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Planning...
Start
Your Journey.
How To Choose The Best
2009 Alaska Cruise Tour
That's Just Right For You.
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When you plan your Alaskan
vacation, do you plan to encounter a striking landscape, a place so
expansive that it
shelters more than six
hundred-fifty species of flowering plants and thirty-seven mammal
species? Do you envision your Alaskan
tour to include a dizzying six million acres filled with large caribou,
moose, and grizzly
bears, and offset with startlingly small flowers, miniaturized to suit
Alaska's short growth season?
Cruise tours offer the best of both
worlds, combining a seven-day cruise with a three-to-seven-night land
tour. All you have to do is decide where in Alaska that you'd like to
go. With so many cruise tours to choose from, there's bound to be one
that's just right for you!
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We’re here to help.
Need some assistance planning
your cruise? Simply give us a call. That’s all you have to do.
One of our experienced Personal
Alaska Cruise Advisors can assist
you with your Alaska adventure,
Just call
800.365.1445. |
How
do I choose an itinerary?
There are two
major routes.
Choose a seven day roundtrip Vancouver-to-Vancouver cruise that
includes such ports of call as Juneau, the capital of Alaska; Ketchikan,
a colorful fish packing port; Glacier Bay National Park ( or Hubbard
Glacier or Sawyer Glacier ); and Skagway, ( some cruises also stop at
Sitka, Haines or Icy Strait Point ).
Choose a seven to ten day itinerary from Vancouver
to Whittier ( Northbound ) or Whittier to Vancouver - Southbound If
you plan to take a land tour along with your cruise, known as a
cruisetour of Alaska, then this itinerary is the one you choice.
How do I choose a ship?
More than 30 ships from 13 cruise lines sail in Alaska's waters. The
ships range from small ships (800 to 1500 passengers) to full-size (2400
or more passengers) to even smaller ships with fewer than 200
passengers. The small size and full size ships offer a variety of
entertainment and onboard activities. Smaller ships allow you to
explore up close Alaska's natural and cultural activities. They get
closer to shore and enter some fjords that are too small or narrow for
the larger ships. Small ships do not have nightclubs, casinos, shops
and spas. Choose your ship based on what kind of cruise experience you
desire.
Let's
Get Started.....
Step 1 – Determine How Long A Vacation.
Choose the number of days on land that you would
like to add to your 7 night cruise:
3 nights - Provides a quick overview of Alaska's interior
highlights
4 nights - Features Alaska's Highlights and the option of a
longer stay
5 nights - Explore Alaska's Heartland at a more comfortable pace.
6 to 8 nights - The most relaxing cruise tours available
Step 2 – Decide Where You Want to
Go.
See the most popular spots such as Anchorage,
Denali National Park and Fairbanks, or take off and explore areas like
Copper River, Kenai Peninsula, Prudhoe Bay, or the Yukon.
Step 3 – Choose your Tour before or after Your Cruise.
To start with your cruise, choose a Northbound sailing. To explore
Alaska first and finish with a cruise, choose a Southbound sailing.
Step 4 – Decide When You Want to Travel.
The Alaska season is May to September, with the best prices for early
and late summer dates.
One of the best times to visit Alaska is in the shoulder seasons, May
and September. Alaska has a short visitor season and during the peak
summer months, availability is limited, particularly in the popular
destinations such as Denali Park. Generally, the earlier you reserve
space, the better. Alaska does not handle the volume of tourists that
many other National Park destinations experience, so availability can be
limited. By reserving you space early, you are more likely to be able to
choose the accommodations you really want to experience. Princess Alaska
Lodges' often see peak travel dates full be October of the previous
year.
The advantages of early season travel are numerous. The weather is
consistently good in May and drier throughout much of the state. Warm
spring days aided by long hours of daylight bring Alaska's wildflowers
out in full bloom. The wildlife viewing is also excellent in May since
the larger animals are migrating and in lower elevations where the snow
has disappeared. Alaska is not as crowded and you are able to take
advantage of early season specials and lower rates statewide. Princess
Alaska Lodges, offers lower rates during the early the season.
