When was the last time you saw an eagle descend from the sky, or stood in awe as a glacier cracked and an ice berg emerged? Imagine your sense of wonder as you glide past glacier after glacier or your first sight of a cresting whale. While we have much to be proud of in our Alberta parks, I think Alaska is Mother Nature’s most spectacular show piece.
This year over 30 ships are providing you the incredible delights of warm, pampering service combined with the awe of this magnificent journey. Remember, there are no roads to Glacier Bay, nor to many other top Alaskan attractions. That’s why exploring these pristine areas by ship is such a privilege and they provide the vacation essentials—luxurious rooms, scrumptious dining, relaxing spas, first-class entertainment for adults and children alike—and Alaska provides the scenery—picturesque villages bursting with culture, humpback whales swimming alongside, dense forestland engulfing the distance.
All you need to provide is the entire family. Cruise lines host a bevy of entertaining activities to keep all generations smiling wide and laughing loud during the voyage. And with Alaska and its coastal towns as the backdrop, the trip will provide ample time and opportunity to bring your children and grandchildren closer to your heart.
From May to September, premier cruise lines—such as Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises—set sail from Seattle or Vancouver. With each ship offering unique services while touching base at numerous historic ports, your best bet is to contact your local travel agent to find the right itinerary for you and your family.
Most ocean liners voyage along the great Alaskan shores by one of two routes: the Inside Passage or the Glacier Route. Vessels traveling the Inside Passage meander through the channels and fjords of Alaska's panhandle to hidden villages only gold miners know. You’ll be spellbound by the beauty of the Inside Passage. You’ll pass quiet bays, wooded islands, innumerable mountains and waterfalls cascading from granite cliffs - a panorama interrupted only by sightings of sea lions and whales frolicking in the waters around you. The Glacier Route bypasses the inner channels and follows the coastline further north, visiting unsurpassed glaciers and seaports en route to Seward, a stepping-stone to Anchorage and the interior.
The ports of call along either route rival the majestic scenery, beginning with your ship's likely starting point—Vancouver—considered by travel agents as one of the great cities of the western world. Picturesque and multicultural, Vancouver is worth an extra day before or after your cruise to explore a true Canadian gem.
Even more fun can be had as you visit ports as interesting as Ketchikan, southerly most port on the Inside Passage route and known as the “salmon capital of the world”. This port is also renowned the world over for its famous totems. Enjoy a stroll down famous Creek Street, the towns “red light” district; visit Misty Fjords, America’s newest national monument or attend the “Salmon Bake” and sample the local fare.
Juneau, Alaska’s capital and your first taste of the gold rush era, is a contrast of wild, natural country and thriving city. Explore the fascinating City Museum, quaint St. Nicholas Church and stop at Juneau’s favorite watering hole, the Red Dog Saloon. The treasures beyond the city limits will beckon you too. Tour Mendanhall Glacier by motorcoach or helicopter. This river of ice, with craggy rock sentinels 3,000 feet above sea level is a natural wonder.
The next stop is Skagway, a small town with major appeal. Skagway exploded overnight in 1898, when the town absorbed 20,000 prospectors during the Klondike Gold Rush. Today, Skagway is home to an old-fashioned Main Street with shopping you just won't find in the lower 48, while enchanting visitors with organized tours to the Trail of '98 Museum and the Gold Rush Cemetery where fool's gold glimmers in the headstones.
Just a brown bear's jog from Skagway is Glacier Bay National Park, where 13 glaciers combine to create a sight that will send your heart soaring to heights only eagles dare venture. From the ship you may witness the incredible sight of calving, when chunks of ice detach from a glacier and plummet to the sea, creating a sound so unique you will never forget it.
The last destination for many cruises is Seward, perched at the head of Resurrection Bay on the Kenai Peninsula. One of Alaska's oldest and most scenic communities, Seward provides an ideal launching point to Anchorage, where, on a clear day, you can peer past the moose traipsing through the streets and see North America's tallest mountain, Mount McKinley (20,320 ft.), 130 miles away in the heart of Denali National Park.
For those who prefer a more intimate inspection of the natural wonders of Alaska, then climb aboard a small ship. With cabins for around 100 guests, small ships, like those offered by Cruise West, can navigate narrow channels to explore off-the-beaten track. With more time between ports, boat captains often choose to linger while sea otters put on a show or to search for a pod of humpbacks after a nearby fisherman radios their location.
Discover the Alaska of legend from the comfort of the waters. Cruise ships allow you to relax in luxury and feast on the finest cuisine as your grandchildren play under the supervision of a cruise counselor. Cruising this wild coastline is a soothing vacation full of scenic adventure for the entire family.
Set your sights on Alaska— Contact http://SnoHeatTravel.com uncover the Alaska within yourself.
