Alaska 2003: today's cruise companies offer passengers enriching views of "the last frontier." - Cruise Roundup

Cruise Travel, Sept-Oct, 2002 by M.T. Schwartzman

Norwegian Cruise Line brings three ships to Alaska in 2003, all sailing the Inside Passage roundtrip from Vancouver or Seattle. 7665 Corporate Center Dr., Miami, FL 33126 (www.ncl.com).

Princess Cruises deploys six ships, including three new vessels making their Alaska debut in 2003, sailing Gulf of Alaska and Inside Passage itineraries from Seward, Seattle, or Vancouver. The company's tour division has its own railcars, motorcoaches, and five riverside lodges. 24305 Town Center Dr., Santa Clarita, CA 91355 (www.princess.com).

Radisson Seven Seas Cruises plies the Gulf of Alaska and Inside Passage on six-, seven-, eight-, nine-, or 12-day cruises departing Los Angeles, Vancouver, or Seward. 600 Corporate Dr./Suite 410, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334 (www.rssc.com).

Royal Caribbean International has three megaships cruising the Inside Passage and Gulf of Alaska departing Seward or Vancouver, plus cruise-tours with Royal Celebrity Tours. 1050 Caribbean Way, Miami, FL 33132 (www.royalcaribbean.com).

Society Expeditions explores the Bering Sea on lengthy voyages aboard its sole expedition ship. 2001 Western Ave./Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98121 (www.societyexpeditions. com).

World Explorer Cruises sails nine- and 14-day educational cruises roundtrip from Vancouver, calling at ports throughout the Inside Passage and Gulf of Alaska. 555 Montgomery St./Suite 1400, San Francisco, CA 94111 (www.wecruise.com).