Pick The Right Alaska Cruise Vacation

	Pick The Right Alaska Cruise Vacation
	An alaska cruise. It's one of the most famous—and popular—ways to see this magnificent state. But it's not for everyone. Here's how to find out if you're a cruising person and how to pick the right ship and itinerary so that your journey will be magical and memorable.
	Why Take A Cruise?
	If you've never done a cruise, they're not what you think.
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	How Do I Pick The Right Alaska Cruise Vacation?
	With some 15 cruise lines floating these waters, you have tons of options, so it's worth doing some research. You have a few choices to make, and we'll guide you through.
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	Add A Land Package?
	It's easy and it gives you a more complete picture of Alaska.
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	How To Save Money
	Our insider tips on making your cruise fun...and frugal.
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	Other Things To Consider
	Little (and big) things you should think about before booking and traveling.
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Why Take A Cruise?
If you've never done a cruise, it's not what you think. The big cruise ships of the new generation are gargantuan floating resorts with so many floors, activities, and facilities that you may get lost somewhere between the casino, the spa, and the many restaurants. And small ships provide an intimate atmosphere with opportunities to get super-close to wildlife.
No matter what size ship you choose, here's why you might want to take a cruise:
	Your itinerary is completely handled for you. You're cruising to the next destination while you sleep. You generally get a half or full-day at various ports of call, which is more than enough time to really experience the town and feel its pulse. Then it's back to the ship for the next discovery.
	It's all-inclusive. The food, dancing, shows, music, exercise classes, lectures, and movies are all included in the price of your cruise (though here are some things that aren't), meaning you can take advantage of everything without any extra cost.
	You'll learn something. With so much time on board, you can take advantage of the naturalists who are sailing with you, listening to their lectures and asking them questions. Most ships also have libraries with information on things like glaciers and wildlife, and some also show films.
	You'll visit hard-to-reach places. Some of Alaska is not easy to get to by car, and planes can be expensive. Cruises allow you to hit little towns and (with smaller ships) narrow channels you otherwise wouldn't see.
	You'll have time to kick back. A cruise is ultimately about relaxation; sitting back and watching the coast go by.

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Guide To Picking The Right Cruise

If you've settled on a cruise, this is the most important page for you. Picking the right ship and the right experience will mean the difference between the trip of a lifetime and wanting to jump overboard. Here are the 3 choices you're going to have to make when considering a cruise.

Where To Go   You really have 2 options: the Inside Passage or the Gulf of Alaska   Read More»   What Size Ship?   Here also you have 2 options: big ship or small ship   Read More» Which Cruise Line   Here you have many options. We guide you through your choices and give you our picks.   Read More»

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Add A Land Package?

If you have the time, the answer to this is yes! Why? You'll see only part of Alaska's mystique from the water and by visiting port towns. Adding on a land package (making your getaway a "cruisetour,") is a way to see even more of Alaska. You can go see North America's highest peak, visit charming pioneer towns without 1,000 fellow cruise passengers emptying into the streets the same day, hike through Denali National Park, or go rafting. It also gives you an opportunity to check out Alaska's big cities, visiting the fascinating museums of Fairbanks and enjoying downtown Anchorage. Turning your cruise into a cruisetour really gives you the best of both worlds.

You generally add 3 to 5 nights or more in a land tour, which can be either escorted or independent. On an escorted tour—like on a cruise—transportation, accommodations, and meals will be included, while extras like flightseeing and rafting bring an additional charge.

Don't feel you have to buy the land part of a "cruisetour" from the line you sail with. It's true that Princess and Holland America, the two biggest cruise players, both have their own lodges and bus fleets for land tours. (Of the two, Princess has invested in nicer lodges.) But the cruiselines will want to book you at their property. In most towns, the most special lodges are independently owned, and we can direct you to them.

If you want an escorted land tour, we can also direct you to Alaskan companies with all local guides.

Most cruisetours include a visit to Denali National Park, where you can see Mount McKinley and wildlife. A 3-day tour, for example, will likely include a couple nights around Denali and 1 night in either Anchorage or Fairbanks. Go up to a 4 nights and you can see both Anchorage and Fairbanks, or spend more time in denali. After putting in the better part of a week on a cruise ship, you'll may want to customize your own land tour—which we can help you with.

The opportunities are endless. But your time in Alaska is not. Feel free to call us to help you get the most out of your limited time.

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How To Save Money
Cruises are many things, but they are usually not cheap. Here are some strategies for cutting your costs:
	Book it now...or later
	Booking early. If you book your trip by the february (at the latest) before you travel, you can snag fares of up to 25 percent off. Even earlier is better with small ship lines; since there's such a limited inventory, those discounts disappear quickly. When the discounts run out, they may offer free air. With big ships, you can afford to wait a little longer. Since they have a large inventory and don't typically fill the ship, they often extend their early booking discounts and offer more of a variety of cabins. Booking late. If you wait 'til the last minute, cruise lines have been known to offer deeply discounted fares (of up to 60 percent off), but it's a crapshoot, and you may have to live with a less-than-ideal cabin.
	Go in the shoulder. May and September are value seasons; while the temperature is a bit cooler, the deals are hotter.
	Seniors save. If you're 55 or over, always inquire about senior discounts—some lines offer up to 5 percent off.
	Association discounts. Some cruise lines offer discounts for those in AAA or AARP. Be sure to ask.

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Other things to consider
We know you have some tough choices to make when deciding on a cruise. Here are some additional things to keep in mind before you book and set sail.
	Cabin size. Make sure you check the size of any cabin you're considering booking—it can vary widely depending on price. If you don't want to spend a lot of money, decide if you can live with a small cabin that doesn't have a window (called an inside cabin) or if the window in your outside cabin is a tiny porthole or a picture window. Of course, you hopefully won't be spending much non-sleeping time inside your cabin, either.
	Cruises which end in "anchorage" actually disembark in Whittier or Seward—hours away. Be sure to book the cruise line's transfer into anchorage.
	Extras. Be very clear about what's included in the price of your cruise.
	Airfare, for example, is most often not a part of your cruise fare. But if you book air through the cruise line, you usually get a good deal, and they will usually include round-trip transfers between the airport and the ship, which can be pricey. Entertainment and food will be included, but soda and alcohol are usually not. Find out whether port charges and taxes are included. Shore excursions will likely by the most expensive extra (though some cruises include these as well); they can cost as little as $20 for a walking tour up to $350 or more for flightseeing. Also figure in the tips for the crew. A good base is $10 per person, per day; some people give more, especially for exceptional service.