Page 20 - Explore Your AAA – AAA Southern Pennsylvania – Fall 2022

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EXPLORE | DESTINATIONS FALL EDITION 2022
Selecting the Perfect Alaskan Cruise
More than a million people sailed on an Alaska cruise this year and that number is expected to keep rising annually as more and more travelers choose to discover the Last Frontier for themselves. And it’s easy to see why Alaska cruises
have proven to be so popular – they combine incredible wilderness scenery with the ease and comfort of shipboard travel. It’s like staying in a nice hotel that brings the majestic landscapes of Alaska to you.
And what landscapes. At just about every turn there’s a camera-ready vista that’s difficult to describe: dense forests of dark green fir trees, sparkling waters flecked with sea ice, snowcapped peaks and breathtaking steep-sided fjords.
If there were a star of this fantastic show, it would be the blue-tinted glaciers that seem close enough to touch from the deck of your ship.
Wildlife sightings are another highlight of an Alaska cruise, and you’re likely to hear the excited cries from fellow passengers pointing out whales spouting nearby, bears on the rocky shoreline or bald eagles gliding overhead. Another big part of the Alaska experience are the ports you’ll visit along the way – Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, Skagway – quaint towns in picturesque settings where you’ll get a feel for area history, local Native American culture and the lives and livelihoods of everyday Alaskans.
Cruise lines have developed Alaska itineraries catering to a wide range of clientele, which means you’ll have plenty of options to choose from (size of the ship, ports, shore excursions, etc.). Having so many choices can be a little overwhelming, but don’t worry. Here are AAA’s tips for choosing the right cruise for you and answers to common questions.
What’s the Best Time to Cruise Alaska?
Alaska cruises operate from late April through September. The high season is June through August, which is your best bet for warmer temperatures and wildlife viewing. But this also is the time of year you can expect the biggest crowds (some cruise ships carry far more passengers than the entire populations of the towns they visit). And it’s also when Alaska cruise deals become all but impossible to find. You’ll have a better chance of finding bargains in May and September, but the weather during the shoulder season can be iffy and seas become noticeably rougher in September. If you’re prone to getting seasick, this would be the month to avoid.
What’s the Best Cruise Line for Alaska Vacations?
The answer depends on what you’re looking for. There are three broad categories: Mainstream or Contemporary, Premium and Luxury. All three offer what you’d expect from a cruise – attentive service; a variety of dining options that include buffets, snack bars, room service, main dining rooms and specialty restaurants; bars; live entertainment; casinos; spas; shops; shore excursions; etc.
The differences tend to be one of degree. Mainstream cruise ships are generally larger and more crowded but also are
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cheaper. Larger ships usually have a better variety of onboard amenities like rock climbing walls, mini golf greens, poolside movies and areas of the ship set aside for kids and teenagers.
Premium and Luxury ships tend to be smaller with fewer people and more personalized and attentive service and are, as you might expect, more expensive. Smaller ships can navigate narrower, out-of-the-way bays, straits and fjords, which means you may be visiting places the mega-ships can’t reach. Premium and Luxury cruise lines also offer longer trips, and passengers are inclined to be older and
are less likely to have young children.
How much does an Alaskan cruise cost?
Depending on the length of the cruise, the type of cabin (interior or one with a window or balcony), the category of the cruise line and whether it’s high season, fares can run from anywhere between a few hundred dollars to several thousand.
Another factor that affects the price is when you book your trip. Alaska cruise deals are available more than a year in advance, when the lines first announce their itineraries, as well as within a couple of months before the ship sails. Generally, the last-minute deals are better, but your choices of cabins and shore excursions may be limited, and in the end, there are no guarantees that those late bargains will materialize.
What is there to do on an Alaska cruise?
Besides all the onboard activities during an Alaska cruise, there’s an incredible variety of things to do off the ship as well. Among the most common shore excursions are hiking and biking trips along with rafting, canoeing and whale-watch adventures. Cruisers can experience indigenous culture during visits to places like Saxman Village in Ketchikan, known for its outstanding collection of totem poles. Another unforgettable outing favored by sporty types is salmon fishing followed by the chef aboard the ship preparing the day’s catch for dinner that night.
Sightseeing jaunts aboard a train are another option thousands of cruisers enjoy; the White Pass & Yukon Route in