In this issue, Prow's Edge reviews the fleet of ships sailing to Alaska and finds out what they have to offer...

Popular with younger cruisers and first-time passengers, Carnival Cruise Lines offers 7-night Alaska itineraries between Vancouver and Anchorage, and 7-night itineraries thorugh the Inside Passage from Vancouver, aboard their “fun ship” Carnival Spirit.

Ranked as the highest rated premium cruise line by leading cruise guides and travel industry authorities, Celebrity Cruises offers 9- or 10-night Alaska/PacificCoastal, and 7-night Alaska itineraries aboard the Infinity, and 7- or 11-night Alaska itineraries aboard the Mercury.

Operating small cruise ships with capacities ranging from 52 to 114 guests, family owned Cruise West offers up-close looks at Alaska with a variety of itineraries leaving from Juneau, Seattle and Whittier and including the Inside Passage, and Prince William Sound.

Luxury cruise specialist, Crystal Cruises, offers 12-night cruises from San Francisco return with stops in British Columbia, Canada and the Inside Passage, Alaska, aboard the newly refurbished 50,000-ton, 940-guest Crystal Harmony, one of the most spacious and luxurious cruise ships at sea.

Consistently recognised for "Best Overall Cruise Value" the five-star Holland America Line offers two popular 7-day cruise routes aboard six of the world's highest-rated ships. Inside Passage cruises sail roundtrip from Vancouver, B.C., while Glacier Discovery cruises sail one-way between Vancouver and Seward (Anchorage), Alaska.

Pioneers of “Freestyle Cruising”, a new vacation concept in which cruise guests can dine whenever, wherever and with whomever they choose, Norwegian Cruise Line offers two itneraries from two different gateways to Alaska’s Inside Passage. The Norwegain Sky sails from Seattle roundtrip, and the Norwegian Wind sails from Vancouver roundtrip.

Offering a premium-style cruise experience, Princess Cruises offers three different itineraries including Alaska/Canada cruises, 7-night Voyage of the Glaciers cruises aboard the Sun Princess and Ocean Princess, and 7-night Inside Passage cruises aboard the Regal Princess.

Now famous for impressive mega-ships, Royal Cariibbean International offers two 7-night Alaska itineraries from Vancouver roundtrip aboard the Radiance Of The Seas and the Vision Of The Seas, and a 7-night Alaska itinerary between Vancouver and Seward aboard the Rhapsody Of The Seas.

Living up to its 25-year tradition of serving contemporary explorers, Society Expeditions offers two adventure travel “firsts” as it explores exotic reaches of remote Alaska and the Russian Far East aboard the company’s new, luxurious 160 passenger “New” World Discoverer. Designed for inquisitive travelers, the 2- to 19-day itineraries examine the region’s rich cultures, wildlife and histories.

Offering in-depth Alaska cruises since 1978, World Explorer Cruises presents two 14-night cruises in Alaska, roundtrip from Vancouver, aboard the recently refurbished, 731-passenger, American-built ss Universe Explorer. Ports of call include those in the Inside Pasage as well as Seward, Valdez and Kodiak.