Viking Ships Will Stop 14 Times In Valdez This Summer; Holland America Sending Single Boat

It's A Whole New Ballgame For Valdez Welcome to Valdez Sign. (Photo, Country Journal) After several years without cruise ships, seven Vi...

It's A Whole New Ballgame For Valdez

Welcome to Valdez Sign. (Photo, Country Journal)

After several years without cruise ships, seven Viking Cruises will be stopping in Valdez for the day while heading toward Seward from Vancouver. The same seven ships will then stop in Valdez again, with another load of travelers who got on at Seward and who will be on their way to Vancouver as their final port.
 
This will make a total of fourteen stops by Viking at Valdez in 2022. Sharon Anderson, executive director of the Valdez Convention & Visitors Bureau, told the Country Journal that the cruise line contacted Valdez about their intent. She said the Viking cruises (which are relatively "small" ships) will probably be docking near the center of town by ferry terminal docks. 
 
The executive director said she understood that the Viking Orion ships would steam into town around 7 or 8 am in the mornings, and stay until 6 pm. if the ships are full, 900 people would be on each ship, she said. 

Viking is a boutique style cruise company. According to the Viking website, shore excursions will be available in Valdez. 
 
Following the prototype of larger cruise ships, it appears that Viking has contracted with local Valdez businesses to provide helicopter tours, Columbia Glacier cruises, kayak tours, flightseeing tours of the Chugach Mountains, glacier landing tours, ATV tours at Mineral Creek Canyon, rafting tours and helicopter glacier tours. There are also motor coach tours of Thompson Pass, tours of the small Valdez earthquake museum by the docks, and suggestions of "self guided" tours at the Valdez Museum and other spots around town. 
 
A single Holland American cruise is also expected to come to Valdez this summer. It will probably dock out at the grain elevator due to the larger size of the ship, the executive director said. Holland America will bring the total number of landings for the summer in Valdez to fifteen.

Next summer, the city may expect up to 50 cruises, including another cruise company joining in, Anderson added.  

The cost of a one-way trip between Vancouver and Seward ranges from $17,000 for a 1,448 square foot "owner's suite" – along with an additional $500 in airfare – down to $5,000 for a 270 square foot "Veranda" suite, not counting airfare, Viking's website says.

Included in the fare is one complimentary shore excursion in every port of call, coffees, self service laundry, "alternative restaurant dining," access to a fitness center, Wi-Fi, beer, wine and soft drinks with onboard lunch and dinner, and ground transfers "with Viking Air purchase." 
 
In line with its upscale profile, Viking has a "cultural curriculum," "regional specialties" with its meals, a walking track, and a "curated library," the website says.
 
In your stateroom, you get "luxury pillows," a mini bar, a glass shower, a heated bathroom floor and anti-fog mirror, "premium" toiletries, plush robes and slippers, and "twice-daily housekeeping."


 

 

 


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