norwegian cruise line valdez alaska

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Norwegian Cruise Line cancels Valdez stops, leaving small businesses reeling

Valdez harbor. (Erik Hill / ADN file)

Norwegian Cruise Line has unexpectedly canceled the rest of its summer visits to the Prince William Sound city of Valdez, sending shocked local businesses scrambling to refund customers and adjust plans for the season.

The 900-foot Norwegian Spirit, the biggest cruise ship scheduled to visit the town of 4,000, has canceled 11 visits, according to interim city manager Nate Duval.

That means about 16,000 fewer people will visit Valdez, cutting down the number of anticipated cruise guests by about one-third this summer.

The town has seen rapid growth in cruise traffic since the pandemic, with a handful of cruise lines visiting. Local entrepreneurs have been launching new excursions to take advantage of the growing market, business owners say.

But for many who were counting on big crowds from the Norwegian ship, which can carry up to 2,000 guests, the cancellation has dealt a major blow.

In an interview Thursday, Duval said the city learned about the cancellation in an email late Tuesday from Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska, which provides services to the vessels in Alaska waters.

Norwegian Cruise Line did not tell city officials why the company made the decision. Officials with Norwegian Cruise Line did not respond to requests for comment.

Lanie Downs, head of community relations in Alaska for Cruise Lines International Association, the world’s largest trade group for the industry, also declined to comment on the cancellation.

“We do not comment on individual line decisions or matters,” she said.

Rick Erickson, vice president of Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska, said Norwegian Cruise Lines did not tell him why they would no longer visit Valdez this summer. With the Valdez cancellation, the cruise line has added Southeast Alaska stops such as Icy Strait Point for this summer, Erickson said.

The Norwegian Spirit was scheduled to be in Valdez on Thursday. The town was quieter but still had visitors who traveled down the Richardson Highway, mostly RVers and Alaskans, local business owners said.

[ Denali Park Road not fully reopening until 2026 after bridge construction pushed back a year ]

But the Norwegian guests were especially important to tour operators in Valdez because they had extra flexibility in their onshore schedule compared to guests from other lines, Duval said.

The cancellation of those stops will hurt an array of businesses that provide everything from kayak rentals to glacier sightseeing tours, Duval said.

“It’s a significant hit that businesses will have to adjust to, so there’s some obvious disappointment,” he said.

Norwegian Spirit had called on the town a few times this summer before the cancellation, boosting expectations, Duval said. Mountain-backed Valdez is northeast of Seward, and Seward is the start and the end of the Norwegian Spirit trips.

The town of Valdez in April 2018. (Loren Holmes / ADN)

The owners of Valdez Stay & Play said they recently bought a small fleet of vehicles including buses, a trolley and a Sprinter van to meet the demand for local tours from the Norwegian Cruise Line guests.

They had just launched Valdez Trolley and Bus Tours. Business boomed on days when the Norwegian cruise ship arrived, said co-owner Jim McCay.

Now they’ve had to lay off three employees and they’re busy processing several thousand dollars in refunds, said Magdalena McKay, his wife. They plan to immediately sell two buses.

“We had 50 to 75 people standing out in front of the trolley waiting to get on line. It was crazy,” Jim McCay said. “That now is gone.”

“So now we’re trying to shift gears,” he said.

They’ll still offer trolley tours that include an emphasis on the history of Valdez, but they’ll try to drum up more business from highway travelers.

On Thursday, they made an agreement with another business that will allow them to bring their rentable e-bikes and kayaks closer to the heart of downtown, to increase their visibility to tourists.

Colleen Stephens, president of Stan Stephens Cruises, which provides glacier and wildlife tours on ships carrying about 145 guests, said numerous businesses in town have been forced to rearrange plans.

“It’s having a substantial impact for us,” she said of her company.

Stan Stephens Cruises is losing several tours that would have carried guests from the Norwegian Spirit under a contract with the cruise line, she said.

“The biggest issue is we committed assets that are no longer being used,” she said.

Duval said cruise ship tourism in Valdez withered after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks closed a top attraction: cruise guest excursions to the Valdez Marine Terminal, where oil from the 800-mile trans-Alaska pipeline is loaded onto oceangoing tankers.

[ Alaska seeks taxes from Turo car sharing platform in long-running dispute ]

But cruise lines were rapidly returning to Valdez after the pandemic, Duval said.

The reason Norwegian Cruise Line canceled might be because its large ships had to tie up at the container terminal that’s a few miles from the center of town, rather than another dock near town where smaller cruise ships can port, Duval said.

The container terminal falls under U.S. Homeland Security regulations, so passengers cannot freely move about, and there are no local vendors there to meet them like there were before 9/11, Duval said.

As a result, Norwegian Spirit guests had to ride buses into town, adding time and cost.

