State Guide

Small ships allow you to see Alaska from sea level, without the kind of distractions you get aboard the big ships -- no glitzy interiors, no big shows or loud music, no casinos, no spas, and no crowds, as the largest of these ships carries only 235 passengers. You're immersed in the 49th state from the minute you wake up to the minute you fall asleep, and, for the most part, you're left alone to form your own opinions. Personally, we feel that despite these ships' higher cost, they provide by far the better cruise experience for those who really want to get the feel of Alaska.

Small-ship itineraries can be categorized as port-to-port, meaning they mimic the larger ships in simply sailing between port towns; soft-adventure, meaning they provide some outdoors experiences like hiking and kayaking, while not requiring participants to be trained athletes; and active-adventure, meaning the hiking and kayaking will be the real focus of the trip, and may be strenuous.

On all of these types of cruises, the small-ship experience tends toward education rather than glitzy entertainment. You'll likely get informal and informative lectures and, sometimes, video presentations on Alaska wildlife, history, and Native culture. Meals are served in open seatings, so you can sit where and with whom you like, and time spent huddled on the outside decks scanning for whales fosters great camaraderie among passengers.

Cabins on these ships don't generally offer TVs or telephones, and they tend to be very small and sometimes spartan. There are no stabilizers on most of these smaller ships, so the ride can be bumpy in rough seas. Alaska Sightseeing's Spirit of '98 and Spirit of Oceanus, Clipper Cruise Line's Clipper Odyssey, and American West Steamboat Company's Empress of the North have elevators, but in general the small ships are not good choices for travelers who require the use of wheelchairs or have other mobility problems.

Discover Prince William Sound by Boat--Discovery Voyages is one of the few cruise companies that offers overnight trips into Prince William Sound. The yachtlike 12-passenger, 65-foot Discovery departs from Whittier on 5-, 6-, 7- and 11-day cruises that bring you up close and personal with the area's glaciers. Naturalists and outdoor guides are on board to organize such trip activities as bird-, whale- and wildlife-watching, kayaking, and hiking excursions. For more information, call tel. 800/324-7602 or try www.discoveryvoyages.com.

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State Guide

Alaska Tourism: Small-Ship Cruise Lines

Small-Ship Cruise Lines

Alaska Travel & Vacation Deals

Alaska Travel Deals