[MRM]

My wife got us to go on one last summer. We really liked it and learned a lot. We went out of Vancouver and spent a long weekend there before sailing on Sunday. The two vacation experiences in one were really great.

Weather is an issue. Summer is the best time to go, of course. We went in late August. We were told that the early summer when the sun really is up almost 24 hours a day is better, but I like Vancouver in August. I always thought the best week to go to that part of the world it the last week of July/first week of August. When you hit nice warm weather up there, you'd never believe it wasn't always like that. It really is incredible.

As for the cruise, there are two types of Alaska cruises. The first covers the southern cities. We took that one and visted Ketchikan, Juneau and Sitka. All were outstanding. We also spent a day cruising through the glaciers. It was really cool.

The really wild stuff is best seen in the cruises that take you farther north. The ultimate is to take a two week cruise that takes you one week on the boat, and then the second week over land to the Denali national park by train and then all over the land. Some day we'll do that one.

Even on the cruise we went on we were able to see very wild stuff just by going to the local cab stand and asking a cabbie to take us somewhere fun. We got to see more and better stuff than anyone did on the packaged tours for a fraction of the cost.

When you choose a boat and room, go out of your way to get a nice boat, you'll really appreciate the extra boat amenities, but you dont have to get a room with a balcony. If you have the bucks to burn, a suite in the front of the boat is best for viewing, but it realy isn't necessary.

There are rooms that don't have windows, and you should avoid them. The next level up from that are outside cabins that have tiny little windows. Avoid them too. They really aren't much better than no window. The next step up from there is a cabin with a large fixed window that is almost as large as the outside wall. That is the room to get. It gives you the impression that you are looking through a closed patio door, and you don't really want to sit outside on a deck anyway, because it will get cold at night. The large window rooms are really the best bang for the buck by far.

The cruise industry is really hurting now, so go to vacationstogo.com for reduced cruise price packages. You'll be amazed at the options. It's probably nothing a travel agent can't get for you, but you're in more control and see the selection better.