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16 Night Alaska - Other (Hnl/Van)

Norwegian Cruise Line pioneered freestyle cruising with a variety of specialty dining restaurants, entertainment and onboard activities, including go-kart racing!

The scenic beauty of an Alaska cruise will brighten your spirit—from breaching whales to snow-capped peaks.

Honolulu, with its near perfect weather every day and beautiful mountains and tropical landscapes, is a destination not to be missed.

• Norwegian Spirit - Passenger Capacity: 2,032 (double occupancy) Year Built: 1998 Last Refurbished: 2022

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Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii , Port Allen (Nawiliwili), Kauai, Hawaii , Kahului, Maui, Hawaii , Hilo, Hawaii , Icy Strait, Alaska , Juneau, Alaska , Skagway, Alaska , Ketchikan, Alaska , Vancouver, British Columbia

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16 Night Alaska - Other (Hnl/Van) sailing on the Norwegian Spirit

Departure dates: apr 2024 - apr 2024, stateroom prices for apr. 22, 2024.

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Ride the wave to some of the most gorgeous places on earth. Right now, when you book an unforgettable Norwegian Cruise Line holiday to Alaska or Hawaii, you'll receive free balcony upgrades and up to $200 to spend on board. And whether you're sailing the youngest fleet cruising Alaska's captivating coastline or saying aloha to paradise on the newly refurbished Pride of America, your holiday with Norwegian Cruise Line will definitely be one to remember. Book today and get ready to Cruise Like a Norwegian®.

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Explore Alaska and Hawaii with These Cruise Options

Discover the unexpected on a cruise to places sure to excite the explorer in you. These leading cruise lines offer the opportunity for a carefree journey that pairs the hospitality of a cruise with the joy of the great outdoors. Each option offers a distinct experience, with onboard activities and well-rounded itineraries that include Alaskan and Hawaiian ports. Each of these highly-rated vacation destinations is known for its distinct cultures, unspoiled wilderness and endless outdoor recreation options.

Royal Caribbean

Why not explore the majestic Alaskan coastline with the cruise line known for its unforgettable high-seas journeys to over 300 destinations worldwide? Enjoy a seven-night journey in a majestic Royal Caribbean vessel designed for excursions to the far north and back.

Once you’ve arrived at your Alaska destination, disembark to blaze trails through Alaska’s vast landscapes and encounter striking natural beauty found nowhere else. Stops include the Tracy Arm Fjord and the Hubbard Glacier.

Royal Caribbean has several cruises scheduled to sail to Hawaii this summer, each with its own exciting itinerary designed to please any traveler. Pass the time with onboard activities for everyone including casinos, arcades and waterslides. For those looking to enliven their nightlife, each ship has its own themed bars and signature restaurants.

For those who love tropical getaways, you can’t do any better than Hawaii. Royal Caribbean is offering nine-, ten-, and eleven-night cruises that provide plenty of opportunities to explore all this lush paradise has to offer with stops at four of Hawaii’s islands.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line offers six-night Alaskan getaways to top ports in Alaska including Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. On your way there, you’ll also have opportunities to visit locations in Canada, including the beautiful Victoria, British Columbia.

Summer is the perfect time for an Alaskan adventure with average temperatures in the 60s and 70s. The later summer months are great for those hoping to encounter wildlife, like moose, elk and caribou. And for those hoping to catch a glimpse of the magnificent humpback whale and other famed Alaskan marine wildlife, early fall is your best bet.

For the complete Hawaii experience, take a tour of the islands aboard a cruise ship with Norwegian. Itineraries include ports of call on four different Hawaiian islands. Enjoy exotic luxury accommodations on each with dozens of overnight stay options to fit any budget. Get the full Hawaii experience with an itinerary that includes a four-day and three-night stay in Honolulu before embarking on your seven-day island-hopping adventure!

For the ultimate cruise excursion, Norwegian also offers a combined Hawaii and Alaska 16-day itinerary aboard the recently renovated Spirit. And if the excitement of exploring the arctic and a premier tropical destination on the same journey were not enough, the Spirit offers onboard amenities sure to please any guest. These include modernized staterooms, fine dining and adult gaming.

