Alaska Cruise Tips: How to Find the Best Cruise Bargains in Alaska

Alaskan cruise travelers seem to enjoy the history and the frontier ambience of the country, but its wildlife and scenery most probably serve as the main attractions.While travelers can't predict the cruise deals available, they do have a few tricks up their sleeves when looking for the best cruise prices and overall vacation value.

The Alaskan mountains, massive glaciers, tranquil waterways, countless miles of rainforest and Arctic tundra are among the many magnets for cruise passengers in Alaska. Whales, eagles, bears, moose, seals and seabirds may be seen from the ship, in a port or on a shore tour. And by booking an Alaskan cruise, travelers are trading a week of hot weather at home for the possibility of snowy or rainy days and chilly midsummer temperatures.

The two of the biggest Alaska cruise operators are Princess and Holland America, but nearly every major cruise line has at least one ship in Alaska each summer. You can also choose from luxury cruises on smaller ships and expedition cruises that focus more on up-close-and-personal nature and wildlife encounters.

Holland America and Princess Cruises have many differences regarding the options and features. Many passengers claim that Holland tends to take those features to the next level as they offer a bit more space, luxury and ports of call. But because of this added value, Holland cruises are far more expensive than those on Princess ships, as reported by USA Today.

With that, Cruise Critic has just produced the best tips on finding cheap cruise deals. Clients can even get extra freebies and make the best choices for the next sailing destinations. If they are searching for cheap cruise deals to Alaska, the seven-night voyages sail round trip from Seattle or Vancouver is a great deal. It is also making air travel arrangements easier and usually less expensive than they are for one-way cruises.

Moreover, the gulf itinerary is a seven-night one-way cruise between Seattle or Vancouver and Sewardor Whittier, the gateway ports for Anchorage. Holland America also offers a two-week trip that actually docks in Anchorage, with options for long day trips into the interior.itinerary does not offer passengers the opportunity to visit the Inside Passage ports.

On the other hand, Cruisers can opt for a different kind of trip on the smaller expedition vessels of lines, including the Un-Cruise Adventures and the Lindblad Expeditions. These cruises typically focus more on nature and wildlife. According to Avid Cruiser, the small ship exploration in such exotic regions as the Arctic, Antarctica, Alaska, Baja California, Central America, Galapagos and Europe, including the far Arctic reaches of Norway are offered by the Lindblad Expeditions.

Meanwhile, travelers can also tour on their own or book a cruise tour that combines a cruise and a three- to seven-night land tour. The popular destinations often times visited by cruise passengers include Denali National Park, Talkeetna, and Fairbanks. Cruise tour land packages are also available to the Kenai Peninsula, Arctic Alaska and Canada's Yukon Territory.