Sometimes I think that even if nobody new ever went on a first-ever cruise to Alaska, the cruise industry would stay busy with Alaskan cruises just taking people who've already been there back again...and again.
The largest state in a very large country, Alaska is probably not the place you think it is. First, it is a vast land where civilization exists in outposts against a wilderness background. There are many parts of Alaska where animals outnumber people.
The wilderness theme crops up where you would least expect it. Try to get in and out of the state's capital city, Juneau, and you find that you need to do it by boat or plane. The place is not accessible by car.
Flying is altogether a normal way of going from point A to point B in Alaska. The state has made flight-seeing popular since so many great natural attractions were best accessed from the air.
Alaska also has a railroad system that was built specifically to show off the state's enthralling natural beauty. Though not extensive, you can travel by rail in Alaska in dome-topped luxury club cars and see the mountains, valleys, and wildlife from the comfort of a luxury vehicle.
That's not such a very different concept from cruising, where you can sail by glaciers, mountains, wildlife, and postcard-perfect scenery all without leaving the comfort of the balcony of your stateroom. (If you like to travel inside stateroom to save money, you can watch this from the many public rooms on the ship.)
If you cruise to Alaska, expect to find chilly temperatures, even in summer. Factor in the breeze off the water and the chill when the sun sets and you can see why a cruise to Alaska requires you to take what passes for winter wear in some of our more southern states.
Of course, that has never stopped adventurous souls from appreciating Alaska. The state has a very diverse history. First, it's the only part of the United States that was ever once part of Russia. You may find Russian artifacts, habits, and even souvenirs in some places. When Seward bought Alaska for the U.S. in the 19th century, the deal was negotiated with Russia.
Early in its American history, Alaska became the sight of a gold stampede as lots of miners headed north to make their fortunes. A few even planned to pan for gold.
Today, Alaska is more concerned with "black gold," or its native oil reserves. Despite abundant natural wealth and beauty, life and even tourism in Alaska isn't always easy. Many products and services in Alaska are expensive, at least by lower-48 standards. The climate is cold and can be hostile, so travel requires a lot of advanced preparation and some physical hardiness.
That's why an Alaskan cruise makes sense, particularly for those modern-day adventurers who aren't so sure they want to climb a mountain of ice to see a glacier or struggle along an unpaved road in an off-road vehicle in the snow to get to the next town.
When shopping for an Alaskan cruise, look at the excursions that are offered. Most cruise ships offer plenty of time for you to soak up on-board activities, so you should take advantage of whatever shore excursions best match your interests.
Want to see polar bears? Go whale watching? Go fly fishing? Flight-see around a glacier? Shop for native art? Drive a dog sled? Most Alaskan cruises offer great excursions like these.
Some cruise shoppers penny pinch for excursions, but it is usually a better deal to penny pinch on a stateroom. Here's why. The biggest part of your bill in seeing Alaska is getting there. That's your cruise fare. Once you're there, you may be able to flight-see or whale watch or do other once-in-a-lifetime thing for a few hundred dollars.
Think of it this way. If you wanted to go fishing for Alaskan king salmon, right this minute, you'd have to get to Alaska and then charter a fishing trip.
If you wanted to whale watch today, you'd have to get to Alaska and then book passage on a whale-watching expedition.
On the cruise, you're already there. You're just paying a supplement or up - charge for these incredible experiences. If you have to economize, you're better off making do with a smaller or inside stateroom and getting the excursions.
Years from now, you won't remember your cruise so much from what your room was like but rather the excursions you had.
Mandy Karlik loves to travel and wishes she was on a cruise ship to Alaska right now. If you're not on an Alaskan cruise, either, find out how to get there by going to http://www.thecruise-shopper.com
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Friday, June 29, 2007
The Best Way To See Alaska Is On An Alaskan Cruise
Nothing is more fun and exciting than taking a cruise. But why not go one step further and take a cruise in Alaska. It is just a matter of making up your mind that it is time to take an Alaskan cruise and see one of the natural wonders of the world. An Alaskan cruise will be a beautiful memory.
