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Alaska -- A Few Facts
Did you know that Alaska, our 49th state, consists of 586,000 square miles? Here are a few other facts about this great state:
* It has the largest temperate rain forest in the United States.
* It holds the distinction of having the largest Eagle population in the world.
* Its wilderness area is 2 1/2 times the state of Texas.
* In 2005, some 900,000 people cruised the southeast coast of Alaska
If you have visions of untamed wilderness, soaring bald eagles and Humpback whales flapping their tails in the water, you will surely want to cruise Alaska's Inside Passage
The Inside Passage
There are a number of cruise ship lines that take their passengers to the breathtaking southeast coast of Alaska. Usually originating in Seattle, Washington or Vancouver, B.C., your cruise of this stunning landscape includes rugged coastlines, blue seas, plentiful wildlife and spectacular glacial and mountain vistas.
Ports Of Call
On an Inside Passage cruise you might spend a surreal morning leisurely meandering among nomadic icebergs in Tracy Arm, a 26-mile-long fjord that begins at the base of Sawyer Glacier. Stand on the deck of your luxury ship as the lush rain forest recedes and you enter a stunning canyon of bare rock.
What a thrill to stroll around a massive ship through iceberg-infested waters. You'll do just that when you cruise Glacier Bay, one of the most popular destinations for luxury cruise ships in Alaska. Glacier Bay has more actively calving tidewater glaciers than anywhere else in the world. Here is where you will likely see seals, Dall sheep, bears and, of course, the whales. Yes, definitely a thrill of a lifetime!
Your luxury cruise of Alaska's Inside Passage will stop in Ketchikan. Built out over the water and climbing weathered stairway, Ketchikan clings to the shores of Tongass Narrows and drapes the mountains with a cheerful air. While in port, you might want to tour the Totem Bight State Park, which boasts one of the largest collections of totem poles in the world. Or perhaps you'll just want to walk the streets of Ketchikan for souvenirs, at the same time soaking up some of the local history of Creek Street, once home to many brothels.
Another port of call for your luxury cruise ship will be Juneau, where you might want to tour Glacier Gardens, a temperate rain forest highlighted by a bumpy ride up a steep peak that provides an awesome view of the Gastineau Channels
The colorful gold-rush town of Skagway is another favorite port of many cruises passengers. Here cruise passengers can opt to take the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad train ride that consists of 20 miles of twists and turns, across bridges and through tunnels, to a 2,865-foot summit and back. Thousands of men took this same route in 1897 when seeking their fortunes in gold.
There is a mind-boggling choice of activities at the Alaska ports of call. For instance you can hire a helicopter for a hop to a glacier, hitch a ride on a dog sled, hike in a rain forest, view amazing native art, and go whale watching.
However, we must not forget about the fishing! On an Inside Passage cruise, those who are serious anglers can take sport fishing excursions in Ketchikan and Juneau -- world-class fishing at its best!
Luxury Abounds Onboard Ship
The luxury cruise ships of today offer plenty of things to do: lectures, shopping, bars, restaurants, swimming pools, hot tubs, internet centers, movies, live shows, casinos, wine-tasting, yoga, massages, line-dancing class, scavenger hunts, several dining options ... well, the list goes on and on!
Depending on the accommodations you've booked, your luxury cruise stateroom amenities may include a verandah, fresh flowers and fruit assortment, personalized cruise stationery, an elegant bathrobe for use on your cruise, massage showerhead, luxurious beds, a DVD player and access to an extensive DVD library, television, refrigerator ... Oh, and get this ... nightly turndown service! These luxurious ships boast wraparound Promenade decks, spacious public rooms and are even adorned with art and antiques.
These luxury cruise ships sail the Alaska coast from May through September. The prices in May and September are usually a bit lower since these months are at the edges of acceptable climate conditions.
The "Last Frontier"
A luxury cruise is the perfect way to sample the "last frontier." Hurry up, the wonderful world of Alaska's Inside Passage onboard a luxurious cruise ship is waiting for you. Oh yes, the line forms behind me! | 