cruise ships alaska earthquake

Repaired Ruby Princess makes it to Alaska as passengers share updates

A Twitter user with the handle @Cmptlfamily caught a time-lapse of the Ruby Princess hitting the pier July 6, 2023.

SAN FRANCISCO - It appears to be smooth sailing for passengers aboard the Ruby Princess cruise ship that left San Francisco Sunday.

Guests from ‘Injured Ruby’ posted to social media Wednesday that they had arrived in Ketchikan, Alaska, and on Thursday, the Prince Rupert Port Authority confirmed an 8 a.m. arrival to Prince Rupert in British Columbia.

The cruise ship was delayed leaving San Francisco after it smacked into the pier July 6 causing a gash in its underside. Crews worked through the weekend to repair the hole before the U.S. Coast Guard gave approval Sunday for a departure.

TikToker Janna Damigeana, who is on the cruise with her mom, shared details about the cruise with KTVU. She has been posting about their decision to stay on the ship and how it's going so far.

"We stayed and we asked for an upgrade," said Damigeana adding Princess Cruises not only upgraded them to a suite, but gave them a private balcony too.

"We have seen whales, jellyfish, and a shark from our balcony!!" she said.

Damigeana said her mom was "living her best life" sharing a video of her dancing away on the ship.

"So far, I’m loving the Ruby. I love the water pressure in the shower! The staff are all wonderful and attentive," posted one passenger to Facebook, adding they were making the best of odd circumstances on ‘injured Ruby.’

Originally there were 3,256 passengers going on the cruise, but after the collision only 2,677 guests decided to stay on the ship, according to Princess Cruises. The crew number remained the same at 1,161.

A Twitter user surprisingly caught footage of the ship hitting the pier and didn't realize it until a few days later.

"I was up early for an East Coast meeting and decided to get a time-lapse of the docking to show my kids," wrote @Cmptlfamily. "Didn't know what I had captured until I saw the news 2 days later."

The ship is scheduled to return to San Francisco on July 16. It was originally scheduled for a 10-day voyage, but that was cut short due to the damage.

ALSO: 'Do we stay or do we go': Ruby Princess passengers face decision before ship departs

7.2-magnitude earthquake strikes near Alaska Peninsula, prompting brief tsunami warning

The quake struck about 55 miles southwest of Sand Point, Alaska, officials said.

A powerful 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck near the Alaska Peninsula late Saturday.

Preliminary data placed the quake about 55 miles southwest of Sand Point, Alaska, the National Weather Service said. It had initially been measured at a magnitude of 7.4, the United States Geological Survey said on Twitter.

It struck at about 10:48 p.m. local time. In Kodiak, Alaska, sirens sounded late at night, according to a video posted on social media.

The quake prompted the National Weather Service in Anchorage to issue a brief tsunami warning, saying there was a risk of "significant inundation," an alert that was downgraded to an advisory before being canceled altogether early Sunday.

PHOTO: This file photo provided by Andy Varner, city administrator for Sand Point, Alaska, shows the city's harbor on June 7, 2016. A 7.2-magnitude earthquake triggered a brief tsunami advisory for southern Alaska late July 15, 2023.

MORE: LA County will update its building codes after earthquake devastates Turkey, Syria

"A tsunami was generated by this event, but no longer poses a threat," the NWS National Tsunami Warning Center said. "Some areas may continue to see small sea level changes."

The center's earlier update had been an advisory, urging locals near the coast to "move off the beach and out of harbors and marinas."

In a brief tsunami warning before the advisory, weather officials had listed times spanning about 90 minutes when tsunami waves were expected to hit the shore "from Chignik Bay to Unimak Pass."

"Significant inundation is possible or already occurring," the service's Anchorage office said on Twitter in announcing the earlier warning. "Move inland to higher ground."

PHOTO: This image made from the video posted to social media by Jared Griffin shows vehicles around Kodiak High School following the earthquake, in Kodiak, Alaska, Saturday, July 15, 2023.

There was no tsunami threat in Hawaii, the state's Management Agency said.

The earthquake was along the Alaska-Aleutian subduction zone, where large tremors are common, USGS officials said in a summary of the event.

"Since 1900, nine other earthquakes M7 and larger have occurred within 250 km of the July 16, 2023, event," USGS said.

An 8.6-magnitude quake struck about 93 miles away on April 1, 1946, causing a tsunami that "devastated the lighthouse on Unimak Island and swept away its five occupants," USGS officials said. Tsunamis from that quake killed an additional 159 people in Hawaii and one person in California, according to the summary.

A 9.2-magnitude earthquake in the Alaska-Aleutian Trench on March 27, 1964, was the second largest ever recorded by modern seismic instrumentation, officials said.

ABC News' KJ Edelman contributed to this story.

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Seattle journalist describes impacts of Alaska’s ‘cruise ship invasion’

April brings the start of Alaska’s cruise ship season. Juneau will welcome hundreds of cruise ships in the coming months. In a recent interactive feature for Hakai magazine called “Cruise Ship Invasion,” freelance investigative journalist Andrew Engelson looked at the impact the cruise industry has on the environment and quality of life in Southeast Alaska.

Engelson talked with KTOO’s Anna Canny about his findings.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Anna Canny: You’re based in Seattle. And that’s sort of the hub where a lot of these Alaskan cruise ships set sail. So I’m sure you’re used to just seeing the presence of the industry, but as a reporter, what motivated you to take a deep dive into their environmental impacts?

Andrew Engelson : You can’t help but see those ships here. And I was aware that, you know, there were a lot of impacts, and I’ve seen reporting on it — you know, the carbon impacts, the emissions. And then, you know, these are floating hotels that have up to 4,000 people on them. And so those people are, you know, brushing their teeth and using showers. And so there’s going to be treated sewage, gray water, all the trash that’s generated, and, you know, thousands of tourists basically doubling or tripling the size of the population of small towns when the ships arrive. But I wanted to dig in deeper. And so I spoke to the magazine that published it, Hakai, about how we could approach that.

AC: As you mentioned, there’s been a lot of reporting on this over the years, but something that’s really unique about your piece, I think, is the formatting of it. So we follow this one fictional ship — you call it the Oceanic Topaz — and we follow through its stops on its journey through Alaska. I wonder what led you to that approach?

AE : Yeah, I mean, the findings I had found in this, were really overwhelming. You know, putting it in a traditional article was gonna make it difficult to really kind of cumulatively see those impacts. But if you kind of look at one ship and, seeing the impact of just one ship on its seven day journey, I think was was pretty powerful.

AC : I just want to highlight some of the numbers that you bring up in your reporting: 2,800 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. And then, of course, you use hot tubs to visualize the wastewater, which I thought was helpful: 400 hot tubs of sewage and 3,000 hot tubs of gray water. And of course, there’s the trash . I think it was eight tons of trash. Those are huge numbers. And that’s all for one ship. And then you start to understand here in Juneau, we’re seeing up to five ships a day.

AE : It’s amazing to think about that there are nearly 300 of them, making that journey. You know, 13 ships, 300 sailings, it’s a lot.

AC : Here in Juneau, something that really struck me is that the majority of our marine emissions, I think upwards of 80%, can be linked to the diesel fuel that burns with cruise ships. But I’m wondering if you could contextualize that piece a little bit more for me.

AE : Yes, it was really surprising, because I think a lot of us, we’re always thinking about climate impacts about, you know, whether we drive our car on a trip, or if we take a flight, and you know, where cruises fit into that as well. And, cruises seem to be really high on that level. And that was fairly surprising to see that one seven-day cruise putting out 2,800 metric tons of carbon dioxide, which is equivalent to driving 600 cars for a year.

AC : Those diesel fuels are really heavy on emissions, but they’re also heavy on another kind of pollution, which I wasn’t super familiar with. It’s the impact of scrubber discharge .

AE : A lot of these ships, for years, used what’s called high-sulfur fuel, and it puts out these particulates. It’s really bad pollution. And so the International Maritime Organization recommended that ships either switch to a low-sulfur fuel, or put in what’s called a scrubber, which basically sprays water through the exhaust, and basically taking that and putting those pollutants into the water, instead of into the air. The problem is, is then it takes those pollutants and puts it out into the sea. That discharge is very acidic, it contributes to ocean acidification. It has, you know, metals and other pollutants in it. And it’s really very unregulated, because it’s relatively new. I mean, most people know about, you know, sewage, and that it should be treated. But this is dumped in both Washington State, British Columbia and Alaska.

AC : It’s clear from a lot of the sources that you interview that there’s definitely concern, like Alaskans are concerned and are noticing these impacts. But there’s a trade-off for a lot of these communities, right? You hear about the economic benefit that the cruise industry brings.

AE : Yeah, it’s a complicated issue. I mean, you know, Seattle actually definitely benefits there’s no question. And certainly the economic benefits to places like Juneau and Ketchikan are high. And maybe the economic benefits are, you know, worth it. But when you kind of total up all of those impacts and the impacts the quality of life, you know, there’s no question. And it was surprising to me that there was a poll of Juneau residents that said, a majority of them were like, yes, we should limit the number of cruise ships.

AC : Well, yeah, I’m sure it will be really interesting for our listeners, because our first cruise ships arrived just over two weeks from now. And you’ve given me lots to think about as I watched them start to come in. So thanks for chatting with me, Andrew.

AE : I really appreciate it.

Anna Canny, KTOO - Juneau

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7.2 earthquake off Alaska triggers brief tsunami advisory

A 7.2 magnitude earthquake triggered a brief tsunami advisory for southern Alaska late Saturday, but the advisory was canceled about an hour later, monitoring bodies reported.

The earthquake was felt widely throughout the Aleutian Islands, the Alaskan Peninsula and Cook Inlet regions, according to the Alaska Earthquake Center.

In Kodiak, Alaska, sirens warned of a possible tsunami and sent people driving to shelters late at night, according to video posted to social media.

The United States Geological Survey wrote in a social media post that the earthquake occurred 106 kilometers (65.8 miles) south of Sand Point, Alaska, at 10:48 p.m. Saturday. The quake initially was reported as 7.4 magnitude but downgraded to 7.2 soon after.

Warning sirens sound in Kodiak, Alaska, following an earthquake off the coast on July 15, 2023.

The U.S. National Weather Service sent a tsunami advisory saying the quake occurred at a depth of 13 miles. The agency cancelled the advisory about an hour after the first alert.

Before the cancellation, the National Weather Service in Anchorage, Alaska, tweeted that the tsunami advisory applied to coastal Alaska from Chignik Bay to Unimak Pass, but Kodiak Island and the Kenai Peninsula were not expected to be affected.

The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency said shortly after the tsunami warning went out that there was no threat to the islands.

There were an estimated eight aftershocks in the same area of Alaska, including one measuring 5.0 magnitude within three minutes of the original earthquake, NBC affiliate KTUU of Anchorage reported .

