Alaska - Inside Passage Cruise Recommendations

[Milboo]

I know there are a few cruise fans here so hoping that there is experience of the Inside Passage journey in Alaska.

Looking at 7 days (max), don't care if departure is Seattle or Vancouver. There seems to be a vast array of options and cruise lines so looking for a recommendation.

Preference for a smaller number of people vs 100s on a boat.

Thanks!

 

[drron]

For me it has to be really small.We used this yacht-
MV Sikumi | Alaska Small Cruise Ship

It was fantastic.Kayaking with humpbacks,catching halibut and great food.Only 8 pax.

 

[RB]

A week would rule out my suggestion but for future consideration have a read of the Alaskan Marine Highway. We did a few hops on the ferries & thought it was a fantastic way to travel independently & see some great small towns. My signature has a link to a trip report with some photos & write-up

 

[Tazza_0712]

Check out Azamara Cruises. They just announced their first ever Alaskan itineraries. Sailing in 2019, however. They are smaller, more inclusive ships with passenger numbers of about 700.

 

[Milboo]

For me it has to be really small.We used this yacht-
MV Sikumi | Alaska Small Cruise Ship

It was fantastic.Kayaking with humpbacks,catching halibut and great food.Only 8 pax.

I saw your earlier trip report and checked them out - but booked for our dates.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Check out Azamara Cruises. They just announced their first ever Alaskan itineraries. Sailing in 2019, however. They are smaller, more inclusive ships with passenger numbers of about 700.

700 is NOT small in my books ! Have a look at these =



10 Best Alaska Adventure Cruises & Small Ships for 2017-2018 by Adventure Life

Alaska Cruises & Vacations small ship cruises

https://www.alaskacruises.com/cruise-lines/alaska-small-ship-cruise-lines

Linblad,

 

[Tazza_0712]

700 is NOT small in my books ! Have a look at these =



10 Best Alaska Adventure Cruises & Small Ships for 2017-2018 by Adventure Life

Alaska Cruises & Vacations small ship cruises

https://www.alaskacruises.com/cruise-lines/alaska-small-ship-cruise-lines

Linblad,

Small? No. Smaller, like I said, yes. Compared to Princess/RCI/Celebrity/HAL especially.

By all means, OP may want smaller than that and your suggestions are good if that's the case.

 

[Denali]

I did it about 20yrs ago on the ferry, getting off at different ports and exploring - was there for about a month.

Planning to do it again in a couple of years time and will be choosing smaller pax cruise.

So exciting for you - beautiful part of the world.

 

[VPS]

I did Celebrity - it was my first cruise and the size of the boat didn't bother me at all - I travelled alone and would do it again. I did have dine on demand which I think is essential.

 

[Pushka]

Seattle departure means an extra day of 'wasted' sea voyage and potential for rougher seas. Start either at Vancouver or further north.

Glacier Bay is only cruised by HAL, Princess and NCL and some smaller ships. Celebrity not allowed in. We are currently booked on Oceania next year.

As a general guide small = more expensive. Currently my tastes are small but my budget must be for larger ships to reduce the $ costs.

 

[Magpie10]

Pushka you will love Oceania I have sailed 4 times with them and I rate them my number 1 choice. Haven't sailed Alaska as yet.

 

[Sale]

Pushka you will love Oceania I have sailed 4 times with them and I rate them my number 1 choice. Haven't sailed Alaska as yet.

Magpie10 - agree all the way re Oceania. Can't wait for July

We cruised the Inside Passage on Oceania/ Regatta in 2015 - 10 days Seattle to Seattle. Max 684 passengers. It is a really great 41/2 star cruise line and it suits our pocket and the style of cruising that we enjoy. And the dining on Oceania is brilliant.

We loved every minute of both the cruise and the ship. The Regatta went into some of the smaller ports that the large cruise ships couldn't manage eg Hoonah (icy Strait Point). (I actually just love saying Hoonah)

We would love to do it all again - one of our most enjoyable cruises. For some reason the Alaskan cruise seemed a lot more personal as everyone was enjoying it so much.

 

[Magpie10]

Sale, have sailed Nautica and Marina, so have experienced both size ships, and love them both but Marina wins my vote. Love the speciality restaurants, and did have to say love the size of the theatre. But agree sailing Oceania to Alaska would be ideal, as you say the size allows you to visit smaller ports.... cheers V

 

[Sale]

Sale, have sailed Nautica and Marina, so have experienced both size ships, and love them both but Marina wins my vote. Love the speciality restaurants, and did have to say love the size of the theatre. But agree sailing Oceania to Alaska would be ideal, as you say the size allows you to visit smaller ports.... cheers V

We could almost start an Oceania love-in! We have our second Marina cruise coming up August 1st, and I'm v excited!

 

[Skyring]

We could almost start an Oceania love-in! We have our second Marina cruise coming up August 1st, and I'm v excited!

We're booked on Riviera to the Canaries next year. Looking forward to it. We had a thirty day sector on P&O Aurora some time back and though it was most enjoyable, we'd prefer something smaller.

Have to chuckle over their "Best Cuisine at Sea™" slogan.