ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Jan. 16, 1996 -- More than 1 million visitors come to Alaska each year and more than 30 percent of them travel by cruise ship. Alaska tourism officials say the popularity of cruising is only going to grow in 1996 as 15 different cruise lines will offer capacity for 460,000 people to see Alaska by cruise ship this summer.

While the number of companies cruising to Alaska remains the same overall, the space available on 1996 Alaska cruises is up slightly more than 13 percent over last year.

"Even with the loss of Regency Cruise Line's three ships, we're seeing others fill in the gap," said Pete Carlson, Tourism Development Specialist with the Alaska Division of Tourism. "We have three new companies, Seaborn, Carnival and Celebrity, coming to Alaska this summer and other cruise companies have opted to send bigger ships to Alaska, offering more capacity."

One of those companies expanding capacity is Princess Cruises and Tours, which will send its newest ship, the 1,950-passenger Sun Princess, to Alaska waters 20 times this summer. In total, Princess will offer its 1996 passengers 103 sailings on six different Alaska itineraries, representing a 24 percent increase in capacity over last year. The company also has added two new ground tours, showcasing Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Kodiak Island. Two new Midnight Sun rail cars have also joined the company's existing six cars, offering railroad tours between Anchorage, Denali National Park and Fairbanks.

Marking its 49th anniversary in the 49th state, Holland America Line will offer a record 117 cruise ship departures and increase its capacity by more than 26 percent this summer. The ms Westerdam, Holland America Line's largest ship, returns to the Alaska market after a full year of cruising in the Caribbean, joining five other ships offering Alaska itineraries.

"We're anticipating another record year in 1996, bringing more guests than ever before to Alaska," said Tom Honan, director of Alaska marketing for Holland America Line.

Two new Holland America Line land tours this summer, which can be added to a cruising vacation or booked separately, will offer visitors the opportunity to explore the Kennicott Copper Mine in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and travel 135 miles through the Alaska Range via the Denali Highway. The company, which also owns the motorcoach tour operation Gray Line of Alaska, will offer passengers more than 40 different ground tour itineraries to choose from, including several that highlight the 100th anniversary of the discovery of gold in Alaska and Canada's Yukon Territory.

World Explorer Cruises also plans to bring a larger, 739-passenger ship to Alaska in 1996, after retiring the ss Universe after 18 years. The ss Enchanted Seas will hold 200 more passengers, and for the first time, will offer one seven-day cruise, as an alternative to Explorer's traditional 14-day Alaska cruise schedule. Alaska Sightseeing/Cruise West will increase capacity slightly this year with more departures and for the first time ever, will homeport its Spirit of Alaska in Juneau and offer the "All-Alaska Adventure Cruise," which includes an eight-day, seven-night trip between Juneau and Ketchikan.

As many of the larger companies are increasing capacity, there are still plenty of options for travelers seeking something different, such as a smaller ship or unique or custom-made itinerary. For example, Special Expeditions offers the 70-passenger sister ships Sea Lion or Sea Bird for cruises that have a distinct focus on wildlife, including an escort staff of naturalists. Other smaller operators have been known to include more unique cruise destinations such as Unalaska or Nome.

Most Alaska cruises include travels through the Inside Passage and many visit Glacier Bay National Park. Common stopover points include the Southeast Alaska communities of Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau and Skagway. Gulf of Alaska itineraries also may include stops in Southcentral Alaska at Valdez or Seward. Most companies operate between May and September.

In-total, the following major cruise companies have scheduled Alaska sailings in 1996: Norweigan Cruise Lines; Royal Caribbean Cruise Line; Royal Cruises; Society Expeditions, World Explorer Cruises; Wilderness Cruises; Crystal; Cunard; Clipper; Alaska Sightseeing/Cruise West; Princess Cruises and Tours; Holland America Line, as well as the newcomers Celebrity, Carnival and Seaborn.

To start planning your Alaska cruising vacation contact your travel agent. You'll also want to order your free copy of the Official State Vacation Planner by calling 1-800-862-5272.