blog post

 An Alaska cruise is one of the best vacations you’ll ever have!  It’s not an inexpensive proposition, however, so you’ll want to make the most of the time and the budget that you have for
it.  Basically, there are 2 ways to “do”
an Alaska cruise:

1. 
   Sail round-trip from Seattle, Washington or Vancouver, Canada.  Airfares to/from Seattle are typically cheaper and the flights are easier, so this is what I usually recommend if you can only get away for a weekend-to-weekend 7-night vacation.  You don’t need a passport to take this
   option, either.
2. 
   Take a one-way cruise between Vancouver and Anchorage. You will actually begin or end your 7-night cruise at either the port of Seward or Whittier, but your flights will be to/from Vancouver and Anchorage (depending on whether you sail north-bound or south-bound).  This type of cruise is what I recommend if you have time to take a longer vacation and can add on a few days for a land tour and visiting spectacular Denali National Park. The combination of a cruise and land tour is called a “cruisetour.” You do need a passport for one of these, even if you fly round-trip Seattle and transfer to/from Vancouver for the cruise.

Either way, you will see glaciers, visit beautiful and historic ports-of-call, and have opportunities for wildlife viewing and exciting excursions. 

I like to get together with folks to begin the planning process and show the routes on a map and the various options that are available. If we can’t visit in person, then I have online resources you can look at to see everything. Deciding on the right cruise line, ship, and itinerary is the key to getting the most from your Alaska experience and that’s where I am of the greatest service to you – I’ve been to almost all the ports and have been on all the major lines that cruise in Alaska.  I know the best excursions
and experiences, too, so we can make sure you get to see and do all of the things that you want.

I always ask the following questions to help select the perfect cruise or cruisetour:

• How much time can you take off for the trip?
• I give some examples of typical prices – would this fit into the budget you have in mind?
• When you think of going to Alaska, what are the things that most come to mind?
  • Glaciers and spectacular scenery, seeing Mt. McKinley?
  • Wildlife experiences such as whale-watching, fishing, bald-eagle and bear viewing?
  • History and native cultures?
  • Active adventures such as river-rafting, flight-seeing, and hiking?
• Have you cruised before and if so what have you enjoyed the most (cruise line, ship, destination, etc.)?  If not, what other kinds of travel experiences do you most enjoy?
• Who all is going on the trip?

Together we narrow down the right choice – it makes a difference if you can only be away for a week or if you want a 2-week adventure.  Some itineraries are more appealing to families and multi-generational groups. You might have a preference for certain ports and activities.

The time of the season can make a big difference as to the landscape and wildlife experiences, and also to the cost (peak-season versus early or late-season). Alaska cruises begin in early May and end mid-September. Sometimes people choose to go in May because they want a more “wintery” landscape; others might choose September after the kids are back in school.  Families obviously have to go during the middle of the summer, and those who specifically want to go salmon-fishing or bear-watching, as examples, have a particular range of dates for those experiences.

I can also offer service to people who would like a combination of cruise and independent travel (it’s certainly easy enough to rent a car in Anchorage and drive around yourself).  Other creative add-ons are available in Canada such as taking the train to Whistler, riding the ferry to Victoria, and so on.