Royal Caribbean Alaska Cruise Guide

Get Insider Tips, Information, and Advise to Help Plan Your Perfect Cruise

A Royal Caribbean Alaska Cruise can be a great way to explore the many natural wonders of Alaska's pristine coast, from Ketchikan in the south to Anchorage in the north.

In fact, many of Alaska's most awe-inspiring and amazing natural features are accessiable only by water, including the fjords and glaciers of Tracy Arm, Misty Fjords National Monument, and Glacier Bay National Park.

Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise itineraries include:

• Vancouver to Hubbard Glacier Round Trip - See Hubbard Glacier, Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan. (7 Nights)
• Vancouver to Seward (Northbound) - See Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, Hubbard Glacier. (7 Nights)
• Seward to Vancouver (Southbound) - See Hubbard Glacier, Skagway, Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan. (7 Nights)
• Seattle to Tracy Arm Fjord Round Trip - See Juneau, Skagway, Tracy Arm Fjord, Prince Rupert. (7 Nights)

Several unique itinerary variations are offered for your Royal Caribbean Alaska Cruise. The standard Northbound and Southbound routes (between Vancouver and Seward/Anchorage) Feature Icy Straight Point, a newly opened stop for cruise ships. Only one ship at a time is allowed to stop here, giving passengers a chance to experience the pristine location without huge crowds.

Icy Point was opened in part to compensate for restrictions on the number of ships now allowed in Glacier Bay National Park. (In fact, due to these restrictions, no Royal Caribbean ships are scheduled to enter Glacier Bay this year.)

While Icy point is a great new port of call, offering wildlife tours and authentic native Tlingit culture, I find it a bit disappointing as an alternative to the popular and spectacular Glacier Bay on a cruise itinerary.

The spectacular Tracy Arm Fjord is, in my opinion, a far better substitution, and this is offered on the Royal Caribbean round trip cruises out of Seattle. Tracy Arm has many of the same features as Glacier Bay - a steep, breathtaking fjord and magnificent glaciers.

Therefore, I would definitely lean toward the Seattle departures on Royal Caribbean. Another option would be Princess Cruise Lines, which offers the largest number of cruises into Glacier Bay of the larger carriers.

An Royal Caribbean Alaska Cruise is an excellent option for exploring Alaska, nonetheless. The Royal Caribbean Northbound and Southbound cruises are still incredible experiences, offering great service, onboard activities, and shore excursions.

Therefore, if you find a great price on one of these cruises, you will still have a great time and see glaciers and other incredible sights. I would just recommend checking out cruises that include Glacier Bay or Tracy Arm Fjord first.

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