I live in the southern area of the US. My husband and I want to take a cruise to Alaska sometime next year. What cruise line is the best?, best time to go?, Any useful info will be helpful. We can stay 2 weeks. We want a land experience also.
Thanks!

Oh No Cruise was type wrong!

I personally think Holland America is the best cruise line for what you want. They have great land/cruise packages. You can cruise one way and then do a land tour. Check out their website for Alaska to get an idea of the options.

As far as the best time - August is peak weather wise but there are better deals in late spring and early fall.

I have done these cruises many times with different cruise lines but for Alaska I do think HAL is best.

I second the recommendation for Holland-America unless you are very rich and can take one of the really expensive lines. For the money, Holland-America can't be beat. You can take the land portion first or last. I think June is a good time to go. The early part of June is really a bargain pricewise.

If you can fit it in your budget, take a look at Special Expeditions. It is a really small ship and focused on an experience with nature in Alaska, not on an experience on the ship.

You want to select a cruise that goes into Glacier Bay. Access is limited. You will find Princess and HOlland America control most permits, they both are fine lines in Alaska. We have been there Late June, mid July and Early August and weather is partially luck. Our best weather was mid July, you will be advised to take layesr of clothing and rainwear regardless of when you go. Both these cruise lines offer land tours before or after the cruise.

You also might try posting this on the Cruise site here on Fodor talk. There could be some people who don't cross sites and you could lose out on some good recommendations.

I also agree, HAL is a gem in Alaska, on a one way cruise consider a sailing that does both Glacier Bay and College Fjords. With HAL in Seward this is excellent for time touring this area a day or two, easy to get to/out of via Alaska RR. The rent a car for the round trip Anchorage portion for the other 6 days.

we used Princess in 2002. I would first make a list of where you want to go and then start looking at the cruise lines that go to those places. Then check your budge.