Small cruise ships are big on adventure: the small cruise ship visitor leaves behind more money in Alaska's towns than the average large cruise ship passenger.

• Author: Pardes, Joan

While the large cruise ships still bring the majority of cruise travelers to the state, Alaska's small cruiseline business has been growing over the years as well. This season, five small cruise companies (many of which have several boats in their Alaska fleet) will bring thousands of visitors to Alaska's Panhandle. From the smallest ship, Lindblad Expeditions' Sea Lion that can accommodate 70 passengers, to the largest, American West Steamboat Co.'s Empress of the North that holds 236 passengers, the small cruise ships that visit Alaska offer travelers--and the ports they visit--a totally different experience than the mega cruise lines.

"I think the big difference between the large and small cruise ship traveler is that the guests on smaller boats are typically more focused on an educational slant to their experience," said Ketchikan Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Patti Mackey. "They want a more intimate experience than what the large cruise ships can provide."

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Due to the size of the vessels, the small cruiselines have more flexibility regarding the places they visit and typically venture into areas that are not as well-traveled as the deeper waters that confine the movements of the larger cruise ships.

"Our goal is to go where the large cruise ships can't go," said Larry Johansen, the Southeast Regional Manager for Cruise West, the state's oldest and largest small cruise ship operator. "Since our ships are smaller, we can offer a more personal, up-close experience that brings people to special places that aren't part of the larger cruise package."

Along with different itineraries, the small cruiseliners usually offer day tours that include kayaking from the ship, exploring pristine beaches and wilderness, and other activities that are not available on the larger ships.

"Our guests are a cross between the independent and cruise traveler," said Johansen, from his office in Juneau. This season, Cruise West will offer several packages on six ships that hold between 80 and 114 guests. Tours include cruises that last between 3-11 days and explore areas from Metlakatla to the Bering Sea, as well as the usual ports that line the Inside...