Buying Guide to Alaska Cruise Vacations

Alaska: a land of whale watching, frozen natural wonders, salmon hatcheries, and so much more. If you're like many travelers, you'd rather see this state from the vantage-point of a cruise ship, where all the fine amenities are there awaiting you when you return from an exciting dog-sledding adventure or kayaking excursion ashore.

But purchasing a travel itinerary can be a bit confusing. Here are some essential questions to ask yourself before buying an Alaskan cruise ticket.

1. How long do I want to travel? Most Alaska cruise itineraries run from 7 to 10 days, with some voyages lasting 2 weeks. If the cruise you are interested in is a bit shorter than you'd like, ask about adding on a tour package arranged through the cruise line. Many of the large lines invite passengers to stay at exquisite accommodations in port cities like Skagway, Sitka, Juneau, Whittier, or Ketchikan. They'll be picked up after several days by another ship operated by the cruise line, and taken back to their port city at a designated time. Note: these tours are not cheap by any means, and they may cost you twice as much as your cruise ticket itself.

2. What is my vacation budget, and am I willing to splurge? Alaskan cruises are not the most affordable cruises around, but the sites are impeccable, and opportunities for adventure abound. Expect to pay almost twice as much as you would for a cruise with a Caribbean itinerary. Keep in mind that the price you are quoted does include: food, lodging, and world-class entertainment while you are on the ship. The price of travel does not include: airfare to and from your city of embarkation (unless specifically arranged), activities once you are off the ship at port cities, tips for cruise wait staff (unless otherwise noted), alcoholic drinks, or spa services available on the ships.