Cruise Alaska – The Top of the World

Alaska is a tourist destination like no other.

The best time to visit this rather large slice of paradise is between May and October. Taking a cruise to Alaska is one of the most popular ways to travel in this part of the world, and there is something for everyone.

Cruising in Alaska is like nowhere else on Earth. Cruises depart weekly between May and October and are generally a week long.

Once on board, you can truly relax and take your pick of activities, knowing that everything else has been taken care of. There is a great sense of community on board a cruise ship and it is an excellent way to travel with friends.

There are 586,000 square miles in Alaska and almost as many possibilities. It is a wild and untamed landscape offering wildlife viewing, sea kayaking, salmon fishing, panning for gold and guided glacier hikes.

Most cruises to Alaska depart or return to Vancouver or Seattle. Smaller ship cruise lines can offer a more extensive Alaska cruise experience because they can hug the coastline and visit destinations larger ships don’t have access to.

Below are some highlights of Northern America and Alaska for your to-do list.

Vancouver, Canada

Vancouver is a cosmopolitan city with a rich cultural mix. Here you will find the second-largest Chinatown in North America, historic Gastown featuring the town’s first saloon, and world-famous Stanley Park. The list of excursions is long, including visits to the Lion’s Gate Bridge, Granville Island Public Market, the Vancouver Art Gallery, Queen Elizabeth Park and the Maritime Museum. For a striking panoramic view of the city, climb the Vancouver Lookout Tower.

Seattle – USA

This bustling Pacific Northwest port known as the “The Emerald City” is both a culturally rich metropolis and a gateway to beautiful natural attractions. In the shadows of the widely recognised Space Needle, the Seattle Centre is home to the city’s sports arena and many museums and theatres. The lively Pike Place Market and the mammoth “Hammering Man” sculpture are downtown must-sees. Visitors also flock to the waterfront for fresh seafood, the Harbour Steps Park or to board a ferry bound for Puget Sound.

Juneau – Alaska

This capital city is a dramatic sight with a backdrop of lush green mountains. Visitors here can drive, float, paddle or take a helicopter to the monumental Mendenhall Glacier. Other popular excursions include cruising along the straits and sounds of the Tongass National Forest, prospecting for gold at the original site of gold discovery or visiting the Alaska State Museum and the Alaska Brewing Company.

Ketchikan – Alaska

A traveller’s first view of this Inside Passage port town may be of a boat-filled harbour enveloped in snow-capped mountains. The rustic city of Ketchikan has been called the totem pole capital of the world. Tours show off the city’s streets, restored from the pioneer days; the harbour’s salmon canneries; and the world’s oldest collection of totem poles at the Totem Heritage Centre. Sport fishing, kayaking, hiking, bear watching and Misty Fjords seaplane excursions are also popular.

Skagway – Alaska

As the northernmost point of the Inside Passage, the town reflects its mining past in the false-front buildings and gold rush relics. Tourists can experience the majesty of White Pass summit and the Yukon territory aboard the railway, paddle to Glacier Bay and Chilkoot Bald Eagle Preserve, get a close-up view of the natural beauty on a wilderness safari, soar over glaciers on a helicopter tour or, for those who catch the fever, pan for gold.

Sitka – Alaska

Just across the water from snow capped Mount Edgecumbe, Sitka displays its brilliant history. Tourists will find the onion-domed Russian Orthodox cathedral reminiscent of its Czarist past. The charming town is known for its picturesque views and thriving fishing industry. Shore excursions are plentiful, including wildlife viewing, sea kayaking, sport fishing and cruising Silver Bay, but the city also lends itself to adventures on foot or by bike.

Whittier – Alaska

A small wilderness community, inaccessible by road until 2000, Whittier is a gateway to Anchorage. The route between Whittier and Anchorage is along beautiful Turnagain Arm, famous for its sweeping tidal changes, in the shadow of the Chugach Range. The city’s location in a prime wildlife-watching area pays off — visitors can see Dall sheep, mountain goats, beluga whales, bald eagles and many other species.

Anchorage – Alaska

Nestled between the Alaska Range and the Chugach Mountains, Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city. Surrounded by unspoiled wilderness, this port offers multi-cultural experiences and adventure. Take a city tour and visit the Museum of Art and History, or bike or walk along a coastal trail. Many passengers take a pre- or post-cruise trip to Denali National Park; it’s home to a variety of wildlife and Mount McKinley, North America’s tallest peak.

Contact your local travel agent for booking information about cruises to Alaska.