There are various ways to cruise in Alaska; here are a just few of them:
• Alaska Inland Cruise – you will have the chance to visit all the inland wonders of Alaska. You will surely be captivated with icebergs and glaciers. It is truly amazing to see walls of ice that are thousands and thousands of years old. When you see the icebergs “calving” you will be awed. The Alaskan inland cruise is offered by all of the Alaskan cruise ships.
• Alaska Day Cruise is just what it states, a tour on a day cruise. You can have a face to face with a huge wall of ice on an Alaskan day cruise. Or experience the beauty of dancing humpback whales. Of course, this is only practical for people who are doing a land package in Alaska.
• Alaska Celebrity Cruise – this is the so-called first class cruise of Alaskan ships. You will experience more royal treatment with a Celebrity cruise. On the other hand, this is a little more expensive among all the Alaskan cruises.
The usual attractions that passengers love about Alaskan cruises are the humpback whales, deep sea fishing and sailing through the Fjords and glaciers. The sights you will see will amaze you. Nothing can compare to the magic of Alaskan cruises. This is the only place where you will see the mighty glaciers and experience incredible wildlife.
The Alaskan cruise package that you choose will also determine the length of your stay. Usually, most Alaskan cruises are seven-day cruises. This is enough time for you to explore the intriguing ports of Alaska. However, the length of your stay can also be extended to as long as 14 days.
The other option is to book a day or two pre or post-cruise package where you can stay in Anchorage or even Vancouver. Many of the cruise lines run what is called land tours. This is where you take your cruise than you board a train that will take you through Alaska to places like the Denali National Park. It includes first rate accommodations and usually lasts 10-14 days including your Alaskan cruise.
Consider the size of the ship before you book your Alaskan cruise. On a smaller ship you will have less passengers and less competition for the incredible views. The smaller ships can also get into smaller coves that are less traveled.
On the bigger ships with more than a thousand passengers, it is harder for you to get out of the crowd, get a closer look, or even touch one the glaciers. But be aware that on the larger ships you will find more amenities.
Find the best Alaskan cruise that will fit your needs. When taking an Alaskan Cruise be sure to book some of the Alaskan cruise tours offered by the cruise line. Some of the tours offer amazing trips like a helicopter ride where you will land on one the glaciers. If you want to experience a real adventure, book the tour where you go dog sledding. (Book it early –it sells out fast). Go to a salmon hatchery and watch the bears eating the fish.
Nothing will ever compare with an Alaskan cruise; this will be a cruise of lifetime.
What are you waiting for?
Happy Cruising!
Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.
This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.
Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at: http://www.CruiseGold.com, http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com, and http://www.CruisingTips.com
There are various ways to cruise in Alaska; here are a just few of them:
• Alaska Inland Cruise – you will have the chance to visit all the inland wonders of Alaska. You will surely be captivated with icebergs and glaciers. It is truly amazing to see walls of ice that are thousands and thousands of years old. When you see the icebergs “calving” you will be awed. The Alaskan inland cruise is offered by all of the Alaskan cruise ships.
• Alaska Day Cruise is just what it states, a tour on a day cruise. You can have a face to face with a huge wall of ice on an Alaskan day cruise. Or experience the beauty of dancing humpback whales. Of course, this is only practical for people who are doing a land package in Alaska.
• Alaska Celebrity Cruise – this is the so-called first class cruise of Alaskan ships. You will experience more royal treatment with a Celebrity cruise. On the other hand, this is a little more expensive among all the Alaskan cruises.
The usual attractions that passengers love about Alaskan cruises are the humpback whales, deep sea fishing and sailing through the Fjords and glaciers. The sights you will see will amaze you. Nothing can compare to the magic of Alaskan cruises. This is the only place where you will see the mighty glaciers and experience incredible wildlife.