Residents were advised not to reoccupy hazard zones without clearance from local emergency officials, KTUU reported.

Small sea level changes were still possible, KTUU reported.

Alaska experiences thousands of earthquakes each year, most of which are too deep and too small to be felt. It is the U.S.’s most seismically active state and location of the second-largest earthquake ever recorded, according to the Alaska Earthquake Center. In 1964, a magnitude 9.2 earthquake in Prince William Sound caused extensive damage throughout south-central Alaska.

The temblor late Saturday occurred in the same region as several other earthquakes over 7 magnitude in the past few years, the Center said via Twitter.

“The once quiet “Shumagin Gap” isn’t so quiet anymore!” the tweet said.

Cruise News

Earthquake strikes Alaska at end of cruise season

Doug Parker

September 2, 2011

No cruise ships schedules are affected.

A tsunami warning was issued for coastal areas of Alaska from Unimak Pass to Amchitka Pass but has since then been canceled.

We spoke to Jennifer Nittoso, a meteorologist with the The Weather Channel and asked her if a tsunami would affect a cruise ship at sea, she replied, “For the most part no, because of the very small amplitude of the wave, meaning the wave height is only a few inches over the course of a very large area.”

The Alaska cruise season runs May-September.

Photo Credit: Noaa Photo Library

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Tsunami concerns ease following 7.2 earthquake off Alaska Peninsula

A magnitude 7.2 earthquake occurred at 10:48 p.m. Saturday, July 15, 2023, centered about 65 miles south of Sand Point and triggering a tsunami warning that was later downgraded to an advisory. (Screengrab from Alaska Earthquake Center website)

Update : This story has been updated with a new article: 7.2 earthquake off Alaska Peninsula triggers brief tsunami warning, sending some residents to higher ground

Update, 12:55 a.m. Sunday: The tsunami advisory issued in the aftermath of Saturday’s 7.2 earthquake off the Alaska Peninsula has now been canceled.

The National Tsunami Warning Center said in an update that some locations may see small changes to sea level and local officials will determine whether people can re-occupy hazard areas, but a tsunami no longer poses a threat.

Update, 12:30 a.m. Sunday: A tsunami warning issued in the aftermath of a strong earthquake off the Alaska Peninsula on Saturday night has been downgraded to an advisory.

The advisory remained in effect from Chignik Bay off the Alaska Peninsula to Unimak Pass. The initial warning had originally applied to a broader swath of coastline from the Aleutians to the mouth of Cook Inlet.

The National Weather Service said Kodiak Island and the Kenai Peninsula were not expected to see impacts from the tsunami advisory.

🌊The Tsunami Warning has been DOWNGRADED. A Tsunami ADVISORY is in effect for coastal Alaska from Chignik Bay to Unimak Pass. ❌Kodiak Island & Kenai Peninsula are NOT expected to see impacts. Strong currents or waves expected where Tsunami Advisory is in effect. pic.twitter.com/cwpgIb1zVy — NWS Anchorage (@NWSAnchorage) July 16, 2023

Seismologists have also revised the magnitude of the earthquake down from 7.4 to 7.2 after reviewing the temblor.

Original story:

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake off the Alaska Peninsula on Saturday night led to a tsunami warning being issued for a broad swath of Alaska’s coastline from the Aleutians to the mouth of Cook Inlet.

The earthquake, at 10:48 p.m., was centered 65 miles south of Sand Point and occurred at a depth of 3.8 miles, according to the Alaska Earthquake Center .

The M7.2 earthquake late Saturday night occurred in the same region as several other earthquakes over magnitude 7 in the past few years. The once quiet "Shumagin Gap" isn't so quiet anymore! https://t.co/JLQv791xfC — Alaska Earthquake Center (@AKearthquake) July 16, 2023

A tsunami warning was issued from Unimak Pass in the eastern Aleutians to Kennedy Entrance at the mouth of Cook Inlet off the Kenai Peninsula. Areas affected include Kodiak Island, the southern Kenai Peninsula and the Alaska Peninsula.

Cook Inlet communities, from Homer to Anchorage, were not under the tsunami warning, according to the National Weather Service and the Kenai Peninsula Fire & Emergency Information .

🌊A TSUNAMI WARNING has been issued for coastal Alaska, from Kennedy Entrance to Unimak Pass ❗ Significant inundation is possible or already occurring. Move inland to higher ground. Estimated tsunami start times: Sand Point 12:10 AM Kodiak 12:35 AM Cold Bay 1:35 AM pic.twitter.com/NwWZp6LGkt — NWS Anchorage (@NWSAnchorage) July 16, 2023

As in previous tsunami alerts for Alaska coastal regions, many people in the Anchorage area received phone alerts of the tsunami warning even though authorities said there was no danger.

The earthquake was felt through the Aleutians and Alaska Peninsula as well as in the Cook Inlet region, according to the earthquake center .

Watch CBS News

Post-quake tsunami alerts lifted for Alaska, British Columbia, U.S. West Coast

Updated on: January 23, 2018 / 7:34 PM EST / CBS/AP

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- A 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck off Alaska's Kodiak Island early Tuesday, prompting a tsunami warning for a large swath of the state's coast and Canada's British Columbia, and watches for the rest of the U.S. West Coast and Hawaii. Officials at the National Tsunami Center canceled the warning after a few tense hours after waves failed to show up in coastal Alaska communities.

The strong earthquake hit at 12:30 a.m. and was recorded about 170 miles southeast of Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska. Kodiak Island is located about 200 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, which was not under a tsunami threat. Reports varied about how long the shaking lasted. In the popular cruise ship town of Seward, about 230 miles northeast of Kodiak Island, fire chief Eddie Athey said the quake felt like a gentle rattle and lasted for up to 90 seconds.

There were no immediate reports of damage, not even on Kodiak Island, the closest land to the epicenter of the quake.

Initially, the USGS said the earthquake was a magnitude 8.2. That prompted the tsunami warning for coastal Alaska and Canada's British Columbia, while the remainder of the U.S. West Coast was under a watch.

A tsunami warning for the southern coastline of Alaska -- from the Aleutian Islands to Southeast Alaska -- was downgraded to a tsunami advisory for the coastline east of Seward to Chignik Bay. It was later canceled, CBS Anchorage affiliate KTVA-TV reported.

Elsewhere in the United States, Washington state, Oregon, California and Hawaii were under tsunami watches, which eventually were lifted. Officials in Japan say there was no tsunami threat there.

For Alaskans accustomed not only to tsunami threats but also to regular drills, the early morning alert that made cellphone alarms go off still created some fretful moments. The phone message read: "Emergency Alert. Tsunami danger on the coast. Go to high ground or move inland."

Keith Perkins got the phone alert and later heard sirens going off in his southeast Alaska hometown of Sitka. He said people on Facebook were talking about whether the threat was real and what they should do.

Given the magnitude of the earthquake, Perkins said, he thought it best to head to the high school, a tsunami evacuation point, even though in the past he felt his home was at a "high-enough spot."

"I figured I'd probably just better play it safe," he said.

People reported on social media that the quake was felt hundreds of miles away, in Anchorage. Reports varied about how long the quake's shaking lasted, depending on location.

In the popular cruise ship town of Seward, about 110 miles south of Anchorage, Fire Chief Eddie Athey said the quake felt like a gentle rattle that lasted for up to 90 seconds.

"It went on long enough that you start thinking to yourself, 'Boy, I hope this stops soon because it's just getting worse,'" Athey said.

The earthquake woke Kodiak Police Lt. Tim Putney from a dead sleep. He said it shook for at least 30 seconds but admits his estimate might be skewed by sleeping through some of it.

"I've been in Kodiak for 19 years that was the strongest, longest-lasting one I've ever felt," he said by telephone.

John Bellini, a geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey's National Earthquake Information Center, said there had been more than two dozen aftershocks as of about 6:30 a.m. The biggest aftershock had a magnitude of 5.3.

The earthquake was initially reported as magnitude 8.2, but Bellini said as more data comes in, better calculations can be made. Earthquake waves take time to spread.

Kodiak was projected to get the first tsunami wave, and officials warned residents to evacuate if they lived in low-lying areas. Some people sought refuge in schools. The wave never materialized there or in other coastal communities like Homer and Seward, and the warning was soon canceled.

Larry LeDoux, superintendent of the Kodiak Island Borough School District, said schools were open as shelters and estimated there were about 500 people at the high school. He described the atmosphere inside as calm, with people waiting for updates.

He said sirens go off in the community every week as a test to make sure they are working.

In Seward, at the southern end of Alaska's Kenai Peninsula, residents retreated to higher ground or left on the only road out of the city, the fire chief said. He described it as a controlled evacuation and compared it to people driving home from a holiday fireworks show.

Officials later tweeted: "National Tsunami Warning Center has CANCELLED the Tsunami Watch for San Francisco."

National Tsunami Warning Center has CANCELLED the Tsunami Watch for San Francisco. Check your email for more informa https://t.co/LH5QIHH0jQ — San Francisco DEM (@SF_emergency) January 23, 2018

The U.S. Geological Survey tweeted an explanation of what caused the quake:

The M 7.9 occurred as the result of strike slip faulting. At it's location, the Pacific plate is converging with the North America plate. Over the preceding century, 11 other M7+ earthquakes have occurred within 600 km of today's earthquake. https://t.co/JzzWd0ID2k — USGS (@USGS) January 23, 2018

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Travel | Alaska is ready for another record-breaking…

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Travel | Alaska is ready for another record-breaking cruise season

Alaska is home to more than 30,000 grizzlies, but the state’s cruise industry is experiencing anything but a bear market as momentum of last year’s record-breaking season is expected to continue in 2024.

The most-visited Alaskan port, Juneau set a new mark a year ago with 1.65 million passengers descending on the capital city during cruise season, which generally runs from April to late October. That figure from the Juneau Chamber of Commerce is a Denali-sized jump of 30 percent compared to pre-pandemic 2019.

Coinciding with Alaska’s 65th anniversary of statehood, the upcoming cruise season appears to be just as robust, with 19 cruise lines sending 43 ships to the Last Frontier. Kicking things off for the second straight year is the 4,008-passenger Norwegian Bliss, which docked in rustic Skagway last week. With four mainstream-category ships homeported in either Seattle or Vancouver, Norwegian Cruise Line has nearly 100 more after that.

Two competing companies have staked out even larger claims in this modern-day, maritime Alaskan gold rush. Holland America Line is sending seven premium-class ships for 141 total cruises. And at the top of the totem pole is Princess Cruises , which is celebrating its 55th year in these waters with seven premium ships sharing 158 departures.

Rafting alongside Mendenhall Glacier is a chance-of-a-lifetime adventure for many. (Photo by David Dickstein)

Not counting grand voyages with itineraries so rich they make a visit to Alaska seem more like a pit stop, this cruise season will see more than 800 trips of mostly seven to 10 days starting or ending on this side of the Pacific. Where they’re all going is a destination rich in unparalleled wilderness, wildlife and native culture. In other words, bucket list stuff.

