The Best Landscape Design Software Options

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• Best in Features – DreamPlan Home Design Software
• TurboFloorPlan Home & Landscape Pro 2020
• What is the best landscape design software?
• What is the best free landscape design software?
• Q: How do I use landscape design software?

Since there are more features, these programs also tend to have a steeper learning curve. Web-based programs run in a browser and are accessible to a broader audience since they don’t require any downloads. However, keep in mind that the majority of landscape design software is optimized for desktop browsers rather than mobile phone browsers. Free programs can help envision the overall layout of a landscape but may not include a large object library to customize the space entirely.

Best in Features – DreamPlan Home Design Software

Click, drag, and drop functions make this software easy to use, even when adjusting more complex features like terrain molding. Users can choose from a limited number of materials, plants, garden furniture, and outdoor leisure items. This free landscape design software is easy to use, its main drawback is the limited product library. For this reason, myGarden is better suited for basic layout planning rather than detailed visualizations. While there may be a learning curve to using this software, it’s still designed with beginners in mind.

TurboFloorPlan Home & Landscape Pro 2020

There are four plans available to users; the first is a free plan that gives 1 user 1 project to work on, with 5 renderings. The free version also has limited furniture and materials for the use to work with. Plus, if you’re a professional or anyone who is planning needing features such as cost estimators and rendering, a paid-for option will be the best option to get your design to the next level. If you want a perfectly accurate rendition of your dream garden, you need a well-stocked object library.

What is the best landscape design software?

As you use Cedreo’s drag-and-drop tools to add the design elements, you’ll see the 3D drawing window update in real time. This tool is meant to be used by homeowners rather than professional contractors. This means that it doesn’t have a complex interface that takes much time to understand how to use.

Marshalls Garden Visualiser (Free)

The landscaping of a home is an integral part of both architecture and design. Think about it, it’s the space that all your neighbors, visitors, and even the homeowners notice first when entering the house. It may be a backyard or the front yard landscape design, a street view, or fenced, regardless, it is the space that adds aesthetic value to a financial real estate investment. With most patio design software, you have to settle for generic and uninspiring features.

Look for a "Download" or "Try Now" button, and follow the on-screen instructions. Ensure your system meets the software's requirements for a smooth installation. Always follow your local laws and regulations when designing a landscape. This includes researching building codes or restrictions and obtaining necessary permits. It's also important to stay current with local weather patterns and note any special considerations based on the climate in your area. Doing research ahead of time can help you avoid potential problems down the road.

Augmented reality app launches for landscape designers - Lawn & Landscape

Augmented reality app launches for landscape designers.

Posted: Tue, 27 Mar 2018 07:00:00 GMT [source]

The one that BEST meets your demands and gives you’re the entire array of tools to create EXACTLY what you want. Yes, Planner 5D and SmartDraw both offer free apps for iOS and Android that are well suited to landscape design. It uses a drag-and-drop method, so it’s super easy to use, and you can simply search the catalog using keywords to find different elements. The ability to add layers, photorealistic textures, and patterns allow you to add your own unique finishing touch to designs. One of the best things about SmartDraw is that it offers a wide variety of templates to help you get started.

Awesome Landscaping Ideas For Your Outdoor Space

It reduces the overhead time spent on administrative tasks, allowing your team to focus more on service delivery. Employees are visibly tracked and workflow statuses are color-coded for an at-a-glance understanding of ongoing operations. Scheduling and route planning, often a tedious process, is tackled effectively by the software. Its features help in strategically positioning your workforce where they’re most needed.

Best landscape design software: for iPad users

The help menu is only ever a click away, and the interface is friendly and inviting. Experience, then, is no barrier to professional 3D landscape design. Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the entries on our best landscape design software list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted. SketchUp Free includes the core 3D modeling software, which is filled with features for users to design a custom landscape. With an intuitive interface, automated building tools, video tutorials, and free customer support, it brings professional-level design software to a more accessible level.

This stand-alone app is compatible with both iOS and Android tablets. Downloading the app is free and offers a limited set of features; to take full advantage of the app and its 18,000-plus-item image library, users can opt in to a monthly subscription. Consider Chief Architect’s Home Designer Suite software to design landscapes, outdoor fixtures, and interior rooms. This paid software is a robust home design software compatible with both Windows and Mac computers.

Fortunately, Cedreo lets you customize many of the design features with a wide variety of surface materials. Choose from different types of stone, brick, concrete, wood, pavers, and more to create almost any style clients would want. Customize the camera perspective, time of day, and exterior lighting. Add details like outdoor furniture and children’s toys to personalize your design. Once you’ve got everything ready, submit it for processing, and the patio design software will create your 3D rendering in just five minutes.

