Compass American Guides: Alaskas Inside Passage, 2nd Edition

Product Review

Compass American Guides: Alaska's Inside Passage taps a growing travel market. Alaska is the world’s third most popular cruise destination, attracting about one million cruise ship passengers a year. While other guides offer recommendations on where to stay and what to see, none combine that practical information with the depth and literary quality of a Compass American Guide.
In this thoroughly readable book, travelers, locals, and armchair travelers alike will find a mix of stunning color photos, sightseeing scoops, historical background, fun FAQs, and evocative, inspiring descriptions of this breathtaking region. Following the route of a fantasy cruise from south (Ketchikan) to north (Sitka), the guide takes readers through all the incredible attractions, including Glacier Bay National Park, Ketchikan’s totem poles, and Skagway’s historic Gold Rush District. The explorations of each port of call are organized by the amount of time visitors have on shore. In addition to natural and historic sights, the guide includes favorite places to eat and shop in each town, and tips on everything from animal-watching to packing the night gear.
Writer Ann Chandonnet lived in Alaska for more than 30 years and is the author of more than a dozen books, including The Alaska Heritage Seafood Cookbook, and Alaska’s Arts, Crafts & Collectibles. Photographer Don Pitcher spent 15 summers in the wilds of Alaska and Wyoming and now works as a photographer and travel writer, basing his travels from Homer, Alaska.

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review

(2 customer reviews)

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

Great Guide for Ports along Alaska's Inside Passage, August 5, 2010

R. Gilliam "kitschweb" (richmond, va, usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Compass American Guides: Alaska's Inside Passage, 2nd Edition (Full-color Travel Guide) (Paperback)

The author clearly loves Alaska and it shows. I just got back from a two week family cruise and found her guidebook invaluable (and small enough to carry around in my shoulder bag, which is nice). I found I disagreed with her very rarely, most notably on the quality of food to be found in the various towns she describes. Note that if you are from pretty much any city in the lower 48, you'll be appalled by the both the cost of a meal and the lack of good restaurants (not to mention the complete absence of salmon, which I was looking forward to, on all the menus). There may be something in Juneau, which I wasn't lucky enough to see, but in the smaller towns, expect to pay $20 or more for very average meals at diner-type establishments. I also was disappointed by our trek to the "Petroglyph Beach" in Petersburg - after walking an hour from the marina to the beach and slogging through freezing tide pools at low tide, we were only able to find one small face and a pair of feet. I was...Read more

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

Really Nice, March 25, 2010

Kaw Valley (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Compass American Guides: Alaska's Inside Passage, 2nd Edition (Full-color Travel Guide) (Paperback)

This book focuses solely on ports (not cruise lines) and solely on the inside passage of Alaska (e.g. not on Canadian ports and not on Gulf of Alaska stops). However, it provides a fresh approach to the ports and is rich in information.

The maps are very nice, the current photos breathtaking, and the many historical photos amazing. The sidebars provide neatly packaged information on topics such as "Glacier Facts" and "Totem Poles." This book provides recommendations for packaged shore excursions as well as walking tours for those who want to explore (inexpensively) on their own. There is also a "Kid Stuff" section for most ports, listing activities that would appeal to children.

Additionally, there are handy recommendations for places to eat and places to shop. There are various pieces of information regarding wildlife and native cultures as well - something for everyone.