“Alaska is one of those places that draws you in and sets the hook right away,” said Kristi Switzer, destination marketing manager for Travel Juneau. “Visitors come for the otherworldly experience of being in the presence of glaciers and fjords, seeing whales and bears and finding the balance of Alaska Native cultural heritage with the rustic sophistication found in the capital city.”

Sometimes just seeing a whale's tail is a win when on an Alaskan tour. (Photo by David Dickstein)

Although Switzer recommends visits lasting several days instead of several hours, the city’s destination evangelist hopes that a partial day in Juneau and each major Alaskan cruise port will have 1.5 million passengers wanting more.

“This magical corner of the world has so much to offer beyond being a checkmark on people’s bucket lists,” she said.

Walking on a glacier is one of the more exciting shore excursions Alaska has to offer. (Photo by David Dickstein)

Alaska is a checkmark for about three-quarters of all passengers headed there, according to the Alaska Tourism Industry Association, and the same can be said for two ships this season.

Starting with a six-day sail out of Vancouver on May 11, the namesake of Celebrity Cruises ’ popular Edge class will make its Alaskan debut with weeklong roundtrips from Seattle through Sept. 13. The 2,918-passenger vessel features a unique “outside-in” architecture that provides more floor-to-ceiling glass on the exterior and expanded outdoor spaces to soak up the Alaskan coastlines.

Skagway, a popular cruise port, is the northernmost point in Alaska's Inside Passage. (Photo by David Dickstein)

Edge will be joined by a pair of fleet mates for the season, albeit Summit’s seven-day roundtrips are turnarounds out of Anchorage or Vancouver, and Solstice’s weeklong jaunts are solely based in the British Columbian seaport. Celebrity, a premier-category cruise line has 57 departures to Alaska scheduled this year.

The other new recruit is Silver Nova, the youngest Silversea Cruises ship in the luxury fleet to ever service Alaska. Capped at 728 guests, Silver Nova was launched last year and has the goods to do justice to a dreamlike place that captures the imagination of wilderness lovers and history buffs.

“Silver Nova is the ideal ship for Alaska cruising,” said company spokesman Brad Ball. “Her innovative design, which incorporates an unprecedented 4,000 square meters of glass, immerses guests into the incredible scenery of Alaska from virtually all venues and suites, with far-reaching views at every turn.”

While in Skagway, let happy and hard-working sled dogs take you on a spin around Musher's Camp. (Photo by David Dickstein)

The ship’s reimagined pool deck, which overlooks the water on her starboard side, and all-new outdoor venues — the Dusk Bar and the Marquee — allows unique openness to view spectacular Alaskan glaciers and wildlife. Those who want to experience an older and smaller Evolution-class Silversea vessel can book the Silver Muse, which also will sail mostly seven- to 14-day trips between Anchorage and Vancouver.

Because nearly every Alaskan cruise includes the staples — Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Inside Passage and Denali with a land add-on — some cruise lines like to shake things up with unique itineraries.

Holland America has a roundtrip that makes it easy to visit the 49th and 50th states without a long flight. A new “Glaciers & Volcanos: Alaska to Hawaii” cruise, part of the premium line’s Legendary Voyages collection of journeys from 25 to 59 days, departs on Aug. 31 from Seattle or Sept. 1 from Vancouver aboard the 1,916-passenger Westerdam. The nearly four-weeklong itinerary includes seldomly visited Kodiak and Dutch Harbor before heading down to the tropics to make four calls to three Hawaiian islands.

Seabourn strives to offer a more tasteful Alaskan cruise and not only because it’s an ultra-luxury cruise line. “Caviar on the Ice” is a savory and swanky soiree on every Alaskan voyage, and when the 450-passenger Odyssey is in Sitka, a town originally built by Russian traders in the early 1800s, Seabourn guests can enjoy a culinary adventure that includes a scenic drive to a taproom for a sampling of local brews and a few eateries to try Siberian-rooted pelmeni dumplings and a hot dog made with caribou that the locals call “reindeer dawgs.” Sorry, vegetarians and friends of Santa, but Blitzen on a bun is da bomb.

Red Onion Saloon, a former bordello built in 1898, is a top attraction in historic Skagway. (Photo by David Dickstein)

Disney Cruise Line is sending its 2,700-passenger Disney Wonder out of Vancouver for 15 week-long roundtrips, one five-day spin leaving on July 24 and an extended nine-day voyage on July 15.

Other cruise lines showing passengers a whale of a time in Alaska include Crystal, Cunard, Hurtigruten, Lindblad/National Geographic, Oceania, Ponant, Regent Seven Seas and Viking.

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Your Alaskan Cruise Is Possible Because Canada Blew Up an Underwater Mountain

People predicted tsunamis and an earthquake, but nothing particularly bad happened

Kat Eschner

It took almost 1400 tons of explosives to shift the peak of Ripple Mountain.

On this day in 1958, Canadians gathered around their television sets to watch as an underwater mountain on the country’s west coast was blown up using unprecedented force. The Ripple Rock explosion would be one of the largest non-nuclear peacetime explosions ever, and it was one of the first events played live on television around the country by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

The underwater mountain lay between two islands off the coast of British Columbia, north of Vancouver, in a channel used for shipping, called the Seymour Narrows. Although the water was deep, according to the CBC, at low tide the mountain’s south peak came within about 10 feet of the surface. This obstacle, invisible from the surface, posed a hazard to the bottom of ships as well as creating waves and whirlpools, the CBC writes. In total, Ripple Rock damaged or sunk 20 large ships and more than 100 small ones. At least 114 lives were lost in the wrecks.

Although the problem had been known since the 1700s, when Captain George Vancouver called Seymour Narrows “one of the vilest stretches of water in the world,” its solution was less clear. Although some groups wanted to remove the rock, writes the CBC, others thought the underwater peak could be used to support a bridge to British Columbia’s mainland.

The Seymour Narrows is part of a maze-like series of small channels and cuts that stretching between Seattle and Alaska known as the Inside Passage. It's often frequented by cruise ships today, but the spectacular coastal views and protection from open ocean come at a price, writes Michael Byrne for Motherboard . The areas are made dangerous by tidal currents. "These oceanic capillaries are where the sea breathes in and out in the form of tides," he writes. "Rapids like Seymour's are the result of a differential between tidal elevations at either end. These differentials essentially create bi-directional ocean-rivers." Add a large, jagged underwater rock to the already difficult-to-steer passage and you have a recipe for shipwrecks.

Nobody could do anything about the tides, but the Canadian government eventually decided something needed to be done about Ripple Rock. As the CBC documents, two attempts at drilling off the mountain top failed, with fatal results, before the plan of exploding the rock was formed.

The happenings of April 5 were the culmination of 28 months of work, writes Pat Brennan for the Toronto Star , as miners tunneled under an island and then the seabed to create two vertical shafts in the mountain. As the work progressed, Brennan writes, rumors spread like crazy. A nearby town would be flattened, or a tidal wave would cause damage as far away as Japan, or the explosion would kill millions of sea creatures.

“There was even talk that the explosion would cause the big one –an earthquake that slides B.C. into the Pacific,” cameraman Bill Roozeboom, who documented the project, told Brennan.

In the midst of all this expectation, after people for miles around had been evacuated, the plunger was pushed and the country watched as pieces of Ripple Rock flew into the air in a giant plume of water. Because it was underwater, the explosion took ten times the amount of explosive material as it would have on land, the CBC reported.

The explosion blew 764,000 U.S. tons of rock and water high into the air, writes the CBC, causing high waves. “A mere handful of stunned fish were found later confused, but alive,” writes Brennan. Among the watchers were several British atomic weapons researchers sent to observe. They wrote up their thoughts in a letter to Nature .

Ripple Mountain ended up being shorter. Its peak is now 46 feet under the surface, making the passage safer for ships. But, writes Brennan, "the 20 or more cruise ships that sail past Campbell River each summer Day still leave Vancouver and Seattle at precise times, so that they arrive at Seymour Narrows at slack tide. Even they can't handle the fast currents that still rip through the narrow passage."

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Kat Eschner | | READ MORE

Kat Eschner is a freelance science and culture journalist based in Toronto.

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Undersea quake sends Alaskans fleeing from feared tsunami

This screenshot shows alerts for a tsunami watch early Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, after an earthquake struck off Alaska’s Kodiak Island prompting a tsunami warning for a large swath of the state’s coast. Officials at the National Tsunami Center canceled the warning after a few tense hours after waves failed to show up in coastal Alaska communities. (AP Photo)

Jan Knutson, left, and her husband Ed Hutchinson, center, and a man at about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, wait for the all-clear at Homer High School during a tsunami alert for Homer, Alaska. The city of Homer issued an evacuation order for low-lying areas shortly after an earthquake hit. (Michael Armstrong/Homer News via AP)

Anna Dale and her dog Poppy at about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, wait for the all-clear at Homer High School during a tsunami alert for Homer, Alaska. The city of Homer issued an evacuation order for low-lying areas shortly after an earthquake hit. (Michael Armstrong/Homer News via AP)

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ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A powerful undersea earthquake sent Alaskans fumbling for suitcases and racing to evacuation centers in the middle of the night after a cellphone alert warned a tsunami could hit communities along the state’s southern coast and parts of British Columbia.

The monster waves never materialized, but people who fled endured hours of tense waiting at shelters before they were cleared to return home.

“This was a win as far as I could tell,” said Marjie Veeder, clerk for the city of Unalaska, which is home to the international fishing port of Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Islands. “We got advance warning and were so thankful for that.”

The magnitude 7.9 quake in the Gulf of Alaska triggered the jarring alert that roused people shortly after midnight Tuesday. Fleeing motorists clogged some highways in their rush to higher ground. Many took refuge at schools or other shelters.

Even for Alaskans accustomed to tsunami threats and tsunami drills, the phone message was alarming. It read: “Emergency Alert. Tsunami danger on the coast. Go to high ground or move inland. Listen to local news.”

There were no reports of damage, not even on Kodiak Island, the closest land to the epicenter. Only after the all-clear was sounded did a little levity emerge. In Kodiak, a customer’s Facebook post suggested a post-evacuation meal at King’s Diner: “Hungry? Tsunami got you up early?”

Eleanor King opened the diner at the usual time of 6 a.m. By the time customers started arriving, the excitement had passed and people just sat around quietly eating their meals, speaking little of the quake.

The temblor reminded King of a deadly 1964 quake that generated tsunamis that killed 129 people and wreaked widespread devastation — events that remain vivid in the memories of many Alaskans.

“It started out just like the big one,” she said. “It was very slow and rolling, a good resemblance to the big one. That’s what scared us.”

Tuesday’s quake was recorded at 12:32 a.m. in the Pacific Ocean about 170 miles southeast of Kodiak, home to one of the nation’s largest Coast Guard bases.

