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Finding the perfect
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I mean, really, there's a ton to see without ever setting foot on a cruise ship, but if you're looking for something different, a cruise to Alaska is definitely one way to experience some great views and a side of the northwest you've never seen before.
Planning your trip
Cruise ships leave from both Seattle and Vancouver, so depending on which disembarkation location is more convenient, you can choose between the two.
Regardless of where you'll be leaving from, though, there are a couple of things to be aware of when planning your trip.
First of all, the Seattle to Alaska cruise season is between May and September. Other popular cruises to the Caribbean go throughout the year, so it's usually easier to find good deals on those types of cruises than on cruises to Alaska. Seattle to Alaska cruises, however, don't offer as many deals and incentives because demand is already high, so you can expect to pay a little more than you would on cruises to other parts of the world.
Also, because the season only runs for about five months, demand is pretty high and a lot of the cruises can sell out. You probably don't want to wait until you get to Seattle to decide that you want to do a cruise. It'll be way too late by then!
Another thing you'll want to keep in mind is that there are different companies running cruises between the mainland and Alaska. As of now there are five different cruise lines that have weekly services between Seattle and Alaska.
These cruise lines are Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line (HAL), Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Princess Cruises, and Royal Caribbean (RCCL). Depending on the cruise line, the vessels either depart from Pier 66 on Bell Street or Terminal 30 at the south end of the waterfront. You can find more information about the different cruise lines and their schedules from the Port of Seattle.
Different cruise lines have different amenities and different people have different experiences on them, so you'll have to do some research to see which company best caters to your needs and wants while on the cruise.
All in all, taking a Seattle to Alaska cruise is a great way to experience the natural beauty of the northwest. Not only will you be able to see some great scenic views, but you also might see some animals in the wild like whales, sea otters, bears, eagles, and maybe even dolphins swimming alongside the ship itself!
Check out Kayak.com for the best deals on Alaska cruises from Seattle.
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