Cruise Ship Vacations

The article below is from a series of travel articles, tips, videos and information about Alaska travel …

Alaska is an unforgettable experience, whether you’re just passing through on a cruise ship port stop or flying direct. It seems that there is a natural human instinct to seek out “the final frontier” and visit the thriving towns that can be found throughout this unique state. There are many nature reserves that give you that “I’m the only person in the world” sense. The Alaska that you experience depends upon the choices you make along the way, so here are some tours and options that you can select.

In Juneau, a classic Alaska tour is the “Four Glaciers By Helicopter & Dog Sled Adventure.” On this once-in-a-lifetime journey, you’ll fly over four real glaciers, which are the Taku, the Hole-in-the-Wall, Dead Branch and East Twin, while catching a bird’s eye view of moose, goats, bears and caribou. Then you will descend onto Norris Glacier where you’ll hook up with your Alaskan malamute and Alaskan husky dogsled team. Your tour guide will describe the 1,000-mile Iditarod Race that traverses from Anchorage to Nome. Your tour will include some hiking through crevasses and navigating streams for two hours of pure bliss. This journey is for the fearless, the cold-insensitive, the adventurous and the athletic.

Do you love the water but find the Alaskan cruise thing too far removed? Hoping for a relaxing and unique wildlife-spotting experience? In Haines, Alaska, you might find the “Wildlife River Adventure” more your speed. First, you’ll take a bus through this quaint one-horse town, then you’ll visit the world-renowned Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. You’ll jet-boat through the narrow glacial channels of the Chilkat River, exploring the Alaska wilderness with eagle-nested trees and the playful sea otter’s mud-and-snow-hut dens. The expedition ends with hot cocoa around a campfire or inside the heated pavilion.

As one of the last states to join the union, Alaska is a wealthy land of natural beauty, profitable oil and an abundance of wildlife. After summer solstice on June 21st, the days are long, with Ketchikan, Anchorage, Fairbanks and Barrow receiving 19.5 – 24 hours of sunlight per day. Summer temperatures are around 60 – 70 on the Inside Passage, where most cruise ships stay. You can find a seven-night Alaskan cruise for as little as $699, so what are you waiting for?

For more articles on great adventures, visit: Alaska