It prompted the warning across thousands of miles of Alaska’s southern coast, from Attu in the Aleutian Islands to Canada’s border with Washington state. Kodiak is about 200 miles (321 kilometers) south of Anchorage, the state’s largest city, which was not under a tsunami threat.

Elsewhere in the United States, Washington state, Oregon, California and Hawaii were under tsunami watches, which eventually were lifted. Officials in Japan say there was no tsunami threat there.

The state has an active tsunami-readiness program, and many communities have sirens and evacuation plans.

In British Columbia, sirens blared and officials banged on doors to wake people from their sleep as a tsunami warning was issued along a large swath of the Canadian province’s coastline.

“I just heard the firetrucks going around, honking their horns and on the loud speaker saying there is a tsunami warning,” said Gillian Der, a University of British Columbia geography student who is studying on Haida Gwaii, off the coast of British Columbia. “It was very apocalyptic.”

Chris Alemany, who lives in the Vancouver Island community of Port Alberni, Canada, said he was sleeping soundly with earplugs when his 10-year-old son barged into his bedroom and woke him up.

Alemany had not heard the sirens, even though they are a block and a half from his home. When he took out his earplugs, the noise was “really, really loud,” and it became clear quickly they needed to evacuate, he said.

The family decided to flee to Alemany’s parents’ home. They had to decide on the fly whether to take their dog and three cats. They didn’t, in spite of their son’s protestations.

“I’ve never seen so much traffic on our roads,” he said. “At 3:30 in the morning, it was like there were 4,000 extra people in town or something because everybody was headed up the street.”

The time between the siren sounding and the all-clear was tense, and his son and daughter were scared. “But in the main, I think people kind of knew what they needed to do and just waited for information,” he said.

Back in Alaska, people reported on social media that the quake was felt hundreds of miles away, in Anchorage. Reports varied about how long the quake’s shaking lasted, depending on location.

In the popular cruise-ship town of Seward, about 110 miles (177 kilometers) south of Anchorage, Fire Chief Eddie Athey said the quake felt like a gentle rattle that lasted for up to 90 seconds.

“It went on long enough that you start thinking to yourself, ‘Boy, I hope this stops soon because it’s just getting worse,’” Athey said.

The Alaska Earthquake Information Center categorized the shaking as light.

The quake was a type that usually produces less vertical motion, which means less chance for waves to build for a tsunami, said Paul Earle, a seismologist with the U.S. Geological Survey. That was somewhat unusual, because quakes in the area usually are a type that cause more vertical motion and increase the chance for a tsunami, he said.

The quake was the planet’s strongest since an 8.2 magnitude in Mexico in September.

Kodiak resident Ted Panamarioff survived the 1964 earthquake, which was magnitude 9.2. But his father died in the ensuing tsunami, he said. To him, Tuesday’s quake felt far milder, although it did wake him up.

He was never worried about killer waves. His home, he said, is too far inland.

“If anything happened, if there was a tsunami, it’d have to be one hell of a big tsunami to get me where I’m at,” he said. “And then there wouldn’t be a city left.”

Bohrer reported from Juneau, Alaska. Contributing to this report were Associated Press writers Rachel D’Oro and Dan Joling in Anchorage, Rob Gillies in Toronto, Ken Moritsugu in Toyko and Seth Borenstein in Washington, D.C.

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News & features, winter center, news / weather news, can a cruise ship feel the impacts of tsunamis, earthquakes.

By Ashley Williams , AccuWeather staff writer

Experts say that whether an earthquake-triggered tsunami affects a cruise ship depends largely on where the ship is located.

For passengers at sea, the thought of being trapped on a cruise ship as an earthquake or tsunami shakes the massive body of water surrounding them is undoubtedly a frightening one.

What’s the likelihood that these natural phenomena will pose any significant threats to travelers aboard a ship?

While it’s possible that a ship can feel the impacts of an earthquake, it’s extremely rare that damage would occur, according to Dr. Thomas Heaton, seismologist and professor of geophysics and civil engineering at the California Institute of Technology.

“Ships at sea do feel earthquakes, and if you’re directly above an earthquake, they make a lot of noise,” Heaton said.

“It’s been reported that sailors think they’ve run aground and usually try to figure out what it is that they’ve struck, but it’s really an earthquake,” Heaton added.

Although damage from an earthquake is uncommon, it has happened in the past, Heaton said.

Earthquakes are known to trigger tsunamis, posing another potential hazard to passengers at sea.

However, whether a cruise ship is in any danger largely depends on its location.

Experts agree that a cruise ship sailing out over a body of water is not likely to feel any impacts from a tsunami’s waves.

“Generally, if you’re in deep ocean, there’s no way that you can perceive a tsunami from a ship,” Heaton said.

The wavelength of a tsunami at sea travels quickly at hundreds of miles per hour, and will likely be tens of kilometers long, said Dr. Scott Miller, research associate at the State University of New York at Albany’s Atmospheric Sciences Research Center.

“The amplitude of the wave at sea will likely only be a few centimeters, so if a cruise ship heaves by a few centimeters, it would not be noticeable on board,” Miller said.

The greatest threat arises as the tsunami wave begins to reach shallow water, according to experts.

As the tsunami wave then reduces speed, it becomes shorter as it rises to dangerous heights to conserve the wave’s energy, according to Miller.

“If you’re close to the coastline in shallow water, a tsunami can really toss ships around,” Heaton said.

Cruise ships closer to land or at port would face an immense threat from the tsunami’s tall, high-energy and potentially devastating wave.

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How to sail the Alaska Marine Highway

Apr 18, 2024 • 7 min read

From choosing routes to buying tickets, we can answer all your questions about traveling on the Alaska Marine Highway System © FloridaStock / Shutterstock

Traveling aboard an Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) – the ferry network that connects Alaska 's coastal communities – offers the same views as the cruise ships, but without the fluff.

Passengers see glimpses of glaciers, wildlife, lush forests, but also meet the residents that rely upon ferries to get them to and from other places. To really understand what it’s like to live in rural Alaska and see amazing places without the huge price tag, this is the way to travel.

Ferry travel requires advance planning and execution, as the Alaska Marine Highway System is a designated All-American Road , the first waterway to be named such, and its 3500-mile scenic byway is popular with independent travelers and their cars, RVs, bicycles and motorcycles.

A colorful row of shop fronts raised on a pier above a small dock

What is the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS)?

Known fondly as the "blue canoes" by residents, the state-owned and operated ferries of the AMHS are integral to basic living and commerce for coastal communities of the state. Moving among three coastal regions, Southeast, Southcentral, and Southwest, the Alaska Marine Highway’s fleet of vessels transport people and goods over a 30-route system that also provides visitors with a unique experience that truly emulates the Alaska lifestyle.

First launched in 1948 as a small marine transport founded by two brothers who saw a need to help get residents and products between the small towns of Haines, Skagway , and Tee Harbor in Southeast Alaska , the ferry system of today didn’t become a state entity until 1963. Then, the newly launched MV Malaspina arrived in Ketchikan to much fanfare because, as one resident said, “We could finally go somewhere!”

Not ready for the ferry? Here are some other ways to travel around in Alaska

Which are the best routes on the AMHS?

Alaska Marine Highway routes vary in distance and length, from a few hours to several days, depending upon the communities served. Looking for a snapshot of Alaska’s coastal regions with plenty of activities and stunning scenery? The following itineraries are a great trip to tack on to land-based travel, or as a full vacation in themselves.

Kayakers in a bay surrounded by icebergs

Route 1: Whittier to Valdez (Southcentral)

The fishing industry is one of Alaska’s top economic engines, so traveling Prince William Sound during the summer months means a front-row seat to the vessels and people working nets and lines. This five-hour trip sails among the placid bays and craggy coves of the sound, with the stunning Chugach National Forest as a backdrop. Popular because of its sail-drive connection via the Richardson and Glenn Highways between Anchorage , Whittier, and Fairbanks , this a wonderful route for those looking for a round-trip journey. Watch for fishing boats, kayakers camping on the shoreline, and "bergy bits" from massive Columbia Glacier as you get closer to Valdez , then stay overnight in town before hitting the road north or west.

Once you arrive in Valdez, make sure to stop at the Valdez Museum for a dive into area history, including events like a 9.2 earthquake in 1964 and the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989. Old Town Valdez is the former downtown district prior to the 1964 quake, when a tsunami destroyed nearly every building and the entire community relocated to its current site. A few miles out of town, Solomon Gulch Hatchery is a great place to watch sea lions and the occasional brown or black bear fishing for pink salmon returning to the hatchery. A glacier and wildlife cruise departing from the Valdez harbor can provide up close views of these rivers of ice, and whales cavorting in Prince William Sound.

Route 2: Juneau to Haines (Southeast)

Departing from Auke Bay a short distance from downtown Juneau , the sail to Haines is just under four hours and is a frequently traveled route by residents going back and forth for shopping, appointments or sports contests. Look for whales, seals and eagles as you move along the Inside Passage’s most northern section before turning into scenic Lynn Canal. Haines itself is a quaint little town that happens to be located a mere 45 miles from the Canadian border, and is one of few Southeast Alaska communities that is accessible by road, water and air. Unlike neighboring Skagway (just 20 more miles up Chilkoot Inlet from Haines), Haines has resisted the tourist trappings of a cruise ship port city, and visitors wanting to hike, paddle or experience museums and cultural centers without heavy crowds will enjoy this destination.

Haines is also a great jumping-off city for road tripping into Canada 's Yukon Territory and then back into Alaska via the famous Alaska Highway (or AlCan). Note that a passport is required for the multiple border crossings.

Two people walk in the coastline, their shadows dwarfed by the mountains stretching above them

Route 3: Homer to Dutch Harbor (Southwest)

This is the route for serious adventurers who want to explore remote coastal Alaska. The unique Southwest route begins in the small town of Homer at the end of Southcentral Alaska's Kenai Peninsula. Located just over 200 miles south of Anchorage (about a five-hour drive), Homer is known for its thriving halibut fishing and access to a plethora of hiking and camping across scenic Kachemak Bay.

Typically, the ferry departs in the evening for an overnight Gulf of Alaska crossing, arriving in Kodiak city on Kodiak Island early the following morning. From Kodiak, the ferry proceeds across Shelikof Strait toward the Alaska Peninsula before reaching the Aleutian Islands . Often, travelers can see steam rising from one of the many active volcanoes in the region, and the occasional whale spouting off in the distance.

Planning your trip to Alaska? Here's our seasonal guide to help you choose the best time for your visit

How do I book a ferry trip?

The easiest way to book an Alaska Marine Highway trip is online . The website is run by the State of Alaska and has its kinks, but reservation agents are very helpful on the phone (1-800-642-0066). If you choose a multiday sailing, like to Dutch Harbor, a stateroom is much desired over sleeping in the main common areas or on deck. Reserve these as far in advance as possible, however, as they sell out quickly.