The Alaskan cruise package that you choose will also determine the length of your stay. Usually, most Alaskan cruises are seven-day cruises. This is enough time for you to explore the intriguing ports of Alaska. However, the length of your stay can also be extended to as long as 14 days.
The other option is to book a day or two pre or post-cruise package where you can stay in Anchorage or even Vancouver. Many of the cruise lines run what is called land tours. This is where you take your cruise than you board a train that will take you through Alaska to places like the Denali National Park. It includes first rate accommodations and usually lasts 10-14 days including your Alaskan cruise.
Consider the size of the ship before you book your Alaskan cruise. On a smaller ship you will have less passengers and less competition for the incredible views. The smaller ships can also get into smaller coves that are less traveled.
On the bigger ships with more than a thousand passengers, it is harder for you to get out of the crowd, get a closer look, or even touch one the glaciers. But be aware that on the larger ships you will find more amenities.
Find the best Alaskan cruise that will fit your needs. When taking an Alaskan Cruise be sure to book some of the Alaskan cruise tours offered by the cruise line. Some of the tours offer amazing trips like a helicopter ride where you will land on one the glaciers. If you want to experience a real adventure, book the tour where you go dog sledding. (Book it early –it sells out fast). Go to a salmon hatchery and watch the bears eating the fish.
Nothing will ever compare with an Alaskan cruise; this will be a cruise of lifetime.
What are you waiting for?
Happy Cruising!
Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.
This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.
Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at: http://www.CruiseGold.com, http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com, and http://www.CruisingTips.com
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Taking an Alaskan Cruise - What to Pack
Packing in general can be a hassle. But when going on an Alaskan cruise, it can be even harder because of the colder weather. Here are some general suggestions to make this task a little easier.
Casual clothing – You will want to take some casual clothing for the daytime. This will include jeans, cords, turtlenecks, and sweaters.
Dress in layers – If you dress in layers, you can add or subtract layers as the weather dictates.
Outerwear – You probably will not need a heavy down coat if you dress in layers, however, you will need a jacket.
Dinner wear – You will want to dress up for dinner each night. If you stick to a core wardrobe color, you can mix and match. Use bold accessories such as pins, necklaces, and scarves to change up the look.
Shoes – Try to plan your wardrobe around one basic color so that your shoes will match everything. Of course, dinner shoes will be different from every-day shoes.
Misc – Remember to take your camera and binoculars. Don’t forget the film and extra batteries. An umbrella may also be needed.
By packing this way, you may be able to get everything into one suitcase and a backpack that you can carry with you on the plane. You’ll be prepared and worry free!
Copyright © 2005 Susan Daniel and Debbie Overstreet
About Susan and Debbie: Susan and Debbie are internet marketers. You can review more articles and Web sites on Alaskan cruises by visiting http://www.gocruisevacations.com
Casual clothing – You will want to take some casual clothing for the daytime. This will include jeans, cords, turtlenecks, and sweaters.
Dress in layers – If you dress in layers, you can add or subtract layers as the weather dictates.
Outerwear – You probably will not need a heavy down coat if you dress in layers, however, you will need a jacket.
Dinner wear – You will want to dress up for dinner each night. If you stick to a core wardrobe color, you can mix and match. Use bold accessories such as pins, necklaces, and scarves to change up the look.
Shoes – Try to plan your wardrobe around one basic color so that your shoes will match everything. Of course, dinner shoes will be different from every-day shoes.
Misc – Remember to take your camera and binoculars. Don’t forget the film and extra batteries. An umbrella may also be needed.
By packing this way, you may be able to get everything into one suitcase and a backpack that you can carry with you on the plane. You’ll be prepared and worry free!