One, if there are any problems with your browser that already make it run slow, it’s going to be difficult to work with this software. Secondly, if you have a particularly complex layout with a tool like a shadow feature worked in, it can sometimes take your browser time to catch up. Virtual Architect provides a comprehensive range of landscaping features. However, it is an on-premise solution that comes with specific requirements, including 8GB RAM, 10GB of hard disk space, and a Windows-compatible mouse.

Once the backyard spaces are identified, you’ll have to consider how to connect them. Pathways can range from larger concrete or wooden walkways to more simple stepping stones. Environment and climate must be considered when designing a functional backyard. Sunny vs shaded areas, annual rainfall, wind, and temperature can dictate many things such as vegetation choices, covered or uncovered patios, drainage, and materials used.

Many customers have a hard time visualizing typical construction plans. The 3D view let our customers get a true feeling of the finished product they will be getting. There are many customizable furniture and household items to give the 3D views a very professional outcome. Having a 3D visualization can greatly improve communication with your clients. They’ll be able to see your ideas in 3D, fully understand your vision, and make a decision. Plus, you can bring the layout to life with an extensive library of surface materials, greenery, and even patio furniture.

Julee Cruise, "Twin Peaks" singer, dies at 65 Los Angeles Times

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• Julee Cruise is best known for her work with David Lynch on ‘Twin Peaks’ and ‘Blue Velvet’
• Twin Peaks Singer Julee Cruise Dies at 65
• South Carolina Plans to Buy Women’s Final Four Center Court
• Spice Girls Reunion Fans (Really, Really) Want Finally Happened
• Personal life

“Mysteries of Love” kicked off a period of collaboration between Cruise, Badalamenti and Lynch that spanned records, stage and screen. The core of the collaboration was the original songs Badalamenti and Lynch wrote for “Floating Into the Night,” Cruise’s 1989 debut album. Much of this music was featured in “Industrial Symphony No. 1,” a Lynch theatrical production at the Brooklyn Academy of Music featuring Cruise, but it found a much wider audience when it appeared in “Twin Peaks,” the surreal soap opera Lynch developed for network television.

Julee Cruise is best known for her work with David Lynch on ‘Twin Peaks’ and ‘Blue Velvet’

Falling Back Into, and Floating With, the Dreamy Musical Sound of 'Twin Peaks' - Remind Magazine

Falling Back Into, and Floating With, the Dreamy Musical Sound of 'Twin Peaks'.

Posted: Sat, 24 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Julee Cruise was a singer who performed the theme to “Twin Peaks” as well as appearing on the show. Cruise's husband, Edward Grinnan, shared the news on Facebook, as first reported by The Guardian. Beyond those collaborations, she also toured with the B-52s, filling in for Cindy Wilson in the 1990s, and performed with Bobby McFerrin.

Twin Peaks Singer Julee Cruise Dies at 65

From 1992 through 1999, Cruise worked as a touring member of the B-52s, while Cindy Wilson was on hiatus. When Sinead O’Connor pulled out of “Saturday Night Live” in May 1990 as a protest over guest host Andrew Dice Clay, Cruise stepped in as a last-minute musical guest. She was drawn to the arts at an early age, acting and playing the French horn while in high school. After graduating from Drake University, she spent time with the Des Moines Symphony but felt pulled toward the theatrical stage. Leaving behind the French horn, she then moved to Minneapolis, where she became part of the Guthrie Theater and, by the early 1980s, was a member of the Children’s Theatre Company. Singer Julee Cruise, best known for her collaborations with David Lynch, most notably via Twin Peaks, has died.

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Julee Cruise, whose gorgeous collaborations with David Lynch elevated projects such as “Blue Velvet” and “Twin Peaks,” has died at 65 years old. Her husband, Edward Grinnant, revealed the news on a B-52’s Facebook page, as first reported by The Guardian. Cruise was an occasional touring member of the band, acting as Cindy Wilson’s stand-in on stretches from 1992 to 1999.

More From the Los Angeles Times

Other notable singles included "Rockin' Back Inside My Heart" (1990) and "If I Survive" (1999) by the band Hybrid, which featured her vocals. In the 1990s, she was a touring member of the B-52's, filling in for Cindy Wilson.[1] Cruise was also a stage actress and appeared in the off-Broadway musicals Return to the Forbidden Planet and Radiant Baby in 2004.[4] Her final album, My Secret Life, was released in 2011. By the mid-1980s, Cruise had relocated to New York, settling in the East Village.

