One-Way Cruises to Alaska
This photo, shot by a reader and submitted to our Dream Trip contest, captures the view from a cruise ship between Sitka and Frederick Sound.
Question from reader Johnsalmon:
"I am planning a trip to Alaska for late August. The original concept was to fly to Anchorage, rent a car, and drive to various sites, mostly in the interior (where I lived for three years as a child in the 1950s). However, I'm now wondering if it is possible to fly to Seattle or Vancouver and take a cruise one-way to the Anchorage area. From there I'd pick up a car, take my interior drive, and eventually fly home. I'd like to see the inland passage, glaciers, etc., if possible."
Actually, your options aren't limited if you're looking for a one-way cruise to Alaska -- most of the major lines run such itineraries. I asked Margret Propper of Brownell Travel, an Alaska expert on Conde Nast Traveler's list of the world's best travel planners, for some advice. She said:
"The cruises that depart out of Seattle do not go all the way to Anchorage, so I would suggest a cruise from Vancouver to Whittier or Seward. You can then take the cruise line's transfer inland to Anchorage, arriving at about noon, and either overnight there or pick up a car and drive north. It might be better to fly out of Fairbanks rather than Anchorage if you are planning to travel as far as Denali National Park -- from there, it's a shorter drive to continue north."
Read on for Margret's tips on choosing the right cruise line.
Says Margret:
"I like to choose a ship that calls at Glacier Bay, as that is where you see the massive and spectacular glaciers. Other than that, most of the ships stop at the same ports of call: Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway. Regent Seven Seas Cruises has all-suite ships that hold about 750 passengers. Holland America and Princess also offer one-way cruises, but on large ships with 1,200 to 1,900 passengers."
Sounds like the makings of a great trip down memory lane, Johnsalmon.
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I was ready about the travel to Alaska, just so you could see the inside passage of the land. To be honest. Mother & myself took a week off on a criuse thru alaska and we enjoyed every bit if it. We have even planned for anothr Vacation in that area in the near future but where we plan on staying in cabins for a week. I do say thouh, Alaska is a very looked over state in its bueaty,
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Posted by: faithfulone | November 02, 2007 at 04:10 AM