TIP on shopping in Alaska. We were on a cruise ship last year that was one of the last for the season. We were in the Alaska coast towns and the shops knew it was the last week of ship tourist sales. Prices were cut to the bear bones and we even found shops willing to bargain. One shop owner told us after the cruise season many shop owners close and head south for the winter and don't want to leave any merchandise on the shelves. This shop owner was heading back to Hong Kong.