• 7 Night Tracy Arm Fjord Alaska cruise - Vision of the Seas cruise ship - from $619
• 13 Night Alaska Pacific Coastal Southbound - Summit cruise ship- from $1,299
• 14 Night Ultimate Alaska - Radiance of the Seas cruise ship - from $1,449

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We also invite you to visit: Alaska State Travel---Alaska Fishing---Alaska Hunting

WHAT TO SEE ON ALASKA CRUISES

Legendary beautiful scenery of Alaska- magnificent coastal fjords, rugged glaciers, vast evergreen forests, sky-high mountains, 7 of which are the tallest peaks in North America (to see Mt. McKinley, North America's tallest peak, you'll need to take a shore into the Denali National Park), abundant land and marine wildlife- moose, kodiak and grizzly bears, caribou, dall sheep, puffin, otters, seals, humpback and killer whales, dolphins, bald-headed eagles and much more. Shore excursions during Alaska cruises are optional, as well as guided tours in a cruise ship's port of call. They are offered in all Alaska ports and cities and are a great way to enrich your cruise experience with visiting coastal attractions, historical places, challenging yourself in kayaking, helicopter tours, mountain biking,...

ALASKA CRUISES LENGTH

7 days on average.There are some 11 and 14 day Alaska cruises which include more ports of call and more glacier touring. There are 2 different kinds of Alaska cruises available. Inside Passage Alaska Cruise: roundtrip departure from Vancouver/ Seattle, usually 7 days long. You cruise the inside passage through the islands offshore from British Columbia and Alaska. Cruise ships' ports of call usually include Ketchikan, Sitka, Skagway and Juneau. Gulf of Alaska Cruise (or Glacier Route Cruise): You cruise one-way northbound from Vancouver/ Seattle or one-way south from Seward, Alaska. You will see more glaciers on this route and an additional port or two.

WHEN TO GO

The usual Alaska cruise season lasts from early May to late September. Alaskan summers are cool, daytime highs in these months range from 10 to 27 degrees Celsius (50 to 80 Fahrenheit). May and June tend to be the drier months, July is the warmest one. June and July are the best months to watch Humpback and Orca whales, White-Sided dolphins. An additional bonus to an Alaska cruise is that in summer the days are much longer than they are further south. This is the land of the midnight sun. Your longest Alaskan days will be in June and July (up to 20-21 hours of daylight) and will offer you many opportunities to enjoy active glaciers. Early and late season Alaska cruises (May and September) tend to be slightly cheaper and the ports of call are less crowded. Check next week's weather forecast for Anchorage.

ALASKA CRUISE TIPS

Northern weather can be unpredictable. When planning an Alaska cruise, consider taking with you and wearing multiple layers of clothes in response to a wide variety of temperatures and weather conditions. What to pack: waterproof and warm jacket, a sweater, light gloves, rain gear, sun glasses and a warm hat for deck strolling or touring on the shore. You also may find useful binoculars, camera, camcorder, film, batteries and walking shoes. If you need a hair dryer, pack one; not all Alaska cruises have hair dryers in the cabins. Bargain hunters should look for last minute deals as the last rooms are often sold at very low prices. Pick the right Alaska cruise ship for your style,- some ships are more traditional, other more stylish, elegant, some offer more choices for children, other are more seniors-oriented. The Alaska cruise ship comparison chart below should help you in making the correct choice. Check your Alaska cruise itinerary, almost every ship usually includes several formal dress code nights. Dark business suit or a tuxedo would do the thing. Alaska cruises tend to be more casual than other destinatons but items such as cutoff t-shirts, halter tops and torn jeans are still not permitted in the dining area. Tipping is usually $10 per passenger per day. We recommend you to book a stateroom with a balcony. The view on an Alaska cruises is always changing- mountains, shores, wildlife, marine animals, glaciers, or quaint waterfront communities. You can enjoy it from the privacy of your own balcony, escaping crowded decks. You can also check general cruise packing list and our cruise travel guide with abundant cruise related information.
Bon Voyage!

