The Most Convenient Roundtrip Cruises to Alaska Ever

by Jason Leppert
Last updated: 3:00 PM ET, Mon September 12, 2016

If you're a resident of California looking ahead to a future cruise in Alaska, there are two coming up that could not be any more convenient. Both Carnival Cruise Line and Princess Cruises will feature one voyage each to the Last Frontier roundtrip from Los Angeles in 2017 and 2018.

Imagine the benefits of homeport cruising from California, as easy as it is to usually explore Mexico and the domestic coast itself, but to Alaska. Granted these are longer than the typical seven-day roundtrips, but if you can spare 12 or 14 sunups and sundowns, you can make it to the famed Inside Passage without any need to fly.

[READMORE]READ MORE: Carnival Cruise Line Announces New 14-Day Alaskan Cruise[/READMORE]

Just announced for 2017 is Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Journeys voyage - dedicated to special itineraries, not unlike those extended 15-day roundtrip cruises to Hawaii from California - onboard the Carnival Miracle sailing from and returning to the port of Long Beach.

This 14-day sailing first features three relaxing sea days as the ship ventures north to favorite Ketchikan followed by Icy Straight Point for the line's inaugural call there. Sheltered Skagway is the itinerary's third call before a day spent navigating the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Glacier Bay. The capital city of Juneau and intimate Sitka then round out the Alaskan ports before a sea day and stop at Vancouver. Two final sea days on the way back down to California then ensure a cruise core of fun touring opportunities bookended by relaxation.

The special Carnival Miracle roundtrip takes place towards the end of the Alaskan cruise season leaving on September 2, 2017 and returning on September 16.

[READMORE]READ MORE: The Many Reasons an Alaska Cruise Is a Must-Do[/READMORE]

A bit farther out in 2018 is Princess Cruises' abbreviated 12-day roundtrip aboard the Emerald Princess (pictured above) from the port of San Pedro. The classic Alaskan destinations of Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway are similarly showcased, but in order to shave off two days, Icy Straight Point and Sitka are bypassed.

Nonetheless, the Emerald Princess will still traverse the waters of Glacier Bay for a day and also dock at Vancouver during the northern approach. Six total sea days will also be included with the itinerary beginning with two consecutive ones before Canada and one more, as well as three final ones on the return south.

Save for interior and oceanview staterooms, this clearly popular Emerald Princess April 27, 2018 departure, scheduled for the early part of the Alaskan cruise season, is almost entirely sold out.

Carnival Cruise Line and Princess Cruises are the two Carnival Corporation brands to frequently leave from Los Angeles, and Holland America Line is the company's brand that sails regularly from the other Southern Californian homeport of San Diego.

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