The Inside Passage-Gulf of Alaska route is a good choice if you want to also take a land tour. Becau

Alaska is one of the most fascinating destinations there is, and one of the most popular areas to visit through cruising. If you are planning an Alaskan cruise, you have several factors to consider when booking u2 us tour schedule your trip. Besides the obvious money issue, u2 us tour schedule your primary concerns will be what part of the cruising season to choose, where you want to go and what type of ship.
Unlike many cruising destinations, the weather conditions of Alaska limit cruising to a set time frame of May through September. Though, some smaller ships will head out in late April. The shoulder months of May and September will get you the best rates. Besides lower prices, May is potentially more attractive for other reasons, such as pleasant weather, fewer crowds and friendlier locals, who are just coming out of an isolated winter. By time September rolls around, they have had their fill of tourists. Also, if you are planning an Inside Passage itinerary, May is the driest month of the season. One possible drawback of traveling the first month of the season is many places do not open until Memorial Day. September cruisers may also find themselves with limited options as many places close up shop after Labor Day. If you want the warmest weather possible, stick to June, July and August; if rain is a concern, June is the driest of these three months. No matter when you go, it is good to have a variety of clothing for all weather u2 us tour schedule conditions, because this is Alaska and it can be unpredictable.
There are two basic itineraries for Alaska cruises—round-trip Inside Passage loops and one-way Inside Passage to the Gulf of Alaska. The average trip is seven days, though there are longer cruises available. u2 us tour schedule One is not better than the other, and many individual factors come into play when deciding which one is right for you. Regardless of the itinerary, your choices are typically Alaska cruises from Seattle Washington or Vancouver, British Columbia, though some Inside Passage-Gulf of Alaska cruises leave from San Francisco or Los Angeles. Either trip will allow you to experience the amazing glaciers that Alaska is famous for.
The Inside Passage round-trip itinerary will be a smoother ride overall, with less risk of seasickness. Main areas visited on this itinerary include Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, Skagway and Glacier Bay National Park.
The Inside Passage-Gulf of Alaska route is a good choice if you want to also take a land tour. Because you are flying into and out of different cities, it may be more expensive. The areas typically viewed and visited may include Anchorage, Prince William Sound, Cook Inlet, Alyeska Resort, Matanuska Valley and Susitna Valley, as well as some of the places mentioned in the Inside Passage round-trip itinerary.
The size of the ship will greatly influence the overall tone of the cruise. If you like all the amenities that are typically associated with cruising, the big cruise lines are the way to go. But, these ships may not give you the experience you are hoping for. There will be many places you cannot visit, strict schedules may not allow for slowing down or stopping to take in wildlife or other sights, and it may be harder to get an authentic experience at ports of call since the ship's passengers will be overwhelming every area.
If you like a more intimate setting, do not care as much about entertainment and the like, and the opportunity to get up close and personal with the sights, a smaller ship is more your speed since they can get into places that big ships can't like narrower waterways and ports that usually cater to smaller fishing boats; though these boats may make for a bumpier ride on the Gulf of Alaska itinerary. These trips tend to be more expensive than the ones offered by major cruise lines.