The smaller ships can also visit some places that the larger ones can only dream about like the Misty Fjords National Monument near Ketchikan or Tracy Arm fjord. If you are looking for a more exotic, out-of-the-way itinerary, a small ship Alaska cruise might be the best choice. One word of caution. These smaller ships are usually more expensive and often fill up fast. For this extra cost, you'll probably get less amenities and entertainment on board, but the trade off of a closer look at Alaska is worth it to many of us!
Cruise West has been sailing in Alaska for over 60 years, and offers several intriguing itineraries for Alaska in 2010 on four ships ranging in size from 78 to 120-passengers. I sailed an Alaska Inside Passage Cruise on the Spirit of Yorktown in 2007, and loved the ship and its ability to get us "up close and personal" to the Alaska sights. Cruise West's voyages are from four to ten days. A new Cruise West itinerary features more wilderness and Zodiac watercraft experiences.
Cruise West 2010 Alaska Cruises
Other small ship cruise lines are sending their ships north to Alaska in 2010. Most of these small ships do not offer private verandas or luxurious accommodations. However, if you are looking for ultimate luxury on board, the Silversea Cruises' Silversea Silver Shadow will sail 7-12 day Alaska voyages from San Francisco, Vancouver, or Seward. With 382 passengers, she is much larger than the other ships in this category, but the Silver Shadow provides more amenities and is still considered "small". At the end of the Alaska cruise season, the Silver Shadow will reposition from Alaska to the Far East on a Bering Sea repositioning cruise.
Silversea 2010 Alaska Cruises
Lindblad Cruises will be sailing two itineraries in Alaska in 2010 with the 62-passenger National Geographic Sea Bird and National Geographic Sea Lion. The first is a 12-day cruise of Alaska, British Columbia, and the San Juan Islands. The second is an 8-day cruise of Alaska's Inside Passage.
Lindblad 2010 Alaska Cruises
American Safari has three ships sailing in Alaska in 2010 - the Safari Explorer, Safari Quest, and Safari Spirit. These small ships range in size from 12 to 36 passengers. Two different soft adventure expedition itineraries explore the Inside Passage or Glacier Bay. Since American Safari's ships are smaller than others sailing in Alaska, the cruise line has obtains permits to take passengers on guided hikes and kayaking excursions inside Glacier Bay National Park.
American Safari Cruises 2010 Alaska Cruises
Zegrahm & Eco Expeditions will feature three interesting Alaska expeditions on the 118-passenger Clipper Odyssey in 2010. These include cruises inside the Arctic Circle and along the northern "Ring of Fire".
Zegrahm & Eco Expeditions 2010 Alaska Cruises
The Hapag-Lloyd Hanseatic will sail a fascinating 26-day Arctic/Alaska itinerary from Greenland to Nome, Alaska in August 2010. This bilingual cruise (English/German) sails through the mysterious Northwest Passage linking Alaska with the Atlantic Ocean.
There are also many other small yachts offered for charter that cruise Alaskan waters. The accommodations on these range from rustic to luxurious.
We've looked at the large and mid-sized cruises and small ship cruises to Alaska. There is certainly something for everyone! Other than looking at the scenery and wildlife, what else is there to do in Alaska?
Next page > > Alaska shore excursion options > >
