Alaska cruises normally sell for a higher price than the Caribbean. The Alaska cruise season only runs from May through September, and demand is high. Getting to the embarkation port is often more costly than flying to Florida or even to Europe. Some cruise ships are sailing from California ports, which might be a cheaper air fare, but 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 more 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 private verandas. 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 verandas, 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 500 to 3000 passengers or on a small ship of a dozen to less than 500 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 and often a better chance to see wildlife from the ship. Either way, Alaska cruise lines offer something for everyone.
Many of the cruise lines offer "cruisetours", which include both a cruise and a land tour of either parts of the interior of Alaska or western Canada. Those with more time should inquire about these cruisetours, since they often represent a good add-on to your Alaska cruise.
Large and Mid-Sized Cruises to Alaska in 2010
Princess Cruises will feature a total of 112 Alaska sailings aboard seven ships offering four itinerary options during the May to September season. The Princess lineup includes Diamond Princess, Coral Princess, and Island Princess traveling on the line's "Voyage of the Glaciers" route through the scenic Gulf of Alaska; Golden Princess, Sapphire Princess and Sea Princess sailing the Inside Passage from Seattle and San Francisco, and the mid-sized Royal Princess offering an extended 14-day Connoisseur voyage to some of the state's less-visited ports. Princess also offers many land/cruise combination tours, so those wanting to see parts of the interior of Alaska (like Denali Park), might want to add-on a land extension.
Princess 2010 Alaska Cruises
Princess 2010 Alaska Cruisetours
Royal Caribbean will send two ships to Alaska in 2010, with departures from Seward, Vancouver, and Seattle. Radiance of the Seas will take guests on seven-night itineraries between Vancouver and Seward, Alaska. Rhapsody of the Seas returns to Seattle on seven-night roundtrip Inside Passage voyages.
Royal Caribbean 2010 Alaska Cruises
Royal Caribbean 2010 Alaska Cruisetours
Celebrity Cruises passengers can choose from Alaska itineraries on the Celebrity Infinity, Mercury, or Millennium. The Alaska cruises will be preceded or followed by repositioning cruises from California or Hawaii, and the Panama Canal cruises are in the spring and fall seasons. The Infinity will sail roundtrip from Seattle, the Mercury sails roundtrip from Vancouver, and the Millennium sails between Vancouver and Seward.
Celebrity 2010 Alaska Cruises and Cruisetours
The Regent Seven Seas Cruises Seven Seas Navigator will sail to Alaska in 2010. The Navigator primarily sails 7-day cruises between Vancouver and Seward. I sailed this itinerary on the Regent Seven Seas Mariner in late August 2008 and loved the mid-sized ship, the itinerary, and the excursions. The Seven Seas Navigator will arrive in Vancouver in early April from San Francisco, following her transit through the Panama Canal from Fort Lauderdale. At the end of the Alaska cruise season, the Seven Seas Navigator will cruise the "long way" from Vancouver to San Francisco on an Asia-Pacific voyage of 103 days.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises 2010 Alaska Cruises
The Carnival Spirit will return to Alaska for 2010. Spirit will sail roundtrip from Seattle on seven-day cruises of the Inside Passage.
Carnival 2010 Alaska Cruises
Holland America Line is introducing a new 14-day Alaskan Adventurer cruise itinerary in 2010 to complement its selection of seven-day itineraries and departures. The Alaskan Adventurer brings the number of different Holland America itineraries to a total of four, joining the Alaskan Explorer, Glacier Discovery and Glacier Bay Inside Passage itineraries.
Holland America's schedule features eight ships offering 149 total departures from May 3 through September 24, 2010. The Alaskan Adventurer cruises will sail roundtrip from Seattle on the ms Amsterdam and call at Anchorage, Homer and Kodiak for the first time. Seven-day cruises will sail from Seattle, Vancouver and Seward.
Holland America 2010 Alaska Cruises and Cruisetours
Norwegian Cruise Line will send two ships to Alaska in 2010. The Norwegian Pearl will sail 7-day Glacier Bay cruises roundtrip from Seattle, and the Norwegian Star will sail 7-day Sawyer Glacier cruises roundtrip from Seattle.
NCL 2010 Alaska Cruises
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