This summer, the Norwegian Jade will be cruising back and forth between Whittier (~100km from Anchorage) and Vancouver. Currently, you can get a cabin on this cruise for only €515 – without any solo surcharge.
The price includes all meals, as well as coffee and tea during the meals. Gratuities, however, are not included.
These are the cheapest cruise dates:
- August 18-25: €593
- September 1-8: €515
The Route
This Alaska cruise itinerary starts in Whittier near Anchorage and travels past the massive Hubbard Glacier, where you can see striking ice formations. It then stops at Icy Strait Point, a small community known for its Native Alaskan heritage and whale-watching opportunities. In Juneau, Alaska’s capital, there’s time to visit places like Mendenhall Glacier or simply walk around town. Skagway offers a glimpse into its gold rush past with historic streets and old railway lines. The ship then visits Ketchikan, known for its totem poles and waterfront houses on stilts. Sailing through the Inside Passage provides views of forests, mountains, and islands along the coast before the trip ends in Vancouver, a large Canadian city with a busy port and mountain backdrop.
Here’s the detailed itinerary:
- Day 1: Whittier (departs at 16:00)
- Day 2: Hubbard Glacier
- Day 3: Icy Strait Point (11 hours)
- Day 4: Juneau, Alaska (11 hours)
- Day 5: Skagway (10 hours)
- Day 6: Ketchikan (8 hours)
- Day 7: Inside Passage
- Day 8: Vancouver (arrives at 7:00)
The Ship
The Norwegian Jade was built in 2006 and last renovated in 2022. The ship is 294 meters long and 38 meters wide, with a maximum speed of 23 knots. Up to 2,402 passengers can enjoy their vacation on the Norwegian Jade, and they are served by over 1,000 crew members.
As part of the Freestyle Cruising concept by Norwegian Cruise Line, the Norwegian Jade offers a diverse range of dining options, entertainment, and activities, ensuring that there is something for everyone.
For those looking to stay active, the ship offers plenty of options. There is a jogging track, a tennis court, and basketball and volleyball courts. For relaxation, there are various massages and wellness treatments. In addition to the theatre shows, the casino and 14 bars and lounges provide plenty of entertainment.
In addition to the included dining options, there are also speciality restaurants (for an additional fee), such as Teppanyaki and a traditional American steakhouse. Norwegian Cruise Line does not have pre-set dinner seatings, so each guest can decide freely when, where, and with whom they want to dine.
The Norwegian Jade offers a wide variety of cabin categories, from affordable inside cabins to luxurious suites in the exclusive The Haven area. There, you’ll find two garden villas, each with 438 square meters, featuring three bedrooms and a private sundeck with a hot tub. Even guests with the highest expectations will feel at home here.
The onboard language is English, and the onboard currency is the US Dollar. You can settle your purchases made during the cruise either by credit card or cash. Even on European cruises, the US Dollar is the official currency.
Flights
Getting to Whittier from Europe is not the simplest and cheapest task, but nonetheless doable. For instance, you could fly from Rome to Los Angeles, non-stop with Norse Atlantic, for €266 (incl. luggage), and then book a separate flight from Los Angeles to Anchorage for roughly €180. Many airlines fly this route (e.g. Delta, Alaska, and United).
Most people will take the bus from Anchorage to Whittier. It takes roughly 2 hours and is usually scheduled according to the cruise. The route is quite scenic, too. However, the price is not particularly cheap, costing US$75 (~€65).
Flying back from Vancouver is much easier. WestJet usually offers quite cheap one-way flights to Europe, e.g. charging €287 for a flight to Amsterdam or €309 for a flight to Paris (incl. luggage).
Feel free to check how much flights would cost for your home airport:
Cover Picture: Hubbard Glacier, Alaska | Photo by Simon Hurry on Unsplash