Choose The Vacation Just Right for You

There’s lots to see and do in the largest state, one-fifth the size of the Lower 48 states combined! Alaska’s land mass is 570,375 square miles, and with her waterways, 656,425 square miles.

With a land so large, you won’t be able to see it all in one trip. So, choose the best vacation for the time you have. An Alaska CRUISE-TOUR is always the best choice to see more in a limited amount of time. Cruise lines visit Alaska between May and September.

Alaska by Sea

Most Popular Cruise Itineraries:

Inside Passage cruises are characterized by round trip departures from Seattle, Vancouver or San Francisco which travel into Alaska’s Inside Passage with port stops in Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, or Skagway. Glacier displays in the mighty Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier and Tracy Arm are also found in the area. Inside passage cruises can be 7 or 10 days in length but are typically 7 days.

Gulf of Alaska cruises are 7 days, traveling southbound from Anchorage (Whittier or Seward) to Vancouver, or northbound in the opposite direction, and include most of the port stops along the Inside Passage, with additional Glacier displays in the Gulf of Alaska’s College Fjord. This itinerary is the gateway to the Heartland of Alaska and makes Cruise-Tours possible. Celebrity, Holland America, Princess® and Royal Caribbean offer this itinerary.

Combine Inside Passage & Gulf of Alaska: Holland America offers a 14-day Connoisseur’s cruise round trip from Seattle that encompasses both the Inside Passage and Gulf of Alaska.

Alaska by Land and Sea

If you travel to Alaska only once, a cruise-tour is your best choice.

Because planning the best cruise-tour poses so many choices and decisions, it is highly recommended that you contact a AAA travel agent. Check with your AAA travel agent for special departures which may include reduced costs and extra amenities.

What you need to know to plan a cruise-tour.

Tour: While on tour, meals are not included! Because Alaska imports most food, it is expensive. You will purchase meals in your lodges and on the train throughout your itinerary. Salmon, of course, is a favorite. Gratuities are not included. It is appropriate to tip guides and escorts while on tour. Your lodging, transportation and some sightseeing are included while on tour. Airport transfers are not included.

Cruise: As with any cruise, almost everything is included – meals, accommodations, entertainment. Gratuities to shipboard personnel, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, shore excursions are not included and an additional cost. Fuel supplements when required by cruise lines are additional and based on the number of ‘cruise’ days.

Airfare: Airfare is not included. The cruise lines offer an add-on air program, and with some itineraries, it will be the least expensive choice. If using the cruise line’s air program, always ask for their ‘Custom Air’ which is well worth the additional cost.

What you need to know to make the best choice:

SOUTHBOUND ITINERARY: Choose a ‘southbound’ itinerary with the tour portion first followed by the cruise because air flight patterns are better for arrivals into Anchorage or Fairbanks with departures at the end of the trip out of Vancouver (or Seattle). It has also been found that passengers enjoy the entire trip more by getting the harder, tour portion finished first and then relaxing on the cruise.

FIRST TOUR NIGHT: Since it takes all day traveling to Alaska, the first hotel night on the tour itinerary is only a sleep-over and wasted. Pay close attention to the 2nd day’s schedule. You want plenty of time for sightseeing rather than only a day of traveling to the next destination. If Fairbanks is the first town, choose a tour with a 2-night stay.

MEALS: On most cruise-tours meals ARE NOT INCLUDED on the tour portion and food is very expensive in Alaska! Make sure you budget accordingly.

ESCORTED or HOSTED (tour portion only): There is a BIG difference in the quality of the experience between a hosted tour and escorted tour. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cruise-tours are all escorted - more expensive – but the better value!

ESCORTED: A tour manager or director is with the group from beginning to end – recommended. Royal Caribbean & Celebrity’s are ALL escorted.

HOSTED: A cruise line representative (host) is available along the way to offer help and guidance. Most Princess tours are HOSTED with only a few that are escorted and clearly labeled as such.

MOST POPULAR: The Mt. McKinley - Denali Corridor
The Mt. McKinley-Denali corridor with Fairbanks to the north and Anchorage to the south is considered the heart of Alaska. To most folks, seeing Mt. McKinley, the tallest mountain in North America, is most important. So all of the cruise lines plan their tour itineraries accordingly, maximizing the time spent in this area (Denali National Park) - the best tours will have at least a 2-night stay. The Alaska Railroad connects these areas of primary interest. Denali National Park is so large that it has two distinct tourist-hotel areas: (1) northern entrance area, commonly called ‘Denali’ where the Denali Princess is located; (2) Talkeetna, the town with closest proximity to and best views of Mt. McKinley. The Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge is located close by.

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