Saturday, June 11, 2005

Strik'n Gold

Save a chunk of change on 10-night Cruise West (tel. 800/203-8306; www.cruisewest.com) cruises between Juneau and Seattle that trace the path of the Old West settlers on the nearly 1,000-mile Gold Rush Inside Passage route. With calls to places like Ketchikan, Haines, and Skagway, see how gold mining became a major industry in America and how it continues today in parts of Alaska. The line's casual vessels range carry between 70 and 118 passengers. Rates start at $3,279 per person for trips departing in September.