Copyright © 2005 Susan Daniel and Debbie Overstreet
About Susan and Debbie: Susan and Debbie are internet marketers. You can review more articles and Web sites on Alaskan cruises by visiting http://www.gocruisevacations.com
Monday, June 25, 2007
Discount Alaska Cruises
The prices of Alaskan cruises are generally higher than cruises to other locations such as the Caribbean and the Bahamas. Despite that, their popularity is ever-increasing, and the growing demand naturally pushes the price higher. However, there are many ways of obtaining discounts on Alaska cruises.
One of the surest ways to get a good discount on Alaskan cruises is to book during the winters. Though Alaska has extreme winter conditions from December to January, a cruise can be booked in October when the winters are just setting in. Winters are off-season and the cruise lines try to make the most of it. Hence, the off season cruises are low in price, in an attempt to attract people. A weekend Alaskan cruise can be available for less than $500 during the winter.
Most ships that cruise in Alaska during the summer turn to warmer southern locations in the winter. Generally, these ships have to move southward without passengers. Such rerouting ships may conduct one-way southbound cruises to earn some money. Rerouting cruises are very cheap compared to regular cruises. However, rerouting cruises have their disadvantages. Rerouting ships do not give much scope for exploration, and many locations that are part of regular cruises are missed by rerouting cruises. Also, people booking for these cruises have to manage return journeys on their own, and airfares may be exorbitant.
Sometimes people who have made bookings for cruises cancel their reservations. Such reservations are then available as last-minute cruises. As the time for the cruise approaches, the price of the cruise gets cheaper. Websites of cruise lines advertise such sudden vacancies, and people looking for a discount cruise can take advantage of such opportunities.
Booking a package deal, such as a cruise tour, provides a discount to the cruiser. A package vacation includes transport (to Vancouver, Seattle, Seward, or Whittier), lodging, food, and other facilities that normal cruises provide. Being reserved for a package entails high discounts sometimes, if a large group such as a family, friends, or staff is booked together.
Many credit cards have ongoing travel schemes for people who book cruises. Clubs and associations also provide such discounts for cruises.
Alaska Cruises provides detailed information on Alaska Cruise Lines, Alaska Cruise Reviews, Alaska Cruise Ships, Alaska Cruise Specials and more. Alaska Cruises is affiliated with Alaska Vacation Packages.
One of the surest ways to get a good discount on Alaskan cruises is to book during the winters. Though Alaska has extreme winter conditions from December to January, a cruise can be booked in October when the winters are just setting in. Winters are off-season and the cruise lines try to make the most of it. Hence, the off season cruises are low in price, in an attempt to attract people. A weekend Alaskan cruise can be available for less than $500 during the winter.
Most ships that cruise in Alaska during the summer turn to warmer southern locations in the winter. Generally, these ships have to move southward without passengers. Such rerouting ships may conduct one-way southbound cruises to earn some money. Rerouting cruises are very cheap compared to regular cruises. However, rerouting cruises have their disadvantages. Rerouting ships do not give much scope for exploration, and many locations that are part of regular cruises are missed by rerouting cruises. Also, people booking for these cruises have to manage return journeys on their own, and airfares may be exorbitant.
Sometimes people who have made bookings for cruises cancel their reservations. Such reservations are then available as last-minute cruises. As the time for the cruise approaches, the price of the cruise gets cheaper. Websites of cruise lines advertise such sudden vacancies, and people looking for a discount cruise can take advantage of such opportunities.
Booking a package deal, such as a cruise tour, provides a discount to the cruiser. A package vacation includes transport (to Vancouver, Seattle, Seward, or Whittier), lodging, food, and other facilities that normal cruises provide. Being reserved for a package entails high discounts sometimes, if a large group such as a family, friends, or staff is booked together.
Many credit cards have ongoing travel schemes for people who book cruises. Clubs and associations also provide such discounts for cruises.
Alaska Cruises provides detailed information on Alaska Cruise Lines, Alaska Cruise Reviews, Alaska Cruise Ships, Alaska Cruise Specials and more. Alaska Cruises is affiliated with Alaska Vacation Packages.
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