September is also a prime time to visit Alaska. Fall comes early to
Alaska and many of the deciduous trees are blazing yellow and red by
Labor Day. Combine the bright yellow colors of the aspen and willow
trees with the blazing red tundra plants and you have the best fall
colors experience Alaska has to offer. You will see why Polychrome Pass
in Denali National Park earns it name! As a backdrop, the tallest
mountains will have fresh snow on their peaks while the lower elevations
are still dry. Wildlife search opportunities also improve in late
season, as the larger mammals begin feeding in the lower elevations in
an attempt to pack on as much winter weight as possible. Weather is
characterized by large temperature swings between warm days and chilly
nights. In fact, it gets dark enough in the Interior of Alaska to see
the Northern Lights!
Step 5 – Choose Your Stateroom.
The least expensive are inside staterooms or upgrade to an ocean view
stateroom, Balcony stateroom, or mini-suite.
*Typical pictures and
descriptions
Certain staterooms may
vary by cruise line/cruise ship in
size,configuration and amenities
Photos represent typical
arrangements.
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Suite With Balcony* |
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This deluxe
room with breezy balcony provides ample
space to feel at home. Includes a separate
sitting area with sofa bed, two TVs,
refrigerator with wet bar, walk-in closet,
and bathroom with tub and shower. Its two
modular twin beds can be made up into one
queen-size bed. Approximate size: 470 sq.
ft., including balcony. |
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Mini-Suite With Balcony* |
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In addition
to this room's two modular twin beds, which
can be made up into one queen bed, it has a
separate sitting area with sofa bed,
balcony, two TVs, refrigerator, spacious
closet, and bath with shower. Approximate
size: 280-302 sq. ft., including balcony. |
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Oceanview Mini-Suite* |
The
ocean-view window, separate sitting area
with sofa bed, refrigerator with wet bar,
walk-in closet, two TVs, and bathroom with
tub and shower are special features that
define this room. Its two twin beds can be
made up into one queen-sized bed.
Approximate size: 280-302 sq.ft. |
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Oceanview Double With Balcony* |
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This room
features a sitting area with desk, balcony,
refrigerator, TV, spacious closet, and bath
with shower. The two twin beds can be make
up into a queen-size bed. Approximate size:
217-248 sq. ft., including balcony. |
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Oceanview Double* |
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A coveted
feature of this room is its picture window.
It also has a refrigerator, TV, spacious
closet, writing desk, and bath with shower.
The twin beds can be made up into one
queen-size bed. Approximate size: 162-212
sq. ft. |
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Interior Double* |
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This room's
modular twin beds can easily be made up into
one queen-size bed for optimum flexibility.
Includes a refrigerator, TV, spacious
closet, and bath with shower. Approximate
size: 156-166 sq. f |
Step 6 - Have Questions?
Get Professional Advice
Check
Out our Alaska Q&A Guide and Insider Tips
To Choose by Cruise Line
visit:
alaskacruisetoursonline.com for the most comprehensive discount
cruises and cruise tours to Alaska.
Want More Information? Click
on the Cruise Line name highlighted above.
Want to Get a FREE price
Quote, Click on the Whale's Tale symbol below.
2009 Cruises & Tours
Price Quote Request
The Princess Kids & Off Limits Teens' Program
Youth
and Teens
Junior cruisers
ages 3 to 17 can
enjoy a boatload of
exciting onboard
activities. Our
dedicated youth
centers are staffed
by trained
counselors, who are
ready to ensure our
young sailors stay
happy all day long.
On all Vessels
except Tahitian and
Pacific Princess
you'll find
completely equipped
Youth & Teen
Centers. There's
everything from arts
and crafts corners,
games tables,
movies, and splash
pool area.
Princess operates
youth programs on
Tahitian or Pacific
Princess, when 20 or
more children ages 3
to 17, are traveling
on a given voyage.
Children under the
age of 3 are allowed
to visit the Youth
Center, if
accompanied and
supervised by a
parent at all times.
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An Alaska Cruisetour...
"Where a balcony cabin and a spectacular train ride
become front-row seats for one of the most breathtaking
shows in nature."
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Ship to Train to Denali — All in One Day!
