Alaska Small Ship Adventure Cruises Get Closer

Table Of Content

• A Hands-On Experience
• Glacier Bay, AK
• Discovery Voyages 3 - Day Classic Voyage
• Personalized Service

What are the benefits of cruising expedition style through Alaska? Travel through Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska aboard the 60-guest Wilderness Adventurer. This sleek 80-guest vessel features expansive viewing areas on the bow and aft promenade decks, and a commanding hull design, optimized for supreme comfort in Alaskan waters, regardless of weather. Head to our curated Alaska yacht charters if you’re seeking the ultimate customization and savings on per-cabin costs on small ship Alaska cruises. Or perhaps you’re seeking larger cabins with upscale amenities like balconies and gourmet cuisine?

A Hands-On Experience

View them all or dive into our tips on how to choose the best Alaska cruise. You’ll spend either 4 or 7 days sail­ing around Lake Clark, expe­ri­enc­ing all the nat­ur­al majesty this nation­al park has to offer, with its many crag­gy moun­tains set close to the water. Look for wildlife, hike, explore with kayaks and pad­dle­boards, and enjoy bon­fires on the beach. For a closer look at Alaska's majestic glaciers, fjords, and wildlife, try these recommended small-ship cruise lines. UnCruise Adventures offers some of the most popular small ship cruises to Alaska. With sustainability front and center, expeditions are focused on local culture, regional cuisine and nature.

Glacier Bay, AK

Another consideration some travelers ask us about is seasickness. Seasickness is typically not an issue on most Alaska small ship cruises. Most cruises travel in protected waters, rarely traveling more than a few miles away from shore. Positioning cruises and small ship Alaska cruises that venture close to the open water of the Gulf of Alaska are more prone to exposure to ocean swells for brief periods of their itinerary. If you are sensitive to seasickness, consult our guide on how to prevent and treat seasickness on cruises and tell your Adventure Specialist.

Discovery Voyages 3 - Day Classic Voyage

It remains a leader in the field and is a great option for small ship Alaska cruises that put landscapes and wildlife front and center. There aren’t just one or two naturalists onboard Lindblad cruises, but four or five. Plus, many of the line's itineraries feature a team of professional photographers onboard to help you snap the best possible shots. All passengers regardless of their home country, citizenship or country of residency are responsible for obtaining the proper documentation for travel. This includes passports and visas for any country they may visit during their trip. The largest small ship is the American Cruise Lines' American Spirit.

Day Classic Voyage

From a luxury Alaska cruise to your own private Alaska yacht charter… Let us know what you are thinking, and we’ll reach out with personalized recommendations. All we need are a few details like how many travelers are in your group and your basic interests to get started. Or if you are seeking a particular small ship Alaska cruise destination, or type of trip, head to our curated trip listing pages. Enjoy 2 days venturing farther than 99% of visitors into Glacier Bay National Park. Plus, Tracy Arm, Frederick Sound, Icy Strait and Chatham Strait.

Every crew member was professional, informative and fun. They were so knowledgeable and happy to answer any questions. They payed attention to what people wanted out of the trip. Bethany, Chris the bartender, Phil, Sarah and Paul took good care of us especially. Tucker who drove our skiff boat, the captain and the first mate were very informative as well.

UnCruise Alaska Northern Passages & Glacier Bay

Whatever your route, it is recommended that you get to your departure location at least 1 day in advance to be ready for your Alaska small-ship adventure cruise. Our all-inclusive, small expedition itineraries offer a mix of excursions in intriguing towns and Native villages and adventures in raw wilderness bays and glacial fjords. This approach to small vessel expeditions in Alaska offers travelers a comprehensive look at all the Inside Passage has to offer.

North Pacific Expeditions

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. Southcentral Alaska’s terrain ranges from volcanic landscapes in Katmai National Park, home to an impressive population of brown bears, to the windswept Aleutian Islands that make a 1,000-mile sweep toward Asia.

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Personalized Service

For Alaska small ship cruise deals, contact the AdventureSmith experts. We recommend that you plan ahead for your small ship Alaska cruise to take advantage of early-booking discounts, but we’re here to help those planning last-minute travel save as well. Don’t worry, our team can help you narrow down your choices and identify the best Alaska cruise itinerary for you. Our connections and longtime partnerships translate into savings and knowledge about when to secure the best deal on a small Alaska cruise. Whether you’re planning ahead, or seeking to get aboard last minute, let us help you save. Ask our past travelers, and they’ll say it was their trip!