If the idea of sleeping al fresco on deck sounds like an Alaska-themed must-do adventure, pay attention to posted placards letting passengers know where they may and may not sleep outside. Small tents are permitted to be pitched on some decks, but it is imperative they be secured with duct tape to keep them from blowing away during the trip. Deck lounge chairs under heat lamps in the solarium spaces may be accessible to overnighters as well, but not every ferry has them. Use lockers inside common areas for stashing valuables, as gear will be open to both the elements and other people otherwise.

A large ferry leaving a port backed by mountains covered with cloud

When do tickets become available?

The Alaska Marine Highway System releases its summer schedule in early spring each year, and tickets for popular Southeast and Southwest routes are at a premium. A good strategy is to follow the AMHS on social media channels and check the website frequently. Be as flexible with travel dates as possible as well, since long weekends and holidays are extremely busy.

Need more inspiration? Here are the best things to do in Alaska

What do I pack? What can I bring on board?

Personal food and non-alcoholic beverages are permitted in the cafeteria area. Bring a cooler for perishable items. Alcohol is permitted only in staterooms.
Bring warm clothing and rain gear to spend ample time outdoors on deck. Non-slip shoes are a must for wet surfaces.
Pack binoculars to spot whales and other wildlife. Ferry crew usually announce when animals or birds are seen.
Do not forget government-issued ID, charging cords, and cash or credit cards to purchase food and other items on board.

What's it like on board?

The Alaska Marine Highway System ferries are very busy in the summer months, with passengers staking claims in all common areas for the duration of a trip. If you do not reserve a stateroom, bring coins for lockers to secure valuables and jump into the spirit of independent travel.

Make time to dine in the vessel’s cafeteria and meet other travelers, for this is an excellent opportunity to become acquainted with life in coastal Alaska. Consider bringing your own water bottle, mug for coffee or tea, and snacks/camp-style meals if you are on a multiday itinerary.

The Alaska Marine Highway System has a complete list of things to know and travel policies on its website .

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Alaska to Have Record Cruise Capacity in 2024

April 10, 2024

According to new 2024 Cruise Industry News Annual Report , the Alaska cruise market is expected to have a record-breaking season in 2024.

Following a strong season in 2023, the capacity for the region, which includes destinations in the United States and Canada, is set to increase by one percent.

Princess Cruises remains the leader in capacity in Alaska, with a total of seven ships sailing from four different homeports .

The Alaska fleet includes the 2022-built Discovery Princess, one of the newest and biggest vessels sailing for the Carnival Corporation-owned premium brand.

Sailing roundtrip from Seattle, the 3,660-guest ship is set to offer seven-night cruises to Alaska and Canada from early May to late September.

The regular itinerary of the Discovery Princess in the region includes visits to Victoria, Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, as well as scenic cruising at Glacier Bay National Park.

The Majestic Princess, the Royal Princess, the Ruby Princess, the Crown Princess, the Sapphire Princess and the Grand Princess are also scheduled to sail in Alaska this summer.

Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International, which operate some of the largest cruise ships in the destination, are also planning strong programs in Alaska in 2024.

Norwegian Cruise Line will dedicate four vessels to the region, including its two largest ships, the Norwegian Encore and the Norwegian Bliss.

Built between 2018 and 2019, each of the vessels can accommodate up to 4,200 guests at double occupancy.

Royal Caribbean International is also deploying four ships in Alaska this summer. The lineup includes the two Quantum-Class vessels, the Quantum of the Seas and the Ovation of the Seas, which have capacity for 4,100 passengers.

Cruise Industry News ’ independent research also shows that Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises, and Carnival Cruise Line will also be key players in the Alaska market for2024.

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Boats & Earthquakes: 6 Facts You Should Know (Explained)

Encountering an earthquake on the open water can be a frightening prospect. Earthquakes are impossible to predict, and there isn’t much you can do to minimize their impact on your ship.

Y ou may not even feel the earthquake when you are on a boat out at sea.

However, you need to be aware of the many possibilities and emergencies that arise when an earthquake strikes – no matter where you are.

Here are all of the facts on what you expect from an earthquake on your boat.

Table of Contents

Do You Feel Earthquakes on a Boat?

When you are on a boat during an earthquake, you may find that you feel the shaking or shifting of water beneath you. However, the effect is much smaller than most people expect.

Most people find that they will stumble or encounter a short bout of “sea legs.”

Sailors on ships can feel an earthquake and may even hear it if positioned directly above the origin. When this happens, some people mistakenly believe that their ship has run aground instead of realizing that an earthquake has occurred. It is only when they can keep sailing that they realize they were actually experiencing one of these natural disasters.

There are two different types of waves that make up an earthquake: P waves and S waves.

If you can feel the earthquake in the boat, you are most likely experiencing the P wave. However, the gentle rocking motion associated with this type of wave can often be lost in the general motion of the ocean.

On the other hand, this type of wave can do extreme damage to buildings and infrastructure on land. You may see some damage to the harbor and the marina upon your return from a day on the water with an earthquake.

Is it Dangerous to Be on a Boat During an Earthquake?

While it may not be ideal, it isn’t necessarily dangerous to be on a boat during an earthquake. Many things hinge on how serious the earthquake is and the potential for a tsunami to form. However, you should be safe during an earthquake as long as you are far enough from the coast.

Many people will even fail to register that they are experiencing an earthquake on their boat. They may experience some mild vibration that leads them to stumble or lose their balance momentarily. The earthquake’s sound is likely to be more noticeable than the actual sensation of the earthquake itself, particularly if you are already out on the open water.

Although sailors are capable of feeling the impacts of an earthquake, damage to the ship is typically uncommon .

It is relatively safe to be on a boat during an earthquake and the potential aftereffects. Boats are actually much safer on the open waters if a tsunami occurs after the earthquake.

However, this does not mean that you should attempt to navigate your boat out of the harbor in anticipation of the tsunami. You may not be able to reach a place of safety before the crashing waves of the tsunami if you leave at such a late time.

Related Article: Boat Fuel Types: What Fuel Type for My Boat? (Newbie Guide)

Are Boats on Marinas and Harbors Affected by Earthquakes?

Your boat may be safe on the open water, but what if it is in the marina or harbor when the earthquake strikes? The seismic waves that come and go as part of an earthquake will affect buildings and infrastructure more strongly. There are many earthquake-related hazards, including ground shaking, soil liquefication, landslides, and tsunami waves.

Your boat may not be able to feel these effects while it is out at sea, but there is a bigger issue brewing for those who are tied up in the marina. The docks and surrounding buildings may suffer a great deal of damage depending on the earthquake’s overall strength and any tsunami that follows it.

Because of the potential for damage to these areas, it is a possibility that your boat may become damaged as a result.

Many earthquake-prone areas try to take precautions to minimize the damage done to thriving ports, but they cannot prevent all possible damage stemming from these natural disasters.

Make sure to be aware of storm warnings and have an emergency plan of action should the worst occur.

Related Article: How Long Do Sailboats Last?

Do Earthquakes Affect Cruise Ships?

A cruise is one of the most relaxing vacations that many people will ever have. You can kick back and enjoy several days on the open water with no distractions and no agenda. However, some people hesitate to set foot on a cruise ship to fear what they may experience on the open water.

Many people wonder whether cruise ships are large enough to absorb the potential shock from an earthquake while on the open water.

Could a cruise ship withstand the effects of an earthquake or even a tsunami?

In many cases, this depends on the overall magnitude of the earthquake. Cruise ships are usually able to weather small earthquakes effortlessly, even in port. You may notice some slight swell that makes you stumble a little bit or give you a sensation of seasickness.

However, a larger earthquake may be more notable for its sound than its actual physical impact on the ship.

Keep in mind that a cruise ship is usually pretty far from the coast as it navigates from one locale to the next. Being farther out on the water is actually a good thing if a natural disaster strikes.

You are far less likely to feel the effects of an earthquake or a tsunami if your cruise ship is away from the coast.

Related Article: How Much Gas Do Boats Use? 5 Boat Types Explained

Are Tsunamis Dangerous to Ships?

Perhaps even worse than the earthquake itself is the tsunami that can follow. These high waves inundate the coast and pound everything in their wake. It seems impossible that this natural disaster would not pose a problem for your ship. They can crash against the shore for some time while you sit back helplessly and watch.

There are several different ways to approach an impending tsunami. The first is to make sure that your boat is at least 1000 meters away from the shore.

If you are already on the open water when a tsunami warning is issued, the best idea is for you to stay exactly where you are .

You will probably not feel the tsunami as badly on the water.

Tsunami waves often cannot be identified from the open water. Even if things feel calm and safe, you should avoid returning to port until the radio declares it safe.

If your boat is still in the marina when the warning is issued, you should leave it where it is at. Risking your life to avoid damage to your boat is not an effective trade-off. You will likely find that you cannot maneuver the boat out to sea fast enough to avoid the tsunami waves’ effects.

It is inevitable for those who have boats in the marina that you will see some potentially serious damage following a tsunami. The waves themselves can certainly cause harm to the boat, but they can also damage the dock. You may find that your ship suffered collateral damage as the infrastructure of the marina gave way.

Do not return to the marina with your ship or head to the dock to check on your ship until you are given the all-clear on the radio .

You never know what type of damages might await you, and you need to take all the necessary precautions for your own safety.

While it may be tempting to witness the damage firsthand, this is best avoided.

Related Article: How Do You Find the Owner of a Boat? (With Examples)

Can I Protect My Boat From Earthquakes?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a whole lot that can be done to protect your boat from potential earthquakes or tsunamis. Unlike many other natural disasters such as hurricanes and tornados, scientists cannot predict an earthquake’s timing or severity far enough in advance.

Because there are no clear answers on when an earthquake can strike, you never know when to navigate your boat away from dry land.

While it is impossible to protect your boat from a future earthquake, there are a lot of things you can do to make your life easier if something happens. Try taking some of these steps to give yourself peace of mind.

Instead, you can be prepared to face the potential damages that may occur.

Be sure to take pictures of the boat regularly for documentation and insurance purposes. Keep your original service records in your home instead of in your boat.

Take note of the HIN (Hull Identification Number) and other identifying details. These should be stored somewhere safe so that you can easily find them in the event of an emergency. For example, you may need them if your boat accidentally comes loose in the marina and floats away during an earthquake.

Final Thoughts

Just because being on the open water during an earthquake is a safer option, that does not mean you should seek out the open ocean when an earthquake occurs.

This only applies to those already on open water, far from shore, and a safe distance from the disaster zone.

Be safe, keep track of your boat and the damages it already has, and always, always have a backup plan or emergency plan if disaster strikes.

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Norwegian Cruise Line

What happens on board during an earthquake?

By catnanny , January 20, 2010 in Norwegian Cruise Line

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If the ship is at sea, it will have no effect whatsoever.