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• Norwegian Cruise Line

Back 2 Back: Alaska then Hawaii

By stephuney , July 10, 2017 in Norwegian Cruise Line

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Looking for feedback on whether anyone has ever done a B2B Alaska then Hawaii on NCL. If you've done it, I would love to hear about your experience. Pros/Cons, tips, etc. If there is already a thread on this, feel free to point me in that direction! Thanks!!

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Likely not allowed, as it may violate the Passenger Vessel Services Act, depending on the departure port for the Alaska cruise (any US departure city would be in violation).

If you are travelling Alaska-Vancouver-Honolulu, on the same ship, it is NOT allowed as per the PVSA as stated above. There are people who were doing it on the Jewel later this year who were told, after final payment , that they had to cancel one or other cruise.

You might get away with it if it were different ships with a break in Vancouver.

One of the people quoted had done bookings as separate cruises some days apart and still couldn't do it. Some comments were from people who had been told by NCL at the outset that it was not allowed. The most likely way some bookings got through was by TAs who didn't know the PVSA well enough, took the booking and then only sent the booking to NCL at the last minute.

Silver Sweethearts

Google "Cruise Critic Back to Back Alaska/Hawaii Inquiry". The PVSA is indeed the sticky part.

Just as a side note, do realize you will have to pack two separate wardrobes for this.

Ok, so admittedly ... never heard of PVSA, will have to research. When I called NCL to talk about the possibility, they didnt tell me I couldnt do it. I am booked on the Bliss next summer em/disembark out of Seattle. I am looking at the possibility of flying from Seattle to Honolulu to take the Pride of America around the islands. Note: I've checked ... there are flights that will make this possible (the time difference helps) ... and pretty obvious that two sets of clothes. Thanks ... still wondering if someone out there has done this?

Ah, well if you are flying between the two cruises, you should be just fine.

Typically, when people say B2B, they mean the same ship (or adjacent ships), where the second leaves from the same port as the first.

GeezerCouple

Wait... are you asking about taking an "Alaska cruise" and then FLYING to Hawaii for another cruise?

This wouldn't be a B2B,

If you are asking about an actual B2B, not something where you fly across an ocean between cruises, tell us the embarkation/disembarkation ports for both cruises, and we can be of more help.

The regulation cited prevents a foreign carrier from transporting pax between two USA ports.

(The PoA in Hawaii is allowed, because that one NCL ship is flagged as an American carrier, and is not a "foreign flagged ship" like just about all of the other mainline cruise ships.)

The problem referred to above was that two separate cruises, truly B2B "ended up" transporting" pax between two USA ports, even if cruise A ended in Vancouver, and cruise B began in Vancouver, for example.

This would occur if A started in the USA, and B ended in the USA, even though it was labelled as two different cruises, in sequence.

KeithJenner

I was looking at doing this for next year. We were considering doing the Northbound Alaska trip, spending a couple of days in Alaska, then flying to Hawaii to get on the POA.

In the end we decided against it. There were a number of problems that messed up the planning, and we decided that it wasn't going to work well for us.

However, those problems were kind of unique to us. We wanted to try to fit in a couple of days in San Francisco, and also had plans for after the Hawaii section, which started to take the whole trip up to around 5 weeks, which was pushing it really, so we decided to drop the bit we've done previously (Alaska).

The concept is fine though. If you were to do the Seattle round trip then you certainly have plenty of time to get to Hawaii for part 2. As we were looking at the Northbound, which runs Monday to Monday then this left a quite annoying length of time to get to Honolulu for the Saturday sailing (at least for what we wanted to do). It would probably work for others though.

If time wasn't an issue then I'd do something like this:

A few days in Alaska before the cruise

Southbound to Vancouver (Monday-Monday)

Fly to Honolulu, maybe with a day or two in Vancouver first.

Couple of days in Honolulu before the cruise

Hawaii cruise (Sat-Sat).

