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When traveling to Alaska, cruises through the Inside Passage are truly the best way to go. Why, you may ask? What makes the Alaska cruise experience so unique compared to land-based tours?
One thing many people don't know about the sights of Alaska is that a large portion of the most amazing spots are located in the southern "panhandle" portion of the state in rugged coastal areas that are inaccessible to cars or other vehicles.
Therefore, the best way to see many of these places, from the vast tidewater glaciers to the soaring peaks and lush rainforest of the Inside Passage, is on a cruise ship.
Denali National Park/Mt. McKinley
There are alternatives, but they are actually all more expensive and mostly less convenient than cruise ships.
These alternatives include small ship cruises, float plane trips, and excursion or adventure cruises.
The main advantage to some of these alternatives is that they allow you to get even closer to the action than on a large cruise ship, including exploring within the fjords and glacier areas by foot and even sea kayak.
But you can generally plan shore excursions from larger cruise ships that allow you to experience many of these same things. A huge advantage of a large cruise line is the sheer variety of onboard activities and dining options available, which allow you to explore the remote beauty of Alaska in luxury and comfort.
Of course, you can always add on a pre or post cruise inland tour in order to explore even more of the state than is possible on a cruise alone.
Juneau, Alaska
Some of the places you can only visit by air or sea include Glacier Bay National Park, Juneau (pictured above), Ketchikan, Sitka, Tray Arm Fjord, and Misty Fjords National Monument.
All these places are simply amazing, though my personal favorite is Glacier Bay, with its dozens of tidewater glaciers and stunning mountain peaks that rise up over 15,000 feet within just miles from the bay itself.
While it is possible to visit Juneau and Skagway by plane or ferry, the coast is prohibitive when you factor in motels that run upwards of $300 during the tourist season and ferry tickets that are themselves not exactly cheap.
So if you are interested in seeing the great state of Alaska, consider booking a cruise, saving some money, and having an incredible time while you're at it.
It's sure to be an experience you will never forget.
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