Alaska Cruise Holidays

Alaska cruise holidays can be a great vacation for all the family. Parent, child, grandparent or a family group with something special to celebrate you will find that a holiday afloat in such a spectacular setting offers something special. You should certainly come back home refreshed and with a different perspective on life.

All the major cruise lines offer cruise holidays in Alaska and its waters. There are over ten with the main ones, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Norwegian, Princess and Holland America Line having packages to suit all members of the family and at a range of prices so that you can select the type and cost of holiday cruise to meet your needs.

Some Alaska cruise holidays complete a round trip, departing from and arriving at the same port. These cruises tend to be of one-week duration and, because of the more limited itinerary, tend to be easier on the pocket. The main departure ports are Vancouver in Canada and Seattle in the United States.

More extended cruise holidays are one way affairs with the return travel completed by rail or by airplane. As these do not return to the port of origin they cover more ground and tend to sail south from Anchorage or go north from Vancouver. The extended travel period allows the inclusion of more sightseeing with the opportunity to absorb the spectacular mountain views and marvel at the majestic glaciers.

If life at sea is not totally to your liking you can also select a cruse liner holiday which incorporates expeditions on land with land based tours. In this way not only will you be able to study the rugged coastline from the ship but also go into the Alaskan National Parks and see the wildlife in its natural habitat.

One decision you will need to make concerns the location of your cabin, inside or ocean view. This will impact upon what you can see and certainly have implications for the price. Supplements can be charged for the privilege of having a balcony or deluxe suite. You will need to assess whether these add ons are worth it and within your budget. How long will you stay within your cabin and for how long do you hope to be involved in some outdoor activity.

The date of your cruise will have implications for the final price that you pay and perhaps how enjoyable your holiday is. Are you comfortable in cold conditions or do you need more warmth. The Alaskan winter is harsh and the summer months bring warmer temperatures with much longer days. For this reason the peak season is in the summer between May and September.

An Alaska cruise holiday can cater for a wide range of occasions and deliver a memorable experience. The holiday of a lifetime, a special moment, or a pre retirement milestone are all well served by this type of holiday.