One of the best ways to get up close and personal with all that the pristine state of Alaska has to offer is on a small ships cruise to Alaska. On a small ships cruise to Alaska, passengers can explore 100,000 gleaming glaciers, pass within a stones throw from 16 of the country’s 20 tallest mountains, and view wildlife beyond their wildest dreams!
On a small ships cruise to Alaska, passengers will interact with the elusive humpback whale and natural wonders like brilliant crystal glaciers, all from the comforts of a small city at sea. And what’s even better is that passengers on a small ships cruise to Alaska won’t have to bundle up in down coats and oversized goulashes to experience Alaska. The weather can be absolutely wonderful during certain times of the year, so the only things passengers will need are a few cotton layers, binoculars, a camera, and some sunscreen and you’re all set!
Before you set out on your small ships cruise to Alaska there are a few things you should know about high season and low season as well as the types of small ships cruises Alaska cruises and prices. While a few of the smaller ships begin their Alaska cruise season around April, the Alaska cruise season runs May-September. Because the sun doesn’t set in the summertime and temperatures are mild, June, July & August are the most popular (and most expensive) months to take an Alaska cruise Thanks to thinner crowds and super low fares, May and September are quickly becoming popular months to book. The weather can be tricky during the month of May as it is Alaska’s “transitional period� weather wise. Temperatures dip fairly rapidly during the month of September, so keep an eye on the weather forecast before you go so you’ll know exactly what to pack.
Alaska cruises typically cover Far North Alaska (Barrow, Nome and Prudhoe Bay), Interior Alaska (Denali National Park), Southcentral Alaska (Anchorage, Kenai and Seward) and Southeast Alaska (Juneau, Skagway). The inside passage cruise is the most popular small ships cruise.
The vast majority of small ship Alaska cruises offer excursions including activities such as bear watching, fishing, hiking, kayaking, rafting and visits to Mt. McKinley, the tallest mountain in North America. There are also a variety of wildlife tours featuring opportunities to watch everything from sheep, moose and grizzlies to polar bears, bald eagles and caribou interacting in their natural habitat.
Base prices for most small ship Alaska cruises will include: accommodations, onboard entertainment, activities, meals and standard facilities. Expect to pay for alcohol, gambling, tips and extras such as spa treatments as well as port fees and taxes. Unless you book an “air and sea� package, you will also pay for airfare from your town/city to the port of embarkation, which is typically Anchorage or Vancouver. If you want to save money, best bet is to book online. Most cruise lines offer amazing Internet deals and discounts as well as specials for purchasing excursions in advance, online.
Silversea Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, and Cruise West are the most popular cruise companies for small ships cruises to Alaska.