What if I am not feeling well in the days leading up to my cruise? The city administrator said there were so many people in town, computers slowed to a crawl and phones stopped working at City Hall. "Your journey toward sustainable travel starts here!". Lingit Aani Kaa Kei Nas.ax Haa Yoo Xatangi, Top Alaska tourist attraction Mendenhall Glacier to hit capacity for visitors by late summer, Skagway rail workers vote 'overwhelmingly' to authorize strike, Sitkas 13K-passenger day was far too many, mayor says. Hey Joe, Homer has an airport, and you can fly there from Anchorage and a few other places around Anchorage. We lived in Munich for 7 years before moving to Vancouver. She joined The Times in 2013, and was previously a correspondent in Turkey covering politics, the migrant crisis, the Kurdish conflict, and the rise of Islamic State extremism in Syria and the region. I went to Palmer and Talkeetna a couple of time. You can fly to Juneau, using the ferry to access Skagway, Hoonah, and Sitka. Try booking a car away from major airports. One agreement between Royal Caribbean and a wide range of Alaska ports is up for Ketchikan City Council approval Thursday. Two times we added a land travel package. It will allow cruise ships to sail directly to Alaska without having to visit Canada. If you book many excursions, these can easily reach thousands of dollars for big flightseeing trips. Royal Caribbean announces cruises with no vaccine requirement - The She focuses on the intersection of sustainable travel and environmental science. In that case, I recommend getting off the main highways in Alaska and exploring some remote areas, such as the Denali Highway, or heading to McCarthy. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. You can rent camping gear from, If you had your heart set on seeing Southeast Alaska, including Juneau, Sitka Ketchikan, and more, dont despair, do as the Alaskans do, and take advantage of our. However, the ideal way to fly around Alaska is by booking an overnight or sightseeing excursion with Rusts, K2, Alaska Adventure Company, or Northern Alaskan Tour Company. Add-on activities were available for an additional fee, including virtual reality in the Galaxy Pavilion, Norwegian Encore Speedway the largest racetrack at sea and wellness offerings at Mandara Spa. Also included within the cruise fare was an endless list of entertainment options, like The Choir of Man musical on the main stage, in addition to variety and comic performances, interactive game shows such as "Deal or No Deal," and social mixers like trivia, karaoke, and dance lessons. The coastal town of Valdez is connected to Anchorage and Fairbanks via the beautiful Glenn and Richardson highways. There were stations dedicated to anniversaries, birthdays, Valentine's Day, Christmas, New Year's, graduation, and more. In Seward, a seven-hour layover allows guests to pursue options such as a visit to Exit Glacier. Do Kids Require Vaccination to Cruise? Here Are the Major Lines' Rules This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. Deb. A photography tour sounds like a great place to start! By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Thanks for such a detailed post! The next ship to debut from NCL is Norwegian Prima, which will start its inaugural celebrations in late 2022 before home porting in Galveston, Texas for the 2023 and 2024 season. Meaning that the majority of tourists have their flights or sailings booked for them. If you love unexpected snowstorms followed by massive puddles of snowmelt then this is the season for you. Private Alaska Touring is also great and the team of travel curators is always working to offer the best packages. Travel Requirements by Port & Country - Norwegian Cruise Line Airlines are increasing the number of summer flights to the state's two largest airports Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and Fairbanks International Airport and inbound seat capacity is projected to near 2019 levels. When she's not outside playing, you'll find her drinking whiskey with her cat and partner while trying to get to level 99 in life. For now,you can only drive roughly 300 miles to theCanadian border, which remains closed until at least May 21 because of COVID-19. Find her online at. Finally, right now is a great time to sail with fewer crowds and many deals, including discounts on purchases made on the ship. There are lots of great locally-owned companies that you can hire for a guided fishing trip. Stan Stephens Glacier & Wildlife Cruises operates in Valdez and takes passengers into Prince William Sound; Phillips Cruises & Tours does so from Whittier. You can save money by only renting a car for a few days and riding the train for the rest of the way. He was there with his family, enjoying the sights and celebrating the latest developments of this cruise port like any other guest. Thanks for sharing your experience. I highly recommend booking the inclusive Wilderness Place Lodge trip with Alaska Adventure Company. Above & Beyond Alaska's new three-day, Juneau-based Glacier, Bears, and Whales Adventure Package combines individual tours that cruise passengers might have previously booked as shore excursions. Other companies chartering private yachts include Alaska Sea Adventures, Alaskan Luxury Cruises, Alaska Private Touring, and EYOS Expeditions. As a former Alaskan tour guide, a born and raised Alaskan, and someone who still works in the travel sector, I know all the ins and outs to help you plan the best trip of your life. Alaska cruise experts share their intel on how to pick the best Alaska cruise. You wont even miss the hustle of a cruise as you trust local Alaskans to plan the perfect multi-day adventure. Mike Dunleavy, demand for vacations in The Last Frontier remains high. I wasn't at all surprised to see Harry Sommer enjoying the cruise with his family, as I knew he was aboard the Encore to celebrate the comeback cruise. I spend time to curate tours or products that align with my values. Remember its part of the U> and has pretty much the same kinds of stores and chain restaurants as the lower 48. Hi Thomas, Im so glad youve been able to visit Alaska so many times. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-108621941', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Denali for the end of the trip. Its not all bad though, as Alaska emerges from 7 months of winter there are moments where you feel honored to be part of a rebirth. ASTA recently reported that 44% of Americans say will get vaccinated so that they can travel. If you are in Anchorage with time to kill and want to see the gorgeous Turnagain Arm, including a scenic drive, a stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Girdwood, or Portage Glacier, then book a shuttle day trip to see all the highlights of the Anchorage area with, If you want to hike Anchorages Flat Top, you can catch a shuttle from Anchorage to the trailhead and back with the. Which rental companies offer one way car rentals? The vaccination and testing requirement combined means guests can enjoy all parts of the ship without social distancing or wearing a mask. Cruises between Washington and Alaska typically stop in Canada. We highly recommend that all Guests become fully vaccinated before sailing and encourage unvaccinated Guests to take a COVID-19 test 2 days prior to their cruise. Pick 1-2 dream excursions that are worth forking over extra money. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-108615871', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Alaska observing strict social distancing (meaning no restaurants, etc. COVID-19 tests are still given so everyone may cruise without social distancing or wearing a mask. If you want to travel like a local, the Alaska Marine Highway System runs ferries connecting the state's coastal communities. The Glacier Discovery train follows a similar route, but after Girdwood, its four stops include Portage (home to bears, moose and other animals at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center) and Whittier (a small port town where you can take a glacier and wildlife cruise in Prince William Sound). The cruise. Saving for when we make it to Alaska!! Frequently Asked Questions: Guidance for Travelers to Enter the U.S. My thesis explored a new model of tourism that can benefit biodiversity and community well-being rather than degrade the environment. Thanks for supporting my work, at no additional cost to you. More about Ceylan Yeginsu. Thanks for reading and I hope youre able to plan a trip to Alaska in the near future without a cruise. Contrary to popular belief, it can be done! I have a couple of friends lending their cars using this program. Additionally, numerous small flights can add up in terms of carbon output. Effective for sailings 10/4/22 and beyond, all guests regardless of vaccination status are able to sail and with no testing requirements. I currently have a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Canadian authoritiesrequire all passengers 12 and olderto be vaccinated and present a negative test. While the disruption of the 2020 and 2021 tourist seasons could mean a $3.3 billion loss for Alaska, according to Gov. Email us at reviews@insider.com. Alaskans LOVE showing off our state, and the most significant impact you can have is by putting those tourist dollars directly into our pockets with a carefully curated multi-day adventure supporting local businesses the entire way. With a reduced capacity sailing, I was overjoyed to see there would be no rush to secure a lounge chair by the pool. Alaska has always been on my bucket list but im not a cruise fan. If you are cruise hesitant amid the pandemic, increasing awareness surrounding their negative environmental toll, or youre a curious adventurer wanting to explore all that Alaska has to offer, keep reading for my local tips for traveling to Alaska without a cruise. Besides, cruise ships carry thousands of people and all you might get is a few hours to explore. You can also fly into Anchorage or Fairbanks and rent a car for a complete interior land tour from Seward to Denali National Park. Alaska is fantastic in winter. I dont really like cruises so I would love to explore Alaska another way. A dedicated Public Health Officer oversees each sailing to ensure no suspicious sniffle goes undiagnosed. Meanwhile, for those interested in visiting the more remote national parks like Gates of the Arctic these trips can set you back $7,000+, not including your transport to Alaska. Here's what my experience was like. Avoiding a cruise ship is a lot more sustainable, and Im sure also a lot more rewarding. The scenic port town of Skagway, set along a popular cruise route. For example, if you use Anchorage as your home base, you can book a one-day flightseeing tour with Rusts to see bears in Lake Clark. Most people choose a cruise because they are unsure of how even to start planning a trip to this beautiful state on their own but, there are plenty of options for those looking to visit without a big cruise ship. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Yes AmaWaterways is requiring proof of vaccination for all passengers, including children 5 and older, until further notice. If you want to utilize Alaskas numerous RV camping locations in Seward, Homer, Anchorage, Fairbanks, Valdez, Palmer, and beyond then check out, As an alternative, you can also just add a tent to your car rental and utilize Alaskas numerous camping grounds to save some money. See remote parts of the state by plane, train, or campervan. The Star stops in Wasilla, Talkeetna and Denali National Park, and provides views of Denali, North America's highest peak. Top trips include the 114-mile Coastal Classic, which connects Anchorage and Seward and rolls alongside the Chugach Mountains and the Turnagain Arm waterway.