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Forbes
08-08-2025
- Forbes
Best Alaska Cruises 2025
A n Alaska cruise is at the top of many travelers' bucket lists, and for good reason. Many of the state's wildlife-filled fjords and epic glaciers are often difficult to reach by land, making a cruise to The Last Frontier an excellent way to see it all—and one of the most in-demand cruise destinations in the world. To choose the very best Alaska cruise itineraries, I tapped into my own personal experience as a cruiser and also reached out to Brittany Chrusciel, an expert in the category who has sailed on over 50 cruises, for insights. If you're planning a trip during Alaska cruise season (April through October), we've curated our top picks for 2025. Nieuw Amsterdam exterior. Courtesy of Holland America Line Reserve At Holland America Recommended Itinerary: Nieuw Amsterdam , 7-day Glacier Discovery Departures: May-September All-Star Amenities: Five specialty dining restaurants; private balcony breakfast or dinner Holland America Line has been sailing to Alaska for more than 75 years and is considered one of the most classic Alaska cruise experiences. It holds the most permits to visit Glacier Bay National Park than any other cruise line and features a wide range of onboard wildlife experts, who host daily programs helping passengers find animals in their natural environments. The cruise line's 'Alaska Up Close' program immerses guests in local cultures through onboard workshops and activities; on all of its Alaska cruises, a Huna Native Interpreter comes aboard to share the history of the Tlingit people. We recommend its 7-Day Glacier Discovery itinerary, which is offered both northbound and southbound. Both cruise along the Inside Passage and Glacier Bay, calling upon Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway. Silversea's small luxury cruise ship, Silver Moon, at sail in Alaska. Silversea Cruises Recommended Itinerary: Silver Nova , 7-day Vancouver to Seward, Alaska Departures: June-September All-Star Amenities: Complimentary in-cabin robes and slippers; tea and coffee service; breakfast in bed; traditional afternoon tea; gala evenings; specialty dining restaurants For travelers who want an Alaska cruise experiences with high-end amenities and fine dining, Silversea Cruises is Chrusciel's top pick. 'The cruise line sails several small ships that offer personal touches and luxurious amenities, including the Silver Moon vessel, which hold only 600 passengers but has eight dining options—including its innovative S.A.L.T. Bar and Lab,' she says. For Alaska cruises, Chrusciel recommends the cruise line's Silver Nova itineraries, particularly the week-long Vancouver to Seward, Alaska sail. 'The ship launched in 2023 and is designed with uninhibited views of the sea, perfect for scenic sailing and glacier viewing,' she says. Norwegian Aqua cruise ship at sea. Norwegian Cruise Line Recommended Itinerary: Norwegian Encore , 7-day Alaska: Glacier Bay, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan Departures: May-September All-Star Amenities: Wide range of balcony accommodations; Broadway-quality shows; specialty dining restaurants; adults-only pool and hot tub; spa and salon Chrusciel recommends Norwegian Cruise Line for families or multigenerational groups looking to visit Alaska for the first time. 'Convenience and broad appeal are often top of mind for families and groups, and Norwegian Cruise Line does this well with a fleet of modern, amenity-packed mega-ships bound for the Last Frontier each Alaska season,' she says. The cruise line's Encore , Joy and Bliss ships all sail to Glacier Bay; we recommend the 7-day voyage to Glacier Bay, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan for a robust exploration of all that Alaska has to offer. Best Alaska Cruise For Couples: Princess Cruises Princess Cruises ship sailing in Anchorage, Alaska. Princess Cruises Princess Cruises Reserve At Princess Cruises Recommended Itinerary: Royal Princess , 7-day Voyage of the Glaciers Departures: May-September All-Star Amenities: Wide range of balcony accommodations; Reserve Collection mini-suites; The Sanctuary, an exclusive adults-only retreat; Princess Luxury Beds in every cabin; private balcony breakfast; a handful of speciality dining options; romance packages Another classic Alaska cruise experience, Princess Cruises has been sailing to the destination for more than 50 years. My very first cruise—both as a whole, and to Alaska—was with Princess, and I still recommend the cruise line to those who are seeking an easy to navigate experience with plenty of activities. For couples, this cruise line is a particularly great choice: Nicknamed 'The Love Boat,' the brand has a long history of hosting duos and honeymooners, immersing its guests into the sights, sounds, flavors and history of the 49th state through its award-winning North to Alaska programming. For those booking for next year, a new ship is also on the horizon: ' Star Princess , a brand-new ship sailing convenient, week-long cruises round trip from Seattle, is a ship to keep an eye on next year,' says Chrusciel. Best Small Ship Alaska Cruise: Alaskan Dream Cruises Chicagof Dream exterior. Courtesy of Alaska