The Synchronous Converter

I find it very interesting to read different people’s opinion’s of the exact same cruise - one person loved it, the next person hated it. Before a trip, I gobble up every review I can get my hands on - there are always some helpful tips in the reviews, and it prepares you for some things you would never have
thought of.

I think finding a cruise line that fits your life style and tastes makes most sense. This requires doing research and asking fellow travelers about their experiences and travel agents on various lines. Reviews also can also be helpful but I think the most important factor is understanding the type of cruise, and the tastes, of the person reviewing the ship was seeking, because this always flavors the review. There are many contrasting reviews of the same cruise in the various review sites on the web.

Sometimes you’ll find people on the same cruise, with the same accomodations, have paid significantly different fares. This may have to do with whether they are repeaters, deals from travel agents, deals from the cruise lines, etc.

Advertising and brochures should be taken for what they are, promotional materials. Prices in brochures are usually 30% or more higher than actual prices that TA will be able to get.

There may be plenty of interesting cruise lines that are not the biggest lines. The most commonly known lines are Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, Norweigan Cruise Lines, Royal Carribean, and Princess. There’s also the smaller lines like Premiere, Disney, Costa and the luxury lines like Crystal, Cunard, Seabourn, Radisson, Silverseas, quite expensive, and some feel well worth it. Then on the other side of the scale there is the ultra casual, Windjammer Barefoot cruise lines, with sailships and other tall ships such as Windsurfer, which is a more formal line. There are, besides the big 6 lines, quite a bit of choices available to people interested in cruising.

There are small riverboat cruises, cruises and large boats that do specific, often very scenic, areas of the world, like Alaska, also.

I find that some people are very flexible, that they’ll enjoy a wide variety of styles of cruising. Others are more specific and discerning and some lines would not meet their expectations in some way or another. So, it really boils down to you and what experience, or range of experiences, you are interested in.

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Alaskan cruises are more in demand than cruises to the Caribbean or the Bahamas. People prefer cruising in Alaska due to its cool climate. In the summer months, Alaska is comfortably warm and the sun is up most of the time. Cruisers in Alaska see beautiful scenery wherever they go. During the peak cruising season in Alaska, which is from May to September, all major cruise ships are booked well in advance. Alaskan cruises are also a bit steeper than other cruises - a seven-day cruise may cost $800 to $1,000 per head.

Several famous ships conduct regular Alaska cruises in the peak season. Some of these ships are the Dawn Princess, the Sun Princess, the Statendam, the Volendam and the Norwegian Star. The pioneer ship for Alaska cruises is the Royal Caribbean Radiance. Cruise ships have their own itineraries - there are special ships for inland cruising and marine cruising. There are also small ships that can accommodate less than a hundred people.

Alaskan cruises can be for a week or nine to ten days. There are several activities that can be performed onboard. Whale watching is one of the most popular activities. Cruise ships have their own bands, which play music - especially jazz and folk music - for the cruisers. There are dance programs with live or recorded musical accompaniment. Other forms of onboard entertainment are Broadway shows, comedy performances, and dances. Food is of local varieties and is served by uniformed waiters and attendants.

An Alaskan cruise is not just an onboard sailing experience; there are several shore activities provided. People can go whitewater rafting and boating. Canoeing and kayaking are other popular features of cruises. Ketchikan is a popular kayaking hub. One more important attraction is underwater sightseeing, which may be provided in a submersible submarine or with snorkeling or scuba equipment. Such cruises are also known as adventure cruises.

Visiting Alaska is more expensive than going to Europe from America. Cruise ships leave from two destinations - Seattle and Vancouver - and end in Seward. Rails, cruise ships or vehicles cannot access interior places of Alaska. Floatplanes are used as transport to access these places.

The charm of Alaskan cruises is the climate. Since Alaska is snow-ridden and inaccessible for the major part of the year, the cruising season is the summer. This period is full of activities and natural beauty. Due to the short period of accessibility, the demand for Alaskan cruises is high.

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