Duval said the city plans to renew talks with the state of Alaska so large ships can use the state ferry terminal that’s frequently available when the ferry leaves town.

The city is working to bring in new cruise lines in the future. And it hopes Norwegian Cruise Line returns to Valdez, he said.

“We want to keep an open dialogue with Norwegian and others, and find ways to make them successful here in the future,” he said.

Alex DeMarban

Alex DeMarban is a longtime Alaska journalist who covers business, the oil and gas industries and general assignments. Reach him at 907-257-4317 or [email protected].

Norwegian Cruise Line cancels all port calls to Valdez for 2023, 2024 season

VALDEZ, Alaska (KTUU) - Norwegian Cruise Line, a major tourism provider within the state of Alaska, has canceled all calls to the Port of Valdez, according to city officials.

No reasons were given for the complete cancellation of the rest of the 2023 season — as well as the full 2024 season — according to Valdez Ports and Harbors Director Jeremy Talbott.

Requests for comment to Norwegian Cruise Line were not answered at the time of publication.

Talbott said Norwegian Cruise Line had already made at least one port of call in Valdez this year — a stop on May 16 was the company’s first in the Prince William Sound community — but Talbott said the city still looks forward to working with Norwegian Cruise Line in the future.

Talbott also said other cruise lines have already made stops and are still scheduled to arrive in Valdez, including Viking Cruises, Holland America Line, and Silversea Cruises.

The cancellation of the company’s port of calls to Valdez is a blow to tourism companies such as Keystone Tours, a bus sightseeing company owned by Bryan Rhodes.

“I’m devastated,” Rhodes said by phone. “I had hundreds of people booked for a small tour bus, only 26 passengers. But over the course of the summer, they were going to be here basically every Tuesday and Thursday for the remainder of the summer, being able to do a couple of tours a day.”

Rhodes said the news was a “full-blown death blow” to him, and couldn’t determine whether or not he would be forced into bankruptcy due to his customer base of tourists dwindling down to essentially zero.

“(I was) never really expecting and/or knowing that this was even an option, to be honest with you,” Rhodes said. “I guess — maybe naive? I don’t know, but never knew there was no contractual binding agreement for a cruise line to be able to pull out as abruptly as they did.”

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Norwegian Cruise Line Cancelling All Visits to Valdez in 2023

• June 21, 2023

According to a statement published by the City of Valdez, Norwegian Cruise Line is cancelling all of its visits to the destination in 2023.

The Alaskan port was part of the itineraries of the Norwegian Spirit, which was scheduled to make regular stops throughout the entire summer.

Sailing between Vancouver and Seward, the 2,000-guest vessel is offering a series of open-jaw itineraries to Alaska and Canada.

“The City understands and shares the disappointment that may arise from this cancellation. We sincerely apologize to the passengers and all those who eagerly anticipated the arrival of the NCL ship in our picturesque port,” the statement reads.

A reason for the cancellation, which started with the visit previously scheduled for June 15, was not specified.

“We will work closely with Norwegian Cruise Line to explore alternative opportunities and future collaborations,” the City of Valdez added.

“We are actively engaged in efforts to develop exciting new itineraries that will continue to showcase the natural beauty and unique experiences our city has to offer,” the statement concluded.

A less usual destination in Southcentral Alaska, Valdez is set to be visited by other cruise lines in 2023, including Viking Cruises, Silversea Cruises and Windstar Cruises.

Holland America Line’s Noordam is scheduled to make a single call at the port this year as well, as part of a a 14-night cruise that sails from Vancouver.

In addition to luxury ships, Valdez’s 2024 schedule also includes visits of three large ships: the Nieuw Amsterdam, the Westerdam and the Carnival Spirit.

According to published deployment on the company’s website, Norwegian Cruise Line is set to return to the city in 2025 with the Norwegian Jade.

The ship is scheduled to visit the city four times a month through its entire summer program in Alaska, which takes place between late April to early October.

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• Norwegian Cruise Line

Valdez Alaska tour

By Fredkelk March 17, 2023 in Norwegian Cruise Line

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I will be on the Spirit June 14-21, 2023 as part of the Southbound Authentic Alaska cruise tour. In Valdez, our first stop, I will be going on Glacier and Icebergs canoe tour. I would like to also tour the town and area but there is a time conflict with the NCL excursion tour. Can anyone recommend a tour or best way to see the area? I return from the canoe tour at 1pm and ship departs at 7pm. 

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@3SistersThank you. I will check them out.

Kendall James-Vargas

@Fredkelk  I found this charming museum spot in Valdez that is free to visit if you are interested.  http://www.mjwhitneymuseum.org/  A little shopping near the port could also be a fun way to explore the area on foot. I also found this events page that could spark some ideas!  https://www.valdezalaska.org/events/  It seems there are some events that may be happening during your June 14-21 itinerary window. Your cruise tour sounds genuinely fantastic! 