Just writing that makes me want to consider revisiting the idea, but I know it isn't practical for us. If you can do it (or something similar) then go for it. :)

Edit: I see you say you are on the Bliss. I think that runs Saturday to Saturday doesn't it? We considered that too, and I think it makes some good sense. You have six full days to travel and relax/sightsee in between, which is obviously plenty. It looks a good plan to me. We only really ruled that one out because we really wanted to add the land section in Alaska, which was tricky to work in with the Seattle round trip itinerary.

Ah!! Gotcha!! I can see how that would make a big difference with PVSA. Thank you!

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I was looking at doing this for next year. We were considering doing the Northbound Alaska trip, spending a couple of days in Alaska, then flying to Hawaii to get on the POA.   In the end we decided against it. There were a number of problems that messed up the planning, and we decided that it wasn't going to work well for us.   However, those problems were kind of unique to us. We wanted to try to fit in a couple of days in San Francisco, and also had plans for after the Hawaii section, which started to take the whole trip up to around 5 weeks, which was pushing it really, so we decided to drop the bit we've done previously (Alaska).   The concept is fine though. If you were to do the Seattle round trip then you certainly have plenty of time to get to Hawaii for part 2. As we were looking at the Northbound, which runs Monday to Monday then this left a quite annoying length of time to get to Honolulu for the Saturday sailing (at least for what we wanted to do). It would probably work for others though.   If time wasn't an issue then I'd do something like this:   A few days in Alaska before the cruise Southbound to Vancouver (Monday-Monday) Fly to Honolulu, maybe with a day or two in Vancouver first. Couple of days in Honolulu before the cruise Hawaii cruise (Sat-Sat).   Just writing that makes me want to consider revisiting the idea, but I know it isn't practical for us. If you can do it (or something similar) then go for it. :)   Edit: I see you say you are on the Bliss. I think that runs Saturday to Saturday doesn't it? We considered that too, and I think it makes some good sense. You have six full days to travel and relax/sightsee in between, which is obviously plenty. It looks a good plan to me. We only really ruled that one out because we really wanted to add the land section in Alaska, which was tricky to work in with the Seattle round trip itinerary.

Thanks for the tips here. Bliss is Sat to Sat.

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The 8 best Hawaii cruises in 2024 and 2025

C ruising the Hawaiian Islands offers U.S. travelers an immersive South Pacific escape with all the comforts of home. In fact, the Aloha State is in many ways an ideal cruise destination. It has year-round sunny weather, four main islands featuring varied topographies — including sandy beaches, cascading waterfalls, volcanic mountains and vibrant green valleys — and a wide array of land- and water-based activities.

The main caveat? Hawaii cruise options are somewhat limited — just a fraction of what's available in the Caribbean — and many itineraries involve multiday crossings from the West Coast. Only one cruise line offers Hawaii itineraries throughout the year; most others visit during specific months or when repositioning ships in spring and fall.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Looking for the Hawaiian Islands sailing that's right for you? Here's a look at the eight best Hawaii cruises for every type of traveler.

Norwegian Cruise Line's 7-night Inter-island Hawaii

For travelers who want more aloha time than the typical eight-hour port call allows, Norwegian Cruise Line has a solution. Its 2,186-passenger Pride of America lets vacationers sample four Hawaiian islands over seven days, with overnights in Maui and Kauai, plus port calls on both Hilo and Kona on the island of Hawaii. In total, this itinerary offers nearly 100 hours of shore time.

Pride of America sails round-trip from Honolulu every Saturday year-round. As a U.S.-flagged ship, it's the only large vessel permitted to sail this way. Not only do you skip the long Pacific crossing that most cruise ships do to reach Hawaii, but passports are not required for U.S. citizens, and you can tack on pre- or post-cruise stays on Oahu.