Dream Cruises Alaskan Dream Cruises Reserve At Alaskan Dream Cruise Recommended Itinerary: Chichagof Dream, North to True Alaska Expedition Departures: May-September All-Star Amenities: Small-ship experience with just 76 passengers; 5-night itinerary; travel with like-minded adventurers 'A naturally stunning destination like Alaska encourages you to get as close to your surroundings as possible, which is a job well suited to a small ship,' says Chrusciel. She recommends Alaskan Dream Cruises' small-ship itineraries; because of their size, they can call upon more remote destinations, leaving the crowds behind. Knowledgeable expedition leaders serve as personal guides on every voyage, sharing their expertise in biology, geography and ecology, as well as sharing about the Southeast Alaska's local cultures. Life aboard Alaskan Dream Cruises' five ships is casual and relaxed, meals feature fresh local fare, and everyone strives to provide opportunities for guests to make personal connections to the region's places and people. Alaska Cruise With The Most Adventurous Excursions: UnCruise Adventures UnCruise Wilderness Legacy in Glacier Bay. Courtesy of UnCruise Adventures UnCruise Adventures Reserve At UnCruise Adventures Recommended Itinerary: Wilderness Legacy , Glaciers & Tranquility, Alaska's Adult-Only Adventure Departures: April-September All-Star Amenities: Beer and wine tastings; complimentary drinks; hot tub; onboard naturals and guides; onboard launch platform for kayaks and paddleboards UnCruise Adventures provides an 'unfiltered type of voyage,' according to Chrusciel. The Alaska-based cruise line prioritizes adventurous excursions, like paddleboarding, kayaking, hiking and taking a skiff out in search of spotting wildlife. For the daring, there's even a chance to go on a polar plunge. 'Uncruise provides not only an authentic experience in the region but, much like Alaskan Dream Cruises, these ships also allow you to sail round trip from Alaskan ports like Juneau or Sitka without the need to call in Canada—a loophole only reserved for U.S.-based vessels,' says Chrusciel. Why Trust Forbes Vetted The Forbes Vetted travel team has researched, written and published dozens of cruise guides spotlighting itineraries around the globe. This story was written by Forbes Vetted's senior travel editor, Astrid Taran, an eight-year industry veteran who's traveled to over 40 countries and has sailed on multiple cruise lines, including several on this list. Her very first cruise experience was an Alaska cruise. She has written multiple cruise guides for Forbes Vetted, including the Most Exciting New Cruises Of 2025 and the Best Caribbean Cruises. This story was edited by Forbes Vetted deputy editor Jane Sung, who oversees the travel section. She has traveled extensively and sailed on several cruises, including a memorable one to Alaska. For this story, Taran spoke to Brittany Chrusciel, a travel writer and former Forbes Vetted contributor who specializes in cruise travel and has sailed on over 50 cruise ships. How We Chose The Best Alaska Cruises We selected the top contenders based on personal experience as well as extensive research. For this story, Taran combined first-person experience on cruises she's personally sailed on as well as spent hours combing through reviews. We included options that are both family-friendly and adult-only. For our family-friendly selections, we prioritized cruises that also offered plenty of activities for adults. We included a mix of mega-ship cruises with a robust variety of entertainment, as well as smaller and more intimate cruises that provide a more personalized experience. 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Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Holland America leans into luxury travel trend with culinary cruises
Calling all foodies: Holland America Line just unveiled a series of 'Culinary Ambassador' sailings for 2025 and 2026, featuring exclusive onboard events hosted by celebrity chefs and beverage experts, including Masaharu Morimoto, David Burke, and Ivy Mix. As travelers demand more than buffets and banquet fare, cruise lines are doubling down on celebrity chef partnerships, regionally inspired menus, and culinary programming like cooking classes. From sushi counters designed by Iron Chef Morimoto to craft cocktail classes and sommelier-led tastings, food and beverage offerings have become a key differentiator — and a powerful lever to attract higher-spending, experience-driven travelers. The immersive food-and-drink experiences are part of a growing strategy among cruise lines to stand out in a crowded, experience-driven market. 