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If your idea of a cruise to Alaska is with a giant ship with more than 2000 passengers and 7 to 8 stories with shopping malls, cinema houses, casinos etc, you are only partially right. There are cruise ships, which are like the above-mentioned ships. However, there are other smaller ships that can be easy on your pocket as well as offer a memorable experience. It all depends on how much you are willing to spend. If you are one of the guys with loads to spend, you can go for the first type, if not then go for the second one. Browse through the differences in the services they both offer as well.

The Smaller ships
Smaller vessels or ships will offer you a much more personalized experience. You can get much closer to the shore; experience the wildlife at first hand and also dock at much smaller docks, which do not allow bigger ships to dock. Smaller ships even include on shore excursions in their basic charge itself. Of course, you will not have the big casinos, hotels and shopping malls in the small ships. However, if you are looking for a romantic vacation, there are many small ships that offer pretty good services on your cruise ship.

The Big ones
Big ships will obviously make you spend big as well. You will not get an opportunity to get very close to the wildlife. The best you can see is some Bald eagles and maybe a humpback whale. The onshore excursions are not included in the package and you will have to pay for every thing extra. You might not notice this until the final bill comes. Then you will see that even the small things that you did have ballooned up the expenses.

They have bigger amenities and are a much grander affair. Ballrooms, casinos, discos, cinema halls, shopping malls, health clubs, massage facilities, your own private deck, private lounges, swimming pools and formal nights are just some of the basic things. Your kids will also have a great time with escorted tours, magic shows etc. However, there will be 2000 people getting down on a beach as compared to a small ship where you will have only 100 on the beach.

On your cruise, with smaller ships you can visit some of the places that you can only dream of visiting in a big ship. Get real close to some of the aboriginal art. Smaller ships fill up real fast so make sure you book well in advance.

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Packing for an Alaskan cruise can be very different from packing for other cruises simply because you have to be prepared to encounter any of the four seasons in Alaska. The weather is extremely unpredictable. Therefore, it is better if you have a bit of everything in your luggage.

Winter Wears
Alaska is very cold during most of the year. So, carry a few warm clothes in your gear even if you are planning to visit the place in summer. A good option is to wear layered clothing. You can put on a couple of Polo neck tee shirts and then wear a nice jacket over it. Carry a flannel vest or a ski jacket.

Rainy Gears
Though this is highly unlikely, carry some rain gear as well, because rain is a common occurrence in Alaskan summers. An all weather type jacket is a good thing to carry.

The Formals
Pack for the formal night for the cruise ship. This can be a pain, but it is better if you are prepared for it. Males can pack in a suit or a tuxedo. They can also get it for rent on the cruise itself. Make sure that they have your size. Women can pack a couple of silky cocktail pants and pair it up with a couple of different tops. A gown is also a good option, but has to be carried and then un-wrinkled.

The rest of the restaurants have more of casual dress attire. So, carry those loose shirts, sports shirts, casual trousers, and pantsuits and blouses for women.

Eye Candy
Another absolute necessity is your camera. Carry a good camera, and a spare set of batteries. Also, carry a good binocular. Sight seeing in Alaska is a dream and it will never be complete without these two things.

When you carry your winter gear and your rainy gear, do not be left behind on your summer wear. Carry a good pair of swimwear and a good pair of shorts. Another important thing is a good glove. Imagine ending up on a glacier, bare handed.

Your Boots
Carry your good old pair of shoes. Avoid a new one. A shoe bite is something you can avoid while you are taking a hike in the mountains. Carry a good pair of hiking boots rather than carrying your sneakers. If the weather gets cold, the hiking boots along with a good pair of socks will be your best defense against the cold.

Keep these tips in mind and have a safe Alaskan cruise.

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Alaskan cruises attracts thousands of tourists every year from May to September when the temperatures in Alaska are bearable. You can select from a 7-day package to an extensive tour of Alaska depending on your preferences. The extended tour of Alaska by Cruise ship will allow you to go around Alaska by train and explore it in detail.

The Best Time to Visit:
The best time to go for an Alaska cruise is from May to September when the temperature hovers at around 50. In the months of July and August however this reaches 75 and can be too hot.  Alaska is enchanting. It is magic for first timers and a charm, which draws people towards it. You simply cannot dislike Alaska. There are a plethora of things to do. There are high mountains, enchanting wildlife, breathtaking forests and clean lakes. The people are so friendly that you will feel like you never left home.

Activities – Alaskan style
Explore Alaska and you will always find something new that you missed out the previous time. The view of Mount McKinley as it rises over the Denali national park is stunning and has been the eye candy for numerous photographers. The Tongass national park is famous for kayaking. You can try your hand at bird watching or hiking through the glaciers outside Juneau.

The Glaciers of Glass
Whatever you do during your Alaska cruise ship travel, do not miss out on the ‘voyage of glaciers,’ which is a package offered by many cruise ships. After all Alaska is incomplete without its glaciers. Remember Alaska has one hundred thousand glaciers on display. It is like visiting a glacier museum. Get in to a trolley car and enjoy the view of The Fisherman’s Wharf. Go canoeing in the Kenai Peninsula and paddle to the banks of these serene lakes. You might get a glimpse of some of the local wildlife. Go for a glacier trek and when you reach the top, sit and sip hot coffee. It is not everyday that you get to try and do activities like these. The cruises will allow you to explore and remain awe struck in Alaska. You simply cannot imagine what sailing outside the pristine waters of British Columbia and Alaska can be like.

Your Gears
Select which direction your cabin should face. If it is on the wrong side, you are certainly going to be missing some of the best sights. Carry some light and warm clothes and a good camera with you. After all, wouldn’t you like to bring back some wonderful memories with you.

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If you are the one who likes beaches and sun and surf and sand and jungles and nature and… then you have got to be heading to the Caribbean Islands. If you are someone who loves the sea and the wind and the sunsets and the starry nights, you have got to embark on a cruise. A cruise ship to the Caribbean will fulfill all your desires. There is no better place when it comes to beautiful beaches and sparkling blue waters.

About the Cruise
There are many cruise liners, which offer packages to the Caribbean. If you are planning to go alone or with your guy/girl, booking should not be a problem. However, if you want to go with your family, make sure that you book early, because during the vacation time, there is a heavy rush for bookings. So, book early to avoid disappointment. You can check the various cruise liners and their packages at their own web portal or with some travel agent for your cruise ship.

Which is the right one for me?
You can select the right one depending on your budget and on the types of services they offer. Check if the services are fit for you and your family or you and your girl/guy. If you simply want your kids to have a blast, choose something like the Disney cruises. If it is just you and your beloved who would like to enjoy, select one with a romantic theme like the Princess Cruise. Always remember that since there are so many cruises out there vying for each other’s share of customers, it is the customer who benefits, because the quality of their service increases.

Which destinations do I choose?
You can check the cruise’s itinerary to see where it halts. Usually if you go for a 7-day package, it will cover all the Caribbean islands. So you can choose whether you want to climb Jamaica’s Dunn’s River Falls, Go Mountain biking in Costa Rica’s rain forests, snorkel with stingrays or dive 800 feet below in a research submarine.  You can also check out a coral reef on a glass-bottomed boat. There are all these and much more that you can do in the Caribbean cruise ship travel.

You can also choose individual destinations of Western Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean and Southern Caribbean as well. However, these packages will last for one or two days at the most. You can also discover beautiful concealed harbors and also get away from the stress of your daily life. So, pack your bags and head to the Caribbean.

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