She appeared as Janis Joplin in a production called “Beehive” prior to joining a theatrical workshop from Badalamenti. Badalamenti suggested Cruise as the singer for the resulting “Mysteries of Love,” which featured lyrics by Lynch. The trio reconvened to record Cruise’s debut album Floating Into the Night (1989), a skilful mix of retro 1950s-style influences with dreamy and mysterious textures, all focused around Cruise’s shimmering vocals. The track Falling, with its ominous electric guitar twangs, became a cult phenomenon after Lynch used an instrumental version of it as the theme for his groundbreaking TV show Twin Peaks in 1990. As Falling went to No 7 and No 11 in the UK and US singles charts respectively, Cruise, who was working as a waitress at the time, suddenly found celebrity thrust upon her, not least via an invitation to appear on the TV show Saturday Night Live. Julee Cruise, a singer who brought a memorably ethereal voice to the projects of the director David Lynch — most famously “Falling,” whose instrumental version was the theme for Mr. Lynch’s cult-favorite television show, “Twin Peaks” — died on Thursday in Pittsfield, Mass.

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Cruise divulged on Facebook in 2018 that she had been struggling with systemic lupus erythematosus, the autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack its own tissues. Cruise recorded a second solo album, The Voice of Love, with Lynch and Badalamenti in 1993, and Lynch directed her in an avant-garde one-hour concert film, Industrial Symphony No 1, in 1990. "It was so much fun to be part of something that just went ba-boom!" she told the Los Angeles Times in 2017. "You didn't know it was going to do that. What a nice surprise life takes you on." Cruise first collaborated with Lynch after working as a talent scout for composer Angelo Badalamenti, who had been asked to work on the song Mysteries of Love for the Blue Velvet soundtrack.

In 1991, she covered Elvis Presley’s “Summer Kisses, Winter Tears” for the soundtrack of Wim Wenders’ Until the End of the World. Her third album, The Art of Being a Girl, didn’t come out until 2002. Almost a decade passed before she made her final album, My Secret Life (2011), a collaboration with DJ Dmitry from Deee-lite.

Personal life

She released “The Art of Being a Girl,” her first album of self-penned material, in 2002, then waited nearly a decade to issue “My Secret Life,” a 2011 album produced by DJ Dmitry from Deee-Lite. Cruise’s second album, The Voice of Love (1993), was a further collaboration with Lynch and Badalamenti, much in the same vein as its predecessor. It was not until 2002 that she recorded another solo album, The Art of Being a Girl, this time collaborating with the producer JJ McGeehan, who co-wrote some of the material. Its mix of lilting jazz and cabaret styles with a discreet side order of electronica proved that Cruise was capable of far more than being a mouthpiece for Lynch and Badalamenti. Her part called for her to hang 80ft above the stage wearing a prom dress.

A New Reissue of David Lynch Collaborator Julee Cruise’s Debut Album ‘Floating Into the Night’ Spotlights Their Special Collaboration - Variety

A New Reissue of David Lynch Collaborator Julee Cruise’s Debut Album ‘Floating Into the Night’ Spotlights Their Special Collaboration.

Posted: Mon, 24 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

In projects for the director David Lynch, she brought an eerie, otherworldly style to “Falling” and other songs. Who's making headlines in television, music, movies and more from Hollywood to the Heartland. During an interview with Pitchfork in 2018, Cruise shared her own plans for when she died, saying her family has a cemetery plot in Minneapolis. Aside from singing, Cruise did some acting on Broadway and was an avid dog trainer, NPR reported.

Cruise (and the group Spanic Boys) played in the musical guest spots. Featuring music by Angelo Badalamenti and lyrics by Lynch, an instrumental version of Cruise’s haunting 1989 track “Falling” was used as the theme to Twin Peaks. Julee Ann Cruise (December 1, 1956 – June 9, 2022) was an American singer and actress, known for her collaborations with composer Angelo Badalamenti and film director David Lynch in the late 1980s and early 1990s. She released four albums beginning with 1989's Floating into the Night. The trio worked together on the 1989 album Floating into the Night, with Lynch writing the lyrics and Badalamenti composing the music. The LP included Falling and other songs that would go on to feature in Twin Peaks the following year.

She had been suffering from lupus for several years before her death, and had problems with drugs and alcohol. A few years later, Mr. Badalamenti was engaged by Mr. Lynch, who was still early in his career, as a vocal coach for Isabella Rossellini in the 1986 Lynch movie “Blue Velvet” and ended up writing the score for that film as well. Mr. Lynch and Mr. Badalamenti had written a song for the film that needed a vocalist. Cruise worked again with Lynch and Badalamenti for her 1993 album The Voice of Love, but after that she wouldn't release music again until The Art of Being a Girl (2002) and My Secret Life (2011). Those post-millennium albums, she said, were something of a reaction to time spent in what she called a "boy's club." Cruise was born in December 1956 in Creston, Iowa and worked with Lynch for her album "The Voice of Love," which was released in 1993.