Moose, wolves, and black bears can be spotted roaming freely along the shore. From day one we were immersed in experiences that brought a sense of wonder and excitement. Each amazing day was followed by an even more amazing one. From visiting the kittywake colony and the haunts of salmon, sea lions and seals, to watching rafts of otters with their adorable babies, or an escort of Dall’s porpoises. From hiking in forest by a rushing meltwater stream, passing peat bogs and wild blueberries, to kayaking through ice fractured from nearby glaciers.

Even if you’ve narrowed down where you want to cruise, it can still be overwhelming. We advise next considering your special interests and travel needs to find the best small ship Alaska cruises for your group. We’ve put together this list of considerations to guide you in finding the best small ship Alaska cruises for your needs.

The beginning of April and end of September are typically the low season but offer the best time to see the Northern Lights because of the shorter days. April and May also offer stunning scenery as the mountain peaks are still covered in snow. PWS is a beautiful but also immense region, so the decades of experience of these folks took us to locations little known to lesser mortals. The Discovery itself was a comfortable, if compact, ship. Fully equipped not only with kayaks, “Zodiacs “ & rain gear but also with cozy quarters and Megs great meals!

Secrets to getting a luxury cruise for less

We added new fixed price casual dining meals and OceanNow® delivery and room service for both! The enhanced package for Princess Plus ($60 USD) includes two free casual dining meals per guest. The enhanced Princess Premier package ($80 USD) includes unlimited free casual dining meals. These new perks will be (at no extra charge) fleetwide August 2, 2023.

Amazing Family Friendly Summer Cruise Vacations

The Love Boat cruise line explores the world on big, but not too big ships, with a particular focus on Alaska sailings. It welcomes everyone from families with kids to retired couples with a variety of onboard offerings and inclusive fare options to suit a variety of budgets and preferences. Oceania Cruises sails smaller, upscale ships with a focus on fine dining and restaurant variety. It has recently made its cruise fares more inclusive with the introduction of Simply More pricing. Four cruise lines cover more costs in their cruise fares than the average line, but not as many things as the truly all-inclusive lines. If you have to take out your wallet, it'll be for ultra-premium liquors, gourmet wine-paired meals in the Vintage room, cigars in the Connoisseur Club, spa treatments and shore excursions.

Azamara Club Cruises

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Set to debut in 2025, Four Seasons Yacht’s first 95-suite ship will feature 14 decks, a length of 679 feet, and a width of 88 feet. It will offer dining and beverage options inspired by Four Seasons’ culinary history, as well as a full-service spa and wellness programming. Expect authentic, one-of-a-kind experiences that can’t be found anywhere else. This is no ordinary cruise ship – it’s a superyacht, complete with dedicated personal assistants in every suite and a Concierge Ashore program that can tailor private tours to your exact preferences. Passengers are able to book one shore excursion at each port free of charge, and there are many additional excursions you can pay extra for if you would like.

Best for an a la carte all-inclusive experience

Oceania already includes nonalcoholic drinks (soda, specialty coffee and tea, smoothies, juice), specialty dining (including meals by celebrity chef Jacques Pepin), Wi-Fi (two devices per cabin), fitness classes and shuttles into town in port. The only major add-ons to your tab are airfare and shore excursions, the fanciest wines and spirits, and spa and salon treatments. Both the inclusive fares and onboard package cover unlimited Wi-Fi, crew gratuities and wine, beer and cocktails ordered on board (as well as the 18% beverage service charge usually tacked onto bar bills). Singles can get in on the savings, too, with the Experience More for Solo Travelers package.

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Cruise lines with all-inclusive promotions

Only passengers 18 and older can sail on a Viking ship, so this is definitely a cruise line for adults only. The heated pools both on the main pool deck and in the aft section of the ship never feel crowded, and the covering over the main pool area means you can take a swim no matter the weather outside. Having operated river cruises across Europe for decades, the company has successfully taken the ocean cruise industry by storm. For the last 7 years Viking has won the prestigious Travel + Leisure award for #1 cruise line in both river and ocean categories. The fleet of Regent Seven Seas ships are classified as medium-sized but the company emphasizes that they have a small ship mentality. Of the soon to be six ships in the fleet none of them carry over 750 passengers, making a 55,000 gross ton vessel feel even more roomy.

How can I maximize the value of my cruise vacation?

Can I purchase Princess Prizes on board in addition to what I receive with Princess Premier to have more chances to win? That entry covers the guest’s entire voyage from the time purchased or from embarkation (if upgraded with Princess Premier). Your Medallion device and complimentary lanyard will be available to pick up at the port with no shipping fee. You should still complete your OceanReady® travel checklist in advance to save time on embarkation day.

