British attitudes to cruise holidays

A recent survey of British attitudes to cruise holidays throws up few surprises. As an example, 64% percent of cruise veterans said that they enjoyed the formal dress code and other behaviours associated with cruise holidays and 23% thought many cruise holidays had become too informal.

On the other hand though, 65% of people who’d never taken a cruise said they would not enjoy the formal dress code – bet they would if they went along though! People who responded to Cruise critics survey and who’d never taken a cruise expressed the classic concerns – 8% were worried there would be too many old people (interestingly 2% were worked about too many young people)! Other problems that they anticipated were not being able to escape people you might not like – 21%, and the cost worried 16%.

Cruise West, is offering savings from $100 to $550 (£50 to £225) for people booking one of five Alaska Inside Passage itineraries before February 29, 2008. The cruises are newly designed to deliver an appreciation of Southeast Alaska's abundant wildlife and fantastic scenery.

A couple of examples: 1. The ten-night Gold Rush Inside Passage cruise travels between Seattle and Juneau along the path of the original 1898 Klondike Gold Rush. Visits to San Juan Islands, Skagway, Ketchikan and Juneau in Southeast Alaska are included as is time in Frederick Sound, known for its whale viewing, and Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Prices start at $3,599 (£1800) per person, double occupancy. 2. The deep Inside Passage wilderness is explored on the eight-night Whales & Wilderness Inside Passage cruise, round trip from Juneau. The primary focus here is on sea and wildlife viewing and includes Icy Strait, Glacier Bay, Frederick Sound and port calls at Sitka and a Wilderness Community. Cruise West guarantees that guests will see whales on this itinerary.