"Very sad news. So, might be a good time to appreciate all the good music she made and remember her as being a great musician, great singer and a great human being." "She will be forever grateful to them. When she first stepped up to the mic with Fred and Kate she said it was like joining the Beatles," he continued. "She will love them always and never forget their travels together around the world. I played her Roam during her transition. Now she will roam forever. Rest In Peace, my love, and love to you all." Cruise’s husband Edward Grinnan confirmed the icon’s death in a touching Facebook tribute. Julee Cruise, a singer best known for her work on David Lynch’s iconic series “Twin Peaks,” has died at 65. "For those of you who go back I thought you might want to know that I said goodby to my wife, Julee Cruise, today," he wrote.

In 2004, Cruise provided vocals alongside Pharrell on Handsome Boy Modeling School’s song “Class System.” Cruise’s final album was 2011’s My Secret Life, a collaboration with Deee-lite’s DJ Dmitry. Grinnan later told NPR that Cruise died by suicide after struggling with “lupus, depression and alcohol and drug addiction”; in 2018 Cruise shared on her Facebook page that she was suffering from systemic lupus and was having difficulty walking and standing. The series premiered on ABC in April 1990 and became a sensation, sweeping Cruise into the spotlight. “Falling,” the vocal variation of Badalamenti’s haunting theme song, reached charts in the U.K.

Julee Cruise, 'Twin Peaks' Theme Song Singer, Dies at 65

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• Surprise ‘Bluey’ Episode Drops on Disney+ This Sunday
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Cruise struggled to find a suitably ethereal vocalist, so decided to have a go at singing the track herself. Musicians paying tribute included singer-songwriter John Grant, who said she was "one of the greatest". She also performed on the soundtrack to his 1986 film Blue Velvet.

Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2022: Photo Gallery

Cruise’s unique vocal stylings attracted a host of collaborators over the years, including DJ Dmitry and the bands Hybrid and Delerium. She can also be heard on Handsome Boy Modeling School’s song “Class System,” which was produced by Prince Paul and features Pharrell Williams. Besides her own music, Cruise also performed with other artists. She toured with The B-52’s as Cindy Wilson’s stand-in from 1992 to 1999, and performed with Bobby McFerrin’s improvisational vocal group Voicestra/CircleSong. She would appear onstage and occasionally collaborate in the studio with a host of other musicians — most prominent of these was an appearance on “White People,” the 2004 album by Handsome Boy Modeling School — but new music from her was rare.

Surprise ‘Bluey’ Episode Drops on Disney+ This Sunday

Cruise also toured occasionally with the B-52’s, filling in for an absent Cindy Wilson. Julee Cruise, the ethereal singer who performed the theme song “Falling” for David Lynch’s surrealistic 1990s soap opera “Twin Peaks,” died Thursday. She was launched into the spotlight through her partnership with the composer Angelo Badalamenti and the film director David Lynch, with whom she first worked on Lynch’s film Blue Velvet (1986).

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Alongside hip-hop beats and electronic treatments, her voice retained its ethereal mystique. In the original series, she performed the songs "Falling" and "The Nightingale" in the pilot and "Rockin' Back Inside My Heart" and "The World Spins" in Episode 14. In the 2017 series, she performed "The World Spins" in Part 17.

Her other big collaboration with Lynch was on his 1986 film Blue Velvet; the soundtrack featured her song "Mysteries of Love." "For those of you who go back I thought you might want to know that I said goodby to my wife, Julee Cruise, today," her husband posted. "She left this realm on her own terms. No regrets. She is at peace. Having had such a varied music career she often said that the time she spent as a B filling in for Cindy while she was having a family was the happiest time of her performing life." Her biggest hit was “Falling,” with music by “Twin Peaks” composer Angelo Badalamenti and lyrics by Lynch. An instrumental version of the song would become the indelible opening theme of “Peaks.” She also appeared on the show several times as a singer at the bar, and her music was included on the show and the soundtrack.

Julee Cruise obituary - The Guardian

Julee Cruise obituary.

Posted: Mon, 13 Jun 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]

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And Europe, while “Floating Into the Night” became a cult hit in the U.S. Cruise often appeared on “Twin Peaks,” singing in the biker bar the Roadhouse, her soft, gentle presence providing a compelling contrast to the roughneck setting. Cruise’s delicate vocals provided a dreamy, eerie counterpoint to the lush orchestrations of Angelo Badalamenti, the composer who was a collaborator of director Lynch. Cruise’s association with Badalamenti and Lynch defined her career, providing her with her breakthrough hit, “Falling” — a variation of Badalmenti’s instrumental “Twin Peaks” theme — and steady work until the end of her life.

