The Alaska Cruise Association executive director, John Binkley, remarked that the deep discounts are necessary as cruise operators are seeing some of their worst sales in years.

He added that although this is the time of year travelers begin booking summer cruises the season is still months away and sales could improve as the time approaches.

The cheapest Alaska cruise offered by a major cruise line last year was $799 plus fees, according to figures released by the Alaska Tourism Industry Association.

As reported yesterday on Holidayinsiders.com, US leading Economists are predicting a significant impact on the cruise industry, who now have far to many ships to fill, with orders books bursting with even more new arrivals up to 2010.