The 1,380-guest Amsterdam’s leisurely two-week itinerary features the scenic Inside Passage, highlighted by cruising Tracy Arm fjord for glacier viewing, then huge and spectacular Hubbard Glacier in Yakutat Bay. Ports of call include Ketchikan, Skagway, Sitka, Anchorage, Homer, Kodiak, Juneau and Victoria, BC.

Four ships will home-port in Seattle during 2010, sailing  63 seven-night, eight-day roundtrip “Alaskan Explorer” cruises. Before shiftng to the new two-week itinerary, HAL’s flagship Amsterdam opens the company’s season with two seven-night, eight-day “Alaskan Explorer” sailings May 3 and May 10.

May 9 through September 24, three additional vessels will embark from Seattle weekly. They are 1,432-guest Zaandam, 1,316-guest Rotterdam, and 1,918-guest Oosterdam. “Alaskan Explorer” cruises call at Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan, plus Victoria, BC.

Four ships will home-port in Vancouver, two of them sailing seven night, eight -day “Glacier Bay Inside Passage” roundtrips. The 1,432-guest Volendam and 1,916-guest Zuiderdam will sail 39 voyages May 8 through September 18 visiting Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Glacier Bay National Park and Tracy Arm fjord.

The 1,270-guest Ryndam and 1,258-guest Statendam will sail 36 seven-night, eight-day “Glacier Discovery” cruises north or south between Vancouver and Seward May 9 through September 12. The itinerary features Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway or Haines, Glacier Bay National Park and College Fjord in Prince William Sound.

Ryndam and Statendam also will offer two more Inside Passage sailings  – with port and glacier variations – September 12 and 19 to conclude the season. 

Source: www.Alaskacruisingreport.com

Well, the wild life is a big draw for the area. You actually get to see the animals in their natural habitat, not just a well-simulated environment. The mountains are absolutely breathtaking and there are huge glaciers you can actually walk on top of.

A lot of cruises to Alaska include docking where you can go inland and explore the wilderness for yourself. You will be dazzled at the awesome beauty and untamed wilds of the Alaskan landscape. You will see forests, glaciers as well as untainted shorelines and much, much more.

You may be wondering if you go on a cruise, do you need to also tour the land? The answer is a resounding yes. There are things that you will see on the water you cannot possibly appreciate from the shore. Vise Versa, you will not be able to see the wild life without going on land.

On the land tour, you can see ride the Alaska Railroad and stay in some of the beautiful lodges in the National Park. On the Alaskan cruise, you will see whales, salmon and glaciers.

The nice thing about the packages where both cruises and land tours are available is that you can make your excursion what you want it to be. You can spend more time on land, or the boat or equal time in both locations.

If you have never been to this region of the world, an Alaskan cruise may bet the perfect way for you to see it. You can also use Vancouver or Seattle as jumping off and landing points so you can take in additional sights as well.

By Ryan Puusaari -  Ryan Puusaari loves to cruise the world. If you are trying to decide what type of cruise vacation to take or would just like to read about the different cruise experiences avaliable then check out Ryan”s website: www.enjoythecruise.com.

The Alaskan frontier is one of the most amazing cruise destinations in the world. A week-long cruise brings you majestic glaciers and icebergs, and excursions into the Alaskan wilderness.

A cruise ship is the most relaxing and convenient way to see other parts of the world. Do you imagine yourself catching different flights, transfer accommodations and packing suitcases? And all of this while on vacation? On an Alaskan Cruise, enjoyment and relaxation starts at Day 1 with a highly experienced crew and fine cuisine. Forget the rest of the world and just unwind.

Ketchikan, Skagway, Juneau are places you might have only heard of. Finally set foot on these historical places for they are in the cruise itinerary. Glacier Bay National Park, College Fjord in Prince William, are special destinations and are famous for their majestic natural beauty.

