Alaska Cruises Central » Cruise Ship

What Type of Cruise Ship Should I Take?

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 02:45:56 +0000

The type of ship you select can also have a big impact on your budget. There are basically three types you can consider. First, all of the major Alaska cruise lines have very large ships, and can often have some very attractive promotions to fill them. As you might expect, they have a strong incentive to make sure they’re not leaving port with empty cabins. The downside, of course, is that because their ships are so big, it can be hard to get in close to the glaciers and other wildlife that you’re hoping to see.

Two other types of ships offer a more intimate experience, but for vastly different budgets. Priced towards the higher end, a few boutique cruise lines specialize in small ship adventures that bring you much closer to the scenery. A final, super cheap option is to take one of the ferries that head up and down the Alaskan coast. You might be rolling out your sleeping bag on the deck, but you’ll also be saving a ton of money!

Choosing A Cruise Ship?

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 07:43:51 +0000

More than 30 ships from 13 cruise lines sail in Alaska’s waters. The ships range from the medium size (800 to 1500 passengers) to mega-size (2000 and more) to smaller, nature-oriented ships with fewer than 200 passengers. The medium size and mega-ships are floating resorts with a wealth of entertainment facilities and organized activities. The focus of these cruises as much on the shipboard activities as it is on the passing landscape of Alaska. The smaller ships are focuses more on nature and cultural activities. They can also get closer to shore and enter some fjords that may be too small for the larger liners. However, the small ships do not have the resort facilities of the larger ships such as nightclubs, casinos, shops and spas. Therefore, you should choose your ship on the basis of what kind of cruise experience you want.

Alaskan Cruise Ship Experience

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 04:04:25 +0000

Alaska is a really unique and beautiful place and taking an Alaska cruise will provide you with an experience like none other. Alaska is by far the biggest state by territory yet it has the smallest population of any state in the U.S.. This is perhaps why many people consider this to the be the last great frontier in America. Most people are drawn to the environment of mystery and challenge. An Alaskan cruise may be just what you are looking for whether you want to whale watch, fish, or just relax.

If you’d rather eat your wildlife than photograph it, an Alaska fishing cruise may be for you. Alaska is know for great fishing. Salmon and halibut are abundant. You might even discover a cruise line which allows you to throw a fishing line over the side during a trip. There are so many cruise packages from which to choose. These packages range from budget conscious to extravagant. During an Alaska cruise, you will experience amazing scenery and astonishing wildlife.

The Alaskan waters boast to contain the largest concentrated population of humpback whales anywhere. Traveling to Alaska will allow you to observe this beautiful scenery. So many individuals take their Alaska cruise vacation not quite knowing exactly what to expect. They will view the natural interaction of wildlife as it has remained since the dawn of time. What they will discover is natures beautiful surroundings and the natural interaction of animals in their surrounding natural environment, which is largely undisturbed by humans or contemporary technology.

If you are not really interested in whales, you will find a splendid variety of animals and birds. A wildlife viewing cruise will allow you to see a beautiful diversity of plants and species. Be prepared for an up close view of bears and mountain goats. What you will discover is your Alaska cruise will provide you with an amazing cross section of scenery and wildlife and an equally extensive variety of ways to enjoy them.

For persons interested in a more intense visit, you should seek a cruise to match your energy level. The more tranquil traveler will find many vacation package options that provide optimum exposure to the peaceful qualities the Alaska coastline has to offer. All this takes is a little bit of research on which vacation package to choose. No matter what type of visit you seek, you can find it on your Alaska Cruise.

Alaskan Cruise Ship Health Inspections

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 02:14:10 +0000

Amid reports of viral infections of cruise ships, potential cruise line passengers have raised concerns about the health conditions on cruise lines. The National Center for Environmental Health maintains a searchable database that contains vessel sanitation inspection reports for the whole year. For ships working Alaska waters, look for inspection dates between April and September. Many of the ships sail in other areas during the winter; those inspections are available too.

The NCEH report provides the followoing information:

the vessel’s name,
the number of passengers and crew,
the ship’s owner,
the port where the inspection was made and the inspection date.
the inspection score and summarizes the violations