Carnival's ship the Spirit offers an annual six-day sailing, departing from Vancouver, British Columbia, and ending in Seattle. By giving up one day from the typical seven-day trip, you can cruise for as little as $449 per person, based on double occupancy of an interior cabin. The ship stops at three ports, including Alaska's state capital, Juneau. The helicopter ride from Juneau to nearby Mendenhall Glacier is not to be missed.
The Spirit was built in 2001 and updated in 2009. With a passenger capacity of 2,667, it is considered a large ship, but it does not feel crowded because of the open layout of the common spaces. Most of the staterooms have balconies. Meals in the main dining room, at the buffet or from room service are included in the fare. For a small fee, guests can dine in an upscale steak house featuring prime beef and lobster.
Carnival Cruise Lines
3655 NW 87th Ave.
Miami, FL 33178
800-227-6482
carnival.com
Beginning and ending your cruise vacation in different cities, rather than taking a traditional round-trip cruise, opens the door for bargains. The Diamond Princess spends August through May in the Alaska area and offers seven-day cruises one way from Anchorage or Vancouver. Ten sailing dates are available for under $1,000 per person, based on double occupancy of an interior cabin. The ship makes four stops, including Glacier Bay National Park, a prime location for viewing otters, bears, wolves, other native wildlife and ice-covered mountains.
The Diamond Princess was built in 2004 and has a passenger capacity of 2,600. The ship offers a nine-hole golf course and a golf simulator able to replicate challenging courses from all over the world. There is a dedicated area for children and teens, which includes a splash pool and lounge.
Princess Cruises
24844 Avenue Rockefeller
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
800-princess or 800-774-6237
princess.com
May and September bring the Celebrity Infinity to Alaska with a 10-day round-trip sailing from Seattle. As of the summer 2010, the September sailing was available for $810 per person, based on double occupancy of an interior cabin. The trip includes stops in Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Icy Strait Point. Highlights include sailing past the slow-moving Hubbard Glacier and through the inside strait.
The Celebrity Infinity was built in 2001 and refurbished in 2008, and holds 1,950 passengers. Guests can enjoy six restaurants: two cafes, an outdoor grill, the Ocean View Buffet, a formal-dining restaurant and the Trellis main dining room. The ship also features a full sports deck and a botanical conservatory.
Celebrity Cruises
1050 Caribbean Way
Miami, FL 33132
800-647-2251
celebritycruises.com
