Activity Level
Q. How active are the tours?
A. Each itinerary varies with regard to activity level. See your specific itinerary for details. A variety of activity levels are also available when choosing optional shore excursions, which can now be booked online at www.cruisewest.com/excursions.
Arrival
Q. When I arrive at the airport how will I find you?
A. On the day your Cruise West tour begins, Cruise West will have uniformed representatives at the airport to greet you when your flight arrives, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Should you arrive before 9:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m., please see your personal itinerary lists, included with your final documents, for taxi transfer vouchers.
We’ll provide a transfer from the airport to our ship or the hotel as long as we have received your air travel information at least 72 hours in advance. Otherwise you will be expected to make your own arrangements for initial transfers.
Make sure you have provided us with your flight number, city of origin, and flight departure and arrival times. Please wear your Polar Bear button on your lapel and put your Cruise West luggage tags, which will be included with your final documents on your luggage.
In Anchorage, Fairbanks, or Ketchikan, please make your way to the baggage claim area where you will be met by a uniformed Cruise West representative and transferred to your ship or hotel.
In Juneau, please look for Cruise West staff right outside the security gate near the Polar Bear.
Bears
Q. Will I see bears?
A. We see bears on the majority of our trips. Coastal brown bears (sometimes called grizzly bears) and black bears inhabit the lands and islands of Southeast Alaska. The month of May typically presents the best sighting opportunities as the bears are near the shore in search of food in the intertidal areas. Both species can often be seen from the ship throughout the summer months. Bears tend to stay in the cool shade on warm sunny days and are more difficult to spot in the sunshine. If you take a land tour with us, you will also have a good chance of seeing bears in Denali National Park and Preserve.
Beds
Q. In addition to single beds, do you have queen-size beds available on your vessels?
A. Queen-size beds are available in select cabin categories on all ships except the
Spirit of Oceanus.
King-size beds are available in all categories on the
Spirit of Oceanus
and in the Owner's Suite aboard the
Spirit of '98
.
Big Ships
Q. Will I be near the big ships and their passengers?
A. Cruise West's operating philosophy and fleet of small ships offer our guests a unique, personal and often off-the-beaten-path experience that captures the essence of each destination we visit. Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway are popular big-ship ports, so our itineraries are designed with this in mind so your encounters with large ship traffic and the resulting crowds of passengers will be minimized or eliminated.
On any itinerary in Alaska, you may occasionally see the large ships at a distance as they steam from port to port. On itineraries that include Alaskan towns, we've chosen to visit palces such as Petersburg, that have chamr and interest and no big-ship traffic at all. On itineraries that include the larger Alaskan towns, we try to schedule our activities around the large-ship schedules to the extent possible. Plus, we can often dock at in-town locations away from the large vessels.
In essence, although you may see them, we do our best to operate away from the big ships and crowds. With a small number of guests we're able to include interesting places and activities offering a perspective that large groups from big ships could not even contemplate.
Denali National Park and Preserve
Q. Where do we stay at Denali?
A. Our escorted land tours include a stay near the entrance of Denali National Park and Preserve. The independent wilderness lodge experiences include a stay deep inside Denali National Park at one of the following: Kantishna Roadhouse, North Face Lodge or Camp Denali.
Elevator
Q. Do any of your ships have an elevator?
A. The
Spirit of '98
and
Spirit of Oceanus
both have elevators. The elevator services all decks except for the Sun Deck on the
Spirit of '98
.
Gratuities
Q. How are gratuities handled?
A. Tipping is neither expected nor required for Cruise West staff, on land or at sea. Recognition for exceptional service is discretionary and you are welcome to tip individuals directly.
Insurance
Q. Do I need Travel Insurance?
A. For your protection, we recommend you purchase travel protection coverage for all eventualities of your trip. See your travel professional for details of visit the General Tour Information section of this Website.
Internet Access
Q. Do you have Internet, email and phone access on your ships?
A. The
Spirit of '98
, the
Spirit of Endeavour
and the
Spirit of Oceanus
all have Internet, email and satellite phone access available. On these 3 ships there is a computer in the lounge for guest use and WiFi access in the lounges and dining rooms for those who bring their own laptops. All of our ships have satellite phone capability for emergency purposes.
Phone or Internet cards can be purchased onboard. While any unused minutes are not refundable, the cards do not expire and can be used on any of our vessels with Internet or phone access. The rates for these cards are as follows: Internet: $50 card $0.50/min., $25 card $0.70/min. Phone: $50 card $2.50/min., $25 card $3.00/min.
