Choose your Alaska cruise/tour by the itinerary, not necessarily by price or quality on board the vessel. Of course to most travelers the cruise ship is their favorite part but I believe Alaska is very different. Decide what your major points of interest are then find the vessel that will get you there. If you're interested in Alaska's Russian heritage then you need to find a ship that will take you to Sitka. If you're more interested in glaciers and wildlife then you should choose a ship that will take you to Glacier Bay. On land decide how much time you'd like to spend where i.e. 1, 2 or more nights in Denali National Park.
Don't forget that there are small ship options in Alaska as well. They are not big and fancy with glittery shows at night but viewing a pod of killer whales from the deck of a small ship happens much more often than on the big ships. They also go to places the big ships can't giving you a much more personal Alaska experience. They aren't on a timetable like the larger ships either. If they spot bears on shore or humpbacks feeding they will stop so you can cherish the moment. It takes a big ship a mile or more to stop so they don't even try.
It's always casual on a small ship. No fancy dress required ever. Some even carry a fleet of kayaks on board so you can explore the wilderness even closer. They are more expensive than your mainstream cruise lines but a large portion of their passengers are folks that went to Alaska on a big ship the first time and decided they didn't see it they way they should have. One such passenger said "I'd rather the scenery be big rather than the ship".
To me Alaska is an experience and all options should be considered. No matter what you choose you can expect a lifetime full of memories.
Which cruise line for Alaksa did YOU choose and WHY?
in Alaska
Posted
Choose your Alaska cruise/tour by the itinerary, not necessarily by price or quality on board the vessel. Of course to most travelers the cruise ship is their favorite part but I believe Alaska is very different. Decide what your major points of interest are then find the vessel that will get you there. If you're interested in Alaska's Russian heritage then you need to find a ship that will take you to Sitka. If you're more interested in glaciers and wildlife then you should choose a ship that will take you to Glacier Bay. On land decide how much time you'd like to spend where i.e. 1, 2 or more nights in Denali National Park.
Don't forget that there are small ship options in Alaska as well. They are not big and fancy with glittery shows at night but viewing a pod of killer whales from the deck of a small ship happens much more often than on the big ships. They also go to places the big ships can't giving you a much more personal Alaska experience. They aren't on a timetable like the larger ships either. If they spot bears on shore or humpbacks feeding they will stop so you can cherish the moment. It takes a big ship a mile or more to stop so they don't even try.
It's always casual on a small ship. No fancy dress required ever. Some even carry a fleet of kayaks on board so you can explore the wilderness even closer. They are more expensive than your mainstream cruise lines but a large portion of their passengers are folks that went to Alaska on a big ship the first time and decided they didn't see it they way they should have. One such passenger said "I'd rather the scenery be big rather than the ship".
To me Alaska is an experience and all options should be considered. No matter what you choose you can expect a lifetime full of memories.
SourdoughSteve