| Each year thousands of visitors come to Alaska by | | | | You can't bring your fish onboard. |
| cruise ship. And many of these visitors want to | | | | Though you may have dreams of eating the salmon |
| experience Alaska's varied fishing opportunities. Due | | | | you caught in the cruise ship dining room, you are not |
| to the popularity of fishing in Alaska, fishing | | | | permitted to bring your fresh catch onboard the |
| excursions are available through the cruise lines at | | | | cruise ship. If you're on a fishing excursion that is not |
| several of the stops on Alaskan itineraries. Find out | | | | "catch and release" oriented, you can ask your fishing |
| the benefits of taking a fishing trip through your | | | | guide about fish processing and shipping. After your |
| cruise line and whether it's the right option for you. | | | | fishing trip is over, you can have your fish processed |
| What do the cruise lines offer? | | | | and sent back home for a fee. Be aware of |
| Packaged tours | | | | processing costs before you decide to keep your |
| When you book a fishing trip through the cruise line, | | | | fish so you can release your catch if you can't afford |
| nearly every aspect of the tour is arranged for you. | | | | to send it back home. |
| Your transportation to the area in Alaska where you'll | | | | Excursions can be expensive. |
| be fishing, your fishing equipment (like bait, flies, rods | | | | Depending on which fishing excursion you choose, |
| and waders), the services of a fishing guide, fishing | | | | you can end up spending over $250 for one day of |
| instruction and sometimes even a meal are all included | | | | fishing. Often if you book a fishing trip with a native |
| as part of the fishing excursion. Having all of the | | | | Alaskan fishing guide, you can get a better price. For |
| elements of your fishing trip pre-arranged saves you | | | | most trips, fishing licenses are not a part of the |
| a lot of time and effort. | | | | upfront cost and you'll need to purchase a license |
| 3 to 6 hour tours | | | | separately. |
| The cruise line fishing excursions are typically either 3 | | | | You may be crowded. |
| or 6 hours long. This time includes your transportation | | | | Most Alaskan cruise excursions will continue filling up |
| to the area where you'll be fishing and any instruction | | | | until there is no more space available for that |
| given by the guide. Depending on the size of your | | | | particular trip. This means that you could feel a little |
| group, you may have only about an hour of "real" | | | | crowded on your fishing trip and the crowds can |
| fishing time. But, one of the best things about taking | | | | sometimes derive from your enjoyment. Also with |
| a cruise line excursion is that if your tour is late | | | | big fishing excursions, the passengers will probably |
| returning for whatever reason, the cruise ship will | | | | have different levels of fishing knowledge. With |
| wait until you return before leaving the port. | | | | varying levels of expertise, the fishing guide will need |
| Experienced guides | | | | to go over introductory fishing techniques. If you are |
| Because the cruise line has already selected and | | | | a seasoned angler, you may lose fishing time while |
| approved your fishing guide, you can be certain that | | | | novices get up to speed. |
| your guide is well qualified to lead fishing trips in | | | | When you take a cruise to Alaska, it's easy to fit |
| Alaska. Also, if the competition for cruise excursion | | | | fishing into your itinerary. Whether you take a cruise |
| operators is high, the fishing guides chosen will have a | | | | line fishing excursion or you reserve a day or half day |
| higher level of expertise. | | | | of fishing with a local guide, you'll enjoy the amazing |
| What you should know | | | | experience that is Alaska fishing. Happy fishing! |