Alaska Adventure Cruise: For people that hate even the idea of a cruise


You’re a packer, hiker, camper, flier or photo freak so “Alaska” you’re good with, “Adventure you’re fine with too but the word “Cruise” sends your brain into unpleasant places. Travel to you might be getting to interesting places you have never been or returning to awesome memories once again. On your own. With good gear. You choose Independent over guided when you can. Adventure activities turn you on.

About the last place in the world that you want to be is on a cruise ship. The idea of herds of people bellying up to the buffet, playing bingo or climibing a simulated rock wall make you laugh outloud. You’ll catch dinner, look to the stars at night for entertainment and do a real mountain if given half a chance.

Still, cruise vacations have become more popular than ever and major cruise lines are looking for ways to make their line unique. You could care less.

Some build new, larger ships packed with more onboard programming no one passenger could possibly take advantage of. So what? You hate them.

Others focus on their existing fleet, refining what they do with a keen eye on what their target passenger is looking for, molding what they do to match. Again, give you a home where the buffalo roam and you’re in heaven.

But wait.

Now there is new InnerSea Discoveries, an up-close personal adventure experience that just happens to travel on water.

A tiny, 2-ship cruise line, InnerSea Discoveries does what they call “un-cruises”. In their inaugural season which starts in May, the line will do Alaska Adventure cruises for up to 49 passengers (that’s forty-nine, not 4,900) that are about as far away from the big cruise ship experience as you can get and still be floating.

Actually, the floating part, in this application, can provide a better travel experience than even the most adventurous independent traveler could get.

“The great success of the Ultimate Adventure proves there is a real demand for this type of active adventure in Southeast Alaska,” said Tim Jacox, of InnnerSea Discoveries. “People are choosing to spend two weeks exploring the remote wilderness-places they’ve never heard of-and that’s the beauty of it. It’s unrushed, uncrowded and truly unbelievable.”

First difference: No Internet. This will knock out about half the regular cruising public. You? Mr.Ms Adventure Traveler person? No big deal.

These handy-sized ships visit ports that big ships can’t get to, stop along the way were big ships can’t go and see wilderness big ships and the hordes of people on them scare away. In fact, the line’s Green Guardians program requires their small groups of passengers to “leave only footprints behind” while drinking in nature and it’s wild inhabitants.

“We believe it is a privilege to explore the world’s natural wonders, step ashore in remote destinations and meet the people living in these breathtaking wilderness environments. While employing sustainable travel principles and management practices to ensure we are responsible stewards of the environment is a core part of our business, we also strive to leave a positive impact on the people and communities we visit around the world. InnerSea Discoveries’ office and vessel personnel support the following organizations with donations or volunteer time.” says the line’s Green Guardian pledge.

Each trip, starting at $1795 per person, is different too with a choice of personalized Alaska Inside Passage itineraries featuring a 7-night Juneau to Ketchikan Eastern Coves or a 7-night Ketchikan to Juneau Western Coves sailing. Ultimate adventurers can combine the 2 cruises into a 14-night round-trip cruise from Juneau or experience 900-miles of the Inside Passage on a 14-night cruise between Seattle to Juneau (or reverse).

Unlike massive cruise liner sailings, most of what would be called “shore excursions” and carry an extra fee on big ships is included in the price.

Whale-Watching? You are in a small ship that can get up close. No charge.

Kayak Adventure? They have plenty for everyone. Free.

Inflatable boat excursions, Hiking, Caving, Beachcombing, Snorkeling, Birding, Glacier Viewing; all included.

Want to talk gear?

The ship’s kayaking fleet includes Looksha T and Manitou II kayaks, Surftech Softop and Stand-up Paddle Boards, Black Diamond trail compact trekking poles, REI EcoSensitive, lightweight and kids daypacks. If overnight-camping they provide the tent or forest service cabin, sleeping bags, food/drink, binoculars, cooking supplies, walking sticks, backpacks and a radio to stay in contact with the ship.


There are optional expedition activities available varying from “LeConte Glacier Floatplane Tour” ($200) to “Whale Island Overnight Camping” ($150). All are rated from 1 to 3 on an activity level scale with 1 being excursions that require basic physical fitness and 3 being excursions that require exertion, agility, sure-footedness on hikes and/or stamina for the most challenging workout.

