Alaskan Dream Cruise Reviews 2023 UPDATED: Ratings of Alaskan Dream Cruises
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My husband, a non swimmer, actually tried his hand at the kayaks. Sitka was an interesting town and I bumped into a group of women making baskets out of salmon skin. Everyone on the staff, from Captain Eric to the crew onboard, went out of their way to make sure everyone was comfortable and happy. Heed the advice of the trip planners to ensure the best experience. Look for trips that include local narrative and guides and have a track record of melding small groups into long friendships through shared experiences. The size of the Alaskan Dream ship allowed easy access to all areas, plentiful places to relax and enjoy the other passengers.
Alaskan Dream Cruises: Sailing on the Only Indigenous Cruise Line in the U.S. - Condé Nast Traveler
Alaskan Dream Cruises: Sailing on the Only Indigenous Cruise Line in the U.S..
Posted: Wed, 27 Oct 2021 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Admiralty Dream
Basic excursions and airport or hotel transfers are included in the fare, and alternative tours are available at additional cost, as are pre- or post-cruise fishing adventures. The main dining room, known as the Sitka Rose, features made-to-order meals, with open seating at six-tops. Social hour, drinks and daily recaps from expedition leaders are held in the Vista View lounge, which serves as the ship's primary gathering spot. As with all of the line's ships, Alaskan Dream has an open bridge policy. Enjoy several options to explore the colorful history of Wrangell, including a trip to the town’s impressive museum. Visit the intriguing state historic park, Petroglyph Beach, which contains the highest concentration of petroglyphs in Southeast Alaska.
Alaskan Dream Cruises Ships in the Fleet
At Glacier Bay National Park, we walked the forest trail, which was so lush and peaceful. The forest floor was blanketed with moss and tiny flowers, and we spotted a variety of mushrooms sprouting from trees and stumps. Alaskan Dream Cruises makes all these photos available to passengers (for free!) through a QR code printed in your cruise binder. This is such a nice perk for those who don’t pack camera gear but would still like photo souvenirs from the trip. Then it was off to bed to pack for our departure the following morning.
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Cocktails were $10.50 each, and beer was $7.50 per glass when we sailed. One of the nice things about the beer onboard is it’s from an Alaskan brewery in Sitka called Harbor Mountain Brewing Company. We loved that we were supporting a local business and getting a taste of a local brew when we ordered the Alaskan beer. Though things vary slightly from ship to ship, Baranof Dream’s bathrooms are very small. A “show-let,” as the Assistant Hotel Manager described it to us while she showed us our room, is what the bathroom consists of.
Wi-Fi and Cell Phone Service on Alaskan Dream Cruises
That afternoon, we spotted more whales on our way to Orca Point Lodge, a private retreat on Colt Island exclusive to Alaskan Dream Cruises passengers. We enjoyed a dinner of Alaskan crab legs and salmon at sunset before sitting around the beach bonfire to roast marshmallows for s’mores. We combed the beach and collected clam shells, scallop shells, and beautiful blue mussels. I’d also picked up a forager’s guide at a souvenir shop in Skagway the day before, so it was fun to identify different seaweed and plants as we walked the beach. We spent the afternoon watching more than a dozen humpbacks for a couple of hours. We got to see them bubble net feeding which I’ve seen in nature documentaries but was so awesome to witness in person.
That's a combined toilet and shower in one room, along with a small sink. The door to the bathroom area was a metal-framed frosted piece of plexiglass likened to a vintage shower door. Chances are, however, that you'll have those things nearby or on you for most of the trip.
As Wave Season Concludes, Cruise Lines Continue to Celebrate Booking Wins
Baranof Dream excels at its mission, with programming anchored by two expedition leaders, one who interprets native Tlingit customs and the other who concentrates on biology and wildlife. It was nice visiting with different couples and singles at meals. Due to weather there were last minute itinerary changes, but we all applauded Captain Eric for avoiding a gale and still finding alternative adventures for us to enjoy.