@Kendall James-Vargas  Thank you! I will check these out.

@Fredkelk  Dock Point Park has amazing views for a hike. I'm not sure how close it is to the port, but you could certainly map it out! Solomon Gultch Hatchery would also be an amazing experience if you have the time available. 

@3Sisters Thank you. I will check them out.

@Fredkelk  I love that you are being so proactive in booking all of the best excursions and making ideal arrangements in advance. I tend to do the same so I can get an idea of what to expect and not have to stress about it once onboard. Also, if you wait until you get on the ship some of the best excursions are already sold out! 

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• Alaska Cruise Ports

Valdez (Alaska)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Alaska

Local Time 2024-04-27 10:39

Port Valdez cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Valdez, Alaska. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Valdez is a port town in Valdez-Cordova Census Area (Alaska USA), with population around 4,000. Valdez is ranked among state's most important cruise ports. Valdez was named after the Spanish Royal Navy.officer Antonio Valdes y Fernandez Bazan (1744-1816), who became famous during the the Battle of Havana (March-August 1762).

Valdez is a former Gold Rush town, located at a fjord's head on Prince William Sound's eastern side. Port Valdez started to flourish after 1899, when the Fairbanks road link was opened. It suffered damage during 1964 Alaskan earthquake. The town is also close to the site of the disastrous Exxon Valdez (oil tanker) spill of March 24, 1989.

Oil from Trans-Alaska pipeline is loaded on ships at Valdez oil terminal. There are 14 aboveground crude oil storage tanks situated at the terminal, and 3 to 5 oil tankers depart from Valdez oil terminal each week. Over 15,000 tankers full of oil have left since the pipeline started work in 1976.

Freight moves through the town bound for state's interior via Richardson Highway. Valdez is a port of call in Alaska Marine Highway ( ferry system). Valdez Airport (aka Pioneer Field) serves only one airline (Ravn Alaska) offering domestic flights to and from Fairbanks AK, Anchorage AK and Seattle WA .

Valdez is a notable fishing port, serving both sport and commercial fishing boats. Sightseeing of glaciers, wildlife viewing, together with heliskiing and deep-sea fishing are among the main activities supporting the local tourism industry. To the north (on Richardson Highway) is Thompson Pass, featuring spectacular waterfalls and glaciers close to the road. Thompson Pass is also popular as a tricky driving destination during winter months.

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Valdez - user reviews and comments

With its towering peaks that are sometimes compared to those of Switzerland, Valdez sits quietly on the shore of beautiful Prince William Sound. The area's major attractions are the vast Columbia Glacier and the tumbling Keystone River. Aerial tours over the glacier and river-rafting adventures are among the most popular excursions offered.

Valdez, Alaska

All information about valdez cruise port. timetable for the arrival of ships, the time of their stay and the number of passengers. valdez port news. weather forecast and historical weather, as well as water temperatures around valdez..

Valdez: tourist information

Valdez is nestled at the foot of the Chugach Mountains on the shores of Prince William Sound. It has been called the Switzerland of Alaska and boasts harsh mountain peaks and glaciers. Valdez averages 300 inches of snow a year and is home to the World Extreme Skiing Championships. Valdez is a diligent seaport, shipping oil from the Trans-Alaska Pipeline to the west coast of the United States, and now to the Orient.

The Port of Valdez was named in 1790 by Senor Fidalgo for the celebrated Spanish naval officer Antonio Valdez y Basan. due to its exceptional ice-free port, a town developed in 1898 as a debarkation point for men seeking a route to the Klondike gold fields. Valdez soon became the supply center of its own gold mining region, and incorporated as a City in 1901. Tsunamis generated by the 1964 earthquake destroyed the original City, killing several residents. The society was rebuilt in a more sheltered location nearby. During the 1970's, construction of the Trans-Alaska oil pipeline terminal and other cargo transportation facilities brought rapid development to Valdez.

Seeing the famous TransAlaska Pipeline Terminal is high on many visitors' lists of things to do in Valdez. Guided tours of this facility are conducted daily through the summer. Day-long or extended tours of Prince William Sound will take you to be best vantage points of glaciers, sea life, and shorebirds. Excursion vessels, rental boats, charters, and sail boats depart from the Small Boat Harbor. Flight seeing trips over some of the most impressive mountains anywhere are regularly made throughout the summer in helicopters and fixed-wing craft. Outdoor enthusiasts can get pleasure from both inland and ocean options in Valdez. Guided raft trips will take you through Keystone Canyon and past towering waterfalls.

Wilderness river journeys will bring you camping or to remote lodges in the Copper Basin. Kayak rentals for the skilled paddler are available along with guided nature tours in Port Valdez and Robe Lake. Ground sightseeing tours will take you up close for photo stops in Keystone Canyon and Thompson Pass. One can take a walking trail right to the edge of Worthington Glacier.

