As the average age of an Alaskan cruise passenger continues to trend younger, Alaska cruise lines such as Princess Cruises are visiting quieter ports, and adding more adventurous shore excursions.

Interested in ocean kayaking? On the Tahitian Princess, Princess Cruises has you covered.

How about mushing across a glacier with a team of specially trained dogs, giving you a taste of the famous Iditarod race? Princess Cruises has you covered there as well.

In addition to visiting the standard ports of Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway, quieter ports such as Sitka and Valdez are now making appearances, giving guests an opportunity to see a few of the less touristy parts of Alaska.

These are great new trends in Alaska cruise deals bound to appeal to younger guests.

Source: Vancouver Sun

For a first-time cruiser, the number of options when it comes to choosing your Alaska cruise ship can be seem pretty overwhelming.  Sure, once you’ve been on a few cruises, you get a feel for which lines and ship sizes you like, but what about someone planning their very first Alaska cruise vacation?  An article from The Miami Herald offers a fairly good overview of what your main options and trade offs will be.  It’s not going to answer all of your questions, but it’s not a bad read if you want to get your feet wet before you start doing more research.

If you think you might like a larger cruise ship, they point out that you’ll have pretty much every conceivable need addressed.  Cabin choices?  Food choices?  Entertainment choices?  The big ships have an incredible number of options, and you’d be hard pressed not to find something you like.  The downside, of course, is that they are huge, and anyone looking for an intimate or “off the beaten track” adventure is going to be sorely disappointed.

The other main option is the small ships, usually defined as anything floating with a capacity of less than 150 passengers, although there’s no hard and fast rule.  Small is the operative word, as the cabins, common areas and entertainment choices are not huge.  The plus is that these small Alaska cruise ships can get in much closer to the glaciers and wildlife.  They tend to attractive a more nature-focused crowd, as you can be sure there aren’t any casinos or climbing walls onboard.

The last option, for anyone on a tight budget or timetable, is take one of the ferries available.  If your idea of a great trip is to roll your sleeping bag out on the deck and dine at a snack bar or from the microwave, these can be a lot of fun.  Just don’t expect a turn down service or a mint on your pillow!

Source: The Miami Herald

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

While your ship is sure to be a huge part of your Alaska cruise tour, everyone knows that a lot of the most exciting and interesting adventures take place during the many shore excursions that are offered in the ports that you visit.  How can you possibly choose among all of the options, every one of which can look like a “can’t miss” opportunity?

The good news is that some Alaska cruise shore excursions are cited time and again, and should definitely be the top of your list to consider.  For anyone with even a passing interest in trains, the Mount Roberts Tramway outside Skagway should not be missed.  The Timberline Bar & Grill at Mount Roberts in Juneau is another favorite, and sure to have just the right locally produced beer to quench your thirst.  And for those who crave adrenaline and have the room in their budget, nothing beats a helicopter tour of the glaciers.

It’s true that the views of the glaciers, wilderness and whales are free, but make sure you plan to include at least a few shore excursions during your Alaska cruise.  There’s no better way to take advantage of all that an Alaskan cruise has to offer.

Source: Cayman New News

A wonderful video posted at Cruise Line History will surely appeal to Alaska cruise enthusiasts who have even a passing interest in history.

You can follow the SS Alaska as it steams away from the port of Seattle in 1954 en route to the Alaska Inside Passage.  It’s great fun to watch the clips of passengers dancing across the deck floor, playing cards, eating in the elegant dining room–and donning life vests for the always mandatory evacuation drill!

It’s fascinating to see how Alaskan cruising has changed over the years!  Do you think there were Alaska cruise deals back then?

Source: Cruise Line History