As warmer weather approaches, the Alaskan cruise season will become a popular vacation option for many Seattleites. Why head north? Consider a few reasons: Gorgeous glaciers, fresh air and wildlife more exotic than the kind you'll encounter in a Capitol Hill nightclub are only some of the attractions that prompt guests to hop onboard.

If you're curious about the possibility, but the thought of playing shuffleboard next to retirees keeps you from considering a cruise, have no fear. Many Alaskan cruise lines have done away with the typical trappings, realizing that their guests are more likely to enjoy lectures by on-board naturalist experts and early morning kayak trips than casinos and talent shows.

A unique facet of many of these cruises is the size of the boat. "Small-ship cruises" employ easy-to-maneuver boats that will let you get closer to shore. The boats have an additional advantage: their size tends to foster a sense of camraderie and friendship amongst passengers (if there's only five other people on your week-long voyage, chances are you're going to get to know them pretty well).

While some cruises hit the more heavily trafficked port towns, it's certainly possible to find a company and a trip that emphasizes wildlife, wilderness and even some outdoor adventures. If seeing humpback whales, sea otters and eagles in their natural habitats sounds like a great way to spend a week, then take a look at one man's journal of his cruise experience through Glacier Bay and the beautiful photographs that accompany it.

Thanks to Alaska's Glacier Bay Tours and Cruises of Seattle for providing the cruise journal and photographs in the slide show.