Cruise lines advertising low rates to get visitors to Alaska

Cruise lines and other companies in the lower 48 are searching for innovative methods to promote tourism to Alaska this summer.

The state recently released their visitor numbers from last year and although visitation overall went DOWN 1.3%, cruise line visitation was UP by one percent from 2007.  Alaska Cruise Association president John Binkley has said that the cruise industry expects a possible 30% decrease in passengers this summer.

Princess Cruiselines is now promoting the 50^th year of statehood in order to entice people to visit Alaska. They are offering deals of free airfare between Seattle and Anchorage and special upgrades with their cruise packages.

Holland America is competing by offering 7-day cruises to Alaska starting at $600 and 14 day interior cruises starting at $700. 

A few cruise lines are offering trips as low as $500 per person.

Last year, the cheapest Alaska cruise offered was about $800  plus fees.

Alaskan companies are jumping on the 50^th anniversary bandwagon to promote Alaska as a destination.   A travel discount book, the Alaska TourSaver coupon, promotes several Talkeetna businesses as well as Denali National Park.  For $100, visitors buy the coupon book with 130 coupons to various parks, lodges and adventures throughout Alaska.