Reviewing a cruise line is not easy as most people on board are having fun, and on a cruise people generally tend to overlook petty shortcomings. Moreover, most existing cruises have been around for more than a decade, and hence they have already perfected most of their shortcomings. Some Alaska cruises that have consistently been at the top of the savvy cruisers list are those provided by Royal Caribbean, Princess, Celebrity, and Carnival.

The Royal Caribbean line has won great accolades for its ship Radiance of the Seas. Beginning with the reception and the checking in, everything is systematically organized. It stops at Juneau, Skagway, Hubbard Glaciers, and Ketchikan during its seven-day cruise. Shopping in Juneau is a memorable experience, as is kayaking in Ketchikan and the glacier exploration at Hubbard Glaciers. There are several onboard activities Broadway performances, a silhouette act and a comedy act as a farewell show on the last night. The only drawback may be the large number of people on board about 2,500 of them which may not be appealing to the peace-loving cruiser.

All ships of the Princess cruise line have got rave reviews from cruisers. They come highly recommended by cruise agencies as well. They follow the same itinerary as the Royal Caribbean and have an excellent and knowledgeable staff. The great attractions of Princess ships are the dark wood mahogany furniture in some of their cabins and the ship memorabilia available for sale. The dining rooms are arranged forward, and the theater seats are thoughtfully arranged to provide all with an unobstructed view, free from poles and other obstacles. The Princess line is a very experienced line and offers customized cruises to its passengers.

Carnival and Celebrity both rate high on the cruisers list. They have reliable ships and staff and good outside balconies, which provide excellent views of natural scenery.

Among the small ship category, Clipper, American Safari, and Cruise West are considered to be great cruise lines. They provide the adventure seeker a host of activities to do while on the cruise.