• Cruise ship traveling through an Alaskan summer night.cruise ship deck image by Earl Robbins from Fotolia.com
  
  Alaska is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. Because of its notoriously rigorous weather conditions, many prefer to visit the northern state via cruise ship. Cruise lines only offer Alaskan voyages during the summer. During this season, temperatures average from 55-65 degrees Fahrenheit, which is mild enough for visitors to enjoy the beautiful and rugged outdoors of Alaska.
  
  

Which cruise lines offer Alaskan cruises?

• Cruising past Alaskan mountain ridges.cruise ship in alaska image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com
  
  Luckily for those inspired to visit this arctic destination, there are more than a few cruise lines that offer Alaskan cruises. Princess Cruises not only offers this destination, but its sister company Carnival Cruise Lines also offers mildly less expensive cruises to Alaska. Royal Caribbean Cruises, now merged with Celebrity X Cruises, also offers several Alaskan cruises throughout the summer. Holland America and Norwegian Cruise Lines also run cruises to Alaska.
  
  

What are conditions like aboard the ship?

• Alaska GlacierGlacier in Glacier Bay National Park image by Don Lewis from Fotolia.com
  
  Being aboard an Alaska bound cruise ship requires more precaution and weather tolerance than most other cruise destinations. Throughout the day there, the air can be extremely cold and brisk. Because of these conditions, many passengers prefer indoor activities while sporadically stepping out onto the decks to take in the scenery. Despite this, there are plenty of days where passengers are able to swim in the pools, play shuffleboard, or even jog around the ship.
  
  All passengers in Alaska must not wander outside on the top decks of the ship at night. Sometimes, the arctic winds and choppy waters are so harsh that people will be forbidden outside on any of the decks.
  
  

Where do cruises typically stop?

• Ketchikan, Alaskaketchikan harbor rainbow image by Alan James from Fotolia.com
  
  Depending on the cruise line, passengers are able to visit different ports. Almost all Alaskan cruises depart from Seattle or San Francisco. The ships usually make their first stop in either Vancouver or Victoria, Canada. Many cruise lines stay within the southern area of Alaska with stops in Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau and Skagway. Certain cruises will also venture up north as well. Princess Cruises offers port stops in Anchorage and the remote Kodiak Island.
  
  

What are some activities that cruises offer?

• Kayaking in Alaskakayakers in alaska image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com
  
  There is a wide variety of activities for visitors in Alaska. Each cruise ship will help organize the tours and activities for the passengers at a nominal cost. The shore excursions range from helicopter rides, hiking on glaciers, dog sledding, salmon fishing, zip-lines in the forest and kayaking. Potential visitors must acknowledge that certain excursions, especially involving a helicopter ride, can be quite expensive. Before embarking on these cruises, it is wise to plan which excursions you will want to do, not only to book them ahead of time, but to also be prepared for the spending money you will need for the trip.