Plying the Frontiers of Alaska

The continuing fascination for Alaska as a cruise destination shows no signs of abating for the summer of 1995. On the contrary, 31 ships from 14 cruise lines have announced sailings for next season, the same number of ships as last year, which had the most ever. Of these, 22 are large vessels carrying from 589 to 1,590 passengers. Lines heading north began their advertising and promotion last summer, much earlier than usual, so it behooves travelers considering an Alaska cruise to book early to take advantage of discounts.

Once considered a vacation mostly popular among older Americans, Alaska has turned into a major mecca for all ages, even families with young children.

Magnificent glaciers and evergreen-clad slopes, fog-shrouded fiords and huge national parks and wildlife reserves attract visitors looking for the last frontier. Wildlife spotters may see soaring bald eagles, humpback whales, harbor seals and Alaska brown bears hunting spawning salmon.

Active vacationers can opt for sea kayaking, river rafting, canoeing, fishing or hiking the famous Chilkoot Trail from the gold rush of 1898. Ketchikan is visited for its notable collection of Tlingit totem poles.

Expeditions from small-ship companies such as Alaska Sightseeing/Cruise West, Clipper Cruise Line, Society Expeditions and Special Expeditions take visitors for close-up looks at glaciers and sail into remote inlets and fiords.

A unique for-women-only cruise aboard Special Expeditions’ 70-passenger Sea Lion sails July 30 for seven nights along the Inside Passage, visiting Juneau, Sitka, Haines and Glacier Bay. For cruisers who want to combine sightseeing with traditional shipboard lifestyles and evening entertainment, larger vessels such as Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Regency Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Royal Cruises, Cunard, Norwegian Cruises and Crystal Cruises will fill the bill.

Crystal Cruises will head north to Alaska for the first time since 1990 when its then-new Crystal Harmony made its inaugural voyage there. This time the company’s new 960-passenger Crystal Symphony will make a series of 12-day round-trip sailings from San Francisco between early June and mid-August at prices from $5,030 to $15,770 per person, double occupancy. Save 5% by booking before April 30.

Regency Cruises has added a third ship to its Alaska sailings next summer. The Regent Sea and Regent Star will be joined by the 960-passenger Regent Rainbow on seven-day Glacier Route cruises between Anchorage and Vancouver at fares beginning at $765 per person, double occupancy.

Royal Caribbean will send its new 1,808-passenger Legend of the Seas, due to debut in May, to Alaska for a summer-long series of seven-day sailings along the Inside Passage round-trip from Vancouver, B.C., while the line’s Sun Viking will also return to the north, replacing the previously announced Nordic Prince. Fares aboard the new vessel will range from $1,599 to $5,749, including round-trip air fare. Bookings made 120 days in advance will receive a 10% to 15% discount.

Princess Cruises again leads the ranks with six ships bound for Alaska, four of them--Crown Princess, Regal Princess, Star Princess and Golden Princess--cruising the Gulf of Alaska between Anchorage and Vancouver on seven-day programs. Sky Princess will sail the traditional Inside Passage and Glacier Bay on round-trip seven-day cruises out of Vancouver, while Fair Princess sails 10-day round-trip itineraries from San Francisco. The latter has been sold to Regency Cruises to begin service at the conclusion of the 1995 Alaska season. Fares vary from $1,399 to $5,989 per person, double occupancy. Passengers who book by Feb. 14 save from $1,000 to $2,400 a couple.

Holland America Line will position five ships, including its newest, the 1,266-passenger Ryndam, in Alaska for the season. The Ryndam and the classic 35-year-old Rotterdam will sail the Route of the Glaciers between Vancouver and Seward, while the Statendam, Nieuw Amsterdam and Noordam will cruise the Inside Passage. Fares range from $920 to $6,875. Early booking discounts of 25% on cruises or 15% on cruise tours are in effect for passengers who reserve and make a deposit by Feb. 17.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s 1,246-passenger Windward returns for its second season in Alaska with alternating seven-day itineraries along the Inside Passage. A gold rush-themed sailing calls at Skagway, Haines, Juneau and Ketchikan, while Glacier Bay sailings cruise Glacier Bay and visit Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan. Fares from $1,429 to $3,399 per person, double occupancy, can be reduced by 15% when booked 180 days ahead of sailing.

Cunard’s distinguished Sagafjord returns for its now-classic Gulf of Alaska 10- and 11-day sailings between Anchorage and Vancouver, priced from $3,680 per person, double occupancy, including air fare. Cunard Crown Dynasty will spend its second season in Alaskan waters sailing a Gulf of Alaska itinerary on seven-day sailings between Vancouver and Seward. Fares begin at $1,495 per person, double occupancy, including air fare; book four months ahead of sailing date and save 20% off the published fare.

Royal Cruise Line’s 750-passenger Royal Odyssey, which once sailed Alaska’s waters as the Royal Viking Sea, will offer nine seven-day Glacier Route sailings between Vancouver and Anchorage between May and July, plus three 12-day round-trip cruises from San Francisco in August. Book before March 1 to save 10% to 20% of the fares, which range from $1,798 to $10,168 per person, double occupancy.