What is inside passage alaska

What is Alaska Cruise Inside Passage?

Alaska’s Inside Passage is a water route between the Gulf of Alaska and Puget Sound. This popular Alaska cruiseship route usually features stops at a handful of Alaska and British Columbia ports and is known for its calm waters, boundless history and spectacular scenery.

Is Inside Passage same as Glacier Bay?

The Inside Passage refers to the route up the coast from the lower 48 to Southeast Alaska. It’s called that because most of the way the route is sheltered by islands from the open ocean. Glacier Bay is in SE Alaska so in a way it’s part of the Inside Passage .

Is the Inside Passage rough?

Choosing an itinerary in protected water is your best bet against motion sickness. The itineraries that sail the Inside Passage from Seattle, on the other hand, travel two full days on the open Pacific Ocean, which can be rough .

Which Alaska cruise itinerary is best?

The Inside Passage is the most popular route. Itineraries generally embark in either Seattle or Vancouver, British Columbia — though there are some itineraries originating in Juneau .

What can you not miss on an Alaskan cruise?

12 Alaska Cruise Tour Activities Not to Miss Glacier & Wildlife Cruises . Heli-Hiking the Tundra. Riding the Alaska Railroad. Standup Paddleboarding Around Icebergs. Visiting a Wildlife Sanctuary. Sampling the Local Beer. Dog Sledding. Gold Panning.

Where is the Inside Passage?

The Inside Passage itself is a network of waterways that runs from Washington State’s Puget Sound in the south, up the Pacific coast of British Columbia and through the Alaska panhandle.

Is it better to cruise northbound or southbound in Alaska?

There’s no difference in northbound and southbound itineraries. The stops along the way are the same no matter which you choose, so it’s really about personal preference, and which lines up best with your travel plans.

Is Glacier Bay a must for Alaska cruise?

Dominated by cascading tidewater glaciers, ice-sculpted fjords, soaring pinnacles and marine wildlife, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is a sprawling 3.3 million acres of icy wilderness and a must -see destination for any tour through the Inside Passage of Southeast Alaska .

How many miles is the Inside Passage?

1,000 miles

What does inside passage mean?

The Inside Passage (French: Passage Intérieur) is a coastal route for ships and boats along a network of passages which weave through the islands on the Pacific Northwest coast of the North American Fjordland.

Is it worth getting a balcony on a cruise?

The extra price for a balcony is worth it if you’ll put it to good use. Your ship design places balcony rooms on higher decks. This means rooms with balconies have better views, especially on river cruises where lower rooms are close to the water line. If you want the extra space offered by a balcony room.

Are Alaska cruises rough?

Rough Waters: The majority of sailing on an Alaska cruise is done in the protected waters of the Inside Passage, but ships sailing to Seward, Whittier or Anchorage must cross the Gulf of Alaska , which is much rougher. Cruise staffers say the gulf gets especially bad after Labor Day, in the shoulder season.

What are the best ports to visit on an Alaska cruise?

Best 4 Alaska cruise ports Top 3 Ketchikan excursions. Top 3 Juneau excursions. Top 3 Sitka excursions. Top 3 Skagway excursions. It’s the leading cruise port serving Anchorage. The SeaLife Center is the town’s finest attraction. Hardly anything is worth seeing in Anchorage. Best by category. Itinerary insights.

Can you see Northern Lights from Alaska cruise?

From Mendenhall Glacier to Denali National Park, Alaska is a land of natural wonders. It is also the best spot in the United States to see the northern lights , a show you don’t want to miss on your next Alaska cruise .

What is the best month for whale watching in Alaska?

The best time to whale watch is from April to November, when approximately 600 humpbacks inhabit the waters of the northern Inside Passage. Whale watching tours are offered in Juneau and near Glacier Bay.