The Best Alaskan Cruise Guidebook

[ghisl]

There are so many out there - which book would you say has helped you the most? I'm already booked so I need help with ports of call and excursions.

[bluedevil72]

We first bought Frommer's Alaska Cruises & Ports of Call. It is very detailed and gives a lot of info about each port of call and every cruise line that sails to Alaska. There is also a lot of detailed information about excursions and things to do within walking distance. So in reading your question, it may be just what you're looking for. The book that I really enjoyed though was Princess' Alaska Cruise Companion written by Joe Upton. There are great stories and history about Alaska and many of the ports of call. There are also great pictures and maps which I found helpful before our cruise. (Frommer's has no pictures.) We ordered the book by calling Princess by phone. It was about $25. They do give mileage marker numbers all the way through the book that don't necessarily mean anything when you're cruising with somebody else (we were on NCL), but it certainly doesn't diminish the worth of the book.

[cntrydncr1]

I think your best guide is free...right here!

[NancyIL]

I like Frommer's Alaska by Charles Wohlforth and Alaska By Cruise Ship by Anne Vipond.

[brunolvr]

There are so many out there - which book would you say has helped you the most? I'm already booked so I need help with ports of call and excursions.

Visit the websites of the different ports you will be in and request they send you brochures. We have found these very helpful! You get maps and lots of ideas for shopping at true Alaskan stores.

 

Such as:

http://www.traveljuneau.com/planner/order/index.cfm

 

http://www.visit-ketchikan.com/Thing...1/Default.aspx

 

http://www.skagway.com/contactus.html

 

or any of the cities you will be in.

[Cshell5]

I did a search at our local public library. I searched online and was able to get many DVD's and books on Alaska and started reading and watching tapes to give me a starting point on what type of cruise or land tours I wanted to do.

[H2O babe]

I also like Alaska by Cruise Ship by Anne Vipond. The map sections in it will be very useful to us.