Alaska travel deals are out there, but you have to know where to look

The first flowers of spring haven’t punched through the snow dams in our yard. Even so, winter is on its way.

It seems like more and more people are coming to Alaska from all over the world. But as travel companies race for summer, there are a few early-season deals on cruises, train rides and adventures. Some are reserved for Alaska residents only, while others are available to everyone. But you have to know where to look to find the best deals — and they might not be on the company’s website.

For the past three years, Alaska Dream Cruises has offered a selection of resident-only cruise discounts.

Zach Kirkpatrick, the company’s marketing director, was at a travel show in Anchorage last weekend passing out flyers touting the deals. Select cruises in May and June are 50-70% off for Alaska residents.

“Alaska Dream Cruises is an Alaska-native cruise company based in Sitka,” Kirkpatrick said. We have five small ships ranging from 12 to 76 passengers.

The Baranoff Dream is a 49-passenger eight-night “Inside Passage Sojourn” sailing from Sitka. Cruises from May 13 to June 30 drop from $5,395 per person to $1,618.50 per person for Alaska residents.

Cruise details, the ship and activities are available online, but you must call the reservations office in Sitka to make arrangements: 855-747-8100.

Three other ships are included in the “local discount special”: Admiralty Dream, Chicago Dream and Alaska Dream. Depending on the ship’s dates and itinerary, the ships may depart from Juneau or Ketchikan. Trip highlights include boating in Glacier Bay, visiting small Native Alaskan communities like Kasan and Metlakatla, and stopping at Orca Point Lodge near Juneau.

“Our guests really love the raw wilderness exploration on these ships,” says Kirkpatrick.

Princess Alaska Lodges is offering a selection of two-for-one rail/hotel deals between Anchorage and Fairbanks. Travelers can choose between one and four night itineraries. Most itineraries depart and return to Anchorage, although there are a few that go one-way between Anchorage and Fairbanks. Then you can go back home.

Train/hotel specials are available to everyone, not just Alaska residents. Although special events do not include hotel accommodations in Anchorage or Fairbanks.

Princess has its own glass-domed train cars pulled by the Alaska Railroad. The first departure is May 12.

My favorite itineraries for this sale are Mt. Two-night stays at the McKinley Princess (near Talkeetna) or at one of the Denali area properties (including the Denali Princess and McKinley Chalet Resort). A two-night package for the Motley McKinley Princess is $274.40 per person. Transfers between the Talkeetna train station and the hotel are included. Denali’s two-night package is $424.50 per person, double occupancy.

Kennicott Glacier Lodge is offering Alaska residents 20% off rooms and dining packages during an early season special between May 27 and June 25.

Closer to home, two cruise companies in Seward are offering special pricing on springtime wildlife cruises.

Kenai Fjords Tours is offering a “Kids Go Free” promotion for four-hour whale watching cruises. The cruises run Thursday-Sunday until noon on May 18. Two children between the ages of 2 and 11 are allowed to travel free with each paying adult. Adults save 10% when you book online. Discount is $80.10 per adult. Taxes and fees add up to $14.45 per adult for a total of $94.55.

Major Cruises is offering a 20% discount on a combo cruise/hotel package through May 7. The offer is available on a four-hour Spring Wildlife Cruise, departing at 12:30pm daily, with hotel accommodations available at the Harbor360 Hotel. On the water near the boat ramp.

Traveling in April, the cost, including cruise, hotel room and taxes, is $173 per person, double occupancy. It’s a little extra for the harbor view room. Boat, itinerary and hotel details are available online, but you must call the reservations office to make arrangements: 907-224-8030.

If you plan to visit Fairbanks this spring, Fountainhead Hotels operates three hotels: Wedgewood Resort (near Kramer Field), Bear Lodge and Sophie Station (near the airport). Use discount code “FHH15″ to get 15% off room rates.

I expect to see more specials and sales as summer approaches.

There are still a few air tickets available for spring, but prices are rising.

The best price for summer nonstop travel to Europe was just one day: June 18-24. Fly continuously in both directions on the Condor Air. This fare is “economy light”, at $820 round trip. You will pay extra for your checked bags. But, you’ll also earn Alaska Airlines mile credits. Of course, prices are subject to change without notice.

On the home front, tickets between Anchorage and Las Vegas are cheaper for travel in April: $309 round-trip on Delta. Little or no advance purchase is required. At Delta, you change planes in Seattle. United is available on some dates for the same price, but you’ll change planes in Denver, then return to Rocky Mountain to land in Las Vegas. Alaska Airlines offers two to three nonstops a week, but the prices are higher: $481-$616 round trip.

[Construction will worsen parking chaos at Anchorage airport through busy summer season]

It’s hard to call this a “spring special,” but the short-term parking lot at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is under construction. Between now and October, the garage will offer only half of the usual parking spaces. That means parking will be in short supply, so plan accordingly.

Be sure to park in the airport’s long-term parking lot, or one of the off-site parking lots, and allow extra time to park your car. Better yet, drive to the hangar before your flight!