'Dining has become an essential part of how people explore the world, and our Culinary Ambassador program allows us to offer something truly special — an experience that goes beyond the plate,' Holland America's Vice President of Food, Beverage and Rooms, Michael Stendebach said in a featuring a Culinary Ambassador will offer engaging activities where the experts share their knowledge, techniques and tips. For the chef ambassadors, guests can attend a live cooking demonstration led by the chef, join a coffee chat to learn more about them, and dine at an intimate, reservation-only dinner with a curated menu hosted by the chef. The beverage experts will offer tastings, special events and host a pairing dinner in a specialty restaurant.'Through the Culinary Ambassador cruises, we can bring some of the world's most celebrated experts on board to elevate the journey. It's not just about eating well for our guests — it's about learning, tasting something new, having fun and perhaps getting some tips to use in their own kitchens,' Stendeach said. In addition to Morimoto and Burke, Holland America Line Culinary Ambassador chefs include Ethan Stowell and Jacques Torres. Besides Mix, who created cocktails for cruises in Mexico, the Culinary Ambassador beverage experts who created regionally inspired cocktails for the cruise line's bars and menus, include Sam Ross (Alaska), Tess Posthumus (Northern Europe), and David Wondrich and Jeff Berry (Caribbean). Master Tea Blender Steve Schwartz also will join a Culinary Ambassador cruise in Asia. For the remainder of 2025 and into 2026, the options for a Culinary Ambassador Cruise include: Zuiderdam, Voyage of the Vikings, Chef Burke will be on board a segment of the cruise Aug. 7-12, 2025, from Dublin, Ireland, to Reykjavik, Iceland. Nieuw Amsterdam, 7-Day Baja Peninsula, Bartender Ivy Mix will be on board Nov. 15-22, 2025, sailing roundtrip from San Diego. Volendam, 2026 Grand World Voyage, Master Tea Blender Schwartz will be on board March 25-30, 2026, from Singapore to Halong Bay (Hanoi), Vietnam. Volendam, 2026 Grand World Voyage, Chef Morimoto will be on board while the ship is in Japan, dates to be announced. Volendam, 2026 Grand World Voyage, Chef Stowell will be on board April 29 – May 3, 2026, from Seattle, Washington, to San Diego, California. Chef David Burke enhances the menu at Pinnacle Grill, adding contemporary flavors and signature recipes. Currently, Burke and his David Burke Hospitality Management team operate or orchestrate the culinary component of 18 restaurants, a historic event venue and a bakery. They also oversee a growing roster of David Burke-branded products, including cookware, bakeware, steak sauce, cutlery and wine. He has been featured on 'Top Chef Masters,' 'Every Day with Rachael Ray,' and NBC's 'TODAY.' Chef Ethan Stowell incorporates the flavors of the Pacific Northwest on ships sailing in that region, using fresh, sustainably sourced Alaska seafood. His fare also is featured at New York Pizza and Lido Market across the fleet, using pasta and pizza crust made fresh on board. Stowell is founder and CEO of ESR with an impressive roster of highly acclaimed restaurants. He was named one of the Best New Chefs in America by Food & Wine magazine and one of the Best New Chef Masaharu Morimotois Holland America Line's Global Fresh Fish Ambassador, bringing his signature style to dishes in the Dining Room and at Morimoto By Sea. This exclusive restaurant is featured on Nieuw Amsterdam and as a pop-up across the rest of the fleet. Additionally, a Morimoto By Sea sushi counter is available within the Tamarind Restaurant on Pinnacle- and Signature-class ships. Chef Morimoto — known to millions as the star of 'Iron Chef' and 'Iron Chef America' and executive producer and head judge for Roku's 'Sushi Master' — has garnered critical and popular acclaim for his seamless integration of Western and Japanese ingredients. He has restaurants around the world, is a cookbook author and the recipient of numerous awards. Bartender Ivy Mix's cocktails are featured on cruises to Mexico and South America, where her unique knowledge of the agave spirits field shines through. In 2015, she co-opened her bar, Leyenda, with Julie Reiner in Brooklyn, New York, as well as her bottle shop Fiasco! Wine + Spirits. She is the author of 'Spirits of Latin America' and the recipient of numerous awards. Mix is the co-founder of Speed Rack, a woman-only, high-speed bartending competition that has raised more than $1 million for breast cancer Tea Blender Steve Schwartz is founder of Art of Tea. He is known by many authoritative figures in the tea industry as a Master Tea Blender. He has blended award-winning teas under the Art of Tea brand, and his blends are offered under the company's private-label program for tea companies around the world. Schwartz will host a tea tasting experience, a 'Rituals of Tea' seminar and an exclusive High Tea with Art of Tea event on his Culinary Ambassador cruise. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) , or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Yahoo
British tourist dies in jet ski accident after colliding with rock in the Bahamas
