Alaska merges stunning landscapes, exhilarating adventures, and unforgettable wildlife experiences, combining remnants of America’s last frontier, nature, and gold rush history. It’s a vibrant tapestry of glaciers, mountains, totem poles, breaching whales, Indigenous culture, and leaping salmon, offering a sense of tranquillity. Despite its wild charm, Alaska provides diverse travel experiences, from strenuous backpacking and mountain climbing to indulgent cruises.
Many favor cruises, but incorporating additional activities pre- and post-cruise lets you explore the Far North, experience the tundra, visit bird colonies in the Aleutians, or watch grizzlies in action, all in comfort. Adventurous options include fishing in Bristol Bay, rafting in the Arctic National Park, or kayaking in Kodiak Island. Alaska’s attractions cater to a diverse audience, with cruise programs suited for all ages and interests, creating a unique mix of hosted and escorted tours.
Here are 5 things to consider when offering Alaska to your clients who are considering an Alaskan cruise:
1. A cruise fulfills the needs of scenery viewers, wildlife observers, native culture explorers, physical challenges, multi-generational families looking to make lifelong memories, and special event attendees.
Which line and which ship within each line is best depends on the experience the client is looking for. Some visitors demand the height of luxury afloat and will be happy with nothing less. Others want a solid mid-market experience. Another segment values low prices above all else. It is up to the travel counselor to make the match between the client and the ship.
2. Itineraries change from year to year based on decisions made by the cruise lines on which port to visit or limitations imposed on the companies by state agencies that regulate waterways, such as Glacier Bay. That places a greater burden on the counselor to explore the client’s travel goals to help select the most appropriate vessel.
3. Sizing. Cruise ships come large and small. Think full-sized resort hotel versus boutique property—the extremes in size between ships with somewhere between 1,000 and 3,000 passengers and the expedition-sized boats that carry between a dozen to 100 passengers. Each has its advantages. Passengers who like one style may not be happy with the other. This is where it is crucial to qualify your clients.
4. Large ships are what most clients think of when travel counselors say, “cruise.” Size has distinct advantages in terms of the variety of services and activities, as well as the sense of anonymity that some travelers prefer. However, large ships cannot navigate narrow or shallow channels, which means they cannot pull close to shore for wildlife viewing or visiting towns with shallow harbors. Passenger decks on large ships are high above the water (five to 10 stories), making whales and leisure boats look like miniatures far below. When large vessels are in port, the number of visitors often exceeds the local population, which may have an effect on the visitor experience and how they perceive the destination.
Traditional cruising is one of Alaska’s most successful attractions. Its lure has made the region a premier destination. People can view attractions that they have only dreamed of. Competitions between cruise lines have kept prices attractive, the waters of the Inside Passage are generally calm (allaying any fears of seasickness), the ship’s entertainment offerings meet the needs of the multi-generational group, and the view from a verandah suite looking out at the coastline simply can’t be beaten.
5. Small ships allow passengers to get to know each other and the crew, who often do double duty as naturalists and interpreters. If a whale breaches during dinner, chances are the entire complement, including the chef and waitstaff, will desert the dining room to watch. Because small ships carry fewer passengers, per diem rates are almost always higher than on large ships, and discounts are rare—operators who must fill just 50 cabins per week have less incentive to cut rates than those who must fill 1,500 cabins.
Small ships can sail to almost anywhere in Alaska, including places such as the Misty Fjords or small towns with harbors too small for large ships. Schedules are more flexible on small ships, which means the captain can linger when whales or other wildlife appear. Because small ships put passengers closer to the water, they can see smaller creatures, such as seals, even bears onshore, without binoculars. And small ships are almost always casual—no dress-up clothing is required or even encouraged.
