For adventure travelers, there
may be no better vacation trip than to Alaska, the country's last great
frontier. The Land of the Midnight Sun is home to glaciers and ice fields,
untamed wilderness and wildlife, towering mountain ranges and a thriving
native culture found nowhere else in North America.
A growing number of Alaska travelers are maximizing their vacation budgets
via sea-land cruise tours. Most people combine week-
long cruise sailings with complementary land tours to experience the sights,
sounds and people of the 49th state during the summer tourist season.
A recent nationwide Associated Press-Ipsos poll on American vacation
trends and attitudes ranked Alaska on the wish list of top travel
destinations. Tourism Web site http://www.inAlaska.com says some 1.3 million people
visit the state annually, with cruise tours in growing in popularity. More
than 35 percent of tourists visiting Anchorage, for example, arrive via cruise
ships according to the city's convention and visitors bureau.
"A visit to Alaska is truly memorable," says Bob Levinstein,
CruiseCompete's CEO. "A growing number of our customers are booking cruise
vacations to Alaska because of the value and convenience cruises have to
offer. While it's best to book sailings well in advance, cabins are still
available for this summer -- especially toward the end of August and in early
September."
Here are the Top Ten reasons to enjoy a cruise to Alaska:
- Glacier Viewing
There are about 100,000 glaciers in Alaska, covering
about 29,000 square miles. Depending on the specific cruise, travelers
typically visit one or more glacier areas, including Glacier Bay, Hubbard
Glacier, Sawyer Glacier in Tracy Arm Fjord, Mendenhall Glacier or the glaciers
in College Fjord. Lucky visitors can see and hear the thunder of glaciers
calving massive icebergs.
- Abundant Wildlife
The unspoiled land of Alaska is teaming with wildlife,
including bald eagles, owls, hawks, falcons and waterfowl to Kodiak brown
bears, polar bears, wolves, wolverines, moose, caribou and multiple varieties
of whales. (Alaskan naturalists estimate there is one bear for every 21
people living in the state!)
- Whale Watching
Cruise travelers visiting Alaska between June and early
September may see Humpback and Minke whales, Orcas, Pacific white-sided
dolphins and Dall's and Harbour porpoises from the deck of their ship.
Tourists also can go on optional whale-watching tours on small boats in search
of whale pods.
- Towering Mountain Ranges
Alaska is home to 16 of the 20 tallest
mountains in the United States, many of which are visible from cruise ships.
Tourists need to take a land tour, however, to visit Mt. McKinley, North
America's tallest mountain at 20,320 feet
- Northern Lights
Most of Alaska is ideal for viewing the northern lights,
also known as the aurora borealis. Cruise travelers see the night sky filled
with patches of green and red light.
- World-Class Fishing
Alaska is a fisherman's paradise and opportunities
abound to enjoy the sport in all ports of call. Full- and half-day guided
trips for king salmon, pink and silver salmon, sockeye, halibut, rainbow
trout, char and steelhead can be booked through the cruise line or separately.
Fishing excursion also provide for enjoying great scenery, glacier viewing and
sometime whale watching.
- Alaskan Ports of Call
Each port destination spot provides a unique
experience rich in history, Native American tradition and natural wonders.
Popular ports include Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Ketchikan, Nome and many
other smaller communities.
- Thriving Alaska Native Cultures
Inland visitors have the opportunity to
experience the art, music, dance and legends of unique Alaska native cultures.
Virtually every community in the state includes celebrations of the role
Native Alaskans play in their heritage.
- Outdoor Adventures
During stops in various cities and smaller ports-of-
call, tourists are invited to enjoy optional shore excursions to enhance their
vacations. They range from casual guided tours of the locales to high-
adventure white water rafting, bike tours, hiking, horseback riding, kayaking
and other outdoor activities for all ages. Shore excursions can be pre-booked
through the cruise line or separately through an individual outfitter.
- Endless Days
Alaska is known as the Land of the Midnight Sun because of
its long days the spring and summer, with up to 21 hours of daylight in some
locations. Cruisers are delighted to be traveling through the Inside Passage
and enjoying daylight views of the coastline late at night.
Source: PRNewswire
If you're gonna travel abroad, make sure you are prepared... take it from us, travel insurance is an absolute must!
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