If you feel the need for more adventure, you can arrange a trip to the Alaskan interior or take a helicopter ride to the very center of a glacier. Alaska offers diverse opportunities for exploring – there are mountain trails and camping sites along lakes and rivers.

An Alaskan cruise experience need not be expensive. Inner cabins are cheaper and it makes perfect sense to select one because the only time you are inside is when you are sleeping, changing or taking a shower.

There are a lot of excursions Pick three that you like the most and make them your priority. Family packages offer great freebies. Just ask the crew about these deals. Check out free activities as well. They are perfect for kids who might get restless while the ship is on the way.

But not all Alaska cruise trips are alike. You first need to decide what you want on your cruise. If you like to be pampered in the lap of luxury then you’ll want to take advantage of one of the many Alaska luxury cruises. Here you can relax in the spa, have a wonderful massage and enjoy all the amenities of a first class resort. You will dine on the best foods, available at almost any hour. Just like most cruises, Alaska cruises are the ultimate in pampering guests.

Alaska cruises have something for everyone in the family. Along with the usual cruise amenities of pools, games, exercise, meeting new people and fun, Alaska cruises offer interesting scenery you won’t find at home. On your cruise, not only will you’ll be amazed by majestic glaciers but you might spot brown bears, eagles, humpback whales or sea lions.

If you want adventure, there are many cruise packages that can satisfy your needs as well as offer typical cruise amenities.

One popular Alaskan adventure is sea kayaking. You can pick from tours in choppy waters or, for the more tame at heart, a calmer course is offered. Sea kayaking gives you an opportunity to get outdoors and see a lot of the coastline which is abundant with local wildlife.

Hiking is another popular excursion that you can try once your cruise ship docs. You can choose from any number of guided hikes using different trails and going out for different lengths of time. It’s a great chance to get out in the wilderness and experience nature Alaska style. If this isn’t enough for you, you can even work in some rock climbing while you are off ship.

The best time to take an Alaska cruise is in the summer where you will be able to enjoy Alaska in fairly mild weather. There are 2 basic paths that cruises take one goes throught the inside passage which visits Alaskan panhandle ports and the other through the Gulf of Alaska visiting more glaciers and northern points. Be sure that you check the weather and pack accordingly!

About The Author, leedobbins

Lee Dobbins writes for www.travel-cents.com where you can learn more about budget travel and cruises. Read more articles on cruises at http://www.travel-cents.com/cruise-articles.html

Most people dream of going on that incredible vacation, the one they will always remember. One of these great vacations is the Alaska cruise and tour trip. Going on an Alaska trip is incomparable to anything else you have ever done. Imagine seeing some of the most incredible nature scenes, views that cannot be seen anywhere else in the world. Alaska has some of the most incredible scenery in the world, especially during the summer months.

There are all kinds of Alaskan cruises and trips that leave from many different shorelines. The price is also very varied depending on where you leave from, where you go in Alaska, and how long you stay.

Most Alaskan cruises start out from Vancouver, San Francisco, or Seattle, and there are over 15 cruise liners that offer you different options. You can choose the best option by studying the brochures, or look at the cruise options at their official online site.

Once You Arrive – When you finally arrive in Alaska, you will be completely astounded by the nature and beauty of the country. It is unlike anything you have ever seen before. If you go during any season, you will find a unique beauty that can only be seen during that season. Alaska is known for its wonderful wildlife, unlimited coastlines, glaciers, and rich heritage.

What’s Available

There are several different Alaska Cruise packages available. They start with the 12 day package or the week long package. You can also take the Gulf of Alaska Cruise package, where you can stop at several ports, see the glacier bay and the Kenai Peninsula. You will visit the ports of Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan.

Another great Alaskan trip takes you to the the mountains of mystery which are known all around the world as some of the most rugged and most beautiful snow capped mountains.

In Alaska you can see everything including a rainforest, islands, mountains and wonderful wildlife.

Alaska is the largest state in the US and is highly visited by tourists form all over the world. You will find most of the cruises run from May to September and are usually made by the Princess cruise line, or the Holland America.

