A cruise ship go to to Alaska and Norway is a perfect solution to get a style of what every of those stunning components of the world has to supply, however how do they evaluate to one another?

I just lately took my first cruise to Norway and really rapidly the comparisons to Alaska emerged.  Given each are chilly climate cruising locations, the parallels are apparent.  

Nevertheless, the extra I dug into my Norway cruise, the earlier I noticed that whereas they each are positioned within the higher latitudes of the globe, they aren’t as related a cruising vacation spot as you may anticipate.

An Alaska cruise and a Norway cruise must be proper on the high of your must-do listing due to how stunning these components of the world are, however they are not precisely the identical.  I discovered way more variations between the 2 areas than I anticipated earlier than I ever cruised there.

Between my Alaska cruises and my Norway cruise, there are a number of necessary concerns in case you are fascinated with choosing both locale for a cruise ship trip.

Ideally, you will e book a cruise to each Alaska and Norway to be able to take pleasure in each for what they excel at, however if you happen to’re out there for just one cruise, here is what you need to know.

Getting there

Till transporters from Star Trek are invented, attending to Norway or Alaska on your cruise might sway your choice significantly.

As an American, attending to Alaska for a cruise will at all times be simpler and cheaper than Europe for a Norway cruise.

Flights to Seattle are plentiful throughout the US, and whereas airfare costs are typically greater than ever, a home flight to Seattle will at all times value lower than a flight to the UK.

Even if you happen to take into account an Alaska cruise that begins in Vancouver, it’s going to most likely be cheaper than attending to Europe.

After all, if you happen to dwell in Europe (or nearer to Europe than North America), then a Norway cruise might be fairly reasonably priced when it comes to flying to the place the ship departs from.

Airfare in Europe tends to be fairly low cost, particularly if you happen to can take one of many varied low-cost European carriers, similar to EasyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air, or Norwegian.

Much like value, flights shall be shorter relying on which embarkation port you reside nearer to. 

Many savvy vacationers will save their bank card factors for a European trip to assist take the sting out of airfare.  The truth is, investing in a enterprise class flight might additionally make sense with bank card factors.

An Alaska cruise will take me about 5-6 hours to fly to, whereas a flight to London will are available in at 8 or 9 hours from Florida.  Should you dwell within the Northeast United States, flight instances between New York and Seattle and New York and London aren’t that far totally different.

In the end, except you’ll be able to drive to Seattle or Southampton, you are most likely going to wish to fly and it is going to be a multi-hour ordeal that provides a hefty value too.

Benefit: Tie

Surroundings

On the floor, Alaska and Norway appear to have related topography and surroundings, however I discovered that not essentially to be the case.

Fjords can actually look just like a glacier inlet that you just’d discover in Alaska, however I discovered once you’re not in a fjord, Norway is not as majestic wanting as Alaska.

Irrespective of the place you might be in Alaska, you are going to be almost surrounded by tall peaks and an open panorama. I used to be blown away by the fantastic thing about Alaska from my first go to, and the dimensions of the mountains and countryside round you can’t be correctly conveyed till you see it.

In Norway, cities like Haugesund or Bergen haven’t got these views or towering vistas.  

Whereas the fjords of Gerainger and Olden did resemble the form of vistas you’d discover in Alaska, it was fleeting as soon as your ship left.

That is not to say Norway is not stunning or scenic, as a result of the nation is sort of pretty and it is fairly unspoiled in lots of areas. The truth is, the Scandinavian structure makes up for what’s in any other case fairly bland constructing model of Alaska.

One may even argue the fantastic thing about the fjords when you’re in them makes up for no matter mountainous surroundings Alaska has elsewhere. Definitely the sail-in for the fjord evoked very related views that you just’d discover in a glacier sail-in. 

The distinction for me was the spectacular and hovering land round you in Alaska actually stood out, and I wasn’t fairly as struck by the immense elevation of Norway in comparison with Alaska.

Benefit: Alaska

Tradition

The place Norway actually shines is the wealthy tradition and historical past of the nation.

You may discover small cities and large cities in Norway to go to throughout your cruise, and there are literally thousands of years of historical past you’ll be able to discover alongside the best way.

Norway’s Viking legacy brings all kinds of alternatives to be taught and discover, and it is one thing that extends even to right now. Persevering with ahead to the final couple hundred of years, you will discover artwork, historical past, and a culinary custom that has made Europe interesting for as long as a vacation spot.

Alaska has a long-standing Native American tradition that’s fascinating to discover, however that is about the place Alaska’s cultural attraction ends. The Alaska cruise ports are usually centered round tacky vacationer spots or purchasing. 

I did not discover Alaskan cultural attraction to be almost as sturdy as Norway.  It is cities are small, and the complete state is sparsely populated.  Do not look forward to finding high-end eating places, evocative museums, or a cosmopolitan really feel.

This can be one of many appeals of Alaska, that it depends so closely on its pure magnificence as a cause to cruise there, whereas Norway has its pure wonders, together with inhabitants facilities you’ll be able to discover in-depth.

Benefit: Norway

Wildlife

That is most likely the most straightforward comparability of the listing, as a result of Norway has little to no wildlife you would be excited to see.

Alaska is understood for the wonderful animals you’ll be able to see there: whales, bears, moose, eagles, seals.  There’s greater than that, however a significant spotlight of any Alaska cruise are the wildlife spotting opportunities.

Alaska is dwelling to extra bears than every other state. There are an estimated 100,000 bald eagles on the planet, with round 30,000 calling Alaska dwelling.  The salmon runs are recognized around the globe for a way spectacular they’re.

Norway, nevertheless, would not have these form of animal recognizing alternatives. Essentially the most unique animals you will see on a Norway cruise are sheep and goats. 

Benefit: Alaska

Value

Neither Alaska nor Norway cruises are going to be the most affordable cruise yow will discover, however each have shoulder seasons when yow will discover a deal.

The Alaska cruise season runs from Could by means of September, with the months of June by means of August representing the height of the season and the very best costs too.

Should you take an Alaska cruise in Could or September, yow will discover discount basement costs for a cruise, particularly the sailings from Vancouver.

Learn extra: The Best Time to Cruise Alaska Month by Month

Likewise, Norway’s cruise season additionally runs from Could by means of September and it is shoulder season may have higher costs if you happen to can sail then.

Each Alaska and Norway aren’t low cost when you get there.

Meals costs particularly are a lot greater than most vacationers may anticipate. Norway is infamous for costly meals, whereas an Alaska shore excursion goes to be way more costly than a Caribbean tour.

Benefit: Tie

Which do you have to select: Alaska or Norway cruise?

You must actually expertise each an Alaska cruise and a Norway cruise as a result of whereas they each have colder temperatures than the Caribbean or Mediterranean, the every are totally different sufficient to warrant separate journeys.

After all, it is not so simple as that for everybody to make occur, given the time and prices related to each cruises.

In reflecting on my Alaska and Norway cruises, I discovered the pure magnificence and wildlife superior in Alaska, whereas preferring the cities and historical past that Norway has to supply.

I discovered myself extra impressed with Alaska’s seems to be, however enamored with the previous world attraction of Norway (and Europe, typically).

You will not discover a scarcity of pure magnificence in both cruise, and greater than doubtless a hefty price ticket to get to both.  However I can all however promise you the journey shall be price it once you get to expertise all of it your self.