Page 258 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Alaska

256  TR A VELERS ’ NEEDS

CRUISING IN ALASKA

Wildlife sightings on land and sea, tide- the cruise line, the season, and national
water glaciers and snowcapped peaks, and economic conditions. Cruise lines like to
the cultural heritage of Alaska’s indigenous appeal to as wide a market as possible,
peoples provide the big draw for cruising offering numerous itineraries on various
the Inside Passage (see pp38–9) and the classes of ship, resort-style amenities, and
Gulf of Alaska (see pp40–41). For many a range of shore excursions. All travelers
travelers, an Alaskan cruise is a once-in-a- need to be prepared for Alaska’s
lifetime experience, providing a luxurious unpredictable weather. While the parkas
way to see some of the wildest places on may end up packed away the entire time,
earth. Rates vary greatly depending upon so may the swimsuit and sandals.

Best Times to Go Choosing a Cruise Line ship’s age and when it began to
and Ship
While weekly cruises to sail under its current name.
tropical islands operate all year Budget may be the most Lastly, do not judge a ship by the
round, the Alaska cruise season important factor in influencing cruise line. Even mass-market
lasts less than five months, the choice of a cruise. Also, it is cruise lines offer new ships with
typically from mid-May to mid- essential to decide which is more design features and amenities
September. Sun worshippers important – the ship or the that approach luxury.
can aim for cruises that depart itinerary. For some, cruising is all
at the end of June and through about low fares, fresh air, and the
July. With a decrease in the destination itself. For others, Choosing an Itinerary
likeli hood of storms, this is con- imaginative itineraries and Consult cruise route maps
sidered peak season, and cruise creature com forts matter more. (see pp38–41) to get your
lines charge accord ingly. Also, Cruise lines rate themselves bear ings. The Inside Passage
as the summer sol stice nears, according to a star system that is, has the largest concentration
the northern lati tudes make for however, fast losing defi nition. of accessible towns, glaciers,
exceptionally long days. This Six-star lines offer smaller, more fjords, and forests. Popular stops
translates into late evenings intimate ships, the best cuisine, include Glacier Bay, Haines,
and technicolor sunsets almost superior accommoda tion, and Hoonah, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka,
at midnight. services to match. Naturally, such Ketchikan, and Misty Fiords. The
If price matters more than the lux ury comes at a price, but trav- Gulf of Alaska has fewer ports of
weather, it is best to hunt for elers may be able to find fares call, but bene fits include the
deals in the September and May that include round-trip air travel, glaciers, deep fjords, and marine
shoulder seasons (see p270). onboard expenses, and excur- life of Hubbard Glacier and
Generally, the later in the season sions. Mass market ships adver- Prince William Sound.
that trav elers depart, the greater tise the lowest rates. No line with Week-long round-trip cruises
the likelihood of damp weather. less than four or five stars will between Juneau and Seattle,
However, passengers need to mention their rating, while San Francisco, and Vancouver in
be prepared at all times for others may exag gerate their Canada take in the Inside
Alaska’s erratic weather. status. Be sure to research the Passage and are especially

Multi-level cruise ship moored in Juneau’s Gastineau Channel

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