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.
What ports are on the Inside Passage?
Inside Passage cruises will usually stop at three or four ports. These include historic, Gold Rush-era Skagway; Ketchikan, the “Salmon Capital of the World” and home to a notable number of Native Alaskan totems; and Alaska’s capital city, Juneau.
Is the Inside Passage the 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.
What do you see on the Inside Passage?
The Inside Passage is home to Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian Alaska Native peoples whose history is reflected in towering totem poles and whose vibrant culture can be seen today through art, song, and dance. Russian settlers left their legacy through onion-domed churches gleaming with icons.
Where does the Inside Passage start and end?
The Inside Passage starts in Puget Sound, goes through the Salish Sea past Vancouver, British Columbia, and then follows the BC coast to Southeast Alaska.
Which side of ship is best on Alaska cruise?
Northbound Alaska cruises sail up the coastline through the Inside Passage and along Hubbard Glacier, so your best view of Alaska’s scenic landmasses are likely on the starboard side of the ship.
How long does it take to cruise the Inside Passage?
around seven days
The average cruise through the Inside Passage takes around seven days, but you can go beyond the cruise with shore excursions featuring an array of outdoor adventures (kayaking, fishing, bear viewing, to name a few).
What cities are in the Inside Passage of Alaska?
- Juneau.
- Ketchikan.
- Skagway.
- Haines.
- Sitka.
- Whittier.
Is Glacier Bay a must for Alaska cruise?
Since access to Glacier Bay is tightly controlled, only a limited number of cruise ships are allowed to visit Glacier Bay National Park each season. Spending a day in Glacier Bay is a must for an Alaska cruise, whether it’s your first time visiting Alaska or your tenth voyage there.
Is the Inside Passage international waters?
Canada maintains that the Passage is part of its internal waters and that no right of innocent passage exists within it, whereas the United States of America believes the Passage is an international strait where the right of transit passage exists.
How big is the Inside Passage?
The Inside Passage, also called the Inland Passage or the Inner Passage, is a stretch of protected ocean approx. 1,500 km long, that runs from Puget Sound in Washington State, USA, along the British Columbia, Canada coastline, to Skagway, Alaska, USA.
Do I need a passport on an Alaskan cruise?
Do you need a passport to go on a cruise to Alaska? Even though Alaska is part of the United States, most cruise itineraries will require you to travel with a U.S. passport. If you’re on a cruise to Alaska that begins or ends in Canada, you are required to carry a passport book or passport card.
How wide is the Inside Passage in Alaska?
Alaska portion
Alaska’s portion of the Inside Passage extends 500 miles (800 km) from north to south and 100 miles (160 km) from east to west. The area encompasses 1,000 islands and thousands of coves and bays.
Is it worth getting a balcony on a cruise?
“It really limits the claustrophobia that sometimes comes with small cabins on a cruise ship,” Matos says. “(It’s) great to be able to sit outside late at night with a glass of wine, looking at the sea and stars.”
Is it worth it to get a balcony on an Alaskan cruise?
Having a balcony cabin allows you to take in the passing mountains, glaciers, picturesque towns, wildlife, and so much more right from the comfort of your room. A balcony also makes for the ultimate space to get those once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities.
Are the seas rough on an Alaskan cruise?
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.
Where should you not stay on a cruise?
If you don’t have a stomach of steel, the cruise ship cabins to avoid are the ones located in parts of the ship that could make you queasy, at the front or back. A deluxe suite at the front of the ship might come with lots of perks, but you won’t be able to enjoy them with your head in the toilet.
Where do you leave from for an Alaskan cruise?
There are 4 ports that most Alaska cruises depart from: Seattle, Vancouver, Seward and Whittier. Other ports such as San Francisco, Los Angeles and Juneau are used less frequently.
How long does it take to cruise from Seattle to Alaska?
The specific itineraries vary, but generally cruises on this route spend two days at sea traveling between Seattle and Alaska, and one full day sailing through places like the Endicott Arm, Tracy Arm, or Glacier Bay National Park. Ports of call vary, but often include Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan.
How far north do Alaskan cruises go?
It stretches for about 950 miles from Seattle along the coast of British Columbia to the northern part of the Alaska panhandle near Haines and Skagway, Alaska. Cruises usually include stopovers in Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, and the famous Glacier Bay National Park.
How long is ferry from Washington to Alaska?
The Alaska Ferry runs 24 hours a day. It takes 36 hours from Bellingham, WA to reach the first stop at Ketchikan. Visitors often disembark in a variety of towns, stay a few nights on land, then continue on the ferry.