Alaska Cruisetours

What is an Alaska Cruisetour?

People go to Alaska for six reasons: Wilderness, Wildlife, Glaciers, Mountains, History and Culture. A seven night Alaska Inside Passage Cruise will certainly give you a taste of Alaska and a chance to see glaciers and marine wildlife. An Alaska land tour into the interior region gives you an opportunity to experience the wilderness, mountains and land wildlife aspects of Alaska. Both are great vacations, but neither gives you the whole Alaska vacation package.

Alaska Cruise Tours offer the best of both worlds, combining a 3- to 7-day relaxing and luxurious cruise vacation along the Alaska coast with a 3- to 12-day adventurous land tour giving you the opportunity to explore the interior of Alaska including Denali National Park and Mt. Denali.

Northbound and Southbound Alaska Cruisetours

Like Alaska Glacier Cruises, Alaska Cruise Tours can operate as Northbound or Southbound Vacations. Most Northbound Cruise Tours start with a 7-Night Northbound Alaska Glacier Cruise departing from Vancouver and ending in Seward. Once you disembark in Seward, the land portion of your Alaska vacation begins. Southbound Alaska Cruise Tours, on the other hand, begin with the land portion of your tour first. You'll fly into Anchorage or Fairbanks, Alaska, and see the sights in Alaska's interior, then transfer by motor coach to Seward where your Southbound Glacier Cruise to Vancouver will begin.

Both Cruisetour options have their advantages. Southbound Alaska Cruisetours are popular because many cruise passengers like starting their vacation with the most physical activities first and then ending their trip with a relaxing seven night cruise. The Northbound vacations are also popular because they cost less than the Southbound Cruises, often saving a passenger hundreds of dollars.

Alaska Cruisetour Itineraries

Alaska Cruisetour itineraries vary by cruise line, and you can literally choose from hundreds of different tours based on your interests and budget. When planning your vacation, you must ask yourself what you want to do and see and find the tour that best suits those needs. The choices can be overwhelming and you should not hesitate to call to get some help from an AlaskaCruises.com Cruise Specialist who can take you through the specific details of a particular tour.

Here is an example of a popular Alaska Cruise Tour. Itineraries vary by cruise line and ship:

• Day 1 - Fairbanks, AlaskaKick off your Alaska adventure in historic Fairbanks. After transferring to your hotel, you'll meet your Tour Director and enjoy a relaxing overnight stay
• Day 2 - Fairbanks, AlaskaAfter breakfast, you'll spend an exciting day in Fairbanks. Explore the city's natural beauty and landmarks on the Fairbanks City Tour, then cruise down the Chena River on the Riverboat Discovery Sternwheeler. You'll also visit the Museum of the North, situated on the campus of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Here, you'll discover an extensive collection of Alaskan artwork and historical exhibits highlighting the many cultures that call the region home. Later, retreat to your accommodations to spend a second night in Fairbanks.
• Day 3 - Fairbanks Alaska & Denali National ParkIn the morning, enjoy a cup of cappuccino and spectacular views as you travel on the Wilderness Express, a glass-domed traincar, to Denali. Upon arrival, you'll have free time to book an optional land excursion or relax with a scenic stroll. Your Tour Director can help you choose from an array of activities, such as the Husky Homestead Tour or Cabin Nite Dinner Theater. Overnight in Denali.
• Day 4 - Denali National ParkAfter a restful night's sleep, you'll embark on a morning journey deep into Denali National Park on the Tundra Wilderness Tour. Immerse yourself in Denali's pristine beauty while watching for Alaska's "big five": caribou, moose, bear, grey wolves, and Dall sheep. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure. Choose from an optional activity, including whitewater rafting or helicopter flightseeing, or relax at the hotel, where you'll enjoy a second night in picturesque Denali.
• Day 5 - Denali National Park / TalkeetnaSpend your morning relaxing or enjoying an optional land excursion, such as Nenana River Rafting. In the afternoon, you'll set off on a scenic journey to Talkeetna aboard the Wilderness Express, a glass-domed traincar. A relaxing evening by the fireplace awaits at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, where you'll stay overnight.
• Day 6 - Talkeetna, Alaska / Anchorage Craft your own unique Alaskan adventure in the morning, such as a float trip on the Talkeetna River. After, you'll board the Wilderness Express for a picturesque ride to Anchorage. Upon arrival, you'll head to your accommodations at the Anchorage Downtown Marriott for a restful night.
• Day 7 - Anchorage, Alaska / SewardYour morning begins with a visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Center, where you'll learn about the various native cultures that call Alaska home. Break for lunch in downtown Anchorage before continuing your journey south to the harbor town of Seward, where you'll board the Celebrity Millennium to begin your cruise adventure.