Princess
rail service takes you right from the ship to a
Princess wilderness lodge the same day
for more time exactly where you want to be and
less time getting there.
Available exclusively on "Direct to the
Wilderness" cruisetours only.
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»Get a
free
cruise quote.
details.
Find
special
group rates.
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Cruise Traveler Magazine is an online
cruise magazine offering an unbiased
cruise guide, latest cruise news, cruise
reviews, tips, feature cruise articles,
and need to know information about
cruising.
Featuring
community member -contributed content.
Editorially independent of travel
providers or cruise lines.|
<<
Inside This Issue
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Money-Saving Tips
Form a Group. Save and sail to Alaska!
Did you know the most
overlooked way to stretch your dollar is to form your own Alaska
cruise group. Traveling with family or friends, can
lower costs enough so you can travel even when the economies not
that good. Of course, most of us don't have the time - or
inclination - to make the calls and do the research for an
entire group.
.jpg) It's a big job.
However booking a group
cruise is easy for a professional travel agent. Your agent can
create a package that works for you, while your group will
realize across-the-board savings from group discounts that your
agent discovers.
Get All The Details
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Valuable Link
Cruise Direct
Online
relies on reader surveys to help keep ratings in
check. In addition to providing consumer ratings
for cruise lines, visitors to the site will find
top ten and top thirty lists, as well as feature
articles about the
best of the best in the world of cruising. The
site has other information about discounts, as
well as information on roughly 12,000 sailings.
Cruise Direct Online has been featured in
Frommer’s Budget
Travel
Magazine,
and on MSNBC, CNBC, MSN Money, and more! -
All about cruises June 2008
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Our team
of
Alaska Cruise Experts
welcomes
your questions,
call us
at: 800.365.1445
Ask about a
free
cruise quote |
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Insider Tips
When's the best
time to go?
How Cold is it?
Will I see wildlife
like moose and whales?
Get answers to your
questions
Here |
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When times are good or not, travel agents are your secret
weapon!
When it comes to
ferreting out bargains for your next cruise, whether to Alaska,
the Caribbean, Canada, Europe or Mexico, or wherever, did you
know your travel agent can do side-by-side cost and stateroom
comparisons of over a dozen cruise lines at one time.
Your agent can save you money over what you would pay the cruise
line direct. How much? See the sample
savings.
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Notes From The Great
Outdoors
"We just
finished another incredible 14 day
cruisetour itinerary. Now I'm
getting ready to help a couple decide which
one of 68 cruisetours we offer. I've already
heard exciting chatter about our guests
seeing more of Alaska and really getting off
the beaten path. And believe me, between
glacier trekking, biking through Denali
National park, and a rail tour on the
Wilderness Express, these folks are going to
be impressed."
Bob Andrews,
Explorations
Coordinator
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Chicago Tribune
"Book Alaska cruises early, ships
are crowded"
Read the
article
More "In
The News" |
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Plan Ahead:
Alaska Cruises and Cruisetours are now on sale
Reserve the best staterooms, balcony views and
tours now. Get your best savings by booking
early!
Timing Is Everything:
The wide array of cruise lines and Alaska
cruisetours that are available create an equally
large variety of prices. The lowest fares tend
to fall during the months of May, and September,
while prices rise substantially in June, July &
August. If you are flexible, you can save money
by sailing during May and September.
Good Deals Go Fast:
There are Alaska cruises in May as low as $649
per person for 7 days! Offered on the ships of
Princess and Holland America. Of course, they
are for an inside stateroom, but at these prices
they will go fast.
The Layered Look:
The
weather in Alaska is unpredictable, so dress
like an onion! Go with the “layered” look so you
can peel. Standing in front of a Glacier is much
like standing in front of your freezer with the
door open. Tuck a pair of light gloves in your
pocket!
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Sample Savings
Cruisetours ( cruise
and land tour )
| Inside staterooms |
from: |
$1375 |
| Brochure fare |
from: |
$2749 |
| You Save..... |
50%! |
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Cruise Only ( 7 days
- North or Southbound )
| Inside staterooms |
from: |
$499 |
| Brochure fare |
from: |
$1399 |
| You Save..... |
64%! |
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Canadian Prices Available