The overnights on Maui and Kauai also mean it's possible to try several of Hawaii's signature experiences that most port calls don't allow. Passengers can catch dusk or dawn from atop Maui's massive 10,023-foot dormant volcano with sunrise and sunset excursions to the Haleakala Crater. And with the ship in port all night on Kauai, guests who want to enjoy traditional Hawaiian cuisine, music and hula performances can book the Luau Kalamaku for a fun evening out.

Pride of America, which has been cruising Hawaii since 2005, doesn't have the onboard thrills (race track, virtual-reality gaming, waterslides) of Norwegian's newer ships , but that's okay because the islands, not the ship, are your main destination. Its American-themed decor celebrates U.S. cities in a vibrant, and at times, kitschy way, but a 2021 refurbishment left its cabins and public spaces feeling refreshed.

Many of Norwegian's specialty dining venues (which incur a surcharge) are on board, including Cagney's Steakhouse, Le Bistro (here, it's Jefferson's Bistro), Moderno Churrascaria and Teppanyaki.

Who should go: Anyone seeking a convenient way to island-hop — and see a lot of Hawaii — by making the most of the generous shore time with a combination of independent exploration and shore excursions. Most sailings attract couples ages 50 and older, although summer and holiday sailings have plenty of families on board.

Related: Best time to cruise Hawaii

UnCruise Adventures' 7-night Hawaiian Seascapes

Cruisers seeking a less traditional, more carefree Hawaii experience can have it from November to April aboard UnCruise Adventures ' 36-passenger Safari Explorer. The seven-night Hawaiian Seascapes itinerary, which begins either on Molokai or the island of Hawaii, is an unconventional one designed for those who enjoy going off the beaten path in an intimate and more authentic setting. U.S. passports aren't required to sail.

UnCruise visits four islands — Maui and Lanai plus Molokai and Hawaii — and focuses on not only their striking landscapes and underwater beauty but also the cultural traditions, cuisine and music of the Hawaiian people. On Molokai, where there's not a single traffic light and the lifestyle is slow-paced, passengers get a chance to "talk story" with locals and enjoy a pa'ina (feast) and evening jam session. Lanai activities range from snorkel, paddleboard and kayak excursions to off-road adventures exploring the privately owned island's dramatic sea cliffs, red rock formations and vast fields once filled with Dole pineapples.

Most UnCruise sailings are during Maui's humpback whale season, so sightings while cruising off the coast of Maui are possible. You might also catch glimpses of dolphins and sea turtles. A "Captain's Choice" day is a wild card determined by the weather, marine life in the area and other factors, while the final two days are spent exploring the Big Island of Hawaii — including a hike up Hualalai volcano and a skiff ride along the rugged coast.

Constructed in 1998, Safari Explorer was designed with adventure itineraries in mind (in summer the U.S.-flagged ship repositions to Alaska). Its size allows it to navigate areas larger ships can't reach, which in Hawaii means bays and coves ideal for snorkeling or watersports.

With such a small number of passengers aboard, guests get to know each other — and Safari Explorer's friendly and knowledgeable crew — quite well. Passengers come together over meals featuring locally sourced ingredients, and as all UnCruise fares include unlimited wines, spirits and microbrews, shipmates can raise a glass without worrying who's buying a round. It all lends itself to an exclusive yet utterly relaxed week of cruising.

Who should go: The ship's laid-back onboard vibe paired with its land- and water-based activities make the Hawaiian Seascapes itinerary ideal for active travelers seeking a nature-focused itinerary — although cruise fares (which start around $5,900 per person) are among the priciest for a Hawaii cruise.

Related: Why it's easier to meet new people on a smaller cruise ship

Holland America's 17-night Circle Hawaii

Travelers who have more than two weeks to spare and who prefer to arrive in Hawaii via ship rather than an airplane can do so on Holland America 's 17-night Circle Hawaii itinerary. They'd better also love sea days because crossing the Pacific from San Diego or Vancouver to Honolulu and back requires 10 days.

That means passengers enjoy five or six days in Hawaii on Kauai, Oahu, Maui and the island of Hawaii. Some itineraries stay in select ports overnight. Cruises departing from San Diego also call on Ensenada, Mexico. With either departure port, passports will be required.

