Alaska the most sought after cruise destination for vacationers, offers outstanding scenic sightings and locales aboard ships. Very many places neither accessible by road nor seen by land are best enjoyed aboard cruise ships letting you view natural splendors. Nearly 750,000 cruise passengers sail on Alaskan waters during the short five-month cruise season!

More than twenty cruiselines provide over forty diverse ships offering cruise trips every summer, they range from exclusive 12 passenger vessels to full-on ships with up to 3000 passengers aboard. You have three basic itineraries for Alaska that you may go for to have a cruise vacation of a lifetime. Enjoy any of the circuitous routes planned by many cruise services.

The Inside Passage offers roundtrips from Vancouver or Seattle to the southeast panhandle of Alaska. It includes gliding past the famed Glacier Bay National Park, home to 16 super glaciers. Several smaller vessels ply in the calm waters and the distances are not much from Juneau or Ketchikan. This route makes for cheaper airfare as you embark and disembark at the same port.

The Gulf of Alaska itinerary runs north from Vancouver to the south central coast of Alaska in addition to the Inside Passage. Ships sail between Vancouver and Seward with Anchorage as the closest port. Your boarding and disembarking points are different but you get to see more of Alaska's spectacular scenery, including the glacier-clad Gulf of Alaska and Hubbard Glacier.

The third route takes the Bering Sea Cruises with expedition ships sailing on the historic sea waters between North America and Asia. Most mainstream cruise lines do not venture this far north and it is only the serious enthusiasts who venture here.

Ship lines offer great packages and add-ons for cruising adventures. Packages include inland visits to Alaskan wilderness areas like Denali National Park or Kenai Fjords National Park. When you plan a cruise for Alaska it is recommended taking in the time to experience attractions in the several ports of call to enjoy more of the magnificence of Alaska.