connievloutely wrote:
I am thinking of taking the inside passage cruise in Alaska.
I have no idea where to start in planning this adventure.
I do know I want to come back with wildlife and landscape pictures.
I have the equipment just need to know which cruise line is best. I mean value for the money spent.
Want to leave from Seattle, WA.
My recommendation is to research what activities are available at which ports and then select the cruise line that matches the ports you most want to visit.
There are a lot more cruises available then those that have previously been mentioned.
Skagway has the railroad, which is definitely a good trip. Haines has what is left of an old military instillation, a bunch of building painted white that are very picturesque, and also has a large concentration of bald eagles.
Juneau has easy access to glaciers. Sitka has a nice totem park, a bear park, they are in a big pit, but actually photograph quite well, especially if you happen to be there on a day that they put some salmon in their little pond. Sitka also has good wildlife viewing, kayaking, scuba and snorkeling.(a little cold, but they have good wet suits and the underwater viewing is pretty good). Ketchikan also has a totem park. As far as scenery, Tracy Arm is beautiful, as is glacier national park, and hubbard glacier, which some of the cruises anchor near.
If you have the money and want a different kind of cruise, there are smaller boats that are affiliated with National Geographic that hit spots that the big ships can't get to for a price.
Do your research and then pick the cruise that best fits your interests.
Personally I have never been on an Alaska Cruise. We have always used the Alaska Marine System. They hit more ports, cost less money, and you can stay as long as you want at different ports. The disadvantage is that unless you plan well in advance you will be sleeping on deck instead of in a state room and you won't have the luxury dining, but you get to see so much more.
The key to any inside passage adventure is to figure out what you most want to see and do and then make sure that whatever cruise line or other method of travel you use allows you to get to those destinations.