The itinerary is offered in 2024 and 2025 on the 2,650-passenger Koningsdam and 1,432-passenger Zaandam.

Travelers with more time on their hands can also visit Hawaii as part of longer Pacific island cruises with Holland America. Koningsdam will sail a 35-night Hawaii, Tahiti & Marquesas itinerary in 2025 that combines visits to four Hawaiian islands with calls on five islands in French Polynesia and Fanning Island, Kiribati (and 20 sea days).

Related: Holland America unveils epic cruise to Hawaii and Alaska for 2025

Zaandam will also sail 51- to 56-night Tales of the South Pacific itineraries that visit multiple islands in Hawaii and French Polynesia along with ports in the Cook Islands, American Samoa and Fiji.

Holland America is popular with cruisers ages 60 and older, many of them retired, who have time to enjoy longer itineraries on ships that offer good value with a focus on culinary and musical enjoyment. Two of Koningsdam's most popular venues are its live entertainment area with three venues — B.B. King's Blues Club (for Memphis-style rhythm and blues), Billboard Onboard (for chart-topping hits played by a live pianist) and Rolling Stone Rock Room (for a live band playing classic rock), and World Stage, a theater with a 270-degree screen used for both special BBC Earth in Concert and theatrical productions.

Onboard specialty dining options (at an added cost) include Pinnacle Grill for steaks and seafood, Tamarind for Pan-Asian cuisine and Rudi's Sel de Mer for French Brasserie specialties and seafood.

Who should go: Mature travelers who prefer not to fly and who enjoy a more traditional cruise experience. They should also love sea days as much (or even more so) than port exploration.

Related: 16 mistakes cruisers make on cruise ship sea days

Princess Cruises' 15- or 16-night Hawaiian Islands

Princess Cruises is also a good option for longer sailings. The cruise line offers numerous round-trip itineraries to Hawaii from Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego in the fall and winter.

The majority of sailings are aboard the 3,080-passenger Crown Princess and Ruby Princess from San Francisco, and the 2,600-passenger Grand Princess and 3,080-passenger Emerald Princess from Los Angeles.

Ships are in port for nine to 11 hours in Hawaii (Hilo), Kauai and Maui and for 16 hours in Oahu. Itineraries include a stop in Ensenada, Mexico (so passports are required), plus nine or 10 sea days.

The ships feature many of Princess' popular dining venues, including Alfredo's Pizzeria (a sit-down venue serving personal-size pizzas), Crown Grill for steaks and Sabatini's Italian Trattoria. There's plenty of outdoor space for soaking up the sun — including an adults-only sun deck — and a dazzling Piazza for enjoying cocktails, gelato and pop-up street performers.

Fans of Princess' Movies Under the Stars poolside screenings (with free popcorn) and Discovery at SEA enrichment programming will have ample time to enjoy these perks on a Hawaii sailing.

Who should go: These sailings will appeal to couples or groups of friends who prefer to have a wide choice of sailing dates, can take the time to enjoy a leisurely Pacific crossing and appreciate Princess' focus on quality cuisine and a sun deck designed for relaxation rather than thrills.

Related: Best Hawaii cruise shore excursions

Celebrity's 9- to 12-night Hawaii Cruise

Travelers seeking modern interior decor on a ship designed with couples in mind can visit Hawaii aboard Celebrity Cruises ' 2,852-passenger Celebrity Solstice or 2,918-passenger Celebrity Edge on itineraries ranging from nine to 13 nights — but only if the timing is right. That's because the line offers only two sailings per ship each year (in spring and fall) as the ships reposition between Alaska and destinations in the Pacific. The itineraries are one-way (Vancouver to Honolulu or vice versa) with passports required.

These cruises call on three ports on two islands: Honolulu (Oahu) and Hilo and Kona (Hawaii), with one or two overnights in port and 10 hours ashore on one-day visits. All include five days in a row at sea. Since the itineraries either begin or end in Honolulu, there's also a chance for some pre- or post-cruise exploration.

