What do more than 900,000 people know about Alaska that you don't? It’s a great place for your next cruise. From amazing wildlife to majestic mountains, Alaska is home to some of the few unspoiled sites in nature and you can experience it all when you book an Alaskan cruise.
Cruise Season: When people think of Alaska, wintry weather is usually what comes to mind and for good reason. Snow is abundant and temperatures can be extreme. This means cruises are limited to a short period of time each year – May through late September. Most travelers book their cruise between June and August when temperatures are mildest. However, these months are also typically wetter than late spring and fall.
Types of Cruises: Alaska cruises range from small ships carrying less than 200 passengers to mega liners, according to the Cruise Lines International Association.
You'll notice that most cruises, no matter which line you choose, will have similar stops. This has to do with the two itineraries that cruise ships sail: the Gulf of Alaska and Inside Passage.
For adventure travelers, the Gulf of Alaska is the better cruise itinerary. Explore College Fjord, Hubbard Glacier and Valdez. For those looking for serenity, the Inside Passage cruises are the right choice. You will spend a few of the days on the ship cruising through the Alaskan waters.
Several cruise lines offer both round-trip and one-way journeys. Round-trip cruises typically depart from Vancouver and last seven days. You may find some ships that depart from Seattle, as well. The ports of call usually include Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. For travelers who want to keep their travel plans simple, this is the best option. It's usually easier (and less expensive) to book a round-trip flight to the city where the cruise begins and ends.
One-way cruises also depart from Vancouver and Seattle and end at Seward or Whittier. These cruises are the best option for travelers who want to further explore Alaska after their cruise has ended.
Activities: If it's breath-taking views from your cruise deck you want, you'll get them on an Alaska cruise, but if you're also interested in seeing the 49th State up close, be sure to sign up for the range of shore excursions and land tours, like crab fishing and zip lining. Explore British Columbia on a multi-day excursion or go whaling on your own private adventure.
Leave your disposable camera at home and capture stunning shots of wildlife during a photography excursion offered by some cruise ships, like Holland. Or, take part in a salmon bake or crab feed with others from your Royal Caribbean cruise ship. Animal-lovers will surely love a bear-viewing excursion and there are several ways to see these huge animals. Your chances of seeing bears is higher at Denali Park, but you’ll be at a distance. If you'd rather see bears up-close fishing or napping, consider an air-taxi trip.
These days, most cruise lines offer detailed descriptions of available shore excursions that range from eco-tours to hiking to family-friendly excursions on their Web sites. Excursions include 5-hour tours of Stanley Park and Grouse Mountain, snorkeling in a wetsuit and biking. Some cruise lines even take travelers to the remote Kruzof Island for an "advanced volcano hike."
When deciding on shore excursions, consider what your cruise line has to offer. Flight-seeing is popular for cruises that dock in Ketchikan, while a glacier trek is perfect if you stop in Juneau or go on a search for lovable sea otters in Sitka.
In the case of an Alaska cruise, price shouldn't be the only criteria to consider. It's best to research the different cruise lines to determine what amenities and activities best fit you're your lifestyle. If you're looking for a variety of activities, the larger ships usually offer plenty of excursions. According to CLIA, Royal Caribbean featured more than 140 tours in their 2008 Alaska cruise season. Meanwhile, smaller cruise ships are better suited for special interests.
Costs: While food and entertainment are typically included in the cost of a cruise, the additional land and shore excursions will cost extra. If you're taking a one-way cruise, consider the price of airfare since you'll be arriving in one city and likely departing from another.
When deciding on a cruise ship, take the size into account. A large, mainstream ship will cost less, but you'll have to deal with larger crowds. A smaller ship is more expensive, but you'll be able to sail into places that larger ships can't fit through.
If you're willing to spend a bit more on this cruise, there are luxury liners that will cater to your needs. In 2008, SilverSea Cruises was the only ultra-luxury ship sailing in Alaskan waters, according to CLIA. More than a dozen itineraries are planned for 2009 and many include enrichment programs with chefs, wine experts and authors.
Jennifer Jope
© Cheapflights Ltd
Updated October 2008
