This document provides information for planning an Alaska cruise, including the top 5 reasons to go such as seeing nature and adventure activities. It discusses the pros and cons of different itinerary and ship options, highlights the best ports and shore excursions in places like Juneau and Ketchikan, and offers resources for further research. Interested readers are invited to contact the author to discuss specific cruise options and prices.

1. Why go? What to expect?Experiences to remember.Cruising Alaska

2. Top 5 Reasons To Go5. See nature up close and personal: glaciers, wildlife, Mt. McKinley (Denali), northern lights4. Adventure: dog sledding, helicopter & seaplane tours, glacial hikes, water rafting, zip line tours3. Do what you want, skip what you don’t: it’s the beauty of cruising – there are options for everyone, and we can all meet at night to share our experiences2. It won’t be here forever: environmental forces are changing the scenery and the glacial footprint; let’s see it while we can…and the number one reason to go on an Alaska cruise in 2012

3. 1. 2012 is our 15 year cruise anniversary! let’s celebrate our friendship with old and new friends!

4. Alaska is big & bold, offering an intriguing, culturally diverse destination with thousands of miles of scenic coastline – perfect for cruising!

5. Nine cruise lines have 27 large ships and six lines have small ships in Alaska this year – each experience offers pros & cons

6. 2 itineraries: Inside Passage & Gulf of Alaska (if seas are choppy, Gulf of Alaska itinerary is more prone to exposure)

7. Season lasts five months: May-September, with the shoulder seasons (May & August/September) being less crowded. Mid-June through Mid-August are peak season. Salmon start running in late June – when there are salmon, there are bears. Northern lights can be seen in late-September.

8. Weather is always a factor, and though daytimes can be balmy (60s-70s), nights can be near freezing. Key word: layersWhat to expect?

9. Best ships by category: http://www.hillmanwonders.com/alaska_cruise/best_alaska_cruise_lines.htmLuxury-small sized ship (under 500 ppl) – Silversea Cruises has 382 passengers, n an all balcony ship. Luxury-mid sized ship (500-1k ppl) – Regent Seven Seas (Mariner & Navigator) 700-passenger Mariner is slightly better. All cabins have balconiesUpmarket ship – Celebrity Infinity & Millennium both accommodate 2k passengers. Holland America is runner-upMid-priced ship – Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas & Radiance of the Seas. Princess, Carnival and Norwegian are runners-up.Expedition ship – American Safari Cruises carries 12-26 passengers, with a focus on wildlife, wilderness and conservation. Their small size allows them to go places that big ships canoot. Rates are high, service is outstanding, and cabin space is small.Which is best? Big or Small?

10. Juneau – America’s smallest state capital is accessible only by boat or aircraft.

11. Ketchikan – Gold rush town where miners debarked ships to begin their trek to Yukon. It rains far more in Ketchikan – 13’/year.