An Alaska Inside Passage cruise is perhaps the most popular of all the itineraries any cruise line has to offer because of its spectacular and unbeatable scenery. This area of Alaska is also known as the Panhandle because of its history as an active center of gold mining. This is only one of the historic moments you will learn about when you visit this incredibly beautiful part of the state. Inside Passage cruises depart only from Seattle, San Francisco and Vancouver.

This Alaska Inside Passage cruise is almost always taken as a round trip from Seattle or Vancouver and this is just one more reason it is as popular as it is. Economical round trip airfare to and from either of these cities is extremely affordable for any travel budget. The duration of this passage option is seven days on average and this is enough time to get a great taste of all there is to see within this part of Alaska. If you are looking for a longer cruise they are sometimes offered out of California but the extra three to four days are generally spent at sea, therefore this extra time is time spent aboard the ship and not within Alaska. On the other hand shorter cruises of four to five days are offered as well from Klondike Cruise tours directly within Alaska.

Let’s go through what an average Alaska Inside Passage cruise itinerary would include. Your first day is often spent cruising through the Inside Passage of Alaska and taking in the sights of breathtaking glaciers, mountains and wildlife of all kinds. You will then spend the next three to four days exploring different cities and ports of Alaska including Juneau, Skagway, Misty Fjord, Glacier Bay National Park and several others. Your final day is spent retracing your path to your port of origin.

If you are debating on a family cruise vacation, it is not uncommon for families to travel to Alaska this way. There is a great deal for children to see and learn about this part of the United States and many of the land excursions are child friendly which makes for a great family vacation.

The best time of year to take an Alaska Inside Passage cruise is anywhere from the beginning of April until the end of September. This is when the weather is most agreeable and wildlife is everywhere to see. The migration of the whales is one sight many travelers never forget when they take this cruise during the spring months of the year. Always consider the time of year you choose to travel so you will be sure to see the sights you want to be able to see.

There is nothing like an Alaska Inside Passage cruise, especially if you are interested in seeing something truly different. Take in air so fresh you will feel like you have never breathed before, see mountains that go on for miles and miles and witness whales leaping from the sea and bears lumbering along the shore. Really see nature for the first time when you visit Alaska. An Alaska Inside Passage cruise is one you will want to take again and again because there is so much to see–seven days is just not enough!

J. David Rogers travels the world and has a passion for uncovering the best deals in every destination. What you just learned is the tip of the iceberg. To learn even more about taking an Alaska Inside Passage cruise and always get the latest news about discounts, be sure to visit the only blog exclusively dedicated to Alaska cruise deals.

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Too many families believe that they cannot go on a cruise because there will be nothing for their teenage children to do. This however, is simply not the case. Many cruise lines can provide your teenager with much to do, in a friendly, supervised environment.

Much depends on which cruise line you choose of course. Holland America, for example is probably not a good choice for a family cruise. There is nothing wrong with Holland America, it is a fine cruise line, however, it is simply not designed or intended for entire families.

Some better choices might be Carnival, Princess, or Royal Caribbean. These are lines that have more fun things to do generally, but also specific programs designed for all ages. In addition, all cruise lines strictly adhere to American liquor laws, so you do not have to worry about the conduct of your teen while they are engaging in their fun.

The programs that we are referring to are sub-divided into age groups. For example, Carnival Cruise lines has its “Camp Carnival” which is designed for the youngest group, ages 2-11,”Circle C” which is for 12-14 year olds and finally, “Club o2″ which will be a place for your 15-17 year olds to have fun. These are different programs that will provide your child of almost any age, a fun, supervised environment where they can be among others their own age and engage in many different types of activities.

Whichever cruise line you choose, simply look on their websites for their programs, most of them have something to offer and some of them have much to offer. The best part is there is no additional charges for these services, they are all included in the price of your cruise.

When I cruise, I really enjoy everything it has to offer. From the first-class Broadway style shows to the five-star gourmet cuisine.

