Lonely Planet New Cruise Port Guides Offer a Wealth of Info

Whether you’ve cruised a few dozen times or it’s your first cruise, figuring out what to do in cruise ports can be a lengthy process. Travel guidebook guru, Lonely Planet, is releasing a series of cruise port guides to help you to chose your cruise and plan your day ashore.

Lonely Planet launched their first three of their series of cruise port guides this summer. The newest guides include Alaska, Scandinavia & Northern Europe and the Caribbean.

All books feature color fold-out maps, port highlights and port reviews plus important tips to help cruisers save time and money. Written by Lonely Planet’s cruise travel experts, these books are valuable resources, even for experienced cruisers (like me!). I brought my Alaska guide book with me on this month’s Alaska cruise.

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Whether traveling solo, as a couple or a family, each book features all you need to know to plan your trip. From essential information and local life and cultural insights to month by month events,  you will find a bevy of great ideas that cover a wide range of interests. And of course, my favorite part; where to eat in the listed cruise ports.

In addition to dining, there’s advice for shopping and activities to do in each port. Armed with Lonely Planet’s suggestions should also help the undecided choose the right cruise for there lifestyle.

“Rather than taking a tour, we’re encouraging travelers to feel comfortable striking out on their own,” said Darren O’Connor, the guidebook product director. “We want to give passengers the confidence, independence and know-how to discover each destination at their own pace.”

For example, my 292-page Alaska cruise port guide book lists the major cultural, physically active and nature activities first. Then there are sections for general sights, tours, shopping, eating, drinking and nightlife and general getting around in port.

Ports included in the Alaska Cruise Ports guide are: Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau, Haines, Skagway, Whittier, Seward and Anchorage.

There’s also lengthy information about the two main embarkation ports, Seattle and Vancouver, BC. including where to stay, eat and what to do pre- or post-cruise.

O’Connor said the company decided to jump into the cruise market because of its continual growth, citing statistics that show cruisers have grown from 7 million to 23 million annually in the past decade.

In 2019, additional cruise port guides will be available for Japan, Northeast Asia, the Mediterranean and European rivers.