With the Alaska cruise season at hand, a number of cruise lines are preparing to sail north starting in May. Through September, voyages typically range from seven to 14 days, and the ships vary in size and style from floating resorts carrying 2,000 guests to intimate vessels that accommodate 382. Many Alaska itineraries take vacationers to the Inside Passage, which serves as a gateway to Alaska's magnificent Southeast, and features the historic port towns of Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Sitka and Haines. Inside Passage cruises also enable guests to experience the stunning natural scenery of Glacier Bay National Park.
Travellers can also opt for Gulf of Alaska cruises, which typically sail north- and southbound between Vancouver and Seward, the port for Anchorage. These itineraries feature many of the charming towns offered on Inside Passage cruises, and also visit glittering Hubbard Glacier and College Fjord.
Here is a sampling of what some of the cruise lines have to offer:
* Carnival Cruise Lines' Carnival Spirit operates a series of 16 seven-day Glacier Route cruises northbound from Vancouver and southbound from Whittier/ Anchorage May 17 through Aug. 30; and three Glacier Bay cruises roundtrip from Vancouver May 10, and Sept. 6 and 13.
* Celebrity Cruises deploys three ships, Infinity, Mercury and Summit, on itineraries of seven to 14 nights from Vancouver, San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles and Ensenada, Mexico. Depending on the itinerary, highlights might include Hubbard Glacier, Icy Strait Point and the Inside Passage.
* Eight Holland America Line ships sail Alaskan waters on seven-day Glacier Bay Inside Passage itineraries roundtrip from Vancouver; seven-day Alaskan Explorer cruises roundtrip from Seattle; and seven-day, one-way Glacier Discovery cruises between Seward and Vancouver. Statendam calls on the newly introduced Icy Strait Point and cruises Glacier Bay National Park on all southbound and northbound departures
* Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Star sails primarily on Glacier Bay itineraries roundtrip from Seattle. Norwegian Sun, sailing roundtrip from Seattle, and Norwegian Wind sailing roundtrip from Vancouver, operate mostly on Sawyer Glacier sailings. Highlights of both itineraries include the Inside Passage, Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway.
* Princess Cruises features 122 departures on seven ships, offering a variety of experiences on vessels that range from 1,590 passengers to 2,670 passengers. Travellers can choose from Gulf of Alaska cruisetours - featuring Princess' exclusive Direct to the Wilderness rail transfer service - or roundtrip Inside Passage sailings from Seattle and San Francisco.
* Luxury line Regent Seven Seas Cruises' Seven Seas Mariner sails Alaska itineraries from May to September, primarily on seven-night voyages between Vancouver and Whittier with calls at Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Sitka. An unusual, 14-night sailing from Whittier to Tokyo departs Sept. 20.
* Royal Caribbean International deploys three ships on seven-night itineraries. Radiance of the Seas sails on alternating north- and southbound itineraries between Vancouver and Seward; Serenade of the Seas operates roundtrip from Vancouver; and Vision of the Seas sails primarily on cruises roundtrip from Seattle.
* Silversea Cruises offers 11 luxury itineraries from nine to 14 days aboard Silver Shadow, with departures from Anchorage, Vancouver and San Francisco.
A 14-day voyage on May 29 from Tokyo positions the ship in Anchorage, offering calls in Japan, Russia and Alaska.