If you are going on a cruise vacation, you will also want to get the most out of it. I can help you learn the cruise basics as well as more advanced money saving techniques

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Part of pre-planning is deciding what type of clothing to take with you. If traveling during the summer months, you will be going through quite a wide variation in temperatures and climates. If you throw in a side trip to hike, camp, fish or climb, there is even more variation in clothing needed. To avoid spoiling your vacation because of being too cold all the time, you can plan ahead and pack appropriately. You’ll want some dressy clothing to wear for dinner an dancing on board ship, but when you’re doing some of the more adventurous activities you should bring clothing that will allow you to:

Dress in Layers
If you have several lightweight layers of clothing on, you will not only trap air between the layers, but can add or remove layers along with changes in temperatures.

Go for Sportswear
Comfortable lightweight clothing and your best hiking or climbing shoes are best for the rough ground you may be exploring.

Sweats and Pantsuits
Although jeans are comfortable to wear and quite sturdy, if denim gets wet it can take forever to dry and you may not have the option to change into dry clothes immediately. A better choice is pant suits or jogging suits. Also be sure to pack windbreakers, raincoats and jackets.

Protective Accessories
Protective accessories should be considered a vital part of your suitcase contents. Bring a sun visor to protect your eyes, sunglasses, a lightweight hat or cap that is water resistant and a folding type umbrella are good choices. A pair of light gloves is also good to keep your hands warm and protected from wind and water as well. One other vital accessory is a good sun block cream to protect your skin from sun’s rays.

Think ahead and plan your activities beforehand so you will be prepared with the proper clothing and supplies. Of course, you will be able to purchase anything you might have forgotten aboard the cruise ship or when you dock in a local port.

Alaska has become an increasingly popular destination for anyone who wants to relax and enjoy the natural activities which are so prevalent in this beautiful country. It has even become an important honeymoon destination for those who want something out of the ordinary.

You can start with a luxurious cruise, with dancing and drinking, playing in the on-board casino and watching movies and live shows, watching wildlife, scenic mountains, glaciers and other historical attractions such as Gold Rush days, the White Pass Railroad. Or, maybe you’d prefer to climb a mountain or two, hike in one of the beautiful parks.

Flying to Alaska is one way to start your adventure, making side trips from your hotel room, but a cruise to Alaska is by far more relaxing and enjoyable. Whether you start from Los Angeles or San Francisco, you can make port calls in places like Ketchikan, Sitka and Juneau, then further North to Skagway and Haines and of course, the breath-taking Glacier Bay National Park and beautiful Hubbard Glacier.

The cruise ships have plenty of on-board activities so you can work out in the gym, cool off in the spa, dance, play the casino games, watch movies or live shows, drinking and eating are also favorite activities.  You can also spend your time watching for such wildlife as humpback whales, dolphins, and sea lions.

You can select from a wonderful array of international dishes including vegetarian, diabetic and low calorie foods.

Once you’ve reached Alaska, you can choose to stay at some of the luxury hotels while touring other locations where you can try dog sledding, hiking or climbing.

The large Alaskan cruise ships will have a passenger list of more than 2000 passengers. Room rates cost from $750 to over $3000 for the shortest trip of about 7 days. You may be able to get discounts for special events such as a wedding, birthday party or other celebration.

If you don’t want to travel with so many people, try traveling on one of the smaller vessels which typically carry 120 passengers each trip.

It is recommended that you make your reservations well ahead of time especially if you want to travel during the peak season from May to September.  Your cruise will depart from either San Francisco or Los Angeles.  Contact your travel agent to arrange not only for transfers from an airline to the ship, but for side trips and an interesting itinerary once you arrive in Alaska.

The time spent on the ship and the time spent on side trips can be structured in such a way as to provide an enjoyable experience for everyone in the party.  Just be sure you allow for extra time in your schedule so that you can try other experiences on your vacation.   You won’t regret taking a few extra hours here and there to fully explore your Alaskan vacation.

An Alaskan cruise will provide you with the opportunity to view scenery of breathtaking beauty, and to see wildlife, and glaciers that you won’t see elsewhere. There are many activities which will please all members of your family both on the cruise ship itself and on the many side trips you can schedule.