• Day 7 - Embark Ship in Seward Alaska
• Day 8 - Cruising Hubbard Glacier
• Day 9 - Juneau, Alaska
• Day 10 - Skagway, Alaska
• Day 11 - Icy Straight Point, Alaska
• Day 12 - Ketchikan, Alaska
• Day 13 - Cruising the Inside Passage
• Day 14 - Arrive Vancouver

Alaska Cruise Tours can be as active or as relaxed as you choose to make them. The cruise lines offer wonderful experiences for all ages making Alaska a perfect family cruise destination. Naturalists and tour guides provide education and a local flavor that all will enjoy. Additionally, each tour gives you plenty of opportunities to take advantage of high adventure activities like: hiking, kayaking, horseback riding, mountain biking, white-water rafting, fishing and more.

What's Included with an Alaska Cruise Tour?

Again, there are two components to an Alaska Cruise Tour - the land portion and the cruise portion. What's included varies upon the actual Cruise Tour and the part of the trip you are on. But in general, the following is included on your vacation:

On the Alaska Land Portion:

• Hotel Accommodations in Fairbanks
• Discover Riverboat Tour and Gold Mine Tour in Fairbanks
• Domed Railcar Transportation on part or all of your land trip
• Hotel Accommodations in the Denali National Park Area
• Either a short or long bus tour into Denali National Park
• Hotel Accommodations in Talkeetna or Anchorage if applicable to tour
• Transfers and Baggage handling
• Some tours may have an Escort or Guide through the trip

The Cruise portion of your trip will include:

• 7 Night Alaska Glacier or Inside Passage Cruise
• Deluxe Accommodations on the ship
• All meals onboard including 24 hour room service
• Coffee, Tea, Milk, Juice, non-bottled water
• Entertainment, casinos, piano bars, comedians, Broadway-style shows
• Onboard Activities and Kids programming on most ships
• Port charges, taxes and fees

Your Alaska Cruise Tour WILL NOT include:

• Meals or drinks on the land portion of the Cruise Tour
• Gratuities onboard the ship
• Shore Excursions and Sight-seeing tours in Alaska
• Special Spa Services or Casino Gaming
• Beer, wine, spirits or bottled water
• Travel Insurance unless requested
• Airfare unless requested

Pre- or Post-Cruise Options in Seattle or Vancouver

If you are sailing to or from Vancouver, consider spending a few extra days either before or after the cruise to enjoy some of the local sights. Most cruise lines offer affordable pre- and post-cruise hotel programs that give you the opportunity to experience some of the local attractions like the Space Needle and Pike's Market in Seattle or the Butchart Gardens in Vancouver/Victoria. Ask your Alaska Cruise Specialist about this when planning your cruise.

When Can I Take an Alaska Cruisetour?

Cruise Tours begin in late May and continue though the end of August or very early September. Whether you cruise when the Inside Passage is blanketed with spring wildflowers or ablaze with fall foliage you'll be awed at Alaska's natural wonders. Spring whale migrations, fall bald eagle gatherings, winter trumpeter swans - exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities and substantial savings can be found during spring and fall.

How to Book an Alaska Cruisetour

Alaska Cruise Tours are very complicated travel packages that cannot yet be booked online. If you would like to purchase an Alaska Cruise Tour or have additional questions, please call AlaskaCruises.com directly and one of our Alaska experts will be happy to help you plan your trip.