Alaska By Cruise Ship: The Complete Guide to Cruising Alaska

by Anne Vipond

For over 20 years, this comprehensive guide has been a popular choice for readers planning a cruise to Alaska. The 8th edition has been revised and updated and includes over 400 color photographs and maps and with all aspects of this exciting cruise. Exciting details of both the Inside Passage and Glacier cruises, from Seattle to Fairbanks, are inside. Includes two giant color pull-out maps with a mile-by-mile references to help readers track progress during their cruise. Includes special sectionson glaciers, native culture and wildlife with a full-page whale-watching map.

Genres: Travel, Reference, Nonfiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1996

Reviews

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This booked served it's purpose well. It has pertinent information for first time cruisers to Alaska or anyone traveling to new ports or opting to incorporate land tours. For overall planning of a cruise (or land trip) to Alaska, including itineraries, cities to see, what to do there, basic cruise information, weather conditions, history) this book covers everything in moderate detail. For extremely detail-oriented planners, you may need additional resources. Some information is repetitive but can be skimmed over. I probably won't have use for it on the trip but it has been an instrumental tool during my planning process and I will refer to it again before we leave. I enjoyed the historical tidbits which livened up the text.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very basic, some history, a broad range of information about cruising. Overall guides to the ports, but not very specific with ratings or recommendations. If you are brand new to cruising, may be helpful, but for someone looking for Alaska travel guide, go with a specific travel guide and read the chapters you need. Overall, this wasn't what I was hoping for. Used it in addition to many other resources, and in total, this is the one I thought was the least helpful. 2.5 stars.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read about 75% of this book (I skipped the section on land tours, Vancouver, and the ports we will not be visiting) and overall I enjoyed it. It has inspired me to find some more books about Alaska (and see if maybe I can find John Muir's "Travels in Alaska") but the book is on the dated side, and didn't really get into what I hoped to discover in a cruise specific travel guide. Good, but not great.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

We had an Alaska landcruise plan and I wanted a book more about where we would be and not the entire state of Alaska. This was very good. Gave a history of the towns and easy to find excursions to go on and let the reader know what you would find interesting or not on them. I would recommend to make good use of your time in the ports.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is excellent if you’ve never cruised before or if you really enjoy a thorough history lesson of each port. I was hoping for more guidance on modern day excursions and comparing/contrasting cruise lines.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent! Lots of info on history/ports/attractions. Most of the prices quoted are double now. (Ie Trolly to Mendenhall Glacier is now $80 US NOT $40). Just be prepared for this….

Really good info on how to get around, esp if you aren’t following the cruise excursions.

[Dave Barnhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detailed Cruise information

This book has detailed cruise information and substantial information of Flora Fauna and history of the area. A good primer to a cruise

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good tour book if you are doing an Alaskan cruise as it covers all ports of call in addition to covering the cities you will leave and arrive in at the end of your cruise. For most of them they have a nice map of the area which has all the points of interest on it and tell where you will arrive. The big negative was that they don’t give hours of operation or prices, particularly in the cities of Seattle and Vancouver, for instance I showed up at Stanley Park and wanted to ride the shuttle around the park mentioned in the book only to find out it only operates from June-Sept.

[Okanagan Regional · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cruise ship book answers all your questions about cruise ship tours to Alaska. What to pack; what to expect and extra charges that add up.

There are write-ups about each port; what they have to offer, looking for authentic souvenirs and land excursions offered.

This book, I hope is the best bet when researching cruising Alaska.

[Bll Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Throughly researched and accurate detail on the cruises to Alaska. Excellent recommendations for shore activities and background for each port. Has dozens of color maps and hundreds of color photographs throughout. Great travel guide.

[Cws]

RefYA4

[Daphne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I typically find travel books informative but dry. This was better than most. As always, it's the anticipation of an upcoming trip that gets me through the book.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great intro and overview to the trip we'll be taking this summer! Am using other guides to fill in the blanks, but this was a good starter.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must pack.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't say that I read every word of this book, but it contains lots of information I found useful on our cruise. I may read more, but for now I'm marking it "read." A great Xmas gift!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good introduction to our Alaska trip.

[Nan Spier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful prior to our Alaska Cruise in 2018