ALASKA CRUISES - SHIPS COMPARISON TABLE

SHIP	FOOD	FUN	KIDS	COUPLES	SINGLES	SENIORS	BUILT	HIGHLIGHTS
Amsterdam	3	3	2	3	4	5	2000	Mostly elderly passengers, 3 formal dress code nights per week.
Carnival Spirit	4	5	5	5	4	5	2001	Rich late-night entertainment programs, most of the cabins are outside. Popular among first-time cruisers and families.
Coral Princess	4	4	5	4	4	4	2003	Extensive programs for kids and teens, ideal for all ages, efficient staff.
Crystal Harmony	5	4	2	5	5	5	1990	Two-seating dining, superb cuisine, Broadway-style shows, very formal dress code.
Dawn Princess	3	3	3	4	4	4	1997	Well-equipped fitness area, many activities, average ship all around.
Diamond Princess	3	5	5	5	4	4	2004	Dining style options (traditional- same room, same table and personal choice), mixed age public, impressive entertainment, competent personnel.
Infinity	4	4	3	5	4	4	2001	Nice cuisine, formal dress code needs to be often followed, upscale environment.
Island Princess	4	5	5	5	4	4	2003	Expansive walls of glass give outside panoramic views, mostly casual dress code, many private nooks on ship, best for romantic cruise.
Mercury	4	3	4	4	3	3	1997	Excellent seafood, no official baby-sitting service, upscale surroundings.
Norwegian Dream	3	3	4	3	3	4	1992	Casual, relaxing environment, optional formal nights.
Norwegian Spirit	3	4	5	4	4	4	1998	Evening entertainment shows are ones of the best, largest cruise ship casino, large kids center, casual dress code.
Norwegian Sun	3	4	5	4	3	4	2001	Dining style options, 9 restaurants, family-oriented, casual dress code.
Norwegian Wind	3	3	4	4	4	4	1993	Excellent nighttime entertainment, mostly casual dress code.
Oosterdam	5	3	2	4	4	4	2003	Best food and service, bathtubs in most rooms, dress code is more formal, roomy cabins.
Radiance of the Seas	3	3	5	4	4	3	2001	Lots of activities for kids, splash pool with water slide, price affordable, casual cruising.
Regal Princess	4	3	4	4	4	4	1991	Elegant, rather formal atmoshpere, older ship but a makeover was done in year 2000.
Ryndam	4	5	4	4	4	5	1994	Excellent room service, superb entertainment, spacious rooms.
Sapphire Princess	4	4	5	3	4	4	2004	Dining style options, 5 restaurants, wide variety of spa services, one of the largest cruise ships, activities for kids.
Serenade of the Seas	4	5	5	5	5	5	2003	First-rate entertainment, superior fitness facilities, casual dress code.
Seven Seas Mariner	5	4	2	4	5	5	2001	Standout service, first-class spa and fitness facilities.
Statendam	4	4	3	4	4	5	1993	Mostly elderly passengers, casual dress code, fine dining, roomy cabins.
Summit	4	4	3	4	5	5	2001	One of the largest spas, noteworthy entertainment programs, upscale atmosphere.
Sun Princess	4	3	3	4	4	4	1995	Excellent cuisine, casual dress code, friendly staff.
Veendam	3	3	3	3	3	4	1996	Traditional cruising with many private nooks on ship, sizable cabins.
Vision of the Seas	2	3	5	4	4	3	1998	Good service, two-seating dining, comfortable cabins, casual, affordable and active cruising.
Volendam	3	3	3	4	4	4	1999	Diverse entertainment, bathtubs in most rooms.
Zaandam	3	3	4	4	4	4	2000	Spacious rooms, nice spa and evening shows, dress code is rather casual.
SHIP	FOOD	FUN	KIDS	COUPLES	SINGLES	SENIORS	BUILT	HIGHLIGHTS