Mosquitoes
Q. Do I have to worry about mosquitoes?
A. Mosquitoes are rare in Southeast Alaska. Mosquitoes are present in the Interior of Alaska and are most numerous in June and July. Guests who are concerned about mosquitoes should carry insect repellent with them.
Mt. McKinley
Q. Will I see Mt. McKinley?
A. On a clear day you will see Mt. McKinley if you include Anchorage in your trip. Your chances of seeing this magnificent peak will improve even more if you choose a cruise /land tour that includes Denali National Park and Preserve. Even though Mt. McKinley is often shrouded in clouds, they do part and allow for glimpses of this majestic peak.
Northern Lights
Q. Will I see the Northern Lights?
A. The Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights are an infrequent sighting that requires a combination of dark, clear nights and specific solar activity. Crew are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week and should this phenomenon be seen, we will be sure to awaken any interested guests.
Packing
Q. You say casual, but just how casual do you mean?
A. We believe in traveling in comfort. Come as you are - you'll feel at home in jeans and sweaters during the day and the evening. Even at dinner time no jackets, ties or formal dress are required.
Q. What clothes should I pack?
A. You should be prepared for a wide variety of weather conditions. Southeast Alaska is frequently cool and rainy but temperatures can at times reach the mid-80s Fahrenheit. We recommend that you check the weather forecast for the area before your departure. We always recommend packing clothes you can layer to be prepared for temperature changes and include warm clothes, a rain jacket and rain pants, fleece or a sweater, a hooded windbreaker, and comfortable clothes for relaxing onboard. You may need a hat and gloves. Footwear should be comfortable, preferably water resistant, closed toe and appropriate for the level of activity on the specific itinerary you have selected. Umbrellas are provided in each cabin for your convenience.
Q. Do I need to bring hiking boots?
A. Some itineraries are more active than others - those traveling on the Alaska’s Whales & Wilderness, Voyage to the Bering Sea, or In Harriman’s Wake itineraries will need to bring sturdy waterproof footwear. All other Inside Passage itineraries stop at ports of call that have more paved and maintained surfaces. Comfortable and water resistant shoes with a good tread are recommended.
Timing of Travel
Q. What is the best time of year to travel in Alaska?
A. Most travelers choose to visit Alaska between the months of May and September. Each of these months has its benefits. Humpback whales arrive in mid-May and depart in early September. Wildflowers are most prevalent in June and July. Wildlife ashore, such as bears and mountain goats, can be seen throughout these summer months.
Weather
Q. What is the weather going to be like?
A. Weather can vary quite dramatically in Alaska. Plan on cooler weather and always be prepared for rain. May and June have longer, sunnier days, are the driest months, but are a bit cooler. July and August are warmer but have a greater chance of rain. Alaska's coastal areas and interior also vary from one another. On average the highs will be between the mid-40s and mid-60s Fahrenheit, but it's quite common for Alaska's interior to get into the 70s and even 90s. When we are near glaciers the temperatures drop by about 10 degrees.
Whales
Q. Will I see whales in Alaska?
A. Very likely. In fact, the
Alaska's Whales & Wilderness
itinerary and the Alaska's Inside Passage itinerary
each guarantee
whale sightings or we'll refund guests $250. The most commonly seen whales in Southeast Alaska are humpback whales and killer whales, also known as orcas. Humpback whales migrate to Southeast Alaska waters to feed and usually begin arriving in early to mid-May and begin departing by mid-September. In the Bering Sea, you could see grays, bowheads and orcas. Orcas are much more elusive and have no predictable migration patterns, but we will always keep an eye out for them.
Wheelchairs
Q. Are your vessels wheelchair accessible?
A. Cruise West appreciates the differences in accommodation needs of our guests wishing to travel with us. However, Cruise West vessels do not meet all applicable standards of the ADA Accessibility Guidelines for buildings and facilities. Furthermore, guests should be aware that ships and operating conditions can always present challenges to wheelchairs or those with limited mobility and participation may not be possible for some activities and events. Ship interiors often have raised door thresholds, steep stairs and narrow passageways that can prevent wheelchair passage. Gangways between the ship and docks can be steep due to variable tide conditions. Inflatable excursion craft that do not accommodate wheelchairs are sometimes used for shore visits where no docks exist.
Land tours present a variety of physical environments including high altitude, uneven terrain, rocky trails, museums and buildings without elevators and stairways without handrails.
These conditions and guest expectations should be discussed in detail at the time of booking and confirmed in writing to ensure travelers will get the most out of their Cruise West experience.
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