My husband & I are planning to go on an Alaskan cruise sometime in the next few years. We are both interested in a combination cruise & land package. Both of us are interested in the natural sights & taking photos/video to share with family when we return. We would prefer a trip without the alcoholic drinks or gambling. Any recommendations?

There is a cruise to Alaska that is more of a scientific expedition, with maybe only 100 passengers, and the focus is on learning and exploring. Scientists are there to lead groups on shore excursions and on-board discussions of the sights of the area. I don't remember reading if there was any gambling or drinking, but it didn't seem the focus of the trip. I don't remember what the name of the company is, but maybe a travel agent can help.

Most ships do have bars and Gambling on board. If this is something that bothers you, than just avoid those areas of the ship. I didn't find the Alaskan Cruise focused on those aspects of the cruise at all..not like the Caribbean itineraries

Check out Cruise West (www.cruisewest.com) These are small ships that travel the inside passage to Alaska. The passengers tend to be more experienced and share your interests. There are no casinos but alsohol is served...cocktails in the afternoon, wine at dinner. But I can't imagine these passengers getting rowdy.

Enjoying wine is quite a civilized thing, and I cannot imagine why anyone would expect to find a cruise ship that didn't serve liquor. Just because others choose to enjoy wine, doesn't mean that you have to.

Unfortunately, there are people who have problems with alcohol and if you notice on all cruise ships there is a Bill W meeting which is an AA meeting. Cruise lines make lots of $$ pushing drinks and for compulsive gamblers it would be a terrible combination. Perhaps they may have a problem and would prefer an AA cruise. As for the gambling..well, I am a poor loser and would prefer shopping. Do you notice on cruise ships that you have to go through the casinos which are usually smoky to get somewhere else?

Thanks for the suggestion of www.cruisewest.com, I'll check that one out.

I have no objection to those who want to gamble or have alcoholic drinks doing so, but this trip is primarily for my husband who has wanted to go to Alaska for years. He has managed to overcome his problem with alcoholism since Nov. 2002, & I think that out of respect for him it is better to avoid situations which put temptation to return to an old problem in the way of an enjoyable trip.

I'm sure there must be a way to make this an enjoyable trip for us & I'm glad to do the research in advance to enable it to become a reality for us.

I did some research into Cruisewest awhile back and their cruises looked really interesting. The focus was definitely on the natural environment rather than gambling and drinking.

I don't know about other ships, but Holland America has a 'friends of Bill W.' every day. If that would help.

check out World explorer ship. My mother in law had a great time on it, I think there was no gambling.

If you change your destination then Disney sounds right up your alley! Disney doesn't even have a casino on their ships!

We just returned from a Royal Caribbean Cruise and there were daily meetings of "Friends of Bill W."

Check out Glacier Bay cruise line. There is no gambling, and while alcohol is available in the form of wine with dinner, it is definitely not the focus of the cruise and most people on the cruise are really not into major drinking. It's like going out to a restaurant, which I'm sure you do, where a wine list is available but there is definitely no pressure at all to drink. We went on their Wilderness Explorer cruise last year which is definitely for the outdoorsy type of person, but they have some that are less physically active.

Congratulations to your husband. That is a terrific accomplishment. My best friend has been sober for 9+ years. I know she has been on "regular" cruises but has gone with a group from AA, who have become her dear friends. It sounds like you might be looking for something a bit more romantic, but would it be an option to travel with a non-drinking group? It would ease the pressure on him and it could be really fun!