David Lynch Shares Tribute to 'Twin Peaks' Singer Julee Cruise - IndieWire

David Lynch Shares Tribute to 'Twin Peaks' Singer Julee Cruise.

Posted: Fri, 10 Jun 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]

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"It's not really about David or Angelo," Cruise told Pitchfork in 2018. "It's about how we're perceived as women and also how we love women. It's about how I watched my predecessors fight — Madonna, Kim Gordon, Kate Pierson, who is a god and a force to be reckoned with. We're not followers, we're front-runners. I came out of the womb with my fists." "I can. Hardly walk. And now it's difficult to stand," she wrote at the time, noting "the pain is so bad I cry and snap at people."

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"No regrets. She is at peace. I played her [the B-52s song] Roam during her transition. Now she will roam forever. Rest In Peace, my love, and love to you all." An instrumental version of her most popular song, "Falling," Lynch used as the theme for his 1990 series, "Twin Peaks." Cruise would also appear as a character in the show and the subsequent film and television revival. Following her 1989 debut album Floating into the Night, which included the Twin Peaks theme “Falling,” Cruise would go on to release additional LPs including The Voice of Love (1993), The Art of Being a Girl (2002) and My Secret Life (2011). Over the years, she would collaborate with such musicians as Moby, the Welsh electronic music group Hybrid, former members of Deee-Lite, Pharrell Williams, and Depeche Mode’s Martin Gore, among others.

Her death was announced on Facebook by husband, the author and editor Edward Grinnan. A cause of death was not disclosed, but Grinnan wrote, “She left this realm on her own terms. She is at peace.” Cruise disclosed in 2018 that she suffered from systemic lupus. Badalamenti then worked with Cruise to compose the music to her first album, 1989’s Floating Into The Night. Some of these tracks were later incorporated into Twin Peaks, including an instrumental version of “Falling,” which, renamed as “Twin Peaks Theme,” won Badalamenti a Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Performance. "She left this realm on her own terms," he wrote of his late wife.

Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Edward Grinnant, Cruise's husband, shared the news of her passing on a B-52's social media page, per The Guardian. Grinnan posted the message on the Facebook page of the band the B-52s. During the 1990s, Cruise often performed with the band, filling in for original co-vocalist Cindy Wilson when needed.

"Having had such a varied music career she often said that the time she spent as a B, filling in for Cindy while she was having a family was the happiest time of her performing life." The Iowa-born Cruise originally studied french horn, then met Lynch’s composer Angelo Badalamenti when the two were working at an off-Broadway theater company in New York’s East Village. The first collaboration between the three was the song “Mysteries of Love,” which ran during the final images of the 1985 film Blue Velvet.

She then took a break from music, and her next album, "The Art of Being a Girl," wasn’t released until 2002. Lynch shared a video on YouTube when he heard the news about Cruise’s death Friday. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

"She left this realm on her own terms. No regrets. She is at peace." Julee Cruise, the singer with the etherial voice who worked with director David Lynch on Twin Peaks and Blue Velvet, died Thursday. In 1991, Cruise's cover of “Summer Kisses, Winter Tears” appeared on the quintessential alternative rock collection of the day, the soundtrack to Wim Wenders’s Until the End of the World. That same year, Cruise performed the song on “Saturday Night Live,” filling in for Sinéad O’Connor, who backed out last minute in protest of the night’s guest host, Andrew Dice Clay. As a recording artist, Cruise released four albums between 1989 and 2011. Her debut, “Floating Into the Night,” included “Falling,” which reached No. 11 on the U.S.

25 BEST Alaska Cruises 2024 Prices + Itineraries: Cruises to Alaska on Cruise Critic

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• Night Alaska Inside PassageDetails
• Alaska Mountains & National Parks
• Best Alaska cruises for families with kids
• Best All-Inclusive Ship
• Best for luxury lovers: Norwegian Encore
• Seabourn Quest

On board, you can purchase honeymoon, wedding and anniversary packages to make your Alaskan adventure extra special. With over 50 cruise ships sailing to Alaska, selecting the perfect Alaska cruise can seem overwhelming. In this article, we’ll go over the nine best Alaska cruises as well as dive into each ship’s unique features so you can make the right decision for you. Sail 500 miles deeper into the Gulf of Alaska and Prince William Sound on our back-to-back Voyage of the Glaciers Alaska cruise.

