For anyone who has ever had a yen to book a shipboard meeting or incentive program in Alaska, there’s no time like the present. Despite the fact that some lines have pulled some ships out of Alaskan waters due to declining demand, the upcoming summer cruise season offers plenty of availability and attractive pricing.
"Alaska is a tremendous value right now—you can negotiate much better than in the past," says Joyce Landry, CEO of Landry & Kling Cruise Event Services, a Miami-based company that specializes in cruise meetings. "I recommend taking advantage of the situation because you are not likely to see these prices again. Alaska has a very limited season, so lines traditionally demand top rates in that market."
Landry’s viewpoint is echoed by Terry Dale, CEO of trade organization Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
"This is the year to go north to Alaska," Dale says. "The scope and beauty of Alaska is hard to imagine until you see it for yourself, and there is no better or easier way to see it than by cruise ship."
Dale adds that not only are Alaska cruises a good value, but that many cruise lines are offering booking incentives specifically designed for groups. Among the lines serving Alaska, Holland America Line offers a Group Advantage Program, which enables organizers to customize their sailings with amenities such as wine tastings and special dinners, while Norwegian Cruise Line’s Group 2.0 program allows planners to hold up to 16 staterooms with no deposit required until four months before the sailing.
When it comes to selecting a ship, there is plenty of choice in both the large- and small-ship categories. Large-ship lines serving Alaska this year with seven-day cruises, many of them roundtrip from Seattle or Vancouver, British Columbia, include Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises.
Another option for groups is to charter a small ship or yacht from companies such as American Safari Cruises, Cruise West and Lindblad Cruises. While small vessels do not offer the amenities of large ships, they can provide greater flexibility in terms of ports visited and the length of the program, according to Landry.
"A small-ship cruise is more nature-based, closer to the shoreline where you can really see the wildlife," she says. "They can get into the smaller ports and offer the option of doing just a four-night cruise in combination with a land program—perhaps two nights at Denali National Park."
No matter what size ship, Landry recommends booking staterooms with balconies, if at all possible.
"Because the scenery from the ship is so spectacular, people really enjoy the luxury of stepping out of their staterooms right into the fresh air," she says. "To ensure the best coastal views, it’s best to book staterooms on the starboard side on northbound cruises and on the port side during southbound."
While many Alaska cruises are round-trip, some lines offer the option of northbound or southbound sailings. If there is a choice, Landry recommends choosing the former.
"As you head north out of Seattle and Vancouver, the scenery gets more and more spectacular, especially if you go into Glacier Bay toward the end of the cruise," she says. "So it’s better to have the excitement build as the cruise progresses."