No, the normal cruise ship passenger would not be along for this ride.

On board there are things to do, but not like the big ships. That’s not what this is all about.

No big pool:You were just in the ocean in a kayak or snorkeling or doing a polar bear swim.

No tight schedule: They pride themselves on flexibility and stop for a pod of orcas or some bubble-feeding humpbacks.

No formal night: It’s casual all the way here with more of a explorers-come-back-to-basecamp feel aboard ship.

No rock-climbing wall: You just climbed up the side of a mountain if you wanted to.


Retuning from the wilderness, passengers will find adequately appointed cabins feature Queen or twin beds, private bath with shower and a view window. Most are double occupancy but each ship has solo cabins as well. Meals include a healthy menu featuring locally-caught seafood . You may have had a hand in dinner earlier in the day. A hot Espresso, coffee, tea bar is open 24-hours a day too.

But here, the ship is a place to come back to, like a base camp from which the few along for the adventure return to at night. In this application, a floating camp makes sense to even the most hard-core travelers. Small ships sail up close to glaciers, whales, signts and sounds that people can not get to on foot or big cruise ships would scare off if they could even get close enough to see.

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Images courtesy of InnerSea Discoveries

New EPA fuel rules could drive cruise ships out of Alaska again

They went away and then they came back when Alaska government officials raised then lowered their cost of doing business in Alaskan waters. Looking ahead, upcoming Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards may send cruise lines running once again.

It all has to do with regulations in the works that enforce “dramatically tougher pollution limits as early as January 2014” the EPA says of Ocean Vessels and Large ships.

“The tougher standards could add $50 million to $150 million in annual costs for Alaska routes by 2015, when the pollution clampdown gets even tougher” Andy Nelson, vice president of tour operations for Royal Celebrity Tours told the Puget Sound Business Journal.

It’s a topic cruise lines would rather avoid but have taken steps to comply and even go beyond existing regulations.After turning a cold shoulder to an Alaska that seemed determined to tax cruise ships out of the market, cruise lines returned this year to the land of the midnight sun with more ships, sailings and capacity.

“We are particularly appreciative of the efforts of Governor Sean Parnell and the Alaska state legislature that have resulted in meaningful progress toward resolving the challenges facing Alaska’s recovery as a cruise destination,” said Princess Cruises President and CEO Alan Bucklew.

Cruise lines often come under heavy criticism for environmental impact but have been making efforts to be good global citizens. “Plugging in” to shoreside power is a growing way ship emissions are being controlled.

Yes, new EPA fuel rules could drive cruise ships out of Alaska again. But is that what Alaska wants? Cruise lines say no; it’s big business to them and they are trying to comply with regulations. Tourists say no, they want to go there. Alaska residents say no, tourism runs in the hundreds of $ millions.

Cruise Value Watch: Disney Cruise Line

We’re looking all over the place for the best cruise values; sailings that normally sell for more at a lower price. Disney Cruise Line has a whole lot to celebrate with the launch of new Disney Dream this week. That ship is selling fast as many guests book to get a look at the latest, greatest ship from Disney in over a decade. Let’s not forget Disney’s other ships though in this latest cruise value watch.

Kids sail free
Disney Cruise Line has a deal for families on Alaska sailings: Kids sail Free. US and Canadian residents can take advantage of special savings on the Disney Wonder sailing now from the West coast.

Here’s the deal: Book a Veranda or Oceanview stateroom and kids ages 17 and under, traveling with 2 full-fare Guests in the same stateroom, sail free on select 7-night Alaskan cruises departing between May 3 to June 7, 2011. Ask for booking code KFO.

Great Rates on European Cruise
Again, a family-oriented deal where a family of four can sail for as little as $875 per person on he August 27, 2011 7-night sailing of the Disney Magic

Here’s the deal: This special rate is valid for categories 10C and 11A on the August 27, 2011 7-Night Mediterranean cruise sailing. The total voyage fare is $3500. Please note the number of staterooms allocated for this offer is limited. Rates are in U.S. dollars. Gratuities, government taxes and fees are not included. Other restrictions may apply.

