When looking at the attributes of the various ships to make your choice, some determining factors will be no-brainers. For instance, if you're traveling with kids, you'll want a ship with a good kids' program. If you're a foodie, you'll want a ship with gourmet cuisine. If you're used to staying at a Ritz-Carlton hotel when you travel, you'll probably want to cruise on a luxury ship. Conversely, if you usually stay at a B&B, you'll probably prefer one of the small ships.
Also ask yourself if you require resortlike amenities such as a heated swimming pool, spa, casino, aerobics classes, and state-of-the-art gym. Or do you care more about having an adventure or an enriching and educational experience? If the former, choose a large cruise ship; if the latter, a small ship might be more your speed.
Here are some more pertinent questions to help you narrow down the field:
How much does it cost and what's not included?--Here's the number-one important rule to remember: Don't let the rates in cruise line brochures scare you off. Very rarely does anyone actually pay these prices, which are the highest rates the lines charge for the cruise; discounts are calculated off that rate. Demand for the Alaska cruise product is intense, but virtually all the lines (with the exception of some of the small-ship lines) offer early-booking discounts. These differ, but basically they go something like this: You get a discount of, say, 25% off published rates if you book by December 15; a smaller break, maybe 15%, if you book by February 15; and, maybe, a still smaller reduction if you book by April 15. The numbers and dates may vary but the formula is fairly standard.
Cruise fares cover onboard accommodations, meals, entertainment, and activities. There are, however, a number of expenses not covered in the typical cruise package, and you should factor these in when planning your vacation budget. Airfare to and from your port of embarkation and debarkation is usually extra (though cruise lines offer reduced rates), as are any necessary hotel stays before or after the cruise. Gratuities, taxes, and trip insurance are also typically extra. Shore excursions are rarely included in the cruise fare, and if you opt for pricey ones like flightseeing you can easily add $500 to $1,000 to your total. Alcoholic beverages and soda are also typically extra, as are such incidentals as laundry, telephone calls from the ship, beauty and spa services, photos (taken by ship photographers), and baby-sitting.
Since they keep constantly abreast of the latest bargains, travel agents are best equipped to advise you on the best Alaska cruise deals. Most cruise lines encourage passengers to book through agents, so much so that some refuse to accept direct bookings.
How far in advance do I need to book?--Many itineraries used to sell out 6 months or more before sailing, but lines have detected a closer-in booking pattern in the last few years. It's not clear whether or not that will continue, but just to be sure, once you've selected the cruise that's right for you, check to see how much space is available. And plan to book your cabin of choice 3 to 6 months in advance, or be prepared to accept whatever cabin category remains available--if any are available at all.
How much time is spent in port and how much at sea?--Generally, ships on 7-night itineraries make port 3 days and sail in wild areas like Glacier Bay, College Fjord, or Wrangell-St. Elias National Park during the other three.
Coming into port, ships generally dock right after breakfast, allowing you the morning and afternoon to take a shore excursion or explore on your own. They'll usually depart in the early evening, giving you an hour or two to rest up before dinner.
On days at sea, the emphasis will be on exploring the natural areas, viewing the glaciers, and scanning for wildlife. Big ships stick to prearranged schedules on these days, but on small-ship soft-adventure-type cruises, days at sea can be very unstructured, with the captain choosing a destination based on reports of whale sightings, for example. Some itineraries (notably those sailed of some of Glacier Bay Tours and Cruises' ships) visit almost no ports, sticking instead to isolated natural areas that passengers explore by kayak, by Zodiac boat, or on foot.
Is the cruise formal or casual?--If you don't care to get dressed up, select a less formal cruise typical of the small ships and also offered on the Universe Explorer, by Radisson's luxurious but casual Seven Seas Mariner, and by the Norwegian Cruise Line ships, which do not have formal nights. If, on the other hand, having the chance to put on your finery appeals to you, select one of the more elegant ships, like the ultra-luxury Crystal or premium lines like Celebrity or Holland America (and, to a lesser extent, mass-market lines like Royal Caribbean, Princess, and Carnival). These ships will offer casual, semiformal, and formal nights, meaning women can show off everything from a sundress to an evening gown over the course of a week, and men will go from shirtsleeves one night to jacket-and-tie the next to full-on tuxedo (or dark suit) the next.
What are the other passengers usually like?--Each ship attracts a fairly predictable type of passenger. On small ships, you'll find a more physically active bunch that are highly interested in nature, but you'll find fewer families and single travelers. Larger ships cater to a more diverse group--singles, newlyweds, families, and couples over 55.
I'll be traveling alone. Will I have fun? And does it cost more?--A nice thing about cruises is you needn't worry about dining alone, since you'll be seated with other guests (if you don't want to be, seek a ship with alternative dining options). You also needn't worry much about finding people to talk to, since the general atmosphere on nearly all ships is very congenial and allows you to easily find conversation, especially during group activities. And the ship may even host a party to give singles a chance to get to know one another and/or offer social hosts as dance partners.
The downside is that you may have to pay more for the cruise experience than do passengers sharing a cabin. Since their rates are based on two people per cabin, some lines charge a "single supplement" rate (aka an extra charge) that ranges from 110% to an outrageous 200% of the per person, double-occupancy fare. As a single person, you have two choices: Find a line with a reasonable single supplement rate (World Explorer and Radisson are good bets) or ask if the line has a cabin-share program, under which the line will pair you with another single so you can get a lower fare. Some lines also offer a single-guarantee program, which means if they can't find you a roommate, they'll book you in a cabin alone but still honor the shared rate. Singles seeking real savings have the option on some ships of cramming into a shared quad (a room for four). Some older ships and a few small ships have special cabins designed for singles, but these tend to sell out fast and are not necessarily offered at bargain prices.