Sea days offer opportunities to enjoy the chic, grown-up ambience and amenities aboard these ships. Each vessel offers multiple complimentary and extra-fee specialty restaurants. Celebrity Solstice features Tuscan Grille for Italian specialties and steak and Murano for modern French cuisine, while Celebrity Edge offers the whimsical Le Petit Chef and the international Eden Restaurant.

Celebrity's signature Martini Bar and many other onboard watering holes keep the grown-up vibe going day and night. Choose cruise fares that include alcohol and Wi-Fi, or pay a lower rate and pay for your drinks as you go.

Who should go: The slightly shorter one-way sailings and the ships' contemporary ambience make these itineraries ideal for couples and groups of friends seeking a relaxing escape — especially Gen Xers in their 40s and 50s, who are Celebrity's target market.

Related: 6 national parks you can reach by cruise ship (and 2 are in Hawaii)

Carnival's 14- or 15-night Hawaii from Los Angeles

If fun is your cruise mantra, the "Fun Ship" brand Carnival Cruise Line offers a handful of round-trip sailings to Hawaii from Los Angeles (Long Beach) aboard the 2,984-passenger Carnival Radiance. Like other roundtrips from the West Coast, these itineraries spend just five days in Hawaii, offering eight to 14 hours of shore time in ports on four islands: Maui, Kauai, Oahu and Hawaii. Along with enjoying eight sea days, guests will also call on Ensenada, Mexico, so passports are required.

Carnival Radiance first sailed under that name in 2021, but it's not a new ship. Before an epic makeover, it sailed for the cruise line as Carnival Victory. Ship features include many of Carnival's signature complimentary and extra-fee dining venues, including Guy's Burger Joint and Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse, BlueIguana Cantina, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse and Bonsai Sushi Express.

Additional guest favorite destinations on board include the RedFrog Pub, Alchemy Bar and WaterWorks aquapark. Expect high-voltage theater shows from Playlist Productions at night and poolside interactive contests by day.

Who should go: Socially inclined cruisers who love Carnival's emphasis on onboard fun and can appreciate a colorful ship with a lively ambience and lots of day and evening activities.

Related: Best Hawaii cruise tips for getting the most from your island-hopping trip

Royal Caribbean's 9- to 13-night Hawaii Cruises

A megaship cruise experience to Hawaii is available, too — with pricing that's quite affordable. Royal Caribbean cruises there on two vessels in one of its newer classes of ships: the 4,180-passenger Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas.

All are one-way cruises just before or after the Alaska cruise season (so late April or early October) between Oahu and Vancouver (or vice versa). The ships call on two Hawaiian islands and spend four or five days in a row at sea. Passports are required since these itineraries begin or end in Vancouver.

Ovation of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas feature a mix of thrills for all ages. These include RipCord by iFly simulated sky diving, FlowRider simulated surfing, bumper car racing in the SeaPlex indoor activity complex and the North Star sightseeing capsule, which ascends 300 feet above the top deck for 360-degree views.

Both ships also offer 14 dining venues, including the innovative Wonderland, Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver and kid-favorite Dog House, as well as bar options that include Schooner Bar for by-request piano tunes, Boleros for mojitos and merengue and Bionic Bar for drinks poured by robotic bartenders. Entertainment includes live cover bands in the Music Hall and multimedia music and dance performances in Two70.

Who should go: Cruisers who love a big ship with a wide array of dining choices, all kinds of evening entertainment and plenty of exciting activities to pass the time on sea days. Quantum-class ships are great for families, but the sail dates might not work for those with school-age kids.

Related: Do you need a passport for a cruise?

Viking's 16-night Hawaiian Islands Sojourn

For a guaranteed adults-only sailing in a relaxed, boutique-style setting, upscale cruise line Viking also offers round-trip Hawaii cruises from Los Angeles in late 2024 and early 2025 on its 930-passenger Viking Neptune.

