Reaching down under for an update, The Age of Australia reports on plummeting demand in the number of Australians booking Alaska cruises.  The numbers aren’t pretty!

According to their reporting, only 10,000 Australians may cruise the Inside Passage in 2009, a startling decrease of 50% from 2007.

Cruise Express, an Australia travel agency specializing in Alaska cruises, states that while it took more than 60 customers to Alaska in 2008, it has canceled its 2009 trip due to lack of interest.

What’s causing this huge crash in demand?

In addition to the economic problems the whole world is experiencing, the Australian dollar has also been heavily hit, which means tours for Australians priced in US dollars are much more expensive.  Another likely cause is that the older guests that more typically book an Alaskan cruise have been more heavily affected by the stock market’s impact on their retirement savings.

It’s not good news for the Alaska cruise lines, who are already struggling to fill their ships for the summer season.

Source: The Age

The good folks at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution report on a bit of bright light for the Alaska cruise industry.  Apparently the aggressive deals and discounts they have been offering have resulted in a huge rush of customers.

Princess Cruises set new records for daily booking by recording an increase in volume of 17 percent over its previous best day. Their Alaska cruise specials have been some of the most aggressive, and I’m sure they are grateful for the response.

A welcome development is that the fuel supplement charges of last year have been eliminated across the board.  The lower price of oil has lowered the costs for the cruise lines, and they’re happily passing their savings on to their guests.

Going against the grain, Royal Caribbean has many of its passengers up in arms over a recently announced $3.95 fee for late night room service orders.  It will be interesting to see if they make the fee stick, or are forced to roll it back.

Anyone looking for an excellent Alaska cruise deal should find a lot of great options this season.

Source:  The Altanta Journal-Constitution

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Alaska’s statehood, and Cruise West has some phenomenal Alaska cruise deals and itineraries on offer to celebrate.

Cruise West began offering cruises in Alaska in 1973, and has risen to become one of the premier small ship Alaska cruise lines.  Their ships carry no more than 140 guests, ensuring an intimate experience and allowing them to get up close and personal to the glaciers that are the highlight of any Alaska cruise itinerary.

Cruise West has arranged to bring on board a great lineup of special guests on select itineraries, including Vic Fisher and Jack Coghill, both of whom signed the original Alaska statehood document in 1959.  Also featured are former Governor of Alaska Tony Knowles and Dick Mackey, the very first Iditarod dog sled racing champion.

Food lovers won’t be disappointed either, as Cruise West has gone all out to ensure they provide the best of local Alaskan cuisine.  Breakfasts will include local berries and birch tree syrup, sure to give maple syrup lovers a new taste experience.  Of course, no Alaskan cruise would be complete without seafood, and the state’s world famous salmon, black cod, halibut and crab will be in abundant supply.

To make things even more attractive, Cruise West is offering an additional $50 onboard credit for anyone celebrating a 50th birthday or wedding anniversary.  If you can book early you can take advantage of some great discounts that bring starting prices down to just $999 per person.

Source: PR Newswire

Much has been reported about the major Alaska cruise lines struggling to meet the new environmental regulations due to take effect in 2010. The latest development, though, is that it may in fact be impossible for them to do so with current technology.

While there are land-based systems that would help them meet the requirements of the 2010 law, none of them have been adapted to use for cruise vessels. A best guess is that it will take at least two years, if not longer, to enable Alaska cruise ships to take advantage of them. Some new technologies, including a refrigerator-sized system that could remove ammonia from waste water, are still very much in the experimental stage.

Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line seem to be the furthest ahead in working towards satisfying the new requirements. Companies estimate they are spending in the range of $3 million to $5 million on every ship just in water treatment systems. Alaska cruise line standards are much stricter than the city waste water regulations of the ports where they dock.

Source: Juneau Empire

Cruise West is perhaps one of the best known companies offering small ship, luxury Alaska cruises.  In a move towards lowering their carbon footprint and embracing the Internet, they have just announced a webinar on their departures for the upcoming season.  The presentation will be sure to provide lots of great information and shouldn’t be missed.  More details are available at their site.

Cruise West’s Alaska cruises begin on May 20 this year, with itineraries traveling in both directions between Ketchikan and Juneau.  Ports of call include Tracy Arm, Frederick Sound, Juneau, Skagway, Haines, Glacier Bay, Petersburg, Sitka, the Misty Fjords and Metlakatla.  You can expect to see a range of wildlife including whales, bears, and eagles.

For anyone looking to save some money off their normal $3,999 per person and up prices, Cruise West is offering discounts of as much as $550 per cabin on early bookings until March 27 .  If you’ve been considering a cruise with the luxury small ship Alaska cruise line, this is a great offer you shouldn’t miss.

Source: The Province