Is shipboard life heavily scheduled?--That depends to a certain extent on you. Meals are generally served only during set hours, though on larger ships you'll have plenty of alternative options if those hours don't agree with you (on smaller ships, you may just be out of luck till the next meal, unless you can charm the cook). On both large and small ships, times for disembarking and reboarding at the ports are strict--if you miss the boat, you miss the boat. Other than these two considerations, the only schedule you'll have to follow onboard is your own. It all depends on how busy you want to be.
What are the cabins like?--Cabins come in all sizes and configurations.
What are meals like?--Meals are a big part of the cruise experience, and the larger the ship, the more choice you'll find. When booking your cruise on a larger vessel, you'll be asked ahead of time to schedule your preferred dinner hour since most large ships feature two seatings each evening, with tables assigned. On smaller ships, dining is usually open seating, which means you can sit at any table you like. (Norwegian Cruise Line has recently adopted this policy as well on its large ships.)
If you have any special dietary requirements (vegetarian, kosher, low salt, low fat), be sure the line is informed well in advance--preferably at the time you book your cruise. Some ships have vegetarian and healthful spa options available at every meal, and even most of those that don't can usually meet your needs with some advance warning.
What activities and entertainment does the ship offer?--On small ships, activities are limited by the available public space but often include recent-release videos, group-oriented games (bingo, poker, and the like), and perhaps an informal evening dance party or social hour. The small ships typically offer a lecture series dealing with the flora, fauna, and geography of Alaska, usually conducted by a trained naturalist. These lectures are also becoming more popular on the larger ships.
The big ships also offer activities such as fitness, self-enrichment, personal finance, photography, or art classes; Ping-Pong tournaments; and singles or newlywed gatherings. Glitzy floor shows at night are almost de rigueur.
Does the ship have a children's program?--More parents are taking their kids with them on vacation, and cruises to Alaska are no exception. The lines are responding by adding youth counselors and supervised programs, fancy playrooms, teen centers, and even video-game rooms to keep the kids entertained while their parents relax. Some lines even offer special shore excursions for kids, and most ships offer baby-sitting (for an extra charge).
It's important to ask whether a supervised program will be offered when you plan to cruise, as sometimes the programs are only in operation if there are a certain number of kids on board. Some lines offer reduced rates for kids. Most lines discourage people from bringing infants. If your kids are TV addicts, you might want to make sure your cabin will have a TV and VCR. Even if it does, though, channel selection will be very limited.
I have a disability; will I have any trouble taking a cruise?--It's important to let the cruise line know your special needs when you make your booking. If you use a wheelchair, you'll need to know if wheelchair-accessible cabins are available (and how they're equipped), as well as whether public rooms are accessible and can be reached by elevator, and whether the cruise line has any special policy regarding travelers with disabilities--for instance, some require that you be accompanied by a fully mobile companion. Note that newer ships tend to have the largest number of wheelchair-accessible cabins, and that of the small ships in Alaska only Cruise West's Spirit of '98 and Spirit of Oceanus and Clipper's Clipper Odyssey are even moderately wheelchair friendly.
Travelers with disabilities should inquire when they're booking whether the ship docks at ports or uses tenders (small boats) to go ashore. Tenders cannot always accommodate wheelchair passengers--you cannot ever roll aboard a tender, and would require crew assistance. Also, once on board, travelers with disabilities will want to seek the advice of the tour staff before choosing shore excursions, as not all will be wheelchair-friendly.
If you have a chronic health problem, we advise you to check with your doctor before booking the cruise, and, if you have any specific needs, to notify the cruise line in advance. This will ensure that the medical team on the ship is properly prepared to offer assistance.
What if I want to honeymoon on the cruise?--Most 1-week cruises depart on either Saturday or Sunday, although there are some exceptions. You'll want to look carefully at sailing times as you plan your wedding weekend. You will also want to make sure that the ship offers double, queen-, or king-size beds and may want to also request a cabin with a tub or Jacuzzi. Rooms with private verandas are particularly romantic. You can take in the sights in privacy, and even enjoy a private meal, assuming the veranda is big enough for a table and chairs (some are not) and that the weather doesn't turn chilly. If you want to dine alone each night, make sure the dining room offers tables for two and/or that the ship offers room service (your travel agent can fill you in on these matters). You may also want to inquire as to the likelihood that there will be other honeymooners your age on the ship. Some ships--among them those of Princess, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Celebrity, and Holland America--offer special honeymoon packages, and there may even be honeymoon suites. Most lines will offer special perks, such as champagne and chocolates, if you let them know in advance that you will be celebrating your special event on the ship.
Will I get seasick?--On Inside Passage itineraries, most of your time will be spent in protected waters where there are islands between you and the open sea, thus making for generally smooth sailing. However, there are certain points, such as around Sitka and at the entrance to Queen Charlotte Strait, where there's nothing between you and Japan but a lot of wind, water, and choppy seas. Ships' sailing itineraries on the Gulf of Alaska and those sailing from San Francisco will of necessity spend more time in rough, open waters, and though ships that ply these routes tend to be very stable, you'll probably notice some rocking and rolling.
Unless you're particularly prone to seasickness, you probably don't need to worry much. But if you are, there are medications that can help, including Dramamine and Bonine (both of which can bought over the counter, and are also stocked by most ships--the purser's office may even give them out free). Another option is the Transderm patch, available by prescription only, which goes behind your ear and time-releases medication. The patch can be worn for up to 3 days, but comes with a slew of side-effect warnings. Some people have also had success in curbing seasickness by using ginger capsules available at health-food stores, and with the acupressure wristbands available at most pharmacies.