An Alaskan cruise or cruisetour is a great way to see Alaska. There are three basic Alaska cruise itineraries, and a cruise of the Inside Passage is the most popular. Alaska is huge, so many vacationers focus their trip on this small section of the state. The Inside Passage is a narrow waterway linking Seattle and Skagway, Alaska, and it hugs the western coast of North America for almost 1000 miles. Since most of this area is inaccessible via car, a cruise is the best way to see this part of Alaska and British Columbia.
Many scenic historical towns such as Vancouver, Ketchikan, Juneau, Haines, and Skagway are found on the Inside Passage, as are spectacular natural wonders like Glacier Bay and the Misty Fjords.
Large cruise ships can cover much of the Inside Passage in seven days, often sailing round trip from Seattle or Vancouver. Large ships sailing the Gulf of Alaska between Seward or Whittier near Anchorage and Seattle or Vancouver also include the Inside Passage on their itineraries. Small cruise ships also sail the Inside Passage, often embarking in Juneau, Sitka, or Ketchikan, which have commercial airports. Some small expedition ships even venture into the Bering Sea, sailing from Anchorage to Nome.
Over 40 cruise ships of all sizes will be sailing Alaska in 2013, so there should be an itinerary and a price range to suit most travel budgets.
Gastineau Channel near Juneau (c) Linda Garrison