Whatever adventure you seek whether its mountain climbing, glacier climbing, sport fishing or bird and sea life watching Alaska has it all. You’ll find rich Indian heritage, wonderful food, hospitable and friendly people and an incredible array of things to do. What else could you ask for from an Alaskan cruise.

Come to Alaska, and see those once in a lifetime sights, the ones you will always remember. It’s a great family vacation, singles vacation or even a couple’s vacation. There is something here for anyone.

Due to weather hindrances, cruises to Alaska are strictly restricted during the summer months from early May to Mid Sept. June, July and August are the peak seasons when the average daily temperatures reach up to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The best time to sail is May and September as temperatures soar around 50 degrees. Luxury vessels and midsize ships sail from Vancouver, BC and Seattle. At both embarkment and disembarkment points, you are able to visit the ports of Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway.

The wonder world of Alaska is waiting for you. The mountains, waterfalls, the humpback whales and frolicking sea lions, the breathtaking forests, wildlife and the snowcapped mountains-is all there for you. Alaska is fascinating, explorative and full of new discoveries. Each new day ushers in new surprises. Alaska is the most memorable place on the earth. You see the breathtaking view of Mt. McKinley as it rises grandly over Denali National Park. Imagine yourself bird watching, hiking through the glacier waterfalls outside Juneau and sea kayak on the Tongass National Park harbor.

Alaska is a place full of adventures with its one hundred thousand glaciers and 3 million lakes. To enjoy the Alaska experience your first option should be a Gulf of Alaska cruise tour, along with Voyage of the Glaciers cruise with an option of land tours. You won’t soon forget the Freestyle Cruising Alaska offers.

Experience the early frontier existence from America’s oldest Russian Orthodox Church in the San Diego’s Gaslamp District, and the vineries of Santa Barbara. You will enjoy a trolley car ride to Chinatown or Fisherman’s Wharf. As your ship sails through Glacier Bay, you experience nature to the fullest.

Looking for information about cruises? Go to: http://www.whatcruises.com ‘What Cruises’ is published by Colin Hartness – An excellent resource for Cruises! Check out more cruise articles at: http://www.whatcruises.com/archive

Due to weather hindrances, cruises to Alaska are strictly restricted during the summer months from early May to Mid Sept. June, July and August are the peak seasons when the average daily temperatures reach up to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The best time to sail is May and September as temperatures soar around 50 degrees. Luxury vessels and midsize ships sail from Vancouver, BC and Seattle. At both embarkment and disembarkment points, you are able to visit the ports of Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway.

The wonder world of Alaska is waiting for you. The mountains, waterfalls, the humpback whales and frolicking sea lions, the breathtaking forests, wildlife and the snowcapped mountains-is all there for you. Alaska is fascinating, explorative and full of new discoveries. Each new day ushers in new surprises. Alaska is the most memorable place on the earth. You see the breathtaking view of Mt. McKinley as it rises grandly over Denali National Park. Imagine yourself bird watching, hiking through the glacier waterfalls outside Juneau and sea kayak on the Tongass National Park harbor.

Alaska is a place full of adventures with its one hundred thousand glaciers and 3 million lakes. To enjoy the Alaska experience your first option should be a Gulf of Alaska cruise tour, along with Voyage of the Glaciers cruise with an option of land tours. You won’t soon forget the Freestyle Cruising Alaska offers.

Experience the early frontier existence from America’s oldest Russian Orthodox Church in the San Diego’s Gaslamp District, and the vineries of Santa Barbara. You will enjoy a trolley car ride to Chinatown or Fisherman’s Wharf. As your ship sails through Glacier Bay, you experience nature to the fullest.

Looking for information about cruises? Go to: http://www.whatcruises.com ‘What Cruises’ is published by Colin Hartness – An excellent resource for Cruises! Check out more cruise articles at: http://www.whatcruises.com/archive

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dipika_Patel