Alaska cruises normally sell for a higher price than the Caribbean or other popular cruise destinations. Although almost nobody pays the brochure price anymore, you can use them for comparison. Most seven-day Caribbean cruises start around $800, but the brochure price for an Alaska cruise on the same ship, same cabin will start about $1000. The Alaska cruise season only runs from May through September, and demand is high. Getting to Seattle or Vancouver for embarkation is often more costly than flying to Miami or even to Europe. Some cruise ships are sailing from San Francisco or Los Angeles, which might be a cheaper air fare and a longer cruise. Summer is the big vacation season in the northwest, and many non-cruisers also choose to head to this beautiful part of the world. The shorter season and high demand add up to a more expensive cruise.
Even though Alaska cruises can be expensive, the joy of seeing this exciting American wilderness is well worth the extra dollars.
Many of the large and mid-sized cruise ships sailing to Alaska include cabins with the latest trend in cruising--private verandahs. Cruisers go to Alaska to see the magnificent mountains, beautiful bays, and wonderful wildlife. How better to see all of this than from your own private balcony? In addition to the verandahs, ships cruising Alaska often include huge observation lounges and heated indoor/outdoor pools. You don't have to "rough it" to see all that Alaska has to offer!
There are two great ways to cruise Alaska--on a large or mid-sized cruise ship of 700 to 3000 passengers or on a small ship of a dozen to less than 200 passengers. Both types of cruises have pros and cons. The larger ships have all the extra amenities you could ever wish for, but the small ships provide a more personal look at Alaska. Either way, Alaska cruise lines offer something for everyone.
Large and Mid-Sized Cruises to Alaska in 2008
Royal Caribbean will have more than 55 voyages to the Alaska in 2008. Radiance of the Seas will take guests on seven-night North- and Southbound itineraries between Vancouver and Seward, Alaska. Rhapsody of the Seas returns to Seattle cruising on seven-night roundtrip Alaska Fjords and Glacier voyages and Serenade of the Seas will sail a seven-night roundtrip itinerary from Vancouver visiting the Alaska Hubbard Glacier, the largest and most active in the world. Both Radiance and Serenade will each offer a 14-night Ultimate Alaska voyage for an extensive adventure in Alaska.
Royal Caribbean 2008 Alaska Cruises
Celebrity Cruises passengers can choose from interesting itineraries on the Celebrity Infinity, Mercury, or Millennium. The Alaska cruises will be preceded or followed by repositioning cruises from the Pacific Northwest or Hawaii, and the Panama Canal cruises are in the spring and fall seasons.
Celebrity 2008 Alaska Cruises
Two major large ship cruise lines will be sailing one ship in Alaska this season. The Regent Seven Seas Mariner will return to Alaska. All of the suites on the Seven Seas Mariner have balconies. The Mariner primarily sails 7-day cruises between Vancouver and Seward. The Carnival Spirit will also return to Alaska. Over 800 of her 1062 cabins have ocean views, and 682 of those include balconies. Spirit will sail the Gulf of Alaska on seven-day trips between Vancouver to Seward and on seven-day Glacier Bay cruises roundtrip from Vancouver.
Regent Seven Seas 2008 Alaska Cruises
Princess will have eight ships in Alaska sailing the Voyage of the Glaciers or the Inside Passage. The Coral Princess, Dawn Princess, Diamond Princess, Golden Princess, Island Princess, Sapphire Princess, Star Princess, and Tahitian Princess will all be sailing in Alaska this summer. The Star Princess and Golden Princess will being sailing the Inside Passage from Seattle. The Dawn Princess will feature 10-day cruises of the Inside Passage from San Francisco. The Diamond, Island, Sapphire, and Coral Princess will be sailing between Vancouver and Whittier on the "Voyage of the Glaciers" itinerary. The Tahitian Princess will have a longer cruise of Alaska - 14 days - with more ports and sightseeing.
Princess 2008 Alaska Cruises
Not to be outdone, Holland America is sending eight of its ships north to Alaska, most of which are in the mid-sized 1200 to 1800-passenger range. The Amsterdam, Oosterdam, and Westerdam will sail 7-day roundtrip cruises from Seattle. The Ryndam and Veendam will sail longer cruises from San Diego to Alaska. The Veendam, Volendam, and Zaandam will sail from Anchorage, and the Ryndam, Statendam, Volendam, Veendam, and Zaandam will sail from Vancouver on 7-day voyages.
Holland America 2008 Alaska Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line has three ships in Alaska in 2008, including one of its newest ships, the Norwegian Pearl. The Norwegian Pearl will join the Norwegian Star in sailing roundtrip cruises from Seattle. The Norwegian Sun will sail 7-day roundtrip cruises from Vancouver. All three of these ships will be sailing "freestyle cruising" to Glacier Bay, Sawyer Glacier, or "Alaska Adventure" itineraries.
NCL 2008 Alaska Cruises
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