How to sell: Alaska
Each issue, cruise expert Jane Archer shares her tips on selling a specific area of cruise. This time, she looks at Alaska
Dubbed the last frontier, Alaska is a vast land defined by majestic mountains, massive glaciers and waters teeming with whales. It’s also a beacon for cruise ships big and small, which head to the 49th state each summer, promising passengers an adventure like no other. It’s no idle boast. Cruisers can go whale or bear-watching, ride in float planes, walk on glaciers, visit the Yukon, where prospectors flocked in the late 1800s in search of gold; they can kayak, hike, zip wire through tree tops and much more. The choice of ships and itineraries is as varied as the tours, catering for all ages and interests, and with departure ports in both the US and Canada there’s plenty of airlift from the UK. We look at options for families and those who fancy an expedition-style voyage beyond the Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway triangle, as well as options for clients who want to add an Alaska land tour to the start or end of their cruise.
Selling Alaska: top four selling tips
* Add a land tour of Alaska or the Rocky Mountaineer train through Canada (or both) to the start or end of a cruise of the 49th state
* Whether customers are interested in wildlife, history or staying active, there is an Alaska cruise – and excursions – to suit
* Get youngsters on a family-friendly cruise to Alaska and they’ll learn about wildlife and different cultures while having fun with new friends on board
* Don’t worry about the price. Customers would not be asking about an Alaska cruise if they couldn’t afford it
Cruise-tours
Alaska is more than twice the size of Texas and one-fifth the size of the ‘lower 48’, as the locals call the rest of the US, so it makes sense for cruisers going all the way there from the UK to see what lies beyond the coast by adding a land tour to the cruise. There are numerous permutations but clients can expect to stay in Denali National Park, ride a glass-roofed train, visit Anchorage or Fairbanks, maybe even venture into the Yukon.
Cruise and stay
Who? Holland America Line
Where? Denali and Alaska
When? August 24, 2022
How long? 11 days
How much? From £1,899pp
This is Alaska cruise-tour D2L, aka Holland America’s top-seller in the UK, linking Anchorage and Denali (one and three nights respectively) with a one-week cruise from Whittier to Vancouver via Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. The cruise is on the 1,924-passenger Noordam. Price includes drinks, wi-fi, one shore excursion (max value $100pp) and a free visit to a speciality restaurant.
Cruise and tour
Who? Celebrity Cruises
Where? Denali and Alaska
When? August 19, 2022
How long? 11 nights
How much? From £2,234pp
Celebrity links one week sailing from Vancouver to Seward to a four-night land tour visiting Alyeska, Talkeetna, Denali National Park and Anchorage, with a trip to a wildlife conservation centre, a cable car ride, hikes and river rafting among tours. The cruise is on the 2,218-passenger Celebrity Millennium. Price includes Celebrity’s Always Included package of drinks, tips and wi-fi.
Expedition style
Cruising the 49th state is always epic, but go with an expedition line and the adventures ramp up several notches. The cruises are longer, the ships smaller, entertainment revolves around lectures from experts in everything from marine biology to glaciers and itineraries visit small towns beyond the usual Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway triangle, delve deeper into native Alaskan culture and set aside time to kayak or hike if the weather allows.
American style
Who? American Queen Voyages
Where? Alaska
When? July 28, 2022
How long? 14 days
How much? From £6,595pp including flights
Bears, whales, glaciers, waterfalls and jet boat rides await as American Queen makes its Alaska debut this summer with cruises from Vancouver to Sitka (or vice-versa). They are on its new expedition ship, the 186-passenger Ocean Victory. Price booked through UK GSA Light Blue Travel includes two nights pre-cruise in Vancouver, transfers, drinks, tips, tours most days and wi-fi.
Ocean Victory. Image courtesy of American Queen Voyages
Norwegian style
Who? Hurtigruten
Where? Alaska
When? August 8, 2022
How long? 18 days
How much? From £6,646pp
Hurtigruten’s 528-passenger expedition ship Roald Amundsen is in search of rainforests, totem poles, bears and glaciers on this voyage from Vancouver to Nome that detours around the Aleutian Islands. Price includes a post-cruise flight from Nome to Vancouver, one hotel night in Vancouver, drinks with lunch and dinner in restaurants Aune and Fredheim, selected tours and wi-fi.
Hurtigruten’s MS Roald Amundsen
Families
An Alaska cruise isn’t just an adventure, it’s also very educational for all ages, and a great way for youngsters interested in wildlife and the environment to learn about – and see – whales, glaciers and conservation first-hand. Book families on a resort-style ships and they’ll get all that on tours, and still have a fun time on board. We’ve picked two options, but Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International and Disney Cruise Line are other worthy contenders.
Active
Who? Norwegian Cruise Line
Where? Alaska
When? August 21, 2022
How long? Seven nights
How much? From £4,555 for a family of four
Teens on this cruise, round-trip from Seattle, can have fun on go-karts, water slides and laser tag on board and hug a husky, zip wire and pan for gold ashore. On the 3,998-passenger Norwegian Encore, it visits Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. Price, for an inside family cabin, includes drinks and some speciality dining for two, free wi-fi and $50 Shorex credit per cabin per port.
Educational
Who? Princess Cruises
Where? Alaska
When? August 20, 2022
How long? Seven days
How much? From £3,096pp for a family of four
This cruise, round-trip from Seattle, spends a day in Glacier Bay, where Park Rangers come on board and host a Junior Ranger programme, teaching youngsters about, and helping them spot wildlife, birds and glaciers. The cruise is on the 3,080-passenger Crown Princess. Calls into Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, with lots of wildlife and culture-themed tours, round off the learning.