What sets Viking apart from most of the other lines offering Hawaii cruises is that it includes a free shore excursion in every port. These include a highlights tour of Honolulu and Pearl Harbor on Oahu and a visit to a scenic waterfall and the Kilohana sugar plantation on Kauai. Additional excursions can be booked at an extra charge.

The 16-night Hawaiian Islands Sojourn sailings visit four islands — Hawaii (Hilo), Oahu, Kauai and Maui — and like other round-trip sailings from the West Coast include 10 sea days and a call on Ensenada, Mexico, so passports are required.

Viking Neptune will also do 32-night Grand Hawaii and Polynesia sailings round-trip from Los Angeles in late 2024 and early 2025 that visit four islands in Hawaii and four in French Polynesia.

The ship, which debuted in 2022, features sleek Scandinavian-inspired decor, a soothing spa with a complimentary thermal area, an aft infinity pool and hot tub, a panoramic Explorer's Lounge and five onboard restaurants. Specialty restaurant Manfredi's serves an extensive menu of Italian specialties, while The Chef's Table offers rotating five-course themed menus, including Asian, French and California-inspired.

In addition to the free shore excursions, pricing includes complimentary wine or beer with lunch and dinner, specialty dining at no extra charge, crew gratuities and transfers.

Who should go: Couples who prefer the quieter ambience of a ship that doesn't allow anyone under 18 onboard, doesn't have a casino and offers presentations by regional experts that enhance immersion into local culture. Viking cruisers are generally over age 55.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

• Environment
• Puget Sound

Cruise season in Seattle starts with a rally against pollution

As thousands of people flocked to the Seattle waterfront on Saturday to embark on the first cruise of the year, climate activists protested nearby demanding the cruise industry do more to address pollution.

From April to late October, nearly 1.7 million “revenue” passengers — which comes out to more than 800,000 unique passengers — are expected to depart Seattle on 276 cruises, Stephanie Jones Stebbins, managing director of the port’s maritime division, said during a news conference Saturday morning.

This year marks the 25th year of cruises between Seattle and Alaska.

She said this cruise season is estimated to provide almost $900 million in economic impact to the city’s tourism and other sectors. The port calculates that each ship that home ports in Seattle has a $4 million impact on the local economy.

“Over the last 25 years, the cruise business has become a significant part of our local economy, contributing to hundreds of businesses and thousands of jobs,” Port Commissioner Ryan Calkins said in a statement.

While thousands of voyagers wove through customs lines at Pier 66 to board the Norwegian Bliss headed to Alaska, members of activist group Seattle Cruise Control rallied outside. The volunteer organization is focused on educating people on the environmental impacts of the cruise industry.

The demonstration included children in sea creature costumes , a live band and a performance by the Red Rebel Brigade, a climate activist performance troupe.

The group wants the port to reduce the number of cruises it sends out and make the route from Seattle to Alaska a no-waste-dumping zone.

The port says it’s committed to being one of the most “environmentally progressive” cruise ports in North America. The current goal is to phase out seaport-related emissions by 2050. Additionally, the port plans to start shore power at Pier 66 this summer, meaning ships can plug into the power supply when docked at the port rather than run their engines, reducing emissions.

Seattle Cruise Control activists say the plan isn’t enough.

Elizabeth Burton, a member of the organization, said she doesn’t believe shore power in Seattle will be an effective solution because a ship plugging in for one stop of its trek only addresses a small percentage of the ship’s overall emissions throughout a trip.

For much of the time, she said, “The cruise ships are still polluting the air and wrecking the climate.”

Burton said she’s sorry that passengers of the Bliss don’t realize the harm being caused.

“We’re not trying to ruin their vacation, but we’d like to raise the consciousness in general,” she said. “Is it really worth wrecking the future for all future generations? So you can go on this trip?”

Standing in the customs line less than 25 feet from the demonstration, David Torok was ready to hop on the Bliss. The Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, resident said he’s hoping to see the northern lights and whatever Alaska has to offer, whales included.

“I’m sorry that people get mad about the cruise boat, but oh, well,” Torok said. “Tell them to go on a cruise. Maybe they’ll change their mind.”

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