Night Alaska Inside PassageDetails

If you're interested in Alaska's Gold Rush history, Skagway — 90 miles northwest of Juneau — is a port you shouldn't miss. In fact, it's the gateway to the Klondike and Dawson's mining district in Canada's Yukon territory, where prospectors searched for gold in the late 1890s. The historic district still has a Wild West feel, though that's been a bit commercialized for the modern era.

Alaska Mountains & National Parks

Cicero added, "Disney has the best kids' and teen clubs of any cruise line. They're enormous, filled with epic activities like superhero training and are a great place for kids and teens to make friends." Note that this itinerary is longer than most (and Seabourn also offers weeklong sailings), delivering a far deeper immersion into the state's pristine and less-visited allures. For instance, visiting the Inland Islands, Endicott or Tracy Arm and Wrangell are unbeatable. The same goes for scenic cruising in Misty Fjords, with nearly incomparable beauty. While not an expedition vessel, Seabourn Odyssey hosts about 14 experts on Alaska sailings, including academics, scientists and other wildlife experts. They guide the optional (extra fee) Ventures by Seabourn excursions, such as Zodiac, kayaking, hiking and catamaran tours.

Best Alaska cruises for families with kids

As you'll see below, an Alaskan cruise can cost under $500 per person for some week long trips. Don't forget to check out our Alaska cruise deals page to save even more on your next sailing. Holding just 12 guests, the ship is one of the smallest sailing commercially in Alaska, so it’s able to tuck into areas the mega-ships can’t. From there, guests are flown back to Vancouver, where their itinerary ends.

Best All-Inclusive Ship

Most Alaska itineraries include some "scenic cruising," where your ship sails past incredible natural sights. Alaska cruises offer a wide range of activities in port, with options for active travelers, wildlife lovers, history buffs and shoppers. Whether you're traveling with young kids or require more sedentary recreation, the Alaska cruise ports won't disappoint. These cruise lines, especially on their newer ships, offer something for everyone — as well as a higher caliber of onboard dining than on the cheapest cruises.

Best for luxury lovers: Norwegian Encore

If you want to see landlocked areas, such as Denali National Park, you can tack a cruise line-operated tour onto the beginning or end of your sailing for a seamless land and sea vacation. It's easier than fumbling with multiple train, bus, ferry and hotel reservations to cobble together the same trip on your own. One of the key reasons to cruise Alaska versus taking a land tour is to visit destinations along the Inside Passage that you cannot reach by road. I’m a Florida-based freelance travel and lifestyle journalist who has embarked on more than a dozen cruises, including several to Alaska.

Travel, Airfare, & Hotels: Let Princess Get You There

Generally speaking, the larger the ship, the cheaper the initial price tag. Mega-cruises (with cruise lines such Princess, Carnival, Celebrity, Disney, and Holland America) can go for as little as $100 a night (so roughly $600 per person for a six-night sailing). These resorts at sea, however, are often not all-inclusive, so be sure to check the fine print before putting your credit card down. Passengers frequently have to pay extra (and usually at a premium) for things like specialty dining, alcoholic beverages, and off-boat activities.

"Many cruise lines charge extra for soft drinks, but milk and juice are usually included." Free room service is another big perk for families, she notes, so see if that's offered on the line you're considering. Viking Orion's 10-night cruise between Vancouver and Seward includes scenic sailing of the Inside Passage and Yakutat Bay and a stop at rarely visited Valdez. Another itinerary that focuses on lesser-visited ports is French line Ponant’s 13-day trip starting in Seward, a fishing port town two hours from Anchorage. As the boat pulls out of the harbor, guests are invited to bring their binoculars to the deck to check the landscape for whales, which come to the food-rich waterways each summer to bulk up for their winter calving season. The first full day on the water is spent sailing around Prince William Sound where islets and icebergs are abundant, followed by a day at Tsaa Fjord in the captivating (and appropriately named) Icy Bay for glaciers.

5 best luxury Alaska cruises for 2024 - The Points Guy

5 best luxury Alaska cruises for 2024.

Posted: Mon, 25 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Seabourn Quest

The Best Cruises in the World: 2023 Readers' Choice Awards - Condé Nast Traveler

The Best Cruises in the World: 2023 Readers' Choice Awards.

Posted: Tue, 03 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

A cruise to Alaska, “America’s final frontier,” is a glorious way to explore this enormous state. Certain cities, like Juneau, are only easily accessible by air or sea, which makes a cruise a reliable and convenient way to get there. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Regent Seven Seas’ ships are another option for the most luxurious in the world, and an excellent choice if you want to explore Alaska in style.