• Country: USA
• Capital: Washington, D.C.
• Government: United States
• State/Region: Alaska
• Time Zone: -9 GMT
• Language: English
• Latitude: 61.1308300
• Longitude: -146.3483300
• Est. Population: 9400
• Currency: US Dollar
• Fire: Valdez Fire Department - P.O. Box 307, Valdez, Alaska 99686; Phone: (907) 835-4560
• Police: Valdez Police Department - Phone: (907) 835-4560
• Hospital: Valdez Community Hospital - 911 Meals Avenue, Valdez, Alaska 99686; Phone: (907) 835-2249
• General: Emergency Phone: 911

Valdez Cruise Port Schedule

Valdez in the News

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• Jun 19, 2023 NCL-Norwegian cancels port calls to Valdez (Alaska) for 2023-2024 season City officials have reported that NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line has decided to cancel all visits to P...
• Jun 18, 2023 Cruise News Update: June 17, 2023 In case you missed the big cruise news stories from the past week, Cruise Hive is here to make su...
• Jun 16, 2023 Norwegian Cancels Full Season of Calls to Alaskan Port In a further development from a report by Cruise Hive yesterday, Norwegian Cruise Line has announ...
• Jun 15, 2023 Norwegian Cruise Line Cancels Call to Alaskan Port In an unexpected move, Norwegian Cruise Line has announced the cancellation of its stop at Valdez...
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• Jan 4, 2023 Holland America Reveals Longer Alaska 2024 Itineraries Holland America Line, well known as the premier line for cruising Alaska, is featuring longer iti...
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• Jul 29, 2022 Silversea Unveils Largest-Ever Voyage Collection for 2024-25 Season WHY IT RATES: Likening its curated selection of cruises that spans the entire globe to expertly w...
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Port rating and occupancy

Port of Valdez ranks 1111th in the world in terms of the number of tourists visiting it.

Number of cruise ship calls in the coming year: 0 .

The total number of tourists (passengers) of cruise ships in the port of Valdez in the next 12 months is 0 .

According to the popularity rating among more than 1,000 cruise ports in the world , Valdez ranks 748.

Weather in Valdez

Current water temperature in Valdez now is 43°F (6.0°C)

Water temperature data provided by seatemperature.net .

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• Norwegian Cruise Line

Valdez cruise port canceled on NCL Spirit after today (6/13/23)

By Seas2mountains , June 14, 2023 in Norwegian Cruise Line

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Seas2mountains

I saw some posts on another internet location from people who are currently on the NCL Spirit as they reported that tour operators told them today was the last time NCL Spirit will stop in Valdez.

We have a B2B booked on NCL Spirit starting in 8 days. The itinerary still shows Valdez but no excursions are available to be booked in Valdez.

According to Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska website and calendar that was updated today, it appears to be true.

https://claalaska.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/VDZ-Valdez-2023.pdf

It seems we may have a stop added at Icy Straight Point. I have not seen any communications from NCL, yet.

https://claalaska.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/ISP-Icy-Strait-Point-2023.pdf

Is there anyone on NCL Spirit today or anyone getting on tomorrow who knows why this port stop is being canceled?

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I'm on the June 21 out of Vancouver too.  It looks like the following changes have been made.  No official word from Norwegian, of course.

Friday:  Icy Strait changed to Sitka

Monday:  Hubbard Glacier changed to Icy Strait

Tuesday:  Valdez changed to Hubbard Glacier

Using the Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska website and assuming it is accurate, here is our old and new itinerary:

Wed. June 21st - Depart Vancouver

Thurs. June 22nd - At Sea - no change

Fri. June 23rd - Was Icy Straight Point - now Sitka - 11:30am-6:00pm 

Sat. June 24th - Juneau - no change

Sun. June 25th - Skagway - no port change but time was 7am-5pm, port schedule shows 7am-7pm

Mon. June 26th - was Hubbard Glacier - now Icy Straight Point - 7am-6:30pm

Tues. June 27th - was Valdez - now Hubbard Glacier - 7am-11:30am

Wed. June 28th - Depart Seward

Thurs. June 29th - was Valdez - now Hubbard Glacier- 2pm-8pm

Fri, June 30th - was Hubbard Glacier - now Icy Straight Point - 7am-6pm

Sat. July 1st - Skagway - no change

Sun. July 2nd - Juneau - no change

Mon. July 3rd - Ketchikan - no change

Tues. July 4th - At sea - no change

Wed. July 5th - Vancouver

No word from NCL so far.  We were excited to check out Valdez but are excited about stopping at Icy Straight Point twice and adding in Sitka - again if this information is factual.

Scrambling to rebook private whale watchiong excursion in Icy STRAIT.  Wondering when excursion options will be posted for Sitka.

