Inside Passage from Seattle?

[AZjohn]

Hi Everyone,

Made the mistake of looking at the photo in the thread called “what is this placed called”. The vivid memories hit me of our past Alaska cruise and now I’m searching for cruise for next summer:cool: …lol.

My question, if anyone can help, are there any cruises out of Seattle that run through the inside passage or do we need to embark in Vancouver for that?

Thanks,
John

[Mary Ellen]

To get the most time in the 'inside passage' you'll need to sail from Vancouver. However, none of todays modern cruise ships can sail the true Inside Passage as they are too big for some of the narrow spaces.

Our first cruise was to Alaska in 1980 on the Prinsendam (I), about 9,000 tons if memory serves. There was one place where I could have thrown a rock to either shore from the ship - and I do throw like a girl. NO way is something at least 5x as big going to fit.

That said, we have sailed Alaska 4 more times since that first cruise and the scenery is still wonderful. We have sailed from both Seattle and Vancouver. While I do love Seattle (I'm from the area originally), the scenery is SO much better on the Vancouver cruises. I don't see us ever doing the Seattle itinerary again.

[azalice]

We have cruised out of Vancouver twice and both experiences were quite easy, at the airport as well as Canada Place. Friends just got back from doing the Seattle route (which included Sitka) and they complained quite a bit about the airport traffic and crowds.

[sondrad]

Hi. DH and I just got back from a cruise of the Inside Passage roundtrip from Seattle on the Noordam (a very nice, new ship).

[MissWindyCity]

I just got back from an Inside Passage trip to Alaska on the Oosterdam roundtrip from Seattle. We loved it! :)

I took a zillion pictures of our time in Hubbard Glacier (we got really close) and will be posting them here soon!

[Krazy Kruizers]

The inside passage is GREAT!!! Have done it quite a few times.

[dcsam]

This is something I think 'fools' quite a few people. The cruises out of Seattle may say they are an 'inside passage' cruise, but they really aren't. Rather a 'pseudo' inside passage. Many years ago, my husband and I booked what was termed an inside passage cruise out of Seattle. We kept waiting for the inside scenery to begin - it never did. Not anything like what we experienced when we cruised out of Vancouver. There's a lot of ocean cruising from Seattle. Either one is fine as long as you know what to expect. Also, check the routes the ships take. Study them very carefully if you're planning to cruise the inside passage.
Caroline

[jtl513]

My question, if anyone can help, are there any cruises out of Seattle that run through the inside passage or do we need to embark in Vancouver for that?

Hi. DH and I just got back from a cruise of the Inside Passage roundtrip from Seattle on the Noordam.
I just got back from an Inside Passage trip to Alaska on the Oosterdam roundtrip from Seattle.

Ditto dcsam. IMO, there are no true "Inside Passage" cruises out of Seattle. Although you do go through a bit approaching and leaving Juneau, you do it at night. A BIG disappointment to me in '02, which we will be rectifying in 53 days! :D

[AZjohn]

This is something I think 'fools' quite a few people. The cruises out of Seattle may say they are an 'inside passage' cruise, but they really aren't. Rather a 'pseudo' inside passage. Also, check the routes the ships take. Study them very carefully if you're planning to cruise the inside passage.
Caroline

Yes, I kind of thought that area of coast along Canada was the Inside Passage. It is what I remembered cruising through out of Vancouver and the land was so close to both sides of the ship all day/night long. Just trying to determine the only way to cruise that area is out of Vancouver (which maybe it is).
Thanks,
John

[SeaDays]

The size of your ship is not the issue -- it's mileage.

For example, the Oosterdam sails outside (west of Vancouver Island) from Seattle, while the Zuiderdam sails the true inside route from Vancouver. The ships are physically identical.

The road trip from Seattle to Vancouver is about 120 -130 miles. Not a bad trip by car or bus, but significant to a cruise ship doing 22 knots. To include the expected port visits in Alsaka, this added distance requires that Seattle departures use the Pacific at full speed rather than winding through the passage.

Also consider that a stop in Canada (even short) is needed to satisfy legal requirements for sailings originating from Seattle.

In turn, most U.S. citizens snag better airfares and schedules by using SEATAC.