The appeals of Caribbean cruises and Alaska cruises are night time and day. One gives rest and enjoyable within the solar — with loads of time splashing within the surf, snorkeling and sinking your toes within the heat sand. The opposite supplies a glacier-filled, wildlife-packed journey in a generally chilly, if inexperienced, setting.
Which locations must you select in your subsequent cruise trip? That will help you determine, listed below are methods these two very completely different routes examine.
Caribbean vs. Alaska cruise embarkation ports
You may sail to the Caribbean from completely different ports in Florida — together with PortMiami, Port Everglades (in Fort Lauderdale) and Port Canaveral (close to Orlando). Cruisers can even depart from japanese seaboard dwelling ports and southern ports equivalent to Galveston, Texas; Cellular, Alabama; and New Orleans. Whether or not that requires a flight earlier than your cruise or an extended drive depends upon the place you reside.
Alaska cruises depart from Seattle; Vancouver, British Columbia; and Seward and Whittier, Alaska (close to Anchorage), so most Individuals outdoors these within the Pacific Northwest must e-book a flight.
Associated: The very best Alaska cruises for each kind of traveler
Caribbean vs. Alaska itineraries
Most Caribbean cruise routes stick to 1 area of the Caribbean, although many will embrace stops within the Bahamas and longer itineraries would possibly mix areas. Western Caribbean itineraries cease at ports in Mexico and Central America, in addition to Jamaica and Grand Cayman, whereas Japanese Caribbean cruises go to locations like Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Southern Caribbean routes would possibly embrace islands equivalent to Barbados, St. Lucia and Martinique, amongst others. In complete, Caribbean cruises name on greater than three dozen regional cruise ports.
Massive ships usually sail to bigger cruise ports equivalent to St. Thomas within the U.S. Virgin Islands, Cozumel in Mexico, San Juan in Puerto Rico and Nassau within the Bahamas. Smaller ships would possibly head to sleepier isles equivalent to Bequia within the Grenadines or Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke within the British Virgin Islands. Irrespective of the itinerary, one factor is definite: Caribbean cruises are all concerning the seashores.
Associated: The very best Caribbean cruise for each kind of traveler
Most Alaska cruises sail the Inside Passage round-trip from Seattle or Vancouver to ports equivalent to Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and Skagway, Alaska, and Victoria, British Columbia. Every port gives distinct diversions for cruisers. Ketchikan is dwelling to Native American totem poles and the Salmon Stroll path that follows the salmon’s upstream migration alongside Ketchikan Creek. Skagway is steeped in gold rush historical past. Juneau, the state capital, is a good port for wildlife — from bear recognizing to whale-watching adventures.
Day by day E-newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Day by day publication
Be a part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s consultants
Many Alaska cruises additionally sail by way of Glacier Bay Nationwide Park or Tracy Arm for a peek at glaciers calving, whales breaching and lovable sea otters swimming the backstroke.
Another choice is a Gulf of Alaska cruise (additionally referred to as a Cross Gulf cruise) from Seattle or Vancouver one-way to Alaska (through the ports of Seward or Whittier). These cruises would possibly add in Hubbard Glacier, School Fjord or Valdez. The most important strains in these components — Princess Cruises, Holland America, Royal Caribbean and Movie star Cruises — can even provide the possibility of extending your journey on a prepare trip into Denali Nationwide Park or all the way in which to Fairbanks.
It is essential to notice that whilst you can cruise the Caribbean year-round, Alaska cruises have a tendency to start in late spring and finish in early fall.
Associated: Nationwide parks you may attain by cruise ship
Caribbean vs. Alaska seashores and water sports activities
Should you crave sunshine, frozen drinks with tiny umbrellas and frothy waves kissing your sand-covered toes, you will wish to decide a Caribbean itinerary. Cruise line personal islands are particularly low-effort locations to strive a brand new water sport. Nevertheless, throughout the area, you will discover the whole lot from snorkeling and diving to parasailing and dolphin encounters. Some luxurious vessels even inventory their very own water sports activities platforms for passengers to make use of when in calm waters.
In Alaska, the water is chilly and surrounded by calving glaciers, however water sports activities are nonetheless accessible. We have executed the whole lot from kayaking — with salmon leaping proper over the kayak — to whale watching. We even loved a king and coho salmon fishing tour (with our catch shipped dwelling on ice to dine on for months to come back).
Caribbean vs. Alaska shore excursions
Our greatest days within the Caribbean have at all times been on seashores, and a number of the most unforgettable shore excursions have been boat rides to smaller islands with sleepy seashores our group had virtually all to ourselves. That stated, you too can signal as much as swim in cenotes, discover caves, hike to waterfalls, zip line by way of rainforests or go to what stays of historical Mayan cities. In some islands, equivalent to Jamaica, you may hunt down native reggae music and savor conventional delicacies like jerk hen or Jamaican beef patties.
Associated: Alaska cruise information: Greatest itineraries, planning ideas and issues to do
Should you search an journey, you may definitely discover it on an Alaska cruise. Get your thrills through heli-hiking, ATV excursions, glacier excursions, float planes or canine sledding excursions. Foodies can go for a mountain-top barbecue the place salmon are thrown on the grill — and fingers are crossed that bears do not get to dinner earlier than the cooks do. You may also be capable of signal as much as see the northern lights when you cruise on the proper time of 12 months.
Caribbean vs. Alaska procuring
For our cash, there are few higher souvenirs from the Caribbean than a few bottles of rum from an area distillery. Different native gadgets to look out for embrace handmade hammocks in Mexico, regionally grown espresso in Puerto Rico and foodie souvenirs like sizzling pepper sauce and spice mixes accessible throughout the islands.
Alaska can also be replete with souvenirs to recollect your time within the Final Frontier. Search for Native Alaskan handicrafts, artwork and conventional Alaskan ulu knives (be certain that to pack them in your checked baggage, although). For a style of Alaska, buy gadgets like smoked salmon, Alaska birch syrup and sweets made with wild berries. Since you may’t take it with you (until you reside in Seattle), get pleasure from an area ale in one in all Alaska’s microbreweries whilst you’re in port.
Backside line
A Caribbean vs. Alaska debate is actually an apples-to-oranges comparability. With sandy seashores, fish-filled reefs and plush rainforests studded with waterfalls, Caribbean itineraries provide a style of sunshine all 12 months spherical. Alaska, with its glaciers, fjords, whales and snowcapped mountains teeming with wildlife, is a rugged, outdoorsy trip that requires mountaineering boots and a rain jacket — in addition to a way of journey.
For all their variations, the Caribbean and Alaska have one factor in frequent: Every is a perfect backdrop for a memorable cruise trip. Whereas your alternative will probably rely in your most well-liked trip model, we advocate ultimately cruising in each areas.
Planning a cruise? Begin with these tales:
