What To Look For
The state of Alaska is known for its unique outdoor attractions. Because there are no roads between most cities in southeastern Alaska, most travel is done by water through the Inside Passage, a waterway that runs from the Canadian border to the start of the Gulf of Alaska. One of the best ways to experience the majesty of the Alaskan wilderness is aboard a cruise ship. When planning an Alaskan cruise, you can either choose the luxury of a large cruise ship or avoid the crowds and take a smaller ship. Of the larger cruise ships, Celebrity Cruises' ships are the most highly regarded, according to Frommers.com. These ships, like most large ships, steer clear of the Inside Passage, while smaller ships travel almost exclusively in the Inside Passage. Among small ship cruise lines, Cruise West is the best in Alaska. Cruise West and other small ships are also known to follow whales, if a passenger sees one while traveling between ports.
Common Pitfalls
A major pitfall when shopping for an Alaskan cruise is neglecting to research the extra fees that will be added on to the base price of your trip. Although food is included on all Alaskan cruise ships, only the Silversea and Regent Seven Seas lines include alcohol in the price of the cruise. Tipping is not included for most cruise lines, so you should bring about $15 per day for tips. Port fees can cost from $100 to $250, so check in advance to find out whether or not they are included in the cost the cruise you're interested in.
Where To Buy
Though there are many online cruise sites that claim to offer special deals, you can often find the best prices on the cruise line's official Web site. Most other Web sites add a fee to the wholesale cost of the cruise, which they use to stay in business. Buying directly from the cruise line also enables you to add excursions before you board. Excursions include kayaking, mountain biking, whale watching and tours featuring Alaska's unique wildlife.
Cost
The cost of an Alaskan cruise varies from $600 to almost $6,000, depending on the type of ship and the length of your cruise. Large ships offer lower prices, with a seven-day cruise costing between $600 and $1,200 per person for a double occupancy room. Luxury lines cost between $800 and $2,000, but if you want a suite, the cost can go up to $5,000 per person. Smaller ships cost more, with prices between $2,000 and $5,800 for an 11 to 14-day cruise.
Insider Tips
Although all of the major cruise lines have good family entertainment, Princess has a unique Alaskan kids program called the "National Park Service Junior Ranger" program, which teaches kids about Alaska's diverse wildlife and the formation of glaciers. The program even gives the opportunity for kids to earn a Junior Ranger badge.
