Alaska cruises dropping in price

Cruise Alaska this summer for less

If you want to cruise to Alaska this summer, you'll find the prices are right, especially if you want to take the whole family.

Right now, NCL has discounted Alaska cruises, which run regularly for 7 days round trip out of either Seattle, or Vancouver, B.C. starting at $499pp for the first two passengers and on select sailings, $99 for 3rd and 4th passengers in the same stateroom. Balcony staterooms start at just $629pp.

The NCL cruises offer the "freestyle" cruise where pretty much anything goes, including when and where to have your meals. And with a KidsCrew and TeenCrew staff making sure the children are age-appropriately entertained, adults can enjoy their style of cruising without worry.

NCL has the youngest fleet in Alaska with three new ships sailing the Inside Passage and beyond. “Conde Nast Cruise Poll 2008: Norwegian Pearl: Named one of the best Large Cruise Ships”

A bit about the embarkation and port cities:

Juneau
* Drive, hike into or fly over the Mendenhall Glacier
* Quite possibly the most beautiful state capital of all with Mt. Juneau and Mt. Roberts in the background
* Shop in the historical district with buildings dating back to the early 1900's

Ketchikan
* Just three miles long by three miles wide, Alaska's first city is lively
* Replica totem poles are on display at Totem Bight State Historical Park
* Walk the old boardwalk along Ketchikan Creek in search of shops and cafes

Seattle
* On a clear day, the Seattle skyline is stunning – on rainy days there is much to do and see under cover
* Take a ferry across the Sound or check out the view atop the Space Needle
* Visit turn-of-the-century Pioneer Square day or night

Skagway
* Downtown Broadway offers a true sense of frontier, boomtown life
* Hike to the 300 feet high Reid Falls from the cemetery in town
* The gateway to the Klondike retains its frontier style well

Vancouver
* Flanked by the ocean and mountains, Vancouver is a gorgeous city
* Shop Robson Street. How about a kayak tour or mountain biking?
* Walk, bike and visit the aquarium at Stanley Park

Victoria
* Rudyard Kipling once described Victoria as "Brighton Pavilion with the Himalayas for a backdrop"
* See thousands of varieties of flowers, trees and shrubs at Butchart Gardens
* Visit the Royal British Columbia Museum, then high tea at the Empress Hotel