I want to do a cruise to Alaska in 2008. What is my best option for a Seattle roundtrip on a $1,200 budget?

In Alaska we refer to cruise ship passengers as “newlyweds and nearly deads”, and it seems to fit since the average cruise ship passengers are either ancient or a young couple. Most of the young couples tend to be from Europe. Taking a cruise to Alaska is a great way to see the coastal landscape of this great land, but it’s not going to show you the real Alaska.

All Alaskan cruise ship ports are essentially the same. The businesses around the cruise ship docks are usually owned by out-of-town companies associated with the cruise ship industry. During the off-season these business are closed down and boarded up until the next year because the locals never go there. When the ships are in town the locals joke at all the passengers milling about the sidewalks looking in windows and going into stores to look at T-shirts identical to the ones available in the last Alaskan port. They look like zombies. These areas around the cruise ship docks are often times very old buildings but they have a Disney-eque Alaskan facade to them. Cruise ship passengers can also shop for jewelry. Unfortunately the “Alaskan gold” and gems they think they’re getting usually comes from Africa where workers toil in dangerous conditions for pennies a day.

Point: If you like spending time on a cruise ship and seeing a Hollywood version of Alaska and don’t mind spending your money supporting international (non local) businesses, an Alaskan cruise is the way to go. If you have already booked your Alaskan cruise, it’s not all lost, however. Try to book as many shore excursions as possible. Although some of the profits get kicked back to the cruise ship industry excursions are usually locally owned and operated and they’ll get you out of Hollywood Alaska into real Alaska. Unfortunately, shore excursions tend to be expensive and refunds aren’t offered if the weather is so terrible it can’t be enjoyed. A brochure of a helicopter glacier tour looks great. But the reality is that when you show up you may have little chance of seeing anything if the ice fields are socked in with clouds (they often are). Port stays are often limited and the excursion companies will get you back to your boat on time. Unfortunately this sometimes means herding you along like cattle. There is always another group right behind you and they have a boat to catch too.

If not a cruise ship, how else to see Alaska? That depends on what you like to do. Some people are into hunting and fishing, and there are hundreds of lodges with experienced guides to help you. Others are into camping, hiking, or rafting. The US Forest service operates hundreds of overnight cabins. They cost less than a hotel room and they are in the true Alaskan wilderness. Some can be hiked too, others require a boat or floatplane which can be chartered relatively inexpensively. You can look at availability here: http://www.nps.gov/aplic/cabins/fs_cabins.html

Another great option is to fly into Anchorage, rent an RV, and drive to Denali national park. Even cheaper, drive up the Alcan highway from the lower 48 through British Columbia and the Yukon Territory.

If you are stuck on the boat idea and don’t want the Hollywood flash of a cruise ship, consider the Alaska Marine Highway (Alaskan’s call it the blue canoe (guess what, they’re painted blue)). Most of Alaska isn’t accessible by road and the marine highway is a system of ferries that connect coastal areas with the rest of the world. The southern most stop on this ferry system is Bellingham, Washington. You can book your adventure at http://www.akferry.com/ as luxurious or bare bones as you want. Some people sleep in tents on the deck. Others choose a state room. Some people just sleep inside the ship in a chair (airline style) The ferries have showers, a restaurant/cafeteria, a bar, and other basic necessities. The good thing about the ferry system is you’re not limited to a 4-hour cruise-ship-style port stop. You can get off at a city and stay a day or two (or more). You can continue your adventure on the next ferry. Taking a car on the ferry is rather expensive and you’re not allowed in the vehicle decks except when the ship is in port. The exception is if you’re travelling with a pet there are designated times to let it out of the vehicle. Alternatively, pets in kennels are allowed with you on the ship. Do cruise ships let you do that?