We've been listening to today's show, but haven't heard any questions about the many choices in Alaskan cruises.Which itinerary would you recommended, if you would like to cruise the Inner Passage as well as take a land tour to Denali National Park? Which cruise lines would you recommend for those of us traveling without children? For the best views on the ship, on which side of the ship should you book a cabin?
Thank you for your time and help. Ev and Bob Mickel
I'm sorry we weren't able to get to your question in the course of the show. But here goes now: you make the point that there are a lot of ships cruising Alaska. Actually, that may be changing. Royal Caribbean and Cruise West just pulled some of their fleet from the region and there are rumblings that others may do the same. So I'd say it's more important than ever to work with a knowledgable cruise specialist on your booking. They should have insight into which sailings are "sure things" and which itineraries may change. Some cruise agents we'd recommend include: Cruise Brother, Cruises Only, CruiseStar.com, Vacations to Go and White Travel, though there are many excellent cruise agencies out there.
As for which cruiseline to pick: Holland America was a pioneer in this market, and many feel that its sailings have the best routings. They also offer three-day tours either before or after the cruise to Denali National Park (since Denali is inland, the only way to see it if you're cruising is on a multi-day extension of this sort). Holland America is an elegant line that tends to attract an older crowd, so it's also a good choice if you're looking to avoid children (though there will probably be some). Finally, even those cruises that are billed as Gulf of Alaska cruises do take in part of the Inside Passage. It's pretty much a given if you're cruising in Alaska you're going to be spending some part of your time in the Inside Passage.
As for which side of the boat to pick: discuss that with your travel agent. A lot will depend on which direction you're going in (whether you choose a one-way or a round-trip cruise).
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