A British tourist has died in the Bahamas after colliding with a rock while riding a jet ski just off a popular beach on a private island. The 73-year-old tourist had stopped off at the private island Half Moon Cay during a Holland America Line cruise around the Caribbean when the incident occurred on 22 March. The Royal Bahamas Police Force said that shortly after 1pm, police on the neighbouring island of Eleuthera were alerted of the incident by the island manager and proceeded over to Half Moon Cay. Upon arrival, police found out the woman was riding a jet ski 'when she allegedly lost control and collided with a rock'. The police labelled the incident as an accident. Medical personnel provided assistance to the tourist but to no avail, and was pronounced deceased by a local doctor. The police force said an investigation is underway. Cruise company Holland America confirmed that the tourist was a passenger on its cruise ship Nieuw Amsterdam, which is currently on a 14-day itinerary around the Caribbean after it departed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on 16 March. The cruise stopped at destinations such as Turks and Caicos, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands before reaching Half Moon Cay, CruiseMapper, a cruise tracking site, shows. A day after the fatal incident, the Nieuw Amsterdam returned to Fort Lauderdale, typical of such itineraries, before heading back to Half Moon Cay on 24 March. After visiting Jamaica, the ship is due to anchor down at Grand Cayman Island and Cozumel, Mexico before returning to Fort Lauderdale on Sunday, 30 March. The Independent has reached out to Holland America Line for comment. 'Holland America Line regrets to confirm that a passenger onboard Nieuw Amsterdam passed away following a tragic incident on a personal watercraft,' the cruise line said in a statement to People. 'The guest, a 73-year-old woman, died on 22 March while the ship was calling at Half Moon Cay, The Bahamas.' 'We are in contact with the guest's family and doing everything we can to support them during this difficult time'. 'The accident is currently being investigated by the Bahamian authorities. Out of respect for the family and guest, we do not have further information to share.' Deaths caused by jet ski crashes have often made headlines. In August 2024, a mother died after the jet ski she was riding with her partner collided with one being driven by their teenage twin daughters. The 47-year-old died from a head injury a few hours after the crash in Arcachon Bay, off France's Atlantic coast. A week later, two more deaths hit the headlines when a father and son were killed after their jet ski rammed into a seawall in the Florida Keys. The 47-year-old father had been driving the watercraft at full speed in a residential canal when he hit the seawall. Two teenage girls also lost their lives in Illinois in June 2024 when their jet ski collided with a passing boat on Lake Marie.
The Independent
27-03-2025
- The Independent
British tourist dies in jet ski accident after colliding with rock in the Bahamas
A British tourist has died in the Bahamas after colliding with a rock while riding a jet ski just off a popular beach on a private island. The 73-year-old tourist had stopped off at the private island Half Moon Cay during a Holland America Line cruise around the Caribbean when the incident occurred on 22 March. The Royal Bahamas Police Force said that shortly after 1pm, police on the neighbouring island of Eleuthera were alerted of the incident by the island manager and proceeded over to Half Moon Cay. Upon arrival, police found out the woman was riding a jet ski 'when she allegedly lost control and collided with a rock'. The police labelled the incident as an accident. Medical personnel provided assistance to the tourist but to no avail, and was pronounced deceased by a local doctor. The police force said an investigation is underway. Cruise company Holland America confirmed that the tourist was a passenger on its cruise ship Nieuw Amsterdam, which is currently on a 14-day itinerary around the Caribbean after it departed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on 16 March. The cruise stopped at destinations such as Turks and Caicos, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands before reaching Half Moon Cay, CruiseMapper, a cruise tracking site, shows. A day after the fatal incident, the Nieuw Amsterdam returned to Fort Lauderdale, typical of such itineraries, before heading back to Half Moon Cay on 24 March. After visiting Jamaica, the ship is due to anchor down at Grand Cayman Island and Cozumel, Mexico before returning to Fort Lauderdale on Sunday, 30 March. The Independent has reached out to Holland America Line for comment. 'Holland America Line regrets to confirm that a passenger onboard Nieuw Amsterdam passed away following a tragic incident on a personal watercraft,' the cruise line said in a statement to People. 'The guest, a 73-year-old woman, died on 22 March while the ship was calling at Half Moon Cay, The Bahamas.' 'We are in contact with the guest's family and doing everything we can to support them during this difficult time'. 'The accident is currently being investigated by the Bahamian authorities. Out of respect for the family and guest, we do not have further information to share.' Deaths caused by jet ski crashes have often made headlines. In August 2024, a mother died after the jet ski she was riding with her partner collided with one being driven by their teenage twin daughters. The 47-year-old died from a head injury a few hours after the crash in Arcachon Bay, off France's Atlantic coast. A week later, two more deaths hit the headlines when a father and son were killed after their jet ski rammed into a seawall in the Florida Keys. The 47-year-old father had been driving the watercraft at full speed in a residential canal when he hit the seawall.
