Cruise West's summer Alaska series features a variety of three- to 13-night adventures from the southernmost tip of the Panhandle to the Arctic ice in the Bering Strait. Carrying only 78 to 114 passengers, the ships never overwhelm the smaller, eco-sensitive communities, and the emphasis is always on wildlife, fjords, glaciers, natural and pioneer history, and native cultures. Five of the eight ships trove Zodiacs or other inflatable craft for close-to-nature excursions. Contact: Cruise West, (800) 888-9378; www.cruisewest.com.

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