The Vista View lounge is the perfect place to relax and take in the breathtaking Alaskan scenery. We had a final farewell breakfast on board before packing our bags and disembarking the ship. We took a shuttle bus into downtown Juneau to the Alaskan Dream Cruises reception room.
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Provided for use during the cruise are high-powered binoculars and “Alaska” gear, including rain jackets, pants, and boots. There’s also a full library of books on the region on each ship. Alaskan Dream Cruises' first ship, Alaskan Dream, is a streamlined catamaran once owned by Glacier Bay and Majestic America cruise lines (under the name Executive Explorer). For dinner we drove over to the cruise terminal area at Halibut Point and went to Halibut Point Crab & Chowder for dinner.
You’ll be seated at long banquet tables of 6-8 people alongside other guests. For the first couple days, people rotated tables to get to know one another, but by the end of the cruise, we’d settled on our dining partners and enjoyed catching up with them at each meal. With a small ship cruise, you’re trading in your casinos, pools, and formal nights for a more laid-back experience that’s all about getting up close to Alaska’s natural beauty and wildlife. With most cruise lines, the experience can feel super similar from one destination to the next because so much of it is standardized. A wide variety of food available 24/7, entertainment and on-board activities, and a resort experience. Alaska has been on our family bucket list for years, and Kyle and I finally had the opportunity to visit with both our moms.
You’ll also step onto land each day of your cruise – no strictly ‘at sea’ days. For us, that meant a scenic mountain train one day, shopping in Juneau the next, and anchoring in a remote bay to go kayaking the next. Daily programming is loosely outlined, with details posted for reference on a cork board. Off-ship activities include a mix of watersports (the ship is equipped with one zodiac, multiple kayaks and a couple of paddleboards) and hikes, but a greater emphasis is placed on cultural tours.
We spotted both juvenile and adult bald eagles from the trail bridge. I didn’t realize that young bald eagles had dark feathers that turn to white on their heads as they mature. The park also has a museum on-site which offers a nice introduction to the history of Sitka and the indigenous Tlingit people. Exploring this park made for a wonderful first stop in Sitka and offered a mix of history, culture, wildlife, and scenery, all of which we’d learn more about in the days to come. The general wisdom around cruises is to fly into your departure city the day before your cruise embarks. This way if your flight is delayed or your luggage gets lost, you still have time to get things sorted before your cruise leaves.
We enjoyed our cruise on the Alaskan Dream--the smaller boat was just perfect. Expedition crafts are aboard the Alaskan Dream to explore ports of call and remote wilderness. These Demaree Inflatable Boats (DIBs) are rigid-bottom inflatables, great for shallow-water and fjord exploration. The Alaskan Dream also carries kayaks and has a custom-built kayak launcher aboard for easy and safe loading.
Because, remember, though Alaska feels like another world it's an American State. Major cities, including Ketchikan, Juneau, and Sitka, have cell service, but smaller towns, like Wrangell and Kasaan, are harder to get strong signals in. The restaurant has open seating, with tables for four people or more. On a small Alaskan Dream Cruises ship, you’ll be sure to make friends quickly, especially because you sit together during meals. If you have mobility issues, it's important to know that the stairs are a little steep between decks.
Choose the Alaskan Dream for its innovative, streamlined catamaran design that makes navigation through narrow channels and passages possible with true Alaskan personalized service. The Alaskan Dream, remodeled in 2011, is an intimate small ship ideally suited for exploring Alaska off the beaten path. As this vessel is Alaskan owned and operated, choose this ship for an authentic experience encompassing both the nature and culture of Southeast Alaska.
Today, historic businesses, frontier homes, and museums bring the spirit of the gold rush to life. Aboard the White Pass and Yukon Route railroad, you’ll enjoy a journey retracing the steps of gold-seekers into Canada. Built in 1898, the railroad climbs nearly 3,000 feet in 20 miles and offers stunning wilderness views. This excursion crosses the border into Canada, so passports are required. Explore beautiful Sitka, considered by many to be one of the most picturesque communities in The Last Frontier.
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