seeking a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. The Columbia and Snake Rivers cruise with American Queen Voyages is a must-do for anyone interested in American history. This cruise follows the path that Lewis and Clark once charted through dense forests, rocky shorelines, and rich wine country.
Best cruise lines for luxury
The foremost reason behind such a devoted clientele is that MSC allows children to sail free of cost on most of its voyages, making it very affordable for a family vacation. Further, the cruises aren’t just designed to welcome children, but also go a long way in ensuring they have the most amazing and memorable vacation of their lives. Several of the cruises have in-built LEGO play areas, small water parks, and virtual reality movie theaters. Cunard is one of the oldest and most iconic names in the cruise industry, with a storied past that stretches back to 1839.
These cruises offer the possibility of a three or four-night stay, which makes them perfect if you are short on time or looking for a long weekend getaway. The cruise covers a wide range of stops along the Pacific coast, including some of the most famous destinations such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, Santa Barbara, Astoria, Vancouver, and Victoria in Canada. Each of these stops has a unique flavor and charm that leaves a lasting impression on the visitors. Taking a cruise is a fun way to explore the world in comfort without having to worry about logistics. Once you’re on board everything is handled and you can just sit back and enjoy yourself. If you’re looking for a luxurious and hassle-free vacation, a cruise might be the perfect choice for your next girls’ getaway, family trip, or couples trip.
Once you’ve completed the journey on flagship Queen Mary 2, the world’s only true ocean liner, take an extra bite of the Big Apple and extend your stay. Spend your time flexing the credit cards or window shopping on 5th Avenue, grabbing a New York bagel and taking in the dizzying views from the 102nd floor of the Empire State Building. Cruises in the North American region typically occur in different seasons, with some ships operating year-round. The Alaskan cruise season usually occurs between May and October when the weather is warmer in the north of the United States. From the United States, popular Panama Canal cruising routes include stops in Miami, Puerto Plata and Catalina Island (Dominican Republic), Willemstad (Curaçao), Oranjestad (Aruba), Panama Canal and Panama City (Panama). Bermuda cruises usually last between four and six nights, making it an excellent option for a short getaway with your friends or family.
Cruises in the United States
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The Aleutian Island city of Unalaska is also on some boutique cruise line itineraries, so check carefully that the region that sparks your interest. Smaller cruises max out at around 200 passengers and can nose into Southeast Alaska's nooks and crannies, launching skiffs and kayaks from their lower decks for an immersive shore visit full of exploration. These vessels may not stop in local ports, instead anchoring at night and offering guests the chance to hike a remote shoreline, whale-watch from a kayak or attend a presentation by indigenous artisans. If any ports are visited, they're likely to be smaller communities like Wrangell, Sitka, Petersburg and Yakutat.
Smaller cruise ships can visit the internal passages and national parks, where you can witness the stunning beauty of natural wonders such as the Hubbard Glacier. Most popular cruise companies sailing multiple ships are foreign-flagged and must abide by laws requiring at least one foreign port stop. That’s why so many close-to-home cruises include Canada, the Caribbean, or Mexico. American-flagged cruise lines that can sail solely in U.S. waters include American Cruise Lines, UnCruise Adventures, and Lindblad Expeditions. Viking is known for its adults-only, all-inclusive river, ocean and expedition cruises.
Pacific Coast
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After the champagne departure from Portland and a stop at Astoria, Oregon, the ship passes through the Columbia River Gorge. Passengers can disembark for a guided hike, then return for a wine tasting with the ship's sommelier. The gourmand adventures continue with an excursion to Walla Walla, Washington, which includes visits to olive oil makers, chocolatiers, and family-owned wine cellars. Day five begins at the mouth of the Palouse River, where guests can kayak or paddleboard. The next day, passengers can visit Columbia Hills State Park and Rowena Plateau on foot or by skiff boat while enjoying river dips, farm-to-fork delights, and a wine tour and tasting. Guests then disembark at The Dalles, Oregon, for whitewater rafting or a relaxing winery tour.
On day four, the ship stops at Bettendorf, Iowa, for a hop-on hop-off tour of museums, artist studios, the German American Heritage Center, and the Quad City Botanical Center. In Dubuque, Iowa, guests can take a ride on the Fenelon Place Elevator, billed as "the world's steepest, shortest scenic railway". Day nine, finds the the ship at La Crosse, Wisconsin, famous for its rugged terrain and breathtaking vistas. The final port is Red Wing, Minnesota, home to beautifully preserved artisan workshops, factories, and pioneer-era architecture.
Enjoy live music, thrilling riverboat casinos, and impeccable southern cuisine on a cruise with American Queen Steamboat Company while taking in the beauty and history of the Mississippi River. This Alaska itinerary boasts stops in Juneau and Ketchikan where you can explore charming towns and embark on exciting excursions. Carnival Cruises emphasizes fun and entertainment and is one of the many cruise lines that sail to Alaska.
MSC Cruises is perhaps the most affordable and family-friendly cruise on our list. It would be ranked even higher, if not for the fact that it is an Italian cruise company which has only a select few voyages from US ports. Despite this, it has amassed a massive customer base in the US, some of whom even travel across the Atlantic to sail aboard its ships.
Each of the company's ships features an onboard spa with massage cabins and either a Turkish bath or sauna. Ponant's luxurious small ships sail to remote destinations like Antarctica, incorporating once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as eclipse spotting from the edge of the earth. For arts and culture lovers, the eight-day Music Cities Cruise along the Mississippi, Ohio, and Cumberland rivers presents an opportunity to visit several charming cities and towns in the South.
The next day, the ship travels through the Barkley Lock and past the stunning coves and limestone bluffs of the Cumberland River's Lake Barkley– a view best enjoyed from the balcony of your stateroom. In Dover, Tennessee, guests visit historic Fort Donelson National Park and learn about the garrison's role during the Civil War. The next day, passengers can tour the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center and Fort Defiance in Clarksville, Tennessee, and cap off the experience with a whiskey tasting at Old Glory Distilling Co. The voyage ends in Nashville, where you can stroll along historic Lower Broadway, visit museums dedicated to Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline, and take in a Grand Ole Opry show.
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