1 minute ago, quack2 said: I'm on the June 21 out of Vancouver too.  It looks like the following changes have been made.  No official word from Norwegian, of course.     Friday:  Icy Strait changed to Sitka Monday:  Hubbard Glacier changed to Icy Strait Tuesday:  Valdez changed to Hubbard Glacier      

Yes, that is what I was seeing, too.  We have only been to Sitka on one other cruise so will look forward to stopping again. 

4 minutes ago, quack2 said: Scrambling to rebook private whale watchiong excursion in Icy STRAIT.  Wondering when excursion options will be posted for Sitka.

Oh no! Sorry to hear that! The whale watching in ISP is supposed to be among the best. We do have an excursion for whale watching in ISP but it is through NCL. I hope it works out to change the dates with the private excursion operator.

Where are people seeing the changes?  I’m on the Spirit July 5-19 and both the app and NCL website still list Valdez.  However, no shore excursions are showing up for Valdez.

6 minutes ago, YVRteacher said: Where are people seeing the changes?  I’m on the Spirit July 5-19 and both the app and NCL website still list Valdez.  However, no shore excursions are showing up for Valdez.

https://claalaska.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/All-Alaska-Ports-All-Vessels-2023.pdf

Norwegian will be the last to post it.

This is too bad.  I had an excursion booked to Meares Glacier and was looking forward to the new-to-me port.  This isn’t a big deal at all, but it is a little disappointing. 

3 minutes ago, YVRteacher said: This is too bad.  I had an excursion booked to Meares Glacier and was looking forward to the new-to-me port.  This isn’t a big deal at all, but it is a little disappointing. 

I agree.  Two ISP stops instead of one and a stop in Sitka should make this change okay. But, I’m hoping it’s worth a little on board credit.  Yes, that is the website where I found the schedule changes.  Sorry about the Meares Glacier cancelation with this change. 

12 minutes ago, Seas2mountains said: I agree.  Two ISP stops instead of one and a stop in Sitka should make this change okay. But, I’m hoping it’s worth a little on board credit.  Yes, that is the website where I found the schedule changes.  Sorry about the Meares Glacier cancelation with this change. 

Deleting original post.  I'm just doing a 7-day; you're on a B2B.

45 minutes ago, quack2 said: I'm on the June 21 out of Vancouver too.  It looks like the following changes have been made.  No official word from Norwegian, of course.     Friday:  Icy Strait changed to Sitka Monday:  Hubbard Glacier changed to Icy Strait Tuesday:  Valdez changed to Hubbard Glacier      

I've heard Sitka is a nice stop, certainly better than Valdez.

1 minute ago, jdc987 said: I've heard Sitka is a nice stop, certainly better than Valdez.

Unless you've been to Sitka previously, but not to Valdez.

I like Sitka, but Valdez was something new to me.

I wonder what the reason is for the change in itinerary.

I also wonder what reason NCL will provide. 😉

19 minutes ago, YVRteacher said: I wonder what the reason is for the change in itinerary.   I also wonder what reason NCL will provide. 😉

Are you suggesting that they might not be the same?  😂   Mon Dieu!

1 hour ago, Seas2mountains said: I saw some posts on another internet location from people who are currently on the NCL Spirit as they reported that tour operators told them today was the last time NCL Spirit will stop in Valdez.   We have a B2B booked on NCL Spirit starting in 8 days. The itinerary still shows Valdez but no excursions are available to be booked in Valdez.   According to Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska website and calendar that was updated today, it appears to be true.   https://claalaska.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/VDZ-Valdez-2023.pdf It seems we may have a stop added at Icy Straight Point. I have not seen any communications from NCL, yet.   https://claalaska.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/ISP-Icy-Strait-Point-2023.pdf   Is there anyone on NCL Spirit today or anyone getting on tomorrow who knows why this port stop is being canceled?

BTW, thanks for the heads up. 

singleflyer

1 hour ago, YVRteacher said: Where are people seeing the changes?  I’m on the Spirit July 5-19 and both the app and NCL website still list Valdez.  However, no shore excursions are showing up for Valdez.

I'm on the same sailing (July 5-12); just three weeks out.  I guess I better start researching Sitka.  

We’re on the Spirit right now and had an excellent private excursion in Valdez - it was the Valdez Glacier and Icebergs tour on a canoe (no we didn’t do the paddling, there were 5 of us and two guides/paddlers) and it was superbly fantastic excursion- so beautiful. It was our 2nd visit to Valdez but it was our first excursion in Valdez. The excursion was $200 pp.   

The first time we visited Valdez (on June 1, during the first leg of B2B from Seward) we didn’t have any excursions booked just because the ones NCL offered were not in our interest or overpriced for our liking. We were prepared to pay for the $15 round trip shuttle to town and back.   

We found out when we boarded on May 31 that the Valdez shuttles were complimentary … apparently the pax on previous cruises to ours were quite surprised and seethed about having to pay.   

