| There are currently six major Alaska cruise lines: | | | | newest fleet sailing in Alaska, and their ships have |
| Princess, Holland America, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, | | | | some the most amazing amenities, including rock |
| NCL, and Carnival. Each of these cruise lines has a | | | | climbing walls and even bowling alleys. On the down |
| distinct character, so how do you decide which one | | | | side, they only sail round trip itineraries, so if you |
| suites you best? | | | | want to tour inland Alaska, NCL is probably not for |
| Holland America is the most traditional and formal of | | | | you. |
| the cruise lines, with the smallest ships of all the | | | | Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, while offering fewer |
| major lines in Alaska. Holland America also tends to be | | | | cruises in Alaska than Princess, do provide exceptional |
| very popular with senior cruisers and thus it | | | | quality and a variety of itineraries, though neither |
| passenger demographic tends to skew older than the | | | | currently offers cruises that stop in Glacier Bay. They |
| other lines. | | | | do both have ships that visit the Hubbard Glacier, |
| Princess is the largest cruise line in Alaska, and it | | | | which is a great option as an alternative to Glacier |
| offers a nice mix of tradition and innovation, including | | | | Bay. |
| a flexible dining plan. Like Holland America, Princess | | | | Finally, Carnival is the "forgotten" Alaskan cruise line. |
| currently sails eight ships in Alaska. However, the | | | | Carnival does currently have one ship sailing in Alaska, |
| Princess ships are quite a bit larger, and they can | | | | mainly on one-way itineraries between Vancouver |
| accommodate almost double the number of | | | | and Whittier. I have found that Carnival often has |
| passengers. | | | | very reasonable prices, so if you are looking for a |
| Princess is also the leader in Alaska cruisetours, and | | | | one-way cruise, check out Carnival, if only for a price |
| the cruise line owns several wonderful lodges in the | | | | comparison. |
| Denali National Park region. So if you are considering | | | | All these cruise lines are actually wonderful options. |
| adding an inland tour to your cruise, Princess is a | | | | Which one you choose depends on what you want |
| wonderful option. | | | | to see and what type of on-ship environment you |
| Norwegian (NCL) is the most innovative of the cruise | | | | seek. But no matter what type of atmosphere you |
| lines in Alaska, offering multiple restaurants and | | | | prefer, from traditional to innovative, there is an |
| incredible dining variety and flexibility with its | | | | Alaskan cruise line for you. |
| "Freestyle Cruising" concept. Norwegian also has the | | | | |