The Latest In 2009, 30 cruise ships will sail to Alaska from West Coast ports and several expedition ships will also call. Most visitors to Alaska arrive by cruise ship with more than a million disembarking each year. 2009 Vancouver cruise schedule.The dramatic mountains and fjords of the Inside Passage and Alaska provide one of the most scenic cruising areas in the world.Since many towns can only be reached by boat or plane, cruising is the ideal way to reach these remote spots.They also provide the perfect jumping off point for adventures into the great Alaskan wilderness.Alaska is one of the few places in the world where you can cruise close to spectacular, tidewater glaciers.The peace and silence of Alaska makes it a relaxing and rejuvenating experience.Embarking in Vancouver gives you the best cruising experience as you have a better chance of sailing the Inside Passage both north and south, surrounded by scenic beauty.Good news for 2009 is the inauguration of shore power at Canada Place cruse terminal in Vancouver. Coral Princess, Diamond Princess, Island, Princess, Sapphire Princess and Zuideram will hook up to shore power, or local electricity, while in port enabling them to turn off their engines and reduce air emissions. More ships will be fitted out to take advantage of the new facility. Shore power is also available in Juneau and Seattle. It’s another envirofriendly commitment made by the cruise lines sailing Alaskan waters.

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