Alaskan cruises are the best way to experience coastal Alaska, from the lush, green rain forest in the south to the massive, mystical fjords and glaciers of the north.
You see and experience the best Alaska has to offer on a cruise, and you get to do so with exceptional service, dining, activities, and entertainment.
Most Alaskan cruises follow either a northbound or southbound itinerary, running between Seward or Whittier in the north and Vancouver or Seattle in the south.
On your cruise, you may stop at any of a number of quaint ports and breathtaking parks and natural spots.
Since no most port cannot accommodate more than one or two cruise ships at a given time, cruise ships follow different itineraries, which tend to include stops in three of the following ports:
Sitka
Skagway
Icy Straight Point (Hoonah)
Haines
Juneau
Ketchikan
Prince Rupert, B.C.
Victoria, B.C.
Each port has its own unique character and activities, so when planning your cruise, make sure to take note of which ports a particular ship stops in.
My favorite ports are Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway. Juneau is the largest of the ports, but with just over 30,000 inhabitants, it is hardly an intimidating metropolis.
Skagway has the richest history of these three cities, with many of its buildings dating back to the Klondike Gold Rush of 1899. Skagway is also the gateway to the Yukon Territory, and several wonderful bus and train tours of the Yukon are available during your port stops here.
Ketchikan is situated on an island just off the mainland. This island is in turn protected by several adjacent islands, giving the place the feel more of a river town than a coastal city.
But Ketchikan is a salt water port, and the salmon fishing here is among the best in the world.
In addition to your three port stops, your cruise will most likely stop in the College Fjord off the Prince William Sound near Valdez. This area has some of the most magnificent glaciers in all of Alaska.
Your cruise will also probably stop in either Glacier Bay National Park, Tracy Arm Fjord, or Misty Fjords National Monument.
If you have your choice of the three locations, I recommend selecting a cruise that visits Glacier Bay, as it is simply amazing.
However, all three of these areas are beyond beautiful, and it is hard to go wrong with any Alaska cruise itinerary.
Alaskan cruises provide a great mix of on-board sightseeing and entertainment with on-shore excursion opportunities.
Make sure you spend enough time investigating the shore excursion possibilities in each of your cruise's port stops.
Selecting the right shore excursions for your personal taste and fitness level can really make your cruise unforgettable.
So spend time selecting the right cruise itinerary and shore excursions - you'll be glad you did once you are on your cruise, enjoying the amazing scenery, wildlife, and recreational opportunities that Alaska has to offer.
