Planning
Your Alaska Cruise

Cruising Alaska

"Alaska is a fascinating place. The magnificent scenery, the glaciers and wildlife make it a natural paradise. Cruising provides the perfect way to see it all while enjoying the luxury and comfort of a modern cruise ship."

"The Inside Passage cruises, round-trip from Vancouver or Seattle, are convenient. These seven day cruises sail as far as Hubbard Glacier and back. One-way sailings to Whittier or Seward include beautiful Prince William Sound and College Fjord with a one-way flight to or from Anchorage."

Cruisetours

"Add a land tour to your one-way cruise to let you see more of Alaska. Denali Park, Fairbanks, Anchorage, the Kenai Peninsula, the Copper River area and even the Alaskan Arctic and Canada's Yukon can be seen pre or post cruise on cruisetours. Transfers are included in the cost and all the logistics are beautifully taken care of. Princess is currently offering free air between Seattle and Anchorage in conjunction with some cruisetours, an example of the kind of incentives cruise lines offer when you book a tour with your cruise."

"On a cruisetour you can enjoy the delightful experience of taking the train to Denali Park through the Alaskan bush with views of Mt. McKinley on clear days. Special carriages have plenty of outdoor viewing space for taking photos."

Educational Alaska

"Alaska is an excellent family vacation as there is so much for kids to learn and experience. In addition to adventures ashore, kids programs on board ship include an educational component. Princess Cruises' Junior Ranger program is a good example."

"Parents will also find Alaska to be an informative cruise since the on board naturalist delivers daily lectures and park rangers give a commentary on your glacier viewing day in Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay. As well, dancers and entertainers come on board for folkloric shows like the Klondike show in Skagway or the Russian dance display in Sitka."

(For more on educational enrichment programs in Alaska, see this month's Travel Style article.)

Excursion Recommendations

"The towns of Alaska are great for wandering around and discovering the local history. I recommend a half day of wandering and a half day excursion to give you a good idea of the ports of call."

"Cruise line excursions are well organized and safe. There's nothing to worry about as they will get you back to the ship before it sails, something that is especially good for first time visitors and elderly passengers."

"These are some of the excursions we suggest to clients heading for Alaska.

• Helicopter Flightseeing - This is the most spectacular way to see the mountains and icefields. Flying over Alaska is breathtaking. There are options to land on a glacier and even visit a dog sledding camp. The best selection is from Juneau and Skagway. Book early as these are popular.
• Salmon Bake, Ketchikan - You'll visit a park where the salmon run for a very pleasant afternoon. The life of the salmon is explained while you enjoy a delicious Alaskan lunch of baked salmon.
• Saxman Totem Park, Ketchikan - This is an excellent spot to take in the culture of the Tlingit people. In addition to many totem poles, you'll see a tribal house, carving centre and cultural hall for dance demonstrations.
• White Pass & Yukon Route Railway, Skagway - This historic train follows the Trail of '98 along the edge of the mountains. The views are spectacular while the excellent commentary explains how this amazing railway was built.
• Russian Sitka - This you can do on your own without an excursion. As you wander through the town of Sitka, the former Russian capital of Alaska, you will see the Russian influence in the architecture and St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Church. Russian arts, crafts and china are for sale in the shops. The Russian dance troupe is world famous and performs at the cultural centre not far from the tender pier."

Alaska Tips

• "You'll want an outside cabin on this cruise so you don’t miss the scenery or sea life as you sail by. Dolphins, otters and whales may be seen from your ship.
• Visit Alaska now while the glaciers are still active. They continue to recede at alarming rates.
• The weather can be unpredictable as you have the mountains and the sea together. It can be surprisingly hot even in September but you can also get rain anytime. The ship's covered swimming pool is a real advantage on rainy days. Also be prepared by wearing layers.
• Pack gloves, scarf and hat for glacier viewing and wearing in the mountains.
• Good walking shoes are must for the terrain and be sure to pack a rain jacket.
• If you have binoculars, take them along to study the scenery and spot animals while on deck or on a shore excursion. (Note that suites often have binoculars and an umbrella for your use so check the amenities before packing these items.)"

By Susan Milne