It's the land that moves, not the ocean.

What happens? Have you seen the movie "The Poseidon Adventure"? :eek:

That is what does NOT happen. ;)

First of all, there are no stupid questions. There are only stupid if you don't ask them.

A quake at see would have very little effect on the ship. If you were in port there may be a small raise and fall in wave action unless a tidal wave is created. If there is enough warning, most boats head for deeper water. Usually the wave surge does not effect ship at sea, only ones in shallow water.

DS experienced an earthquake while tied up in St. Lucia in the Caribbean, Nov 2007. Since the ship was tied to the dock it transferred the earthquake motion to the ship. The tie lines jerked and the ship bumped into the pier - enough motion to wake DS up from a nap but luckily not enough to cause any damage to the ship. He said he knew something was wrong but wasn't sure what had happened right away. Turned out it was a 7.3 earthquake.

If you are at sea you will not feel it. Imagine a cork in a bowl of water. Tip the bowl and the cork won't move. Same idea but the ship is the cork and the bowl the ocean.

Now tie the cork to the edge of the bowl and tip the bowl. The cork's motion will be caught up short and jerk or bounce into the side of the bowl. That's the ship tied to the pier.

That was a great question and we all got great answers. Thanks for asking it!:)

Thanks to all who answered. I'll rest easier now that I know that the ship will not be jumping all around in the water. Perhaps I'll not spend much time in buildings while in ports, though. I just can't stop thinking of those in Haiti. It seems that just about every year there is a deadly natural event that occurs somewhere in the world. Of course, there are all the unnatural ones that take thousands of lives, too.

Safe sailing to all. Thanks.

JohnIreland

The only issue would be from an undersea earthquake , this may cause a Tsunami.

If this should happen, everyone is suppose to go and sit on the pot, count to 10, and flush the toilet. This huge force will elevate the ship out of the water and no damage will result.;)

Even a tsunami shouldn't bother a cruise ship at sea - the wave heights do not get to be significant until it hits a shore.

I was on a cruise ship about 60 miles north of Haiti when the quake struck last week and I certainly didn't know anything about it until I heard it on the news.

LOL That was GREAT!. Loved your response.

Even a tsunami shouldn't bother a cruise ship at sea - the wave heights do not get to be significant until it hits a shore. I was on a cruise ship about 60 miles north of Haiti when the quake struck last week and I certainly didn't know anything about it until I heard it on the news.

The issue would only occur if the ship was docked , or in very shallow water going into port.

At sea there would be no issue.

newmexicoNita

you wouldn't even be aware of anything if at sea.

and no you are not stupid for asking. If you have never experienced an earthquake you wouldn't have a clue.

If the ship is at sea' date=' it will have no effect whatsoever. It's the land that moves, not the ocean.[/quote'] If this should happen, everyone is suppose to go and sit on the pot, count to 10, and flush the toilet. This huge force will elevate the ship out of the water and no damage will result.;)

True, but for the fact that one should not flush, while seated. It is a vacuum system, after all.... :eek::eek::eek:

InTheCruisingYearsOfLife

What happens? Have you seen the movie "The Poseidon Adventure"? That is what does NOT happen. ;)

You mean that when a major earthquake strikes we DON'T have to endure Maureen McGovern singing There's Got To Be A Morning After ? Thank heavens!

(PS: suggestion: donate to earthquake relief in Haiti, through World Vision, Mercy Corp, American Red Cross, or some other reputable organization. Don't get scammed by opportunistic eLooter vermin.)

Two questions: Count to ten of what? And if the force is so huge as to cause the ship to thrust up out of the heaving bossom of the ocean, won't that mean that a whole bunch of toilets are going to get thrust up around a whole bunch of roosting derrieres?

And the other poster said there are no dumb questions, eh?

True...but that wouldn't affect a ship at sea either. Tsunami are only destructive as it approaches the shorelines. It's undetectable at sea on a ship...it's just another swell in the ocean.

I'll have to buy you a drink on the Spirit for that one!:D

What about a rouge wave?

I agree Lena - You can buy him one from me also!;)

Rouge waves can occur anywhere in deep water. They are not caused by earthquakes.

That would depend on the location and other things BUT in the 64 Alaska quake there was a freighter in port and a sailor on board taking video at the time it struck, ALL the water drew out of the bay and the ship tipped half way onto it's side. THEN the water in the form of a sunami came back into the bay and flooded the entire port, the ship was pushed onto the shore and ended up a ways inland.

So do not think just because you are on a ship you are okay.

Granted if you are OUT to sea and quake hits in the ocean a sunami would be created but would have little effect on the ship AT SEA.

A few years back, we were on a ship about an hour out of grand Caymon and there was an undersea earth quake----we didn't know this right away. The ship made a loud sound and jerked a little. All the waiters went running to the windows and looked out, but they saw nothing. So we all wondered what happened. Sometime later, the captain, announced that we felt an underwater earth quake, a first for him also. Nothing else was said or done. A couple that had gotten off in GC because of health reasons---wife was in the hospital and DH was sitting outside on a bench and he was almost thrown from the bench but all was ok.

I will take you up on that!!! Make it a Bud Light!!:D

To the OP. I wasn't trying to make light of your question, just acting silly.:) Hopefully, I haven't offended anyone. If I have, I certainly do apologize.

Hey! A Rouge Wave won the NCAA football title. Well, Ok, a Crimson Tide, but still, they sound sorta similar.:D

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

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15 Alaska cruise mistakes you never want to make

F or many, an Alaska cruise is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You don't want to screw it up because you might not get the chance for a do-over. Unfortunately, it's easier than you think to make Alaska cruise mistakes that can ruin a trip or prevent you from experiencing Alaska to the fullest.

While cruises to the Last Frontier are not polar-cruise-level adventures, they require more careful planning than for a Mexico or Caribbean sailing. You need to get all the details right, from booking the cruise and packing your bags to what to do and see during your cruise.

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

Here's a list of things you should never do on an Alaska cruise. Avoid these Alaska cruise mistakes, and you'll be on your way to a smooth sailing.

Alaska cruise planning mistakes to avoid

No matter how many times you've cruised before, you might be shocked at how much planning you need to do for an Alaska sailing. Get these things wrong, and you might miss out on your big Alaska cruise experience.

Assume all Alaska cruises are the same

This is an easy mistake to make on your first Alaska cruise. However, matching your ship and itinerary to your expectations and travel style is crucial for a successful trip.

Are you looking for a full day of glacier time? Try a midseason sailing that visits Glacier Bay National Park . Early and late-season cruises might be unable to access the glaciers on their itineraries due to ice floes.

Want to see whales? A round-trip Alaska cruise in June is ideal. Do you want to fish for salmon? You'll want to book at the peak of the salmon fishing season, from mid-June to mid-August. Ketchikan is the salmon capital of the world, and while most cruises stop there, a few don't, so make sure it's on the itinerary if you wish to fish.

Are you taking kids on your Alaska cruise? Big ships often have more for kids to do on board, which might be more important than where the ship goes. Expedition-style cruises may have less for youngsters but appeal to independent teens. These voyages offer a more intimate and close-up Alaska experience, with outings on kayaks and Zodiac boats that launch directly from the ship.

Wait to book excursions

You don't have to worry about booking tours in advance in some cruise destinations. Alaska cruises are not like that.

Alaska shore excursions fill up fast. It's worse in midsummer, but even on shoulder season sailings, you may not find space on the excursions you hoped to do if you wait until you're on the ship to book. The only solution is to sign up for tours as early as possible.

Does this mean you shouldn't take advantage of last-minute Alaska cruise deals if you find them? Of course not. Snap those babies up — just come prepared with a list of second and third choices of excursions, just in case.

Related: Tips for booking the best cruise shore excursion for your money

Overlook independent excursions

You don't have to stick with ship-sponsored shore excursions in every port in Alaska. On my last Alaska cruise, we booked kayaking independently for our stop in Ketchikan. It was one of the best experiences of the entire cruise. The company picked us up and dropped us off at the cruise ship. We were guaranteed an on-time return to the ship and paid far less than for the ship's kayaking excursions.

If you want to check out independent tours , you can find several Alaska excursion aggregators online or deal directly with independent businesses. Make sure you inquire about tour timing and leave a buffer so you won't miss your ship even if there's traffic or a delay.

Book same-day flights on embarkation day or early flights home

You don't want to find yourself stuck in an airport because of a flight delay when you should be boarding your cruise. To avoid this problem, book your flights to arrive the day before your cruise departs rather than the same day.

If you think it can't happen to you, listen to my most recent flight horror story. I was on not one but two flights on the same day, where minor mechanical problems caused deplaning and two-hour delays. I should have landed at my destination at 11:30 a.m. but didn't arrive until after 5 p.m. Had that been embarkation day, my ship would have sailed without me.

Similarly, it's always best to book departing flights home for the afternoon in case the ship is delayed returning to port or is not cleared by authorities on time. If you're flying in or out of Anchorage, know that all transportation options include several hours of travel from the ports of Seward and Whittier; you might consider overnighting in Anchorage either pre- or post-cruise to play it safe.

Skip the travel insurance

Airline issues aside, Alaska can be a wee bit hazardous. You will encounter slippery slopes and rocky roads — and that's just walking through Alaska port towns. You might be participating in more daring activities than normal, such as flying in helicopters, hiking across glaciers, kayaking icy waters or zip lining through forests. It's easy for something to go wrong.

On my last Alaska cruise, I heard about two passenger emergencies. A kid broke an arm on the ship and needed surgery, so a family of five disembarked in Ketchikan — not exactly a cheap end to their vacation, I'm guessing. Later in the sailing, a sick passenger was airlifted directly off the ship by the Canadian Coast Guard before we made it to Victoria.

If you live in the U.S., your health insurance is most likely valid in Alaska. You'll be covered for medical expenses but not the other expenses associated with any injury that interrupts your cruise. Travel insurance is the way to go unless you want to pay for flight changes and medical evacuation out of pocket.

Related: The best cruise travel insurance plans

Alaska cruise packing mistakes to avoid

Packing for an Alaska cruise can be tricky. The region's unpredictable weather means it can be rainy and 50 degrees one day, then sunny and 85 degrees the next. Mix in boat rides and glacier watching from the ship at 6 a.m., and you have a complicated packing job ahead of you. Don't make these Alaska cruise packing mistakes.

Forget your rain gear

Rule No. 1 on Alaska cruises: Pack rain gear. It might not rain one drop on your cruise, but chances are good that the weather will be wet at some point on your trip. When it does, you'll want the right gear to stay dry and not be drippy and miserable.

Waterproof shoes or boots are a must. For extra protection, spray them with a water-repellant sealer before you pack. You can stow lightweight raincoats or ponchos and pull-on rain pants in your backpack during excursions when you don't need them.

