The Norwegian Pearl inaugurates its 2010 season with a series of Glacier Bay sailings scheduled to depart Seattle weekly from May 9 through September 12. Itinerary includes Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay cruising, Ketchikan, Victoria, B.C. and return to Seattle.

The two exceptions are the line’s first and last voyages of the 2010 season: A five-night/six-day open-jaw sailing  departs May 5 from Vancouver, B.C., sails to and through Southeast Alaska then ends in Seattle. A six-night seven-day season closer departs from Seattle September 7 sailing to Southeast Alaska, including Glacier Bay, then concludes the voyage at Vancouver.

Three ships, Diamond Princess (2,670), Coral Princess (1,970), and Island Princess (1,970), will feature 54 weekly sailings along the line’s  “Voyage of the Glaciers” route between Vancouver, B.C. and Whittier, Alaska.  Port calls and scenic viewings include Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay National Park, and 16 glaciers of College Fjord in Prince William Sound (or Hubbard Glacier southbound).

Sea Princess (1,990) returns to San Francisco for 13 nine-night/10-day voyages through the Inside Passage to Glacier Bay National Park visiting Victoria, B.C, Juneau, Ketchikan, and, depending on voyage, either Skagway, Haines, or Icy Strait Point.

The cruiseline’s smaller and more intimate Royal Princess (680 guests), has scheduled eight 13-night  “Connoisseur” trips from Seattle. Itinerary includes some of the Big State’s smaller and less visited ports including Kodiak, Icy Strait Point, and Seward plus Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Victoria along with cruising in Glacier Bay and Tracy Arm.

Celebrity Millennium will inaugurate the cruiseline’s first sailing of the season with a 14-night, 15-day Ultimate Alaska voyage departing San Diego on April 30 and visiting Seattle, Sitka, Hubbard Glacier, Skagway, Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Tracy Arm Fiord, Ketchikan, Victoria, and Vancouver. Core season for the vessel will be seven-night, eight-day voyages between Vancouver heading north starting May 14 and south from Seward beginning May 21. Last sailing for the season departs September 10 from Seward.

Celebrity Mercury will sail seven-night, eight-day roundtrip cruises after kicking off its season May 5 with a 12-night, 13-day “Ultimate Alaska” roundtrip from Los Angeles to Southeast Alaska and return followed by another “Ultimate Alaska” voyage departing May 17 from Los Angeles and ending in Vancouver. Core of Celebrity Mercury’s summer season begins May 30 with the first of 16 seven-night, eight-day sailings from Vancouver. Highlight of the itinerary will be cruising the six-mile, 300-feet-high face of awesome Hubbard Glacier. Season closer will be a 12-night, 13-day sailing September 19, Vancouver to Alaska then San Francisco and San Diego.

Celebrity Infinity’s season begins with a May 10 departure from San Francisco for an 11-night, 12-day voyage to Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, and Sitka with journey’s end in Seattle. The vessel will then offer 18 seven-night, eight-day roundtrips to Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway plus Tracy Arm for glacier cruising and a port call at Victoria, B.C.

Celebrity Cruises
1-800-437-3111 www.celebritycruises.com

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

Rhapsody of the Seas will offer a seven-night roundtrip itinerary, sailing from Seattle and plying the Inside Passage with calls at Alaska’s Juneau and Skagway, as well as Victoria, British Columbia. Highlights will include a cruise through the 32-mile Tracy Arm Fjord, with its narrow walls rising more than 8,000 feet high en route to Sawyer Glacier, whose glacier face rises approximately 200 feet. (1-800-327-6700; www.royalcaribbean.com)

First there’s the traditional seven-night roundtrip Inside Passage voyage from Vancouver or Seattle to Southeastern Alaska and return. (Four lines also offer two-week expanded roundtrips or open-jaw itineraries to Southeast and Southcentral Alaska and return.)  A smaller number of roundtrips or open-jaw variations, are likewise available from San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and other west coast ports. 

Popular as well are one-way Gulf and Glaciers cruises between Vancouver and Southcentral Alaska ports Seward or Whittier.

Other lines (primarily small-ship companies) will offer Cruises Within Alaska, sailing within Southeast or Southcentral, many of them visiting Glacier Bay, Prince William Sound or Tracy Arm fiord with its twin Sawyer glaciers. Finally, there is the Extended Voyage that may, for instance, explore the Aleutian Islands chain, sub-Arctic and Arctic regions, or even visit ports of the Russian far-east and Asian destinations.

There are so many reasons to choose to cruise Alaska, it’s almost impossible to narrow them down. But, there are some things that stand out more than others for those who choose to cruise Alaska. Let’s look at a Top 10 list of reasons to decide to cruise Alaska on your next vacation:

• Perfect for families. Cruising Alaska is an ideal family vacation. With onboard pampering and outdoor fun around every bend, there are few vacations that are better for entire families. No matter a person’s age, cruising Alaska can be a blast. With activities designed for everyone and sites that are to die for, cruising Alaska brings with it memories to last a lifetime.
• Onboard activities. Cruising Alaska comes with the perks of onboard activities. From live entertainment to contests, games and more, there’s never a dull moment for those who choose to cruise Alaska.
• Food. If anyone says half the fun of cruising Alaska isn’t the food, they’re probably lying. With buffets and special spreads available at all hours of the day and night, cruising Alaska comes with a five-star floating restaurant. Plus, there are light snacks and room service around at all times.
• No need to do anything. One of the best things about an Alaskan cruise is the fact a passenger doesn’t have to do anything they don’t want to. With staff around to do everything, you don’t have to do anything but wake up and enjoy.
• Ports of call. The ports of call available for those who choose to cruise Alaska are amazing. From Anchorage to Denali and beyond, the ports of call on Alaskan cruises are varied and incredible. Stops can include places that are rough and tumble and those that are a bit more upscale and civilized.
• Wildlife. The wildlife viewing opportunities for those who cruise Alaska are amazing. From bears and seals to whales, eagles and more. There’s something new to see around just about every bend.
• Historic sites. The state of Alaska is loaded with historic sights. From those dedicated to the history of the state itself to Native American sites, there’s lots to explore.
• Whale watching. This is perhaps one of the biggest draws for those who choose to cruise Alaska. Side trips are available to take people into the heart of the water where whales can be seen going about their everyday lives.
• Fishing, hunting, camping, skiing and more. There are side trips available that involve all kinds of outdoor activities. Cruising Alaska is ideal for just about anyone who loves the great outdoors.
• Unbelievable views. The No. 1 reason why many choose to cruise Alaska are the breathtaking views the state offers. From rugged mountains to beautiful glaciers and incredible sunsets, there’s nothing like cruising Alaska for seeing things that are considered once in a lifetime.

Cruising Alaska brings with it all kinds of incredible perks. From the pampering onboard to the rugged outdoors, cruising Alaska is an experience that’s worth having.

–About–

By Tom Sample – More information on the top 10 reasons to cruise Alaska top 10 reasons to cruise Alaska – http://www.alaskacruisefun.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.