Vacation Herald

Alaska is a land of enchantment. It is situated high above the other forty-nine states like a jewel in a crown. One way to see this beautiful state is from the decks of a cruise ship.

Has taking a cruise ever crossed your mind? Tourists don’t have to lift a finger to do anything. The purpose of cruising is to relax and enjoy the surroundings. A cruise to Alaska is no different. Some believe that a cruise is the best way to see the state of Alaska and all it has to offer.

Alaska has a lot to offer vacationers. Tourists can travel along the Inside Passage to various ports of call. Also known as the “Panhandle”, visitors are treated to cities like Sitka, Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan. Many may not know these names but each is a part of the beautiful landscape that is Alaska.

There are several waterways in Alaska that are visited when on a cruise ship. Other Alaska cruise travel options include exploring Prince William Sound, the Bering Sea, and the Gulf of Alaska. For students of history, a piece of land used to connect our continent with the European continent and animals traversed the Bering land bridge. A variety of wildlife surrounds these waterways along with other interesting views.

Prevalent in these waters is glaciers. One of the most well known is Columbia Glacier. Glaciers are moving ice forms that can be as massive below the surface as they are above. Glaciers have formed over millions of years and are pieces of the past existing in the present for all to enjoy.

National parks are dominant in Alaska. Two that can be visited while on a relaxing Alaskan cruise are Glacier Bay National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park which features Hubbard Glacier. For the more adventurous among cruising tourists, you can actually land on a glacier and go for a walk! Helicopter rides can be secured during shore excursions and people can actually have the opportunity to see these ancient ice blocks up close and personal.

Alaskan cruises can be booked for a week at a time or for shorter time periods. Weeklong cruises include trips along the Inside Passage which includes the islands northward along Alaska’s coast stretching from British Columbia to Juneau and up to Skagway. Alaskan glaciers have the option of roundtrip cruises or one-way passages that usually originate in Seattle, Washington, or Vancouver, British Columbia.

Day trips to various cities are highlights of shorter cruises. One can visit Prince William Sound and Columbia Glacier. On the Gulf of Alaska, cruisers can see cities like Kodiak and Seward. We know Kodiak because of the bears that live there. Tourists have plenty of expedition and shore excursion options to see the native Alaska wildlife.

Alaska has a lot of untouched country. The land is still the way it was thousands and thousands of years ago. Visitors can see bears, sea lions, eagles, and other animals we rarely get to view unless we go to a zoo or animal park. Seeing these animals in their native habitat adds a new dimension to their character for us.

What do most people want to see when they visit Alaska? Yes, whales! Cruising to Alaska offers tourists the chance to partake in whale watching expeditions. Ready your camera for some awesome photographs.

There are several cruise lines that service the many ports in Alaska. All are similar but your personal tastes may make one more inviting than another. Holland America cruise lines provide a theme of Old World European style for their guests. Princess Cruise lines are more modern and appeal to a larger number of travelers because of their up-to-date amenities and comfort. Carnival Cruises are great for families traveling with children because there are many options for activities that suit everybody. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cruise lines also visit ports of call in Alaska.

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