Your Cruise Your Way Cruise Blog

Due to the enormous popularity of small ship cruising in Alaska, and the resulting crunch on the shore excursion desk phone lines, Cruise West is making all of its 85 Alaska shore excursions available to book online at its website, www.cruisewest.com. This should eliminate the long wait times in trying to secure the limited capacity available on the more popular tours. The message is book early, and make sure you get the tours you want rather than waiting and getting left off the more popular excursions. Cruise West is world renown for the intimacy of their cruises in relation to ports and places they visit, and for that reason, demand is always high. Cruise West says Cruise West guests would rather watch for whales than spend the afternoon in a casino. They linger outside on deck as the Captain noses under a waterfall, rather than watch a video. On a small ship, the focus is outside where Nature provides the entertainment, rather than on artificial amusements conjured up to occupy your attention during long hours of open water.

These excursions are in addition to those included shore excursions that are offered in every port on every Cruise West itinerary. Previously guests had to call to book at least 21 days before departure or wait until they began their cruise to book the optional excursions. The new online booking option is designed to provide a better opportunity for guests to ensure they receive their first choices.
“We’re trying to make it easier for guests to further personalize their Alaska experience by choosing additional activities that are suited to individual interests,” stated Jeff Krida, president and CEO. “Now on our Website they will be able to book in advance everything from historical tours to world-class fishing, heli-hiking and kayaking, with a wide range of activity levels from easy to moderate to strenuous.”
Optional excursions operated by Cruise West are specially designed and operated to match the up-close, personal, and casual style found onboard the vessels. Cruise West Land Guides are trained by instructors from the National Association of Interpretation, so guests know they have the best experience available when they book a Cruise West operated tour.
Among the excursions recommended by Cruise West staff include scenic options such as the LeConte Glacier Flight with Kupreanof Air in Petersburg and the peaceful Chilkat River Float in Haines. For a more thrill-oriented excursion, Cruise West offers a Canopy Adventures & Wildlife Expedition in Ketchikan, complete with seven zip lines and 4,500 feet of high-tension cables and three aerial bridges. Another popular option is a Glacier Landing by ski-plane in Denali National Park and Preserve, where guests land in the Sheldon Amphitheater and actually hear seven echoes.
To book, go to www.cruisewest.com/excursions and follow the online prompts. All a guest needs to pre-book is the specific cruise itinerary name, departure date and a credit card. All bookings must be made at least 21 days in advance of departure date.
Cruise West offers eight Alaska itineraries, eight ships and 167 departures in 2008, and has more permits than any other line to enter Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve . Tours to Denali National Park and Preserve may be added onto all cruise itineraries – guests also have the option to stay at a rustic Wilderness Lodge in the heart of the Denali. For additional information or to book a Cruise West cruise, call 1-800-296-8307 or visit www.cruisewest.com .
~ Up-Close, Casual and Personal Cruising ~ Cruise West offers the opportunity to explore remote and distinctive destinations throughout North and Central America, Asia and the South Pacific. Small-ship cruising allows for personalized experiences not offered by larger cruise lines. Guest capacities aboard Cruise West’s nine ships range from 78-138. Guests may expect personal enrichment through onboard narrative and presentations by local experts. The ships’ comfortable lounges and ample outdoor deck space provide outstanding viewing opportunities, and inflatable boats allow for up-close exploration and shore landings.