Skimp on layers

Layers are the only way to dress on an Alaska cruise. Start with thin, base-layer undergarments that won't bulk up your clothes and are comfortable even if the day turns out warmer than expected. The final layers of outerwear should be lightweight because you may need to stuff them in your backpack for half the day as the temperature rises.

I especially like puffy vests and jackets for Alaska. You can shed the jacket as temperatures allow, then lose the vest if it gets even warmer. Top everything with caps, knit hats, earmuffs and gloves. Those things might be excessive for a stroll through town but important in the wind on a whale watching boat.

Related: Cruise packing list: The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

Overpack on eveningwear

The dress code on most Alaska cruises is more relaxed than in other cruise destinations. Days are long and outdoorsy, leaving people less enthusiastic about rushing back to the ship to put on fancy clothes and dress shoes.

Trade out your hiking shoes for comfy flats or dress sneakers. Jazz up casual, neutral-colored slacks (even jeans) or skirts with jackets or scarves. You can leave the formalwear and high heels at home.

Cheap out on insect repellant

Mosquitoes in Alaska aren't always a nuisance, but they can be horrendous. Pack insect repellant and full-coverage clothing as though you were planning to visit a rainforest ... because you are.

If you don't plan on checking a bag, pick up bug spray in your departure city or first port of call.

Leave the binoculars and cameras at home

One question I get asked often is whether you can see whales and other wildlife from the ship. The answer is a resounding yes. Unfortunately, much of what you will see is from a distance.

You can solve that problem with a pair of lightweight binoculars. They're also useful for getting a close-up view of glaciers or spotting eagles in port. Consider bringing a pair for everyone in your group because you don't want to fight over one pair when a pod of whales comes into view.

As for cameras, I recommend that everyone in your travel group has a water-resistant camera or a waterproof smartphone case or pouch. I lean toward cameras rather than phones for two reasons. One, most cameras dropped into the depths of an Alaskan bay pose a less traumatic loss than most smartphones. My second reason is in the next section.

Related: Can you use your cellphone on a cruise?

Mistakes to avoid during your Alaska cruise

Once you're on board your ship, it's time to put all the stress of planning and packing behind you. You've made it, and you don't want to let anything get in the way of enjoying your cruise.

Stare at your phone too much

An Alaska cruise is the ideal time to hit pause on your digital life. Sure, you want to capture the amazing scenery, but you know what? Few of the pictures you take will accurately portray the scale of the beauty of Alaska.

The photos you'll enjoy most when you look back next year are the ones of your travel partners enjoying the trip. Take those, then spend your time soaking up the enchantment of this place. The news, the email correspondence and your Instagram followers can take a back seat until you're back home.

Assume the seas will be smooth

Don't be surprised if you feel seasick in Alaska's waters, even if no other cruise has made you feel that way. Cruising through the Inside Passage is generally calm, but the open waters of the Pacific Ocean can be choppy. Even the bays can churn up quickly during summer storms.

Ships also do a lot of maneuvering, including turning complete circles designed to give everyone on board access to the amazing views. Unfortunately, those tight turns can contribute to nausea for some people.

Prepare by packing motion sickness relief bands you place on pressure points on your wrists, prescription scopolamine transdermal patches, ginger candies, over-the-counter seasickness medications and herbal motion sickness patches. I've used these for years, with only one failure on a rather small ship.

You can also treat the woozies with seasickness tablets, which are often available free at the medical center or guest services, green apples from the buffet and ginger ale from your ship's friendly bartenders.

Related: How to avoid seasickness on your next cruise

Spend all your time indoors

You packed all those clothing layers — now's the time to use them. The coldest part of your Alaska cruise will likely be while the ship cruises through can't-miss scenery. Don't wimp out in an observation lounge. Bundle up and head outside to fully take in the view. Your balcony may give you an edge over the folks in interior rooms, but you won't get a 360-degree vista unless you're out on the top deck.

The best souvenir advice I've received is to buy a cozy throw or blanket at your first port stop. It won't cost a fortune and will serve a purpose for the rest of the cruise. Picture yourself cozy and warm in your fuzzy Alaska souvenir blanket, sipping hot chocolate while watching glaciers calving. Once home, you'll remember your epic vacation every time you snuggle up on the couch.

Sleep through your vacation

This is not a cruise you want to sleep through — and even if that's your plan, you may have difficulty accomplishing it. Long hours of daylight, excursions and glacier viewings that start early and even your own fear of missing out can have you out of bed early and staying up later than you might on any other cruise.

Sleep apps and eye masks may help with the daylight situation. I also find that Alaska cruises are ideal for ordering room service meals. It definitely saves time before morning excursions and can provide a bit of downtime in your cabin for lunch or dinner on occasion.

Fail to try something new

Your Alaska cruise offers many opportunities to try things you might never have the chance to do again. You could walk on glaciers, snorkel in a dry suit in the frigid Alaska waters or play with sled dog puppies. Or, how about riding in a sled pulled by sled dogs? We already mentioned salmon fishing, which is surprisingly fun, even if you'd never go fishing at home.

The array of things to try in Alaska can be as tame or as adventurous as you want — it's the joy of discovery that's key. I once kayaked in Ketchikan with a woman on her first solo cruise in Alaska. She'd never kayaked before. When our marine biologist guide pulled a sea cucumber from the crystal-clear waters to show us, she squealed with delight when he offered to let her hold it. That's the kind of joy you cruise to Alaska to experience.

Bottom line

You can avoid the most common Alaska cruise mistakes with a little extra planning.

The goal is to have the Alaska cruise experience you and your travel companions long for. Achieve that by choosing an itinerary that gets you to the things you want to see and do, shopping early for excursions (especially the ones you have your heart set on) and packing gear and clothes that will keep you comfy during your Alaska adventure.

Everything else is about stepping outside, breathing in the shockingly clean air and enjoying the cruise.

Planning an Alaska cruise? Start with these stories:

Everything you need to know about booking a trip to Alaska with points and miles
The 9 best Alaska cruises for every type of traveler in 2024
6 best Alaska cruises for families
20 must-have cruise items — including a roll of duct tape

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.

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Holland America Line Set to Debut New ‘Glacier Day’ and Enhanced Alaska-Focused Experiences on Every Alaska Cruise in 2024

Culinary highlights include Alaska dishes by Fresh Fish Ambassador Chef Morimoto and new Alaska-themed cocktails by acclaimed bartender Sam Ross

Seattle, Wash., April, 17, 2024 — Holland America Line is debuting “Glacier Day” on its Alaska cruises as it rolls out new programming within its "We Love Alaska” on board experience. The new offerings include Alaska Up Close presentations as well as culinary and beverage experiences to help foster a deeper connection to the people, history and culture of the state. The 2024 season kicks off April 27 from Vancouver and May 4 from Seattle.

“Holland America Line continues to focus on bringing regional and local experiences on board every cruise, with our Alaska sailings leading the way in authentic programming, localized cuisine, and now special events like ‘Glacier Day’,” said Beth Bodensteiner, chief commercial officer of Holland America Line. “We continue to cultivate like-minded partnerships and fine-tune everything from cocktails to wildlife maps to ensure our guests are completely immersed in all facets of Alaska.”

Alaska Season Itineraries and Cruisetours

Through September 2024, guests can embark on Holland America Line’s Alaska cruises and Cruisetours from Vancouver and Seattle aboard Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Westerdam and Zaandam. In addition to seven-day itineraries, guests can take longer 14-day cruises and a new 28-day Arctic Circle Solstice Legendary Voyage that includes 12 Alaska ports.

Cruisetours range from nine to 18 days and include a one-, two- or three-day visit to Denali National Park. Select Cruisetours also include a journey into the wilds of Canada’s Yukon. Holland America Line remains the only cruise line that offers overland tours to the Yukon combined with an Alaska cruise and Denali experience.

‘Glacier Day’ Puts a Spotlight on Alaska’s Majestic Glaciers

As a leader in Alaska cruising, Holland America Line offers more glacier experiences than any other cruise line. The new Glacier Day includes sighting times, scenic commentary, presentations, informational viewing stations, photo opportunities, Dutch Pea Soup on deck, Glacier Ice cocktails, insightful talks by Glacier Bay National Park Rangers and Huna cultural interpreters, an open bow for viewing, and more.

Every Alaska cruise includes a visit to one or more of Alaska’s iconic glacier destinations: Glacier Bay National Park , Hubbard Glacier , Dawes Glacier , and the Twin Sawyer Glaciers of Tracy Arm . Shore excursions also offer the opportunity to visit additional glaciers, including Mendenhall and Portage glaciers.

Serving Fresh Fish in Alaska

Holland America continues to build on its groundbreaking Global Fresh Fish program, which includes being the only cruise line with Alaska seafood certified sustainable by the Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) and bringing locally sourced fresh fish from port to plate in less than 48 hours. In addition to the seafood and other local delicacies served on the menus, ships in Alaska will serve three exclusive dishes created by the brand’s Fresh Fish Ambassador Chef Morimoto: Fresh Black Cod Yuzu, Morimoto Epice Lobster and Fresh Halibut XO.

A new Alaska Seafood Boil will be offered once per cruise in Lido Market for a surcharge. The foodie feast will serve Ivar’s Northwest-Style Clam Chowder, Dungeness Cruise Clusters, Alaska Salmon, Penn Cove Clams, Penn Cove Mussels and a Shrimp Bucket, with Triple Berry Crisp and vanilla ice cream for dessert.

Offered once per cruise, all dishes on the Alaska Brunch menu in the Dining Room were created with the influence of fresh, local Alaskan and Pacific Northwest ingredients. The selections range from sweet to savory and include Alaskan Blueberry Pancakes, Salmon & Potato Chowder, Wild Forest Mushroom and Tarragon Crepes, Kodiak Steak and Egg Skillet, Crab and Hot Smoked Salmon Cakes, Biscuits with Gravy and Alaskan Reindeer Sausage, and Home Smoked Gulf of Alaska Cod Benny.

Bartender Sam Ross Creates Alaska Cocktails

Acclaimed bartender Sam Ross created a menu of exclusive cocktails that will be featured in the bars on all Alaska ships: Juneau AK, Klondiker, PNW Penicillin, Mosquito, Midnight Sun and Frontier Champagne Flip. Ross was the 2011 “U.S. Bartender of the Year” and his flagship bar, Attaboy, won the 2022 award for “Best Bar in the U.S.” by The World’s 50 Best Bars. Ross is credited with creating two of the most famous modern classic cocktails: Penicillin and Paper Plane.

New Exclusive ‘Killer Whale Pale Ale’ Available On Board

Holland America Line is debuting a new “Killer Whale Pale Ale” on all Alaska cruises. The beer was produced in collaboration with Pike Brewing – Seattle’s oldest craft brewery – and features notes of honey, citrus and tropical fruits. The label artwork was created in collaboration with Native Artist Rico Worl , a member of the Tlingit and Athabascan community, who also designed the Native artwork featured on the Alaska menus. The Killer Whale Pale Ale label represents the food chain in the Pacific Northwest, with a seal deftly maneuvering out of the grasp of a killer whale.

