Cruises To Alaska

Alaska, or "the final frontier"; as it is commonly known as, is part of the United States but it is not physically located near the country. It is located closer to Canada next to the Yukon Territory in the country's Northwest. Many tourists consider Alaska an adventurers dream. Mountains, remote hiking trails, raging rivers and virtually untouched backcountry make for one-of-a-kind vacations. The weather in Alaska is quite unpredictable, but typically, it is very cold, blistery in the winters, warm, and dry in the summers. Although the state doesn't get the hot and sunny weather that is common in the Caribbean, the scenery, history and warm people make up for that fact and Alaskan cruises are not only very popular, they are sought out by millions of travelers from all over the world each year.

People interested in cruises to Alaska can choose from three destinations in the state: Alaska as a whole, Alaskan Gulf Northbound and Alaskan Gulf Southbound. There are a few routes available including Vancouver (British Columbia) to Alaska and Seattle (Washington) to Seward. These cruises visit a number of ports in and around not only Alaska but also British Columbia and other posts along the Pacific Seaboard. Some of these ports-of-call are Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan, Inside Passage, Tracy Arm, Hubbard Glacier, Icy Straight, Seward, Sitka and Haines. Other destinations include Victoria in British Columbia.

Most visitors to Alaska are interested in the unique landscape and beautiful scenery, exploring the vast wilderness and viewing the unique wildlife and sea life that make the area home. Killer whales and polar bears are often spotted, as are other more common species that can be found in warmer climates. The cruise companies that go to Alaska make sure to incorporate these things in many of their itineraries and there are a number of different packages available. Of course, there are the basic choices such as budget or luxury cruises and the length of the cruises can vary from a week to up to two weeks or longer depending on the time of year and what company passengers book with. In addition, there is also the option to choose between cruises that focus mainly on coastal scenery and marine life, cruises that focus more on allowing passengers to explore the interior areas, and cruises that incorporate both. Some cruise ship companies that offer Alaskan cruises include Carnival Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and Holland America Line.

Most of Alaskan cruises are all-inclusive meaning that meals, accommodations and onboard entertainment are included in the ticket price. Some packages or promotions may even include the airfare to the departure port and many cruises include insurance, some ground transportation, land excursions and sightseeing tours. The price of a cruise to Alaska of course will depend on the length of the cruise, the type of accommodations, the time of year the trip is being taken, and how many ports are visited. A typical seven-day cruise in an inside cabin will cost around US$700.00 without taxes while a seven-day cruise in a balcony suite can run as high as US$1200.00 without taxes.