Alaskan cruises are more in demand than cruises to the Caribbean or the Bahamas. People prefer cruising in Alaska due to its cool climate. In the summer months, Alaska is comfortably warm and the sun is up most of the time. Cruisers in Alaska see beautiful scenery wherever they go. During the peak cruising season in Alaska, which is from May to September, all major cruise ships are booked well in advance. Alaskan cruises are also a bit steeper than other cruises – a seven-day cruise may cost $800 to $1,000 per head.

Several famous ships conduct regular Alaska cruises in the peak season. Some of these ships are the Dawn Princess, the Sun Princess, the Statendam, the Volendam and the Norwegian Star. The pioneer ship for Alaska cruises is the Royal Caribbean Radiance. Cruise ships have their own itineraries – there are special ships for inland cruising and marine cruising. There are also small ships that can accommodate less than a hundred people.

Alaskan cruises can be for a week or nine to ten days. There are several activities that can be performed onboard. Whale watching is one of the most popular activities. Cruise ships have their own bands, which play music – especially jazz and folk music – for the cruisers. There are dance programs with live or recorded musical accompaniment. Other forms of onboard entertainment are Broadway shows, comedy performances, and dances. Food is of local varieties and is served by uniformed waiters and attendants.

An Alaskan cruise is not just an onboard sailing experience; there are several shore activities provided. People can go whitewater rafting and boating. Canoeing and kayaking are other popular features of cruises. Ketchikan is a popular kayaking hub. One more important attraction is underwater sightseeing, which may be provided in a submersible submarine or with snorkeling or scuba equipment. Such cruises are also known as adventure cruises.

Visiting Alaska is more expensive than going to Europe from America. Cruise ships leave from two destinations – Seattle and Vancouver – and end in Seward. Rails, cruise ships or vehicles cannot access interior places of Alaska. Floatplanes are used as transport to access these places.

The charm of Alaskan cruises is the climate. Since Alaska is snow-ridden and inaccessible for the major part of the year, the cruising season is the summer. This period is full of activities and natural beauty. Due to the short period of accessibility, the demand for Alaskan cruises is high.