Disney also offers special values for Florida Residents and US Military members too. Check with your travel expert, call Disney Cruise Line at 800-951-3532 or look to AOLTravel for your best cruise pricing options.

2011 Cruise news headlines: what to expect

We pulled out the crystal ball and came up with a bunch of predictions for the cruise vacations in 2011. Check back in a year to see how close we came on these possible cruise news headlines.

  1. Higher fuel costs mean higher fares for cruises and airfare too. Airfare will get hit first, cruise lines will be more cautious. An additional fuel surcharge for airlines is no big deal. Add on a charge for pat-downs, magazines in flight or something new, that would be a big deal. Cruise lines don’t want a fuel surcharge but if the price of oil hits and holds above $100 a barrel, they will and this time they won’t have to give it back later.
  2. Spring Break sailings will fill up fast and there will be few last-minute deals on them. If you want to go on a Spring Break cruise, pretty much any time in March or April, book it yesterday. Cruise lines have been warning of a price increase but they do that every year at this time when “wave” season hits and demand is high for cruises. They’ll hold that higher pricing longer this year.
  3. 2011: the Year of Ala Carte Pricing with cruise lines and travel agencies offering more optional choices as they move toward customizing each individuals vacation experience. This is way a good thing. Last year we blew the lid off the notion of a cruise being totally “all-inclusive” and bought into the reality of cruises having an “all-inclusive nature”. More than a subtle difference, look for more dining options, pre and post cruise hotel stays and options that before now, were a good idea but not really pushed all that much.
  4. Social Media blossoms in the cruise business with more lines “getting it” and moving forward with plans to engage us in a conversation about cruise vacations before, during and after sailing. In 2011 Facebook and Google ARE the Internet and those stuck elsewhere will fail. Losers: Faceless Internet Cruise Brokers, cruise lines not engaged in social media. Winners:Travel Agents who “get it”
  5. Multi-generational cruises take huge leap in popularity. An aging population will wake up more this year than in the past and want to travel with the kids and grand-kids. We saw a lot of this in Alaska and the Caribbean last year, look for more this year.
  6. European sailings skyrocket as cruise lines have repositioned ships to the Mediterranean, so goes the booking interest as supply of ships sailing from U.S. ports declines and prices go up. Last year saw some unbelievably good values in the Caribbean, that won’t happen as much this year.
  7. Cruise Lines ramp up security checks. It’s just inevitable that this will happen. Look for TSA-like security procedures and plan on taking a longer time to get on the ship, either upon embarkation or when in port.

Flickr photo by RambergMediaImages

Cruise lines head back to Alaska

After turning a cold shoulder to an Alaska that seemed determined to tax cruise ships out of the market, many lines are heading to the land of the midnight sun with more ships, sailings and capacity. Today’s announcement by Norwegian Cruise Lines to position Norwegian Jewel on an inside passage itinerary from Seattle is the latest in a string of “Can’t we all just get along?” moves.

Joining Norwegian Pearl sailing to Glacier Bay from Seattle, Norwegian Jewel will sail Alaska’s inside passage replacing Norwegian Star that will sail to Bermuda for the first time from her new home in New York City.

Earlier this year the Alaska legislature, on the heels of a low-capacity season, voted to lower the prevously raised head tax on cruise passengers. Later in the year, Princess Cruises announced a fourth ship to be added to it’s popular Voyage of the Glaciers run after two years of running a reduced capacity.

“We are particularly appreciative of the efforts of Governor Sean Parnell and the Alaska state legislature that have resulted in meaningful progress toward resolving the challenges facing Alaska’s recovery as a cruise destination,” said Princess President and CEO Alan Bucklew.

As some cruise lines head back to Alaska, others who have never been there before are joining in too.

Disney Cruise Line is sailing North with Disney Wonder as the line doubles its size by adding Disney Dream debuting in January and Disney Fantasy in 2012. Another first-timer, Oceania Cruises will send their Regatta on a series of departures from San Francisco, Vancouver or Anchorage.

It’s good to see the cruise lines and politicians play nice.

Flickr photo by brh_images