We got to town and found it totally different from other towns we’d visited - extra wide roads/streets, one or 2 storey buildings/houses spaced apart, very few shops and that was it. We walked around one big long block and trekked back to the ship on next shuttle. Sorry Valdez.   

Today when we were being driven back to the ship after the totally unforgettable excursion the driver (who owns the business with his wife) said to us that today was NCL Spirit’s last visit to Valdez. He said they found out last night about that and his wife called the Harbormaster today and he confirmed it. Reason is $$$$$. Pax on ship weren’t buying the overpriced excursions, town is dead, the $15 shuttles did it in.   

Unless you are lucky to get the excursion we had, you would be SOL with Valdez.   

Also the ship has to be docked at the Container dock where there is high security and guards. No one can walk around the dock freely. The town dock is too short for Spirit.   

Sorry Valdez.   

littlelulu01

20 minutes ago, bluesea777 said: We’re on the Spirit right now and had an excellent private excursion in Valdez - it was the Valdez Glacier and Icebergs tour on a canoe (no we didn’t do the paddling, there were 5 of us and two guides/paddlers) and it was superbly fantastic excursion- so beautiful. It was our 2nd visit to Valdez but it was our first excursion in Valdez. The excursion was $200 pp.    The first time we visited Valdez (on June 1, during the first leg of B2B from Seward) we didn’t have any excursions booked just because the ones NCL offered were not in our interest or overpriced for our liking. We were prepared to pay for the $15 round trip shuttle to town and back.    We found out when we boarded on May 31 that the Valdez shuttles were complimentary … apparently the pax on previous cruises to ours were quite surprised and seethed about having to pay.    We got to town and found it totally different from other towns we’d visited - extra wide roads/streets, one or 2 storey buildings/houses spaced apart, very few shops and that was it. We walked around one big long block and trekked back to the ship on next shuttle. Sorry Valdez.    Today when we were being driven back to the ship after the totally unforgettable excursion the driver (who owns the business with his wife) said to us that today was NCL Spirit’s last visit to Valdez. He said they found out last night about that and his wife called the Harbormaster today and he confirmed it. Reason is $$$$$. Pax on ship weren’t buying the overpriced excursions, town is dead, the $15 shuttles did it in.    Unless you are lucky to get the excursion we had, you would be SOL with Valdez.    Also the ship has to be docked at the Container dock where there is high security and guards. No one can walk around the dock freely. The town dock is too short for Spirit.    Sorry Valdez.     

We were on the May 16th sailing. The shuttle to town was free of charge.  Passengers were never presented with an option for a $15 fee.  We bought the over priced excursions but they were canceled - so despite trying to spend money we were not able to.  It seemed to me that tourism hasn’t really taken off In Valdez just yet. The sail in was beautiful though.   

isp has incredible whale watching opportunities. 

@bluesea777  this must be so hard for the businesses in Valdez.  We had a private shore ex booked and I had actually tried to book two different private shore excursions with the same company the week prior and they were completely sold out. Thank you for sharing the information and it sounds like you were so fortunate to experience a great day in Valdez.  

We get to go to Sitka on the northbound cruise and I’m excited about this! I have not been to Sitka before.

On the southbound cruise we now go to Icy Strait Point as the replacement for Valdez. 

I called Norwegian this morning.  Their reps don't know about the Valdez cancellation and the other changes to the itinerary.

3 minutes ago, quack2 said: I called Norwegian this morning.  Their reps don't know about the Valdez cancellation and the other changes to the itinerary.

No surprise as I expect NCL hasn’t prepared a communication for them yet.  

10 hours ago, bluesea777 said: We’re on the Spirit right now and had an excellent private excursion in Valdez - it was the Valdez Glacier and Icebergs tour on a canoe (no we didn’t do the paddling, there were 5 of us and two guides/paddlers) and it was superbly fantastic excursion- so beautiful. It was our 2nd visit to Valdez but it was our first excursion in Valdez. The excursion was $200 pp.    The first time we visited Valdez (on June 1, during the first leg of B2B from Seward) we didn’t have any excursions booked just because the ones NCL offered were not in our interest or overpriced for our liking. We were prepared to pay for the $15 round trip shuttle to town and back.    We found out when we boarded on May 31 that the Valdez shuttles were complimentary … apparently the pax on previous cruises to ours were quite surprised and seethed about having to pay.    We got to town and found it totally different from other towns we’d visited - extra wide roads/streets, one or 2 storey buildings/houses spaced apart, very few shops and that was it. We walked around one big long block and trekked back to the ship on next shuttle. Sorry Valdez.    Today when we were being driven back to the ship after the totally unforgettable excursion the driver (who owns the business with his wife) said to us that today was NCL Spirit’s last visit to Valdez. He said they found out last night about that and his wife called the Harbormaster today and he confirmed it. Reason is $$$$$. Pax on ship weren’t buying the overpriced excursions, town is dead, the $15 shuttles did it in.    Unless you are lucky to get the excursion we had, you would be SOL with Valdez.    Also the ship has to be docked at the Container dock where there is high security and guards. No one can walk around the dock freely. The town dock is too short for Spirit.    Sorry Valdez.     

