By Stephanie Loleng
Alaska is a favorite cruise spot for travelers who want to glimpse some of the most breathtaking views in the U.S. Choose among
vacations that include a glacier cruise, an Inside Passage cruise and a small-ship cruise. Among some of the most popular cruise lines are Carnival, Princess, Royal
Caribbean and NCL. Depending on your length of stay and what you want to get out of it, each cruise offers its own benefits.
Glacier Cruises
A glacier cruise, which is also called a Gulf of Alaska cruise because it sails one way through the gulf, will have you gazing at immense glaciers and mountain scenery. You'll visit the national glacier parks, Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay. Because there are fewer days on sea, this is a good choice for travelers who have only about a week to travel.
Alaska Inside Passage
Cruising on the Inside Passage, you'll discover where the Alaskan gold rush was and also view breathtaking scenery. These cruises usually depart from Seattle, San Francisco or Vancouver, British Columbia. Leaving from Vancouver or Seattle is usually half of the price of leaving from San Francisco. Normally, the cruises are round trip and last seven days, which include one day of cruising the narrow waterway of the Inside Passage and then spending a few days visiting an Alaskan port.
Small-Boat Cruises
Small-ship cruises allow you to get up close and personal with nature and are for travelers who don't want too many distractions or floating malls that some larger cruise ships feature. Being on a small ship also allows for more adventures off the beaten track in intimate settings. This is popular for whale watching and taking your time, not hopping from port to port.
Resources
About the Author:
Stephanie Loleng has written professionally since 1998 for print, radio and the web. She has contributed to the travel anthology "Expat: Women's True Tales of Life Abroad," and was a segment producer for the Peabody Award-winning radio documentary "Crossing East." She holds a Bachelor of Arts in literature and history from the University of California.
