The Coastal Companion vs. The Alaska Handbook

[cantw8togo]

Has anyone used the book The Coastal Companion: A Guide for the Alaska Bound Traveller by Joe Upton? How does it compare to his other book, Alaska Cruise Handbook / Companion?

 

Thanks,

 

N.

[Wclement1]

Can I jump on and ask if there are any other good books for those of us who research?

[cruiseej]

In a previous tread a few people also recommended "The Cruiser Friendly Onboard Guide to Alaska’s Inside Passage" by Terry Breen. Breen is a frequent and very popular lecturer on Regent Seven Seas cruises. This book, unlike many others which focus on what to do in each port, is all about what to see from your ship as you move up (or down) the coast.

 

http://www.cruiserfriendly.com/alaska.html

 

Seemed a little pricey at $18 (+$5 shipping) for a small book, but I recently bought it to have with us on our upcoming trip. Sorry, I haven't had two seconds to read it yet, so I can't tell you whether it's worthwhile or not.

 

-- Eric

[SeattleCruiselover]

I Have the Alaska Cruise Companion, by Mr. Upton, which I think is actually the book to which you are referring. It is an excellent, in depth, mile by mile book and I highly recommend it to all and sundry who are cruising to Alaska (and I'm coming up on my sixth trip this September).

[Coral]

Alaska by Cruise ship by Anne Vipond is also very good.

[Preds]

I Have the Alaska Cruise Companion, by Mr. Upton, which I think is actually the book to which you are referring. It is an excellent, in depth, mile by mile book and I highly recommend it to all and sundry who are cruising to Alaska (and I'm coming up on my sixth trip this September).

I believe the OP is referring to this book http://www.amazon.com/Coastal-Companion-Guide-Alaska-Bound-Traveler/dp/1550173243

 

We bought a copy of it towards the end of our 2007 Alaska cruise. It's an excellant book. I plan to bring it with us when we go back to Alaska at the end of summer.

[Preds]

Alaska by Cruise ship by Anne Vipond is also very good.

We have this one as well, however I wasn't very impressed. Lots of gloss and glitter (pics and whatnot) but not much substance. I found the Coastal Companion book the OP has inquired about to be far superior.

[cantw8togo]

The Cruise Companion / Handbook ( different versions for Princess and the general public) http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Alaska-Cruise-Handbook-Mile-Mile-Joe-Upton/9780979491504-item.html?ref=Search+Books%3a+%2527joe+Upton%2527, was available about a month ago when I checked Chapters (the Canadian online bookstore). They are now showing this as out of stock but with plenty of stock The Coastal Companion: A Guide for the Alaska Bound Traveller http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Coastal-Companion-Guide-Alaska-Bound-Joe-Upton/9781550173246-item.html?ref=Search+Books%3a+%2527joe+Upton%2527. I was wondering how it compared to The Cruise Companion / Handbook, which everyone raves about?

 

Thanks,

 

N.

[Coral]

We have this one as well, however I wasn't very impressed. Lots of gloss and glitter (pics and whatnot) but not much substance. I found the Coastal Companion book the OP has inquired about to be far superior.

 

I used both. I had several others but they were not as helpful to me. I used the Upton book more on the ship and the Alaska By Cruise Ship before my cruise.

[cantw8togo]

Thanks for everyone's replies. I have ordered two copies, one of which is for my MIL, who is the reason why we are going to Alaska this year. I have also ordered a copy of If You Lived Here, I'd Know Your Name by Heather Lende. It is about life in Haines and it came highly recommended on another thread.

 

Thanks,

 

N.