Cruise destinations from Cut Price Cruises

DESTINATIONS - Alaska

Why go there?

Known as The Last Wilderness, Alaska covers more than 580 thousand miles and contains some of the most stunning scenery on earth. Here you can spot families of grizzly bears on fishing expeditions , watch bald eagles soaring overhead as you raft down a foaming river; take a hike over the blue-veined surface of a million year old glacier; soar by plane over glittering mountain peaks, discover the history of the regions indigenous Indian tribes, follow in the footsteps of America's early pioneers and explore atmospheric coastal towns.

Why cruise there?

A cruise ship is actually the best platform from which to see the glorious scenery of Alaska; nothing else can get you up as close to the glaciers - and the experience of enjoying drinks on your balcony as your ship slowly sails past these gigantic "frozen waterfalls" is simply unforgettable.

When would I go, what will the weather be like and what should I pack?

The Alaska cruise season lasts from May to October, when the weather is predominantly sunny and mild and temperatures con reach the low 80s. Take stout walking shoes for walking ashore, art umbrella to guard against showers and a warmer wrap for evenings.

What are the options?

There are essentially two main Alaska cruise itineraries - the "Inside Passage" run round-trip from Vancouver and the Glacier Route between Vancouver and Anchorage. Many passengers add land stays to the basic cruise packages, travelling from Vancouver by coach or train to the Canadian Rockies and, - on open-jaw itineraries, - enjoying either the Rockies or Denali National Park and the Alaskan interior (or both.)

What to do ashore?

Alaska cruises have traditionally offered the most interesting ‘soft adventure' shore excursions in the market, with helicopter and small plane tours, white water rafting and riverside salmon barbecues widely available.Now many operators have expanded shore options to include even more offbeat activities; Norwegian Cruise line offers mountain biking and kayaking trips while Princess Cruises now has dog sledding, forest hikes, go-karting and rock climbing on the menu

An important recent development has been the creation of Alaskan cruise resorts akin to the ‘private islands' used by cruise lines in the Caribbean to offer their passengers an exclusive space for R&R.The first of these to open was Port Icy Strait, a former cannery near Glacier Bay which has been converted to offer cruise passengers a variety of activities related to local history and culture.

The second site, Wilderness, opens in 2005. Set on the borders of Tongass Notional Forest in Alaska's Inside Passage, it cost US$50 million to build and attractions include a steam train, hot springs, sea and wildlife tours, flightseeing, biking and whitewater rafting.

Which cruise lines go there?

Operators with Alaska programmes include

What type of traveller goes there?

Alaska cruises are ideal for upmarket first timers who would normally turn their noses up at cruising but are attracted by the scenery and wildlife - few can resist the chance to spot killer, humpback and minkie wholes, dolphins, porpoises, sealions, sea otters, puffins, bears and bald eagles.

They are also, increasingly, appealing to families as megaships with extensive children’s facilities proliferate in the region. And bolt-on landstays in the Canadian Rocky Mountains and the Alaskan interior have big appeal for younger, more active travellers who enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking , white-water rafting and kayaking.