An introduction to Alaska cruisetours: What are they and why you should book one

If you're planning your first big trip to Alaska, you may already have heard of an Alaska cruisetour — an organized trip that combines a cruise with overland touring.In Alaska, unlike in most destinations, cruisetours are a very common thing.Of the 3 million or so vacationers who go to Alaska every year, roughly two-thirds go by cruise ship. And, of those, a significant percentage sign up for an extended trip that includes both cruising and land touring.Those are much higher percentages than you'll find for cruises and cruisetour-type trips in almost any other part of the world.This is not by accident.For reasons I will explain in more detail below, a cruise — and particularly a cruisetour — is the best way to see a broad cross-section of Alaska's most famous attractions in a single, easy-to-arrange trip.Even if you're not the sort of person who normally signs up for a cruise or a land tour when visiting most destinations, you just might want to make a cruisetour the way you see Alaska. At least for your first visit.This guide will explain why a cruisetour of Alaska makes sense for many Alaska-bound vacationers and everything you need to know to plan and book one.What is an Alaska ...