Shoulder-season Alaska cruises

Below we have put together for you the inclusive services of the cruise lines in the All Inclusive tariff. From the offseason to the sunniest months to festival season, anytime is the best time to travel to the Caribbean. Enjoy a ship full of activities for the whole family, from Broadway-style shows to Discovery’s Shark Week all summer long, your family will be engaged in the Caribbean. Go Stargazing under the stunning expanse of the night sky with Discovery at SEA, compete in a family game night, and savor the flavors of the islands together.

With less than $30 per day left to break even and with drinks up to $15 included, you don't have to overindulge to get your money's worth. Those premium desserts, casual meals, fitness classes and unlimited juice bar beverages are the icing on the cake. For either plan, each beverage package also includes bar gratuities (18% per beverage when ordered without the Plus or Premier packages). Passengers under 21 will automatically receive the Zero Alcohol package, which includes fountain sodas, juice bar, fresh juices, bottled water, specialty coffees and teas, frappes, milkshakes and Red Bull energy drinks.

Yes, fares will be higher, but you'll be spoiled for choice with perks. These lines typically don’t have age restrictions that make them true adults-only cruises, but high fares, longer itineraries and less theme park-like destinations tend to discourage many families from booking. The line has two ocean ships, the 999-passenger Spirit of Discovery and the 999-passenger Spirit of Adventure, both with all balcony staterooms. Saga cruise itineraries include the Baltic, the British Isles, the Canaries, and the Caribbean.

Viking’s complimentary spa access is a huge perk, as the Thermal Suite, which includes a steam, sauna, real snow grotto, whirlpool, cold-water splash and plunge pool, is a spa devotee’s dream-come-true. Also, staterooms are more upscale than on competitive premium lines. They feature king, not queen, beds, and oversized bathrooms with anti-fog mirrors, glass-enclosed showers, and heated bathroom floors. Imagine indulging nonstop in champagne, caviar, and lobster every day aboard a cruise—and not needing to pay one cent extra. All-inclusive cruises make fantasies like these reality by bundling many luxurious amenities into the voyage fare. And savvy cruisers know that the perk-laden, all-inclusive itineraries make for the most lavish, stress free vacations.

It features the Ultimate Beverage Package for one, unlimited Wi-Fi for one device, a $350 shore excursions credit, a $150 onboard spa credit, Chef's Table or Three Table Tour, and three bags of laundry during the voyage. The most comprehensive option for two people is the Experience More Indulgence package. It includes the Ultimate Beverage Package for two, unlimited Wi-Fi for two devices, $700 shore excursion credit, $250 onboard spa credit, Chef's Table or Three Table Tour, and five bags of laundry during the voyage.

All showcase stunning ships with all suites (other than Viking) and inviting public venues, and deliver impeccable service and excellent cuisine. Celebrity Cruises aims to be the cruise line for Gen Xers, and its newest ships are filled with dining variety, resort-worthy bars and plenty of places to grab a seat and gab with your girls, guys or significant other. Innovative cabins let fresh air in without creating under-used outdoor space.

Taking some time alone with your other half can be an incredible way to connect — though it’s not always easy on a family vacation. But nothing says romance quite like exploring the world with the love of your life. So with the kids excitedly checked into AO, you can spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool deck. The main pools are always popular, but the Solarium is a great getaway from the bustle with cozy nooks overlooking the ocean and a more tranquil pool vibe. When it comes time to fuel up in between adventures, there’s no shortage of craveworthy cuisine from around the world by award-winning chefs. In fact, you can taste your way around the globe in just one trip to the Windjammer buffet — but there are also plenty of go-to staples there to please your pickiest eaters too.

Two passengers sharing a cabin must both select Have It All at the time of booking. Unlike most cruise all-inclusive packages, however, HAL's Have It All doesn't include crew gratuities. These will be added to passengers' onboard accounts at $16 per person, per day for guests in cabins and $17.50 per day for guests in suites. Going all-in with this group of cruise lines can be tricky to book. If you aren't careful about the details, marketing phrases or limited time deals can make you think you'll be getting more than what's included in the fare. The other caveat to watch for on mainstream lines is the wide variability between prices, which can fluctuate day-to-day and is based on many factors, including the size and age of the ship.

Viking Ocean cruises, Virgin Voyages and Saga Cruises are your best bets for kid-less bliss and free-flowing cocktails. However, other cruise lines come close to providing adult-oriented sailings, with scarce children and all-inclusive benefits. ● Caribbean cruises on luxury lines with all-inclusive fares are often lower in that region than anywhere else in the world. If your dream is to try a luxury all-inclusive ship but you aren't particularly picky about the destination, find a Caribbean itinerary for the best deal.