Alaska - Easy Cruise Guide

WHAT TO SEE: Legendary beautiful scenery of Alaska- magnificent coastal fjords, rugged glaciers, vast evergreen forests, sky-high mountains, 7 of which are the tallest peaks in North America (to see Mt. McKinley, North America's tallest peak, you'll need to take a tour to the shore into the Denali National Park), abundant land and marine wildlife- moose, kodiak and grizzly bears, caribou, dall sheep, puffin, otters, seals, humpback and killer whales, dolphins, bald-headed eagles and much more. Shore excursions are optional, as well as guided tours in a cruise ship's port of call. They are offered in all Alaska ports and cities and are a great way to enrich your cruise experience with visiting coastal attractions, historical places, challenging yourself in kayaking, helicopter tours, mountain biking,...

CRUISE LENGTH: 7 days on average.There are some 11 and 14 day cruises which include more ports of call and more glacier touring. There are 2 different kinds of cruises available: Inside Passage Cruise: roundtrip departure from Vancouver/ Seattle, usually 7 days long. You cruise the inside passage through the islands offshore from British Columbia and Alaska. Stops usually include Ketchikan, Sitka, Skagway and Juneau. Gulf of Alaska Cruise (or Glacier Route Cruise): You cruise one-way northbound from Vancouver/ Seattle or one-way south from Seward, Alaska. You will see more glaciers on this route and an additional port or two.

WHEN TO GO: The usual Alaska cruise season lasts from early May to late September. Alaskan summers are cool, daytime highs in these months range from 10 to 27 degrees Celsius (50 to 80 Fahrenheit). May and June tend to be the drier months, July is the warmest one. June and July are the best months to watch Humpback and Orca whales, White-Sided dolphins. An additional bonus to an Alaskan cruise vacation is that in summer the days are much longer than they are further south. This is the land of the midnight sun. Your longest days will be in June and July (up to 20-21 hours of daylight) and will offer you many opportunities to enjoy active glaciers. Early and late season cruises (May and September) tend to be slightly cheaper and the ports of call are less crowded. You can check next week weather forecast for Anchorage here.

ALASKA CRUISE TIPS: Northern weather can be unpredictable. Consider taking with you and wearing multiple layers of clothes in response to a wide variety of temperatures and weather conditions. What to pack : waterproof and warm jacket, a sweater, light gloves, rain gear, sun glasses and a warm hat for deck strolling or touring on the shore. You also may find useful binoculars, camera, camcorder, film, batteries and walking shoes. If you need a hair dryer, pack one; not all cruise ships have hair dryers in the cabins. Bargain hunters should look for last minute deals as the last rooms are often sold at very low prices.

Pick the right cruise ship for your style,- some ships are more traditional, other more stylish, elegant, some offer more choices for children, other are more seniors-oriented. The cruise comparison chart below should help you in making the correct choice. Check your cruise itinerary, almost every ship usually includes several formal dress code nights. Dark business suit or a tuxedo would do the thing. Alaska cruises tend to be more casual than other destinatons but items such as cutoff t-shirts, halter tops and torn jeans are still not permitted in the dining area.Tipping is usually $10 per passenger per day. We recommend you to book a stateroom with a balcony. Theview on an Alaska cruise is always changing- mountains, shores, wildlife, marine animals, glaciers, or quaint waterfront communities. You can enjoy it from the privacy of your own balcony, escaping crowded decks.

We wish you a nice and safe cruising!

Visit us at: http://www.travelmake.com/alaska_cruises.html to see our ALASKA CRUISE SHIPS COMPARISON TABLE.

Travelmake.com - one of leading discount travel agencies, a source of useful travel information.

---

Celebrity Cruise! Opulence Perfectly Staged

Each generation of Celebrity ships has emerged to assume a... Read More

Taking A Paddleboat Cruise

In May my husband and I took a wonderful steamboat... Read More

Cruise Trips: Just How Popular is Cruising?

The results are in for 2004. The number of people... Read More

5 Steps to Crime Prevention at your Marina

Spending the day or weekend on your boat is one... Read More

See Alaska as Never Before: Alaska Inside Passage Cruises

Between the Alaskan mainland and its islands, lies an intriguing... Read More

Take a Wine-Tasting Tour While Yachting

Just think of it, the world of opulence and leisure:... Read More

Want a Dream Career? Get a Job on a Yacht!

If you're the "outdoorsy" type, prefer to work on a... Read More

The History of Water Sports

Swimming is noted in many of the classics as relating... Read More

Silversea Cruises! Committed To Elegance, Luxury, And Gracious Hospitality

Committed to elegance, luxury and gracious hospitality, Silversea Cruises is... Read More

Bingo At Sea?

Under the "G" for Great Holiday. Bingo players can take... Read More

New Zealand Cruise Expert Guide

New Zealand is a country guaranteed to surprise. Emerald green... Read More

Family Cruise and Family Cruises

Family cruises are a special time for families to connect... Read More

Atlantic Ocean at Great Depths

The Atlantic Ocean is Earth's second-largest ocean. It covers approximately... Read More

Simple Things for the ?Sailing Life?

Owning a boat has an oxymoronic quality to it. "The... Read More

Small Boats Should Have Certain Equipment On Board For Proper Safety Precautions

Relaxing in your canoe on a beautiful calm lake, fishing... Read More

Cruising---What Everyone Should Know

August 7, 2005 -- Taking a cruise is now one... Read More

Caribbean Cruise Expert Guide

Comprising of around 50 islands (750 if you count the... Read More

Boat Washing 101 - Spring is Here, Lets Go Boating

As a boat owner you know that washing the boat... Read More

A Land Divided - A World United - The Panama Canal

It has been called "the big ditch", "the bridge between... Read More

Crossing Paths With a Legend

When 13-year-old Bill Lefakinis first visited the famed yacht Christina... Read More

Short Cruises - The Perfect Match For First Time Cruisers

Would you like to try a cruise, but aren't sure... Read More

Those Ellusive Crab and Prawn Traps

If you are a boater, in particular a sea or... Read More

Cruise The Nile of Cleopatra

For centuries, the Nile River has been at the center... Read More

Meguiars RV and Marine Boat Cleaners and Waxes; Test Results

One of the most famous and popular brands in the... Read More

Carnival Cruise Expert Guide

A carnival cruise is one of the best-loved types of... Read More

Cleaning Canvas Tops on Boats

Cleaning boat canvas covers is difficult unless you know the... Read More

Water Molecule Alignment for Increased Speed In the Water

A submarine can move faster thru the water if the... Read More

Stocking up Your Boat

There, you have just got a boat. A nice new... Read More

Radisson Seven Seas Cruises! Where Luxury Goes Exploring

Luxury goes exploring! How faithfully these words portray the elegance,... Read More

Celebrity Cruises for All-Inclusive Vacations

Why Take a Cruise Vacation? Well, with all the cruise... Read More

Alaska Cruise Expert Guide

The Alaska cruise is a breathtaking adventure that you'll never... Read More

Norwegian Cruise Line - American Style!

It's not just the size and opulence of their sleek... Read More

Bahamas Cruise Expert Guide

The Bahamas is arguably the most popular cruise destination for... Read More