The line’s identical ocean ships offer a sleek Scandinavian design, which only enhances the tranquil atmosphere on board. The luxury adults-only line is also all-inclusive, covering meals, activities, most beverages, Wi-Fi, port taxes and fees, spa access, and one complimentary excursion in every port of call. Cruisers can bask in the mountain and glacier views from the comfort of their private balcony — and, if they’re lucky, they may even spot a whale or two.

Good Housekeeping Contributing Travel Editor Karen Cicero and her daughter recently sailed on Majestic Princess, a Family Travel Awards Winner, and raved about the ship's amenities, especially the Hollywood Pool Club. "We saw grandparents and grandkids on the dance floor, at the shows, on the excursions — bonding moments were everywhere," Cicero said. Entry-level cabins offer a generous minimum of 270 square feet, including a private veranda.

All excursions are led by experienced expedition teams, who provide all the equipment needed to make the most of your time in Alaska. Coming off of its 150th anniversary year, Holland America Line has been sailing to and around Alaska for more than half that time—75 years. Holland America Line’s “Alaska Up Close” deeply immerses guests in local cultures through onboard programs and activities, and shore excursions. On all of its Alaska cruises, a Huna Native Interpreter comes aboard Holland America Line ships to share the history of the Tlingit people. “If you are looking for a more casual and laid-back experience, Seattle-based UnCruise Adventures offers down-to-earth trips with enthusiastic naturalist guides, simple accommodations, and hearty local cuisine,” says Palmer.

The best cruises to Alaska from Seattle for every type of traveler

Table Of Content

• The 9 best Alaska cruises for every type of traveler in 2024
• Windstar Cruises’ Star Breeze
• Inside Passage Roundtrip Vancouver
• Tutka Bay Lodge
• The 9 Best Alaska Cruises For Every Traveler
• Royal Caribbean International

Weeklong itineraries generally embark in either Seattle or Vancouver, British Columbia — though some itineraries originate in Juneau. Find Holland America Line on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram and the Holland America Blog. You can also access all social media outlets via the home page at hollandamerica.com. A new Alaska Seafood Boil will be offered once per cruise in Lido Market for a surcharge.

The 9 best Alaska cruises for every type of traveler in 2024

From top-rated cruises that visit Glacier Bay National Park to scenic rail travel and exclusive Princess lodges, you will find a seamless Alaska experience with Princess. Valdez is situated in Prince William Sound and serves as the gateway to the interior of Alaska. Often referred to as the "Little Switzerland", Valdez is known for its breathtaking panorama of snow-capped mountains and glaciers. It is also well-known for its role in the transportation of crude oil from the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, which ends in Valdez.

Windstar Cruises’ Star Breeze

However, keep in mind that Alaska can be chilly, even at the height of summer, and rainy, too. For that reason, we discount the value of some of the family-friendly attractions on the Norwegian ships, which are open to the elements, and consider the Royal Caribbean ships the best of the bunch for Alaska cruises from Seattle. Drop us an anchor below to share your picks for the best Alaska cruises 2023. Onboard Ruby Princess, guests will find familiar favorites for the cruise line. Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria and the Crown Grill specialty restaurants will tempt your palette.

Inside Passage Roundtrip Vancouver

Its ships tend to be mid-sized — larger than Lindblad's offerings but smaller than the Quantum ships from Royal Caribbean. While Holland attracts an older demographic, its Alaskan cruises are often filled with multi-generational families. One of the best luxury Alaska cruise ships is the 746-passenger all-suite Seven Seas Explorer.

THE 25 BEST Holland America Line Cruises to Alaska (with Prices) 2024 & 2025 on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic

THE 25 BEST Holland America Line Cruises to Alaska (with Prices) 2024 & 2025 on Cruise Critic.

Posted: Fri, 19 Apr 2024 11:31:17 GMT [source]

When not sightseeing, guests can unwind in the adult-only Sanctuary, enjoy shows in the main theater and Princess Live! Further, you won’t be able to beat the views from the SeaWalk, a 60-foot glass walkway extending 28 feet off the side of the ship. The itinerary’s Scenic Sailings include the 500-mile Inside Passage on Day 2 and glacier-ensconced Yakutat Bay on Day 8. Cruisers will be accompanied by a Viking Resident Historian who will deliver lectures on Pacific Northwest expansion and development, indigenous people, and glaciers.

6 best Alaska cruises for families - The Points Guy

6 best Alaska cruises for families.

Posted: Thu, 19 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Alaska is home to a rich array of wildlife, from the famous Big Five animals that live in Denali National Park — grizzly bears, wolves, moose, Dall sheep and caribou — to bald eagles and humpback whales that migrate through the Inside Passage. On a cruise to Alaska, live a nature lover's dream in the land where guests can catch postcard-worthy sights. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices.

