pampaul Posted April 2, 2012 #1 Share Posted April 2, 2012 Since I'm out of work with an injury right now, buying a few books right now is just not in the cards. So I went to the local library and took out 3 books on Alaska. Here's what I have... 2002 Alaska Ports of Call 2000 Fodor's Alaska Alaska's Southeast "Touring the Inside Passage" Here's my question. How "up to date" will these books really be? I mean does info really change from year to year with these books? Can't wait to get started!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PennyAgain Posted April 2, 2012 #2 Share Posted April 2, 2012 Obviously prices will have changed. Names of tour vendors, phone numbers, emails etc likely will not be up-to-date. A difference is some cruise lines who go to Alaska and names of ships. But all in all, you will get the basics. However, I believe the best info you can get is here on Cruise Critic. You can go back to older posts and reviews for some additional great information. Read BudgetQueen! Sorry about your injury! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pampaul Posted April 2, 2012 Author #3 Share Posted April 2, 2012 Obviously prices will have changed. Names of tour vendors, phone numbers, emails etc likely will not be up-to-date. A difference is some cruise lines who go to Alaska and names of ships. But all in all, you will get the basics. However, I believe the best info you can get is here on Cruise Critic. You can go back to older posts and reviews for some additional great information. Read BudgetQueen! Sorry about your injury! What or who is budget queen? And thanks for the other info that you gave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted April 2, 2012 #4 Share Posted April 2, 2012 These are a great start, reading them will offer tour options, maps, and give you a background on the very different areas. See if your library has an interlibrary loan program. You may be able to request other Alaska books. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PennyAgain Posted April 2, 2012 #5 Share Posted April 2, 2012 BudgetQueen posts on Cruise Critic and has fantastic, accurate information. (I should have said that in my earlier post, sorry). I know Alaska very well, but when it comes to tourist related things, I often print out her posts. I have family who still live in Alaska and they read her. If you can get around well enough to check out used book stores, I ideal reference is a MILEPOST of about any year as it will have the basics and excellent maps. You can even buy the used ones on Amazon for decent prices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mapleleaves Posted April 2, 2012 #6 Share Posted April 2, 2012 A 10 yr old book is pretty dated for vendor information, but it will give you an idea of the sights and activities available at each port. Whether it's 2002 or 2012, Mendenhall Glacier is still a big attraction in Juneau! and Glacier Bay is a spectacular sight regardless of the year. But new attractions such as the new Discovery Center in Ketchikan won't be listed. Use the internet as a resource. Most towns have a web site to support local tourism. Google each port followed by 'visitor information' or 'chamber of commerce'. You'll find activities, excursions and suggestions for low cost DIY. Many towns will send a free visitor guide, as will the State of Alaska Tourism. ie http://www.seward.com/ How about a used book from Amazon ..... a 2011 edition of 'Frommers Alaska cruises and ports of Call' is less than $5. On the amazon site I typed 'alaska by cruiseship' and found a number of different books for as little as $1. Sorry about your injury .... but planning the trip will certainly keep your spirits up. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCalicoCat Posted April 2, 2012 #7 Share Posted April 2, 2012 Since I'm out of work with an injury right now, buying a few books right now is just not in the cards. So I went to the local library and took out 3 books on Alaska. Here's what I have... 2002 Alaska Ports of Call 2000 Fodor's Alaska Alaska's Southeast "Touring the Inside Passage" Here's my question. How "up to date" will these books really be? I mean does info really change from year to year with these books? Can't wait to get started!!! The prices are probably out of date, but Mendenhall Glacier is still near Juneau as an example... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pampaul Posted April 2, 2012 Author #8 Share Posted April 2, 2012 These are a great start, reading them will offer tour options, maps, and give you a background on the very different areas. See if your library has an interlibrary loan program. You may be able to request other Alaska books. I think our library does have an interliberary loan program. I'll have to check into it more. BudgetQueen posts on Cruise Critic and has fantastic, accurate information. (I should have said that in my earlier post, sorry). I know Alaska very well, but when it comes to tourist related things, I often print out her posts. I have family who still live in Alaska and they read her. If you can get around well enough to check out used book stores, I ideal reference is a MILEPOST of about any year as it will have the basics and excellent maps. You can even buy the used ones on Amazon for decent prices. I'll have to check out Amazon even more. A 10 yr old book is pretty dated for vendor information, but it will give you an idea of the sights and activities available at each port. Whether it's 2002 or 2012, Mendenhall Glacier is still a big attraction in Juneau! and Glacier Bay is a spectacular sight regardless of the year. But new attractions such as the new Discovery Center in Ketchikan won't be listed.Use the internet as a resource. Most towns have a web site to support local tourism. Google each port followed by 'visitor information' or 'chamber of commerce'. You'll find activities, excursions and suggestions for low cost DIY. Many towns will send a free visitor guide, as will the State of Alaska Tourism. ie http://www.seward.com/ How about a used book from Amazon ..... a 2011 edition of 'Frommers Alaska cruises and ports of Call' is less than $5. On the amazon site I typed 'alaska by cruiseship' and found a number of different books for as little as $1. Sorry about your injury .... but planning the trip will certainly keep your spirits up. :) Yeah, I figured as much that the attractions would still be relatively the same. As I'm sure the prices are much different now. But atleast it'll give me a good head start into my research. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlmalone3 Posted April 2, 2012 #9 Share Posted April 2, 2012 You might also check with Half Price Bookstore...if you have one in your area. I have seen books on Alaska travel in our store, editions from 2007 up to 2011. You never know until you look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catocop Posted April 2, 2012 #10 Share Posted April 2, 2012 Don't forget you can visit tripadvisor.com, type in Juneau, Skagway, or whatever ports you're considering, and see what people have reviewed lately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watson's aunt Posted April 3, 2012 #11 Share Posted April 3, 2012 I bought the Alaska Cruise Handbook A mile by Mile guide. byJoe Upton you should be able to get this cheap on Amazon (used) its a must book to bring with you. It also has a great map I just bought Alaska By Crusie ship also has a map by Annie Vipond Hope you are getting better Mary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psyfi Posted April 8, 2012 #12 Share Posted April 8, 2012 I liked alaska by cruise ship by Anne vipond and the Alaska cruise handbook by joe upton. No wasted space on hotels etc... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Host Jazzbeau Posted April 8, 2012 #13 Share Posted April 8, 2012 Both Frommer's and Fodor's have cruise-oriented versions of their Alaska books, which are better focused for cruise passengers (even for the pre- or post-cruise land options). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewap Posted April 8, 2012 #14 Share Posted April 8, 2012 The best information on the ports that you will be going to is: http://www.eportreviews.com/Alaska/Ketchikan.htm Tom Ogg's reviews of the cruise ship ports are very informative along with photos and advise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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