Gather information on small ship cruising and chat with travel agents. Choosing the right cruise is important to ensuring a pleasurable experience. Considerations include budget, vacation time, accommodations, port stops and amenities. Cruise West Line and Majestic America Line, Alaska's two main small cruise lines, offer comfortable accommodations, programs and dining with regional flavors that distinguish an Alaskan cruise like no other. Life on board is diverse, entertaining and educational with authors, educators, lecturers, park rangers and naturalists.
Choose accommodations that suit your comfort and privacy needs. Staterooms include two single beds, or one double, queen or king size bed. Meal times will vary depending on the day's activity program, which is left in staterooms the night before. In general, early risers can enjoy a continental breakfast at 6 a.m., a full breakfast at 7:30 a.m., lunch around noon, and dinner at 7 p.m. There is a social hour before dinner. Special diets can be accommodated with advance notice. The staff will accommodate passengers with in-between meal refreshments or snacks. Each passenger has a personal on-board account for alcoholic beverages, gift shop purchases or shore excursions.
Expect the unexpected. As you progress on your cruise, the captain may announce a slight change of itinerary to point out something of interest to his passengers. Wonders of nature may appear suddenly, like whales, pods of Orcas or bears on the shore. Approaching glaciers can be tricky but awe-inspiring. Both small ship lines have American crew with experience and tales they will share with passengers.
Plan your budget with seasons in mind. Before deciding on a particular cruise, be aware that fares may vary according to the time of the May-through-September season--lower at the beginning and end, and higher during July and August. There may be specials on cabins as well as discounted upgrades and onboard credit. There may even be last-minute deals worth considering if you can plan fast. Your cruise can be combined with land tours into Anchorage and Denali National Park if you wish an extended tour of Alaska.