Seward to Vancouver Cruises

Oceania is another cruise line to offer a range of flexible tour options, so if you want to extend your trip with a hotel stay or a land program before or after you sail, it’s easy to find some fantastic options. On Radiance of the Seas, you can enjoy the typical Royal Caribbean experience – one packed with fun activities, great live entertainment, loads of dining options and more. Choose this ship if you want the cruise itself to be just as exciting as the destination.

Founded in Alaska in 1996, the company has a strong pretense in The Great Land with seven-, 12- and 14-night itineraries that set sail April through September. This year, the cruise line added five new Alaskan itineraries, including the adults-only Glaciers & Tranquility and Winter Sports Alaska, with a focus on downhill and Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, whale watching and spotting the Northern Lights. Whichever itinerary you choose, you can be sure to have a plethora of adventurous excursions at your fingertips, right from the ship. One day could find you paddleboarding in the morning and hiking in the afternoon, or maybe kayaking and taking a skiff out later in the day to try and spot wildlife.

The Best Things to Do in Alaska Ports of Call

There, the bartender will muddle your mojitos with raspberry, guava, passion fruit or even jalapeno pepper to spice things up when you're sitting with your new solo friends. Why did we pick Norwegian Encore over Norwegian Bliss as the ship offering the best Alaska cruises from Seattle for luxury lovers? Built a year after Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Encore offers one big improvement for the upscale crowd as compared to Norwegian Bliss. A cavernous indoor activity area on each of the two Quantum-class ships called the SeaPlex is home to the aforementioned bumper cars, as well as such family-friendly activities as roller skating, basketball and even trapeze lessons.

With 2,650 passengers, Koningsdam is the perfect mid-sized ship for your Alaska cruise. Built for cold water cruising, the ship’s SeaPlex is a massive indoor complex featuring bumper cars and roller skating. This aerial gondola extends 300 feet above sea level for one of a kind views of the Alaskan landscape. Additionally, the ship features slight design and décor changes from her predecessors to places like the Local and the Observation Lounge. Norwegian Encore boasts a few unique features of her own too, like the specialty restaurant Onda by Scarpetta.

If you’re passionate about the finer things in life, Celebrity Cruises may very well speak to your soul. And onboard experiences range from Macallan and Jack Daniel’s tastings to Riedel crystal workshops that show how different shapes and qualities of a Riedel glass change the taste of wine. When it comes to experiencing the splendor of Alaska, your cruise is only as good as the direct access it offers to this region’s beauty—and Windstar Cruises delivers access like no other. Because of its dainty size, guests are treated to unique experiences, like anchoring right in Misty Fjords and Kenai Fjords, which is something you’d have to do on a shore excursion if you were on a larger ship with another cruise line. For an even closer look at Mother Nature’s impressive work, from icebergs to whales, book a kayak or Zodiac Signature Expedition with their incredibly knowledgeable guides. The fun continues the minute cruisers disembark in each port, with excursions ranging from dogsledding to private helicopter tours.

Finally, since Princess Cruises is known as one of the best cruise lines in Alaska, it’s no surprise another Princess Cruises’ ship makes our list of the best Alaska cruises 2023. On a Viking Ocean cruise, you receive a free tour in each port of call, WiFi, no up-charges for specialty dining, and complimentary room service. Guests can also enjoy included beer, wine, and soft drinks at meals, specialty coffees and bottled water, access to the thermal suite, and more without any nickel and diming. Viking Orion will visit Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Icy Strait Point, and Valdez. This itinerary also includes scenic cruising of the Inside Passage and Yakutat Bay.

If you're seeking unabashed luxury and thrills galore, try one of these five best luxury Alaska cruises for 2024. Travelers embark to Alaska on board the Seven Seas Explorer, which holds 746 guests. Activities on board this ship include a bocce court, golf net, infinity pool, putting green, spa and boutiques.

These solo cabins get our vote because they're located in a complex where a private lounge encourages mingling. Lone travelers can also meet their shipmates while waiting to hop into a race care on the ship's go-kart track, at a showing of "Jersey Boys" or over a muddled drink at the Sugarcane Mojito Bar. Cabins are designed with families in mind and include split bathrooms (one with a toilet and sink, the other with a shower/tub combo and sink), as well as sofabeds and bunks to sleep four in a cabin. Disney-themed restaurants and attentive wait staff take the stress out of family mealtimes. King's Blues Club, play a game of pickleball on the outer deck or enjoy fine dining at numerous restaurants serving sushi and Asian cuisine, steak, seafood, Italian fare and Dutch treats. No matter your budget, age or travel interest, plenty of cruise options ply the waters around Alaska.