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When is the best time to go on an Alaska cruise?
When is theAlaska weather the best?
What clothing should I bring?
Are meals included with the tours?
How do you pay for the Alaska cruise?
How much do you tip?
Q. When is the best time to go on an Alaska cruise?
R. High season is considered to be between June 15 and August 15. That is when the weather is warmest, there is the most daylight, cabins are toughest to get (if you don't book early) and the prices are the highest.
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Q. When is the Alaska weather the best?
R. The weather in Alaska is normally the warmest during the high season. However, there have been warm Septembers and rainy or cool Julys.
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Q. What clothing should I bring?
R. Because of the variable weather in Alaska, you should be prepared for almost anything, especially when traveling in early May or late September. Shoes and coats for rain, hat, umbrella are strongly recommended for rainy days. Since there are some people who are naturally cold blooded, they might want to bring gloves, as well.
Glacier Bay or in the vicinity of the other Glaciers in Alaska can be very cool, even in the middle of the summer. We strongly recommend that people bring layered clothing, such as tee shirts, sweaters, windbreakers and a heavier jacket. A flannel shirt to go between the tee and the sweater would work also. This would permit you to take off as well as put on.
Of course, for those days when it is sunny, you will need sunglasses and other warm weather wear. You can take your bathing suit along to sit in the hot tub, or jump into the pool, if you are so inclined.
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Q. Are meals included with the tours?
R. Only as indicated in your itinerary.
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Q. How do you pay for the Alaska cruise?
R. A deposit is required at time of booking the cruises. The amount depends on the individual cruise line. The balance must be paid anywhere from 75 to 60 days prior to the sailing date, again depending on the cruise line. If it is more convenient for you to pay monthly, we gladly accept those kinds of arrangements; but you still must be paid up by the final payment date. You may pay by credit card or personal check. We forward your credit card payment directly to the cruise line, so that you are always sure of where your money will be. We take your check and write an agency check to send to the cruise line.
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Q. How much do you tip?
A. Normally, $3 to $3.50 a day per person for each the cabin steward and your waiter. For your busboy, $1.50 to $2 is considered adequate. If anyone else on the cruise gives you special service for some reason, and you feel like tipping, $5 or $10 for the week will be sufficient. In general, tipping is like anywhere else: if you receive outstanding service, tip more, if lousy service, tip less. You tip at the end of the week in envelopes the cruise line will either give you in your disembarkation packet, or you can ask for them. Holland America has a "Tipping not required" policy, as opposed to a "No Tipping". We have always tipped on that line depending on the service we have received.
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Alaska Cruise Frequently Asked Questions