Regent Seven Seas Cruises features a variety of off-ship adventures to explore remote Alaska. (Handout - Regent Seven Seas)

Cruising to Alaska Sights around Alaska 15 disappearing glaciers Famous ships on the sea Northern Lights

Looking to take a cruise where you can snorkel or hike around a volcano or rainforest one day, then go dog sledding the next?

Then, head north to Alaska -- North America's majestic northern wilderness where experiencing the magnificent landscape includes underwater in a wetsuit.

Even if you've "been there, done that," cruise lines have added many innovative "shore excursions" and adventures off the beaten path.

Even repeat cruisers don't tire of the snow-capped glaciers, misty fjords and the beauty of a rain forest.

Land-tours and excursions range from crab fishing and private whaling adventures to multi-day journeys throughout British Columbia.

"Zip lines" are the latest rage - providing a bird's-eye view while zipping from tree to tree on a series of high-wire cables and a network of suspended rope bridges.

There's immense interest in Alaska cruises -- too much, some people and environmentalists say -- with the options of sailing by small ship carrying only 200 passengers to the newest mega liners plying the cool waters.

Voyages include seven-day roundtrips and 14-day one-way cruises with ports of embarkation all along the Pacific, from Los Angeles to Seward, with many from Vancouver, Seattle and Juneau.

FOR DISCERNING CRUISERS

For an "ultra-luxe" mind-expanding journey for discerning cruisers, Silversea Cruises' all-suite, 382-guest Silver Shadow features a diverse enrichment program.

This includes noted authorities as marine biologist John Palmisano, chef Anne Desjardins, wine expert John Shafer and author Sabin Robbins among its 10 itineraries ranging from nine to 12 days.

Several sailings feature convenient roundtrip departures from Vancouver along with voyages available from Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seward.

ADVANCED VOLCANO HIKE

A Wild Coast Exploration by catamaran along glacier-carved fjords and rugged stretches of coast from Juneau is a new offering from Regent Seven Seas Cruises on the Seven Seas Mariner.

Or, go salmon fishing by rowboat on the Campbell River in British Columbia and Ketchikan biking and zip-line. In Sitka, there's the Advanced Volcano Hike on the remote Kruzof Island.

En route, there are whales, sea lions, sea otters and eagles providing outstanding photo opportunities.

SHORE EXCURSIONS

Holland America Lines has eight ships in Alaska with about 250 varied shore excursions.

In Haines, a new tour called Guides Choice Photo Discovery focuses on photographing the wildlife and scenery of the Chilkat Valley.

In Sitka and Ketchikan, cruisers can don a wetsuit and explore the usually unseen underwater wilderness with snorkeling gear.

Another new excursion is the Exclusive Mountaintop Flightseeing and Crab Feast.

WHALE WATCHING

Norwegian Cruise Line has its enhanced freestyle cruising initiatives on its Alaska sailings on three ships.

The Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Star sail seven-day roundtrip cruises from Seattle while the Norwegian Sun departs from Vancouver.

Itineraries include the Inside Passage and feature Glacier Bay or Sawyer Glacier with calls in Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Victoria and Prince Rupert Island.

Among the 130 adventurous excursions are gold mining, river rafting and whale watching.

RAINFOREST TOUR

Celebrity Cruises offers the Alpine Zipline and Rainforest Eco-tour and a Golden Glassblowing Experience.

Aboard the Celebrity Infinity, passengers have the option of the Frasier Discovery tour featuring Calgary, Banff, Jasper, Quesnell, Whistler and Vancouver.

CARNIVAL SPIRIT A HOTEL AT SEA

Carnival Cruise Lines has 16 seven-day Glacier Route cruises aboard the 2,124-passenger Carnival Spirit starting May 21.

They sail one-way between Vancouver and Whittier/Anchorage and call on Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka, cruising the College Fjord, Island Passage and Prince William Sound.

Three departures roundtrip from Vancouver visit Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan.

INSIDE PASSAGE EXPERIENCE

Majestic America Line, specializing in coastal and river cruises, has seven-night Juneau roundtrip sailings and 12-night one-way voyages between Seattle to Juneau.

Empress of the North, with only 112 staterooms and suites mostly with private verandahs, provides up-close access to the vast wilderness and waterways of Alaska's Inside Passage.

LESS-VISITED PORTS OF CALL

Princess Cruises has eight ships, including five sailing the Gulf of Alaska including the Tahitian Princess' 14-day connoisseur itinerary featuring less-visited ports such as Kodiak, Valdez and Seward. The line is introducing 37 new tour options including private whale watching, zip-lining, a Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's tour and an Alaskan Chef's Table.

DOG SLEDDING

Royal Caribbean International's Rhapsody of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas offer voyages of seven to 14 nights.

They feature 140 tours in ports of Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, Sitka and Icy Strait Point.

Tours include dog sledding, crab feeds and salmon bakes, canoeing and kayaking, hiking, semi-submersibles and snorkeling, and whale watching.

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Contact information

For more information about Alaska cruises and details about taking the plunge, go to the Cruise Lines International Association Website: www.cruising.org

Silversea Cruises www.silversea.com

Regent Seven Seas Cruises www.rssc.com

Holland America Lines www.hollandamerica.com

Norwegian Cruise Line www.ncl.com

Celebrity Cruises www.celebrity.com

Carnival Cruise Lines www.carnival.com

Majestic America Line www.majesticamericaline.com

Princess Cruises www.princess.com

Royal Caribbean International www.royalcaribbean.com