Cruise Alaska

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Not like any other place on earth, Alaska is vast kingdom of snow encrusted mountains, expansive glaciers and wide open tundra that is home to an incredible variety of wildlife. Visitors typically experience first hand viewing of grizzly bears fishing in clear mountain streams, humpback whales migrating south for the winter, Orcas stalking their prey contained within the untamed wilderness of Alaska. Cruising Alaska is an experience like no other. The primary Ports of Call in Alaska provide a wide array of visual treats and land based excursion opportunities. Among the most popular cruising grounds and ports are counted Anchorage (Alaska’s largest community and minutes from a plethora of recreational opportunities), Haines, Ketchikan (an island city with incredible examples of Native American culture and favorite stop for fishermen), Nome, Seward, Valdez, Juneau (Alaska’s capital and often considered the most beautiful capital city in the USA), Sitka (the previous Russian outpost that displays the raw beauty of Sitka Sound and Mount Edgecomb, a dormant volcano that seems to rise from the Sound), Juneau, Skagway (an idyllic throwback fishing village cradled in the lap of the Coast Mountains), Tracy Arm Fjord (80 kilometers of chiseled ice replete with waterfalls, falling ice and prolific wildlife), and Hubbard Glacier. The picturesque Canadian cities of Victoria and Vancouver are also included on many itineraries. Cruises to and in Alaska usually take one of 3 forms: Inside Passage cruises, Gulf of Alaska cruises and small ship Expedition-Style cruises. The Inside Passage has been the traditional way to cruise Alaska, with most ships sailing round-trip from Vancouver or Seattle, through glacier country as far north as Skagway or Juneau. The Gulf of Alaska cruises cover more territory as they travel from Vancouver or Seattle through the Inside Passage up to Seward/Anchorage (or the reverse). Small expedition-style ships explore isolated ports and remote waterways inaccessible to large ships, and enable cruisers to view glaciers and wildlife in a more intimate fashion. The Inland Passage that parallels British Columbia, Canada is the world’s longest sheltered inland waterway and the home of humpback whales and highly entertaining Orcas (Sometimes called “Killer Whales”, SeaWorld’s Shamu is one). Glacier Bay with its National Park is home to 15 glaciers, humpback whales, sea otters, numerous sea birds and unbelievable natural sights. The prime cruising season in Alaska runs from May to September, with July and August the most popular months. Seemingly, the most popular Alaskan cruise is a seven day Vancouver-to-Vancouver (or Seattle) journey which may include stops in Juneau, Ketchikan, Glacier Bay National Park and Sitka. This routing is an excellent introduction to the scenic wonders of southeastern Alaska and Glacier Bay or perhaps to include the Hubbard Glacier, depending on the itinerary. Another popular option is a 7 to 10 day venture from Vancouver/Seattle to Seward (perhaps the reverse), with exposure to significantly more of the Alaskan scenery north of the Panhandle. This routing is popular with cruisers hoping to include a land tour while in Alaska. In addition to cruises with embarkation in Vancouver, British Columbia and Seattle, Washington options exist for cruisers to board vessels in Los Angeles or San Francisco, California or a cruise to Alaska can be included in a much broader itinerary. Your dreams may include a visit to the largest and least densely populated State in the USA, Alaska to behold the natural beauty of the vast wilderness. Add this adventure to your list and start planning the best ship and itinerary to satisfy your fantasy. Cruising Alaska will allow you to see the incredible sights from the platform of your floating hotel. Many cruisers that have made this journey return home only to start planning their return visit to Alaska.

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