More Wildlife Viewing than Any Other Cruise Line

Alaska is synonymous with stunning wilderness, and Holland America Line offers more ways to see wildlife in its natural habitat. Alaska ships carry an expert on board to help guests witness the majestic animals found in the region, and a Wildlife Spotting Guide points out the native animals found along the cruise route and includes a map with the best places to see each species. Ashore, Holland America Line offers nearly 180 shore excursions to see species of all kinds.

On Deck for a Cause Continues to Support Alaska’s Parks

Holland America Line will continue to donate proceeds from its “On Deck for a Cause” charitable event aboard ships in the region to Alaska Geographic , the nonprofit education partner of Alaska’s parks, forests, refuges and conservation lands. Called “On Deck for a Cause: Alaska’s Parks,” guests on all Alaska cruises will be invited to donate $25 to participate in a noncompetitive 5K fundraising walk aboard every sailing. Funds raised through “On Deck for a Cause: Alaska’s Parks” will go to support education, science and research in Alaska’s parks. The 2023 Alaska season raised more than $100,000 for Alaska Geographic.

Standby Program Offers Reduced Rates for Seattle and Vancouver Cruises

Guests with easy access to Seattle or Vancouver have an opportunity to cruise to Alaska at a reduced rate of $49 per person, per day with Holland America Line’s Standby program. Travelers who sign up for a cruise are alerted between seven and two days before departure if they will be sailing. Solo cruisers also only pay $49 per day and do not incur a single supplement for a double stateroom.

IMAGES

Watch moment cruise ship crashes into Alaska dock causing $2 million of
Alaska's Good Friday earthquake in shocking images, 1964
Damage to Norwegian cruise ship that crashed into an iceberg in Alaska
Earthquake Alaska 1964 : On This Day Great Alaska Earthquake And
No reports of damage or injuries from Alaska earthquake
Damage to Norwegian cruise ship that crashed into an iceberg in Alaska

VIDEO

7.0 Earthquake: Alaska
ACTUAL FULL VIDEO (EARTHQUAKE) APRIL 22, 2019 at LUBAO, PAMPANGA
Alaska earthquake triggers panic, tsunami warning
RAW: Home footage captures powerful Anchorage, Alaska earthquake
Alaska 2018 Earthquake
Great Alaska Earthquake, 1964—Magnitude 9.2 —Causes & Effects

COMMENTS

See the Harrowing Footage of a Massive Wave Slamming into a Cruise Ship
The clip above features a cruise ship called P&O Adonia as it encountered a massive wave off of Australia. ... Alaska during the year 1958. The wave was triggered by a 7.8 earthquake that turned ...
Repaired Ruby Princess makes it to Alaska as passengers share updates
Originally there were 3,256 passengers going on the cruise, but after the collision only 2,677 guests decided to stay on the ship, according to Princess Cruises. The crew number remained the same ...
Princess Cruises ship that crashed into San Francisco pier cleared for
The ship was returning from a 10-day cruise to Alaska when it slammed into San Francisco's Pier 27, a large dock on the waterfront of The Embarcadero that hosts cruise ships leaving and arriving ...
What Happens to Your Cruise When Natural Disasters Strike?
The Alaskan low seasons are April to May (small-ship line Alaska Dream Cruises offers Alaska itineraries as early as March) ... On top of that, the region suffered a 5.1 earthquake. While these ...
7.2-magnitude earthquake strikes near Alaska Peninsula, prompting brief
Mom accused of leaving kids home alone for cruise. Apr 12, 1:54 PM. OJ Simpson dies at 76. Apr 11, 6:32 PM. ... A 9.2-magnitude earthquake in the Alaska-Aleutian Trench on March 27, 1964, was the ...
7.2-magnitude earthquake recorded in Alaska, triggering brief tsunami
July 16, 2023 / 8:38 AM EDT / CBS/AP. A 7.2 magnitude earthquake triggered a brief tsunami advisory for southern Alaska late Saturday, but the advisory was canceled about an hour later, monitoring ...
Tsunami warning canceled following strong earthquake off Alaska
A tsunami warning issued late Saturday after a strong earthquake off the Alaska Peninsula has now been lifted. The magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit roughly 60 miles south of Sand Point at 10:48 p.m ...
Seattle journalist describes impacts of Alaska's 'cruise ship invasion'
The first cruise ship of the 2022 season arrives in Juneau on April 23, 2022. (Photo by Paige Sparks/KTOO) April brings the start of Alaska's cruise ship season.
7.2 earthquake strikes off southern Alaskan coast
The earthquake hit offshore about 55 miles southwest from Sand Point, Alaska, at a depth of 13 mi. on Saturday around 10:48 p.m. local (2:48 a.m. ET), according to the US Tsunami Warning Center.
7.2 earthquake off Alaska triggers brief tsunami advisory
July 16, 2023, 2:01 PM UTC. By Associated Press. A 7.2 magnitude earthquake triggered a brief tsunami advisory for southern Alaska late Saturday, but the advisory was canceled about an hour later ...
Earthquake strikes Alaska at end of cruise season
September 2, 2011. 3shares. At the tail end of the 2011 cruise season, Alaska suffered a major 7.1 magnitude earthquake this morning at 6:55 am ET. Currently there's no reports of any major ...
Tsunami concerns ease following 7.2 earthquake off Alaska Peninsula
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake off the Alaska Peninsula on Saturday night led to a tsunami warning being issued for a broad swath of Alaska's coastline from the Aleutians to the mouth of Cook Inlet ...
Alaska earthquake & tsunami: Alert lifted, after 7.9 magnitude quake
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- A 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck off Alaska's Kodiak Island early Tuesday, ... In the popular cruise ship town of Seward, about 110 miles south of Anchorage, Fire Chief Eddie ...
Alaska Earthquake 8.0
An 8.0-magnitude earthquake struck at 1:53 p.m. in Alaska, prompting a tsunami warning for the U.S. Pacific coast. A preliminary report indicated the quake was a 7.1 magnitude. That was revised minutes later to 8.0 by the U.S. Geological Survey. The NWS reported that water was leaving the harbor of the city of Adak, Alaska, at 3:23 p.m.
Were Cruise Ships Affected By Alaska Earthquake
Find out if cruise ships were affected by the Alaska earthquake. Despite the magnitude of the quake, cruise ships in the area remained safe and continued on their planned itineraries. Get the details here.
Did anyone on the Alaska cruise this week feel the earthquake?
I remember I embarked on a cruise the same day as the massive earthquake and subsequence tsunami in Japan in March 2011. They were unsure of what the effects would be on the west coast (some smaller boats did actually capsize from rough waves) so the ship stayed out at sea.
Alaska is ready for another record-breaking cruise season
Carnival Cruise Line is staying with a three-ship deployment in Alaska this season. Sharing the workload of 55 roundtrips generally lasting seven to 11 days are Carnival Spirit (2,610 passengers ...
Your Alaskan Cruise Is Possible Because Canada Blew Up an Underwater
This obstacle, invisible from the surface, posed a hazard to the bottom of ships as well as creating waves and whirlpools, the CBC writes. In total, Ripple Rock damaged or sunk 20 large ships and ...
Alaska
Earthquakes in Alaska center principally in two seismic zones. The most important is the Aleutian Island Arc, one of the planet's most active seismic areas, which extends about 2,500 miles, from Fairbanks in central Alaska through the Kenai Peninsula to the Near Islands. It maintains a width of nearly 200 miles throughout most of the zone.
Undersea quake sends Alaskans fleeing from feared tsunami
In the popular cruise-ship town of Seward, about 110 miles (177 kilometers) south of Anchorage, Fire Chief Eddie Athey said the quake felt like a gentle rattle that lasted for up to 90 seconds. ... The Alaska Earthquake Information Center categorized the shaking as light. The quake was a type that usually produces less vertical motion, which ...
Earthquake During a Cruise?
During the Honolulu earthquake in 2006, we were just approaching the pier in Honolulu, when the street lights visible in the bow camera monitors started swinging, and we felt a "bump" on the ship, a lot like when a tug hits a little too hard. Other than that, nothing. And this was a 6.8 quake about 20 miles off the Big Island.
Can a cruise ship feel the impacts of tsunamis, earthquakes?
Experts agree that a cruise ship sailing out over a body of water is not likely to feel any impacts from a tsunami's waves. "Generally, if you're in deep ocean, there's no way that you can ...
How to sail the Alaska Marine Highway
The easiest way to book an Alaska Marine Highway trip is online. The website is run by the State of Alaska and has its kinks, but reservation agents are very helpful on the phone (1-800-642-0066). If you choose a multiday sailing, like to Dutch Harbor, a stateroom is much desired over sleeping in the main common areas or on deck.
Alaska to Have Record Cruise Capacity in 2024
Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International, which operate some of the largest cruise ships in the destination, are also planning strong programs in Alaska in 2024. Norwegian Cruise Line will dedicate four vessels to the region, including its two largest ships, the Norwegian Encore and the Norwegian Bliss. Built between 2018 and ...
Boats & Earthquakes: 6 Facts You Should Know (Explained)
Although sailors are capable of feeling the impacts of an earthquake, damage to the ship is typically uncommon. It is relatively safe to be on a boat during an earthquake and the potential aftereffects. Boats are actually much safer on the open waters if a tsunami occurs after the earthquake. However, this does not mean that you should attempt ...
What happens on board during an earthquake?
Posted January 20, 2010. The only issue would be from an undersea earthquake , this may cause a Tsunami. If this should happen, everyone is suppose to go and sit on the pot, count to 10, and flush the toilet. This huge force will elevate the ship out of the water and no damage will result.;)
Seattle's 2024 Cruise Season Kicks Off 25 Years of Sailing to Alaska
The 2024 cruise season officially kicks off today at the Port of Seattle's Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal at Pier 66. The Port and local officials welcomed Norwegian Bliss for the first sailing of the 25th year of cruises between Seattle and Alaska. As the season gets underway, the Port is hard at work finalizing the electrification of Pier 66 and plans to connect cruise ships to shore ...
15 Alaska cruise mistakes you never want to make
Forget your rain gear. Rule No. 1 on Alaska cruises: Pack rain gear. It might not rain one drop on your cruise, but chances are good that the weather will be wet at some point on your trip. When ...
Holland America Line Set to Debut New 'Glacier Day' and Enhanced Alaska
The 2023 Alaska season raised more than $100,000 for Alaska Geographic. Standby Program Offers Reduced Rates for Seattle and Vancouver Cruises. Guests with easy access to Seattle or Vancouver have an opportunity to cruise to Alaska at a reduced rate of $49 per person, per day with Holland America Line's Standby program. Travelers who sign up ...