Page 259 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Alaska

CRUISING IN ALASK A  257

approach is to cruise with
small-ship operators or off-
the-beaten-track adventure
specialists. There’s often a high
standard of comfort and good
food on these trips, but the
glitzier cruise entertainments
are traded for on-board experts
in subjects such as marine
biology and photography, and
shore excursions may range
from informal encounters with
local culture to two-day forest
hikes. Alaskan Dream Cruises,
Discovery Voyages, Un-Cruise
Adventures, and Lindblad
Expeditions are excellent
choices for this type of cruise.
What’s Included
Fares on all mass market cruise
ships include meals, snacks,
shows, and compli mentary
drinks at a “Captain’s Meet
Cruise ship with a large decktop swimming pool and Greet” cocktail party.
Passengers have some control
popular. As the route heads latest deals, consult the travel over the amount of gratuities,
north from Canada or the US sections of leading news papers but more and more lines
to Juneau, Seward, or Whittier, in early spring. include a nominal fee for wait
signs of modern civilization staff and room stewards on the
recede gradually with each Major Cruise Lines final bill. Luxury ships may offer
passing day. Another popular comp limentary alcoholic bev-
itinerary goes across the Gulf Most major cruise lines have erages or wine during meals,
of Alaska between Seward or in their fleet at least two or while other upscale lines stock
Whittier and Juneau, and more ships that are large cabins with bottles of liquor.
includes points of interest both enough to carry hundreds or Economy ships charge for
in the Gulf and in the Inside even thousands of passengers. everything at every turn. All
Passage as far south as Misty Common facilities on board purchases made on board are
Fiords National Monument. include restaurants and buffets, added to the final bill.
health spas and salons, theaters,
themed lounges, bars, dance
Planning and Research clubs, swimming pools and hot Special Deals
To ensure a great vacation, tubs, and children’s clubs. Promotional fares are easily
it would be wise to devote Large and midsized cruise available in the weeks just
some time to planning ships are offered by Regent before the peak season. The
and research. The Internet Seven Seas Cruises, Celebrity first and last weeks of the
offers extensive information Cruises, Holland America Line, season have the cheapest
on cruise lines and is a Princess Cruise Line, Royal fares. All major lines also offer
fast and efficient way to Caribbean Line, Norwegian air add-ons and hotel stays,
compare the best deals. Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, and in Alaska, that can mean
Alaska Cruises, Cruise Critic, Silversea Cruises, and Carnival extended rail tours to Denali
Cruise Reviews, and Cruise Cruise Lines. Silversea vessels and other points of interest in
Mates all maintain websites are among the best in Alaskan the Interior.
with comprehensive, insightful waters, while Holland America Look out for special deals
reviews and information on and Princess Cruises have tied offered on the websites of
how to book a cruise. For up with Alaska Railroad to offer cruise lines and travel agencies.
propri etary cruise information, rail tours (see pp284–7). Travel clubs, academic societies,
browse through the websites and other membership associa-
of cruise companies. Small Ships tions organize charters to take
Travel bookstores are also advantage of group rates. Large
an invaluable resource, as are The only way to sail into cruise lines spon sor themed
travel-related websites such secluded villages and hidden cruises and these might occ-
as Expedia Travel. For the coves that large ships cannot asionally offer a good bargain.

256-257_EW_Alaska.indd 257 02/05/17 2:32 pm