In case any of us wind up there could you tell us the name of the excursion provider?  Thanks so much

cruiseny4life

Here's the revised trip itinerary for today's voyage. I think they may have mistakenly referred to the shore excursion charge as a "fare" in the last paragraph. I'm sure NCL is  not  offering a full refund of the cruise fare. There doesn't appear to be any compensation being offered to guests, at this moment.

31 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said: Here's the revised trip itinerary for today's voyage. I think they may have mistakenly referred to the shore excursion charge as a "fare" in the last paragraph. I'm sure NCL is  not  offering a full refund of the cruise fare. There doesn't appear to be any compensation being offered to guests, at this moment.  

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Reader's Digest

Best Alaska Cruise for Every Type of Vacationer

Posted: May 5, 2023 | Last updated: July 10, 2023

Best time to cruise to Alaska

An Alaska cruise is such a popular bucket-list item because it's one of the best ways to immerse yourself in some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. Not only will you get to see breathtaking glaciers closer than you ever dreamed, but you're also likely to see eagles soaring and whales spouting—often from the deck of your ship. The best Alaska cruises give you an opportunity to explore the Far North from both land and sea, and we've got cruise tips to help you optimize your time and your budget.

The state's long, cold winters are not conducive to cruising, so the Alaska cruise season is relatively short. The best time to travel to Alaska is from late spring to early fall, with peak cruising happening during July and August. Those are also the most crowded and expensive months, so don't rule out September, which is actually the best time to see the Northern Lights on an Alaska cruise. But with dozens of ships sailing to Alaska, how do you decide which are the best cruise lines for you?

Luckily, when it comes to Alaska cruises, there is truly something for everyone. Whether you're traveling solo or with kids, whether you're looking for total luxury or a bargain and whether you love giant ships or something more intimate, we've found the best Alaska cruises to fit your needs. See which one sounds right for you, and once you're booked, get a head start by checking out these hidden cruise features, cruise ship code words and things you can't do on cruises .

How we chose the best Alaska cruises

To find the best Alaska cruises, we followed expert recommendations and read hundreds of user reviews and ratings. Because I've been on several Alaska cruises alone, with my family and with my husband, I also based my choices on my own personal experiences. After combining all that information, we came up with this guide to the best Alaska cruises.

Best overall

Princess cruises.

Princess has been cruising to Alaska for more than half a century, and they continue to lead the industry by bringing more guests to the state than any other cruise line. In fact, they introduced a generation to the idea of cruising via the hit TV show The Love Boat , which was set on a Princess ship and featured many episodes in Alaska! Because of their deep ties to the state, the cruise line is able to offer a variety of itineraries and shore excursions, and they even own a number of Princess Wilderness Lodges near national parks , so you can add a land extension to your trip.

Onboard, there are plenty of activities for both adults and kids, including the North to Alaska enrichment program, which brings the state's culture to you so you can sample fresh Alaska seafood and hear from local celebs like Libby Riddles, the first woman to win the 1,100-mile Iditarod sled dog race.

• Guests can meet Alaskan Huskies on the ship through Puppies in the Piazza!
• So many options for cruise length, extensions and land and sea packages
• Price is not all-inclusive

Best for families

Disney cruise line.

With lots of outdoor activities and great wildlife sightings, an Alaska cruise is ideal for kids, and not surprisingly, no one does it better for them than Disney . Kids will love whale watching, panning for gold, searching for black bears and going dog sledding—and they'll equally love everything Disney has planned for them on the Disney Wonder, from live shows ("Frozen" takes on a whole new meaning in Alaska) and character greetings to kids clubs they won't want to leave to themed pools and restaurants. Little ones will be just as happy to see Goofy as they are to see a glacier, making this the best cruise for kids . Before you go, check out these Disney cruise tips .

• Disney is beloved by kids of all ages
• The focus is on families
• On the pricier side

Best adults-only

If you want to immerse yourself in the beauty of Alaska without the distraction of little kids, you'll be in good company on Viking . Their gorgeous ocean ships sail with a maximum of 930 passengers, all over the age of 18, so you can indulge in adult conversation over a bottle of wine or a cocktail or two. One of the many features that makes Viking the best adult-only cruise is that every single room comes with a private veranda, so you can take in the views and feel that fresh Alaska air with no one else around—and without paying extra. You can also get away without paying additional fees for shore excursions, because one is included in every port, giving you an opportunity to see the highlights of destinations including Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Sitka and Valdez.

