This guide seeks to help the traveller choose the best boat for a tour of Alaska. Updated for the 2001 season, it contains concise information on every vessel cruising Alaskan waters. It states room size, dining arrangements, passenger/crew ratio, itineraries for each ship, and candid comments on the pros and cons of each. There is extensive coverage of the smaller "Explorer" boats that get closer to the glaciers and wildlife. Walking tours of each port of call are provided, along with a downtown map and full information on excursions into the national parks and extraordinary country accessible from the boats.