May started the Alaskan cruise season, with fabulous luxury cruise liners beginning their voyages to see the country’s rugged landscape and wildlife. Glaciers, forests, and the frigidly pristine ocean that borders the land make this beautiful wilderness a popular travel destination. Take a look at a few of the exceptional cruise boats and their luxury travel packages for the best way to experience the stunning terrain of Alaska.
Silversea’s Silver Shadow
The Silver Shadow is one of the Silversea’s larger ships, and ranks third in its fleet. The all-suite ship holds space for 382 guests and a European crew that is trained in the highest level of hospitality. Embark on seven day trip that begins in the lovely city of Vancouver and ends in Seward, Alaska. During the adventure, choose from tour activities such as a photo safari by land and sea, a Juneau sports fishing salmon adventure, helicopter glacier trek, among many others. Silversea.com. (Photo Credit Silversea)
Regent Seven Seas Navigator
The Navigator is an all-suite luxury cruise liner that can accommodate 490 guests, and provides suites that range in size from 301 to 1,173 square feet. 90 percent of the ship’s rooms have private balconies and all guests have access to 24 hour room service. The Navigator has four separate restaurants. Prime 7 specializes in fine American dining, while Compass Rose serves elegant European-inspired cuisine. La Veranda features regional fare, such as Grilled Lamb Chops and Mediterranean Sea Bass served buffet style, and the Pool Grill provides snacks and light food. Regent offers several Alaska adventures. The Vancouver to San Francisco lasts 12 nights and features time in 5 different Alaskan cities including Sitka, Hoonah, Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan. RSSC.com. (Photo Credit Regent Cruises)
Star Princess
Star Princess of Princess Cruises, which was recently given a fresh new face, can accommodate 2,590 passengers and features a spa sanctuary, an outdoor, poolside theater, as well as a state-of-the-art fitness center. The ship also has three separate dining rooms, offering specialty cuisine ranging from cooked-to-order steaks and seafood to Tuscan-inspired Italian dishes. On the Tracy Arm Fjord Cruise, the Star Princess takes travelers to the scenic, 30 mile long fjord named after Civil War general Benjamin Franklin Tracy. The area holds some of the world’s largest glaciers, including the twin Sawyer glaciers, as well as Black and brown bears, deer, wolves, harbor seals, mountain goats and a variety of seabirds. Princess.com. (Photo Credit Princess Cruises)
Celebrity Century
A dramatically decorated cruise liner, the Celebrity Century of Celebrity Cruises, was built for the rich, famous, and those looking to be pampered. The ship is proud to feature cuisine from the Murano restaurant, where diners will enjoy tableside cooking and carving beneath glittering chandeliers. Aquaspa is Celebrity Century’s impressive luxury spa, with treatments that utilize both contemporary technology and old-world treatments. The nine day Ultimate Alaska Cruise begins in Vancouver and cruises through five Alaskan cities before returning to Canada. Each port offers exciting excursions such as the Adventure Kart Expedition and Alaska Bear Adventure in Ketchikan or The Native Cultural, Historical, & Raptor Experience in Sitka. CelebrityCruises.com. (Photo Credit Celebrity Cruises)
Safari Endeavour
The Safari Endeavor is a newly redesigned, luxury yacht style ship that features high-end amenities and services. Guests can enjoy a drink at the wine bar, relax in the sauna or hot tub, or take a moment to realign during a yoga class. Its intimate size enables a 2.5:1 guest-to-crew ratio, allowing the Safari Endeavor’s staff to satisfy every hospitality desire. Each of the ships state rooms include flat-screen tvs, DVD player, and ipod docking station. With three decks, the Safari Endeavor ensures a front-row seat for all the fantastic Alaskan views . The 14 night Famed Inside Passage to Alaska features stops at the Frederick Sound, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Juneau, Misty Fjords National Monument, Petersburg, among several others. InnerSeaDiscoveries.com. (Photo Credit InnerSea Discoveries)