• Every stateroom has a veranda
• A shore excursion is included in every port
• Optional cruise extensions let you explore Talkeetna, Denali, Fairbanks and Anchorage on land
• The shortest Alaska cruise is 11 days

Best for solo travelers

Norwegian cruise line.

Cruising has traditionally been a bit of a challenge for solo travelers because of the single supplement that basically makes them pay the same price for a room as two people sharing a room would pay in total. Not with Norwegian , the best singles cruise ! The first cruise line to build staterooms and common areas specifically for solo travelers, they've made it easy for singles to cruise to Alaska comfortably and affordably. The Studio Lounge is a welcoming spot to meet other solo travelers so you can join up for meals or shore excursions to places like Dawes Glacier and Icy Strait Point.

• No single supplement
• A dedicated lounge just for solo travelers
• Lots of families and kids, which may not appeal to solo travelers

Best for couples

Celebrity cruises.

The best cruise for couples , both straight and gay, Celebrity offers lots of opportunities for romantic experiences in Alaska, from hiking through a rainforest in Juneau to cuddling up during a ride back in time on the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway. On the ship itself, there are lots of spots where you can take some Instagrammable selfies with the majestic Alaska scenery behind you. What a backdrop for a wedding, honeymoon or vow renewal! Consider upgrading to The Retreat, Celebrity's exclusive ship within a ship, for a more private and intimate cruise.

• Many options for cruise length
• Offers land tour extensions
• Families with kids may disrupt the romantic atmosphere

Best budget

Carnival cruise line.

Yes, you can visit Alaska without spending a fortune, thanks to Carnival . You may not get all the bells and whistles that you would on more expensive cruises, but the views don't cost anything, and they're all around you as you chill by the pool or take advantage of one of the many activities and dining venues included in your fare. Save money to use for shore excursions by opting for an interior room, since you won't be spending much time in your cabin anyway.

• Affordable way to see Alaska
• Lots of cruise length options
• The party atmosphere may not be for everyone

Best luxury

Regent seven seas.

Regent's Seven Seas Explorer is all about luxury, from its all-suite design to its all-inclusive fares , which cover airfare, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, restaurants, gratuities, Wi-Fi, laundry and unlimited shore excursions. With only 750 passengers, service is exceptional and personal. Itineraries can be customized to fit your specific interests, whether you want to take a glacier hike, immerse yourself in Alaska's history or eat your way through the state.

• Truly an all-inclusive cruise
• All-suite accommodations are roomy and plush
• Only one Regent Seven Seas ship sails to Alaska

Best small ship

Seabourn cruise line.

A great choice for fans of smaller, more intimate ships, Seabourn's Odyssey holds 450 passengers and treats them to a personal, all-inclusive luxury experience. Smaller ships can take you to spots where the bigger ones just can't fit, and the Ventures by Seabourn program offers optional excursions where you can get up close and personal with some of Alaska's most awe-inspiring sights via kayak and Zodiac. You'll be sailing with a world-class expedition team, including a marine biologist, ornithologist, geologist, historian, photographer and natural experts who share their knowledge through lectures and casual conversations during scenic cruisings.

• All-inclusive
• Offers 7- to 14-day cruises
• Gets you closer to Alaska's natural beauty

Best large ship

Royal caribbean cruises.

Built for cruisers who believe the bigger, the better, Royal Caribbean's megaship, Quantum of the Sea, is the biggest ship in the region, with the capacity to hold 4,905 passengers. It also boasts the tallest viewing deck on any cruise ship—perfect for enjoying the stunning Alaska scenery. Three other Royal Caribbean ships sail to the state, as well—all big and beautiful and filled with enough activities to keep travelers of every age busy, including their signature Rock Climbing Wall, simulated skydiving and surf sessions on the Flowrider. Yes, you can "surf" in Alaska!

• There's literally something for everyone
• Studio staterooms are designed for solo travelers
• It can get crowded

Best for land and sea

Holland america line.

With more than 75 years of experience in Alaska—the longest of any cruise line— Holland America knows the state inside and out and presents you with lots of ways to enjoy it, from both the sea and land. Not only do they feature the most Glacier Bay itineraries, but they're also the only way to see the Yukon in combination with a cruise. You'll get to stay at Holland America's Westmark Hotels and their beautiful McKinley Chalet Resort at the entrance to Denali National Park, enabling you to get closer to wildlife and explore more of Alaska on land.

The cruise line has also expanded its onboard programming, so guests can engage with an Alaska naturalist, dig deeper into topics like Alaska's bush pilots and learn from a National Park Ranger and local Huna Tlingit guides.

• Every cruise includes a visit to one or more of Alaska's iconic glacier destinations
• Only cruise line to offer an Alaska cruise combined with an overland tour to Denali and the Yukon
• Land and sea Cruisetours range from 9 to 18 days
• Caters to an older crowd

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