The Great Land!
Everyone should go to Alaska just once, most who do want to return again and again! There is adventure for everyone here – Hiking glaciers, River-rafting, Salmon fishing alongside a Grizzly Bear! (near enough anyway!) And then of course there is Denali – the park and the mountain -truly spectacular to behold. Finally, there are the people who make their life in this beautiful but harsh region. From Juneau, to Anchorage to Fairbanks you find the people of Alaska to be warm, friendly and eager to share their experience of living in America’s last great frontier. There are 3 popular ways to tour sections of Alaska:
The Inside Passage – Most of these cruises sail roundtrip from either Vancouver Canada or Seattle Washington and visitors enjoy the temperate rainforests, glaciers, fjords, and coastal mountains as they cruise this inland waterway. Highlights are Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier and Tracy Arm Fjord as well as the huge populations of whales, sea lions, and seals. Alaska’s capital, Juneau, is the main city draw here. Visit Sitka to experience the state’s Russian influence and also you should check out native Alaskan totem collections there and in Ketchikan.
The Gulf of Alaska – These cruises are generally one way either Northbound to Seward Alaska (Anchorage) or Southbound back to Vancouver or Seattle. You get many of the same experiences with the addition of College Fjord and it is also the best choice if you want to explore more of the interior of Alaska on a Cruisetour!
Cruisetours – We highly recommend adding a 3 to 5-day land tour to either the beginning or the end of your Alaska cruise. This turns your cruise into a cruisetour and allows you to see areas of Alaska that are only reachable on land. The highlight is Denali National Park where wildlife sightings of Moose, Bear, Eagles and Mountain Goats are off the charts! Longer stays allow for options to visit the Kenai Peninsula and even the Yukon wilds of Canada. While on land you are hosted in wonderful lodges and domed train cars operated by the cruiseline.
Top Ways to Explore;
Inside Passage – Norwegian and Royal Caribbean (Family Cruise) – Princess (Couples and older children) – Windstar (Small Ship Adventure) – Cunard (Good mix of UK and US guests)
Gulf of Alaska – Princess Cruises (Families and Couples) – Celebrity (Couples) –
Cruisetours – Princess and (Family and Couples Cruise) – Holland America – (Mature Couples)
