Alaska Cruises, how good are they

I know the season for cruising to Alaska is over, but it is good to start thinking about next year and exploring whether a cruise to the 49th State would be good for a vacation. One of the main reasons to start researching about an Alaska Cruise is, unlike the Caribbeam, where one can find a cruise anytime during the year, Alaska has a short season. Cruises start as early as late May and end by the beginning of October, this is approximately a four month period to choose from.

Late May and the month of September are considered low season travel, as these months can be cool and maybe rainy. Summer does not officially begin until June 21st, and ends with the onset of autumn September 21st. That is the official dateline, but weather-wise it can be different.

For those who enjoy - or do not mind - cooler or wet weather the cruise companies offer very attractive rates for taking a cruise during this period, and getting a reservation is easier. For those who "must have the summer sailings" now is the time to begin - getting your vacation dates and finding the cruise of your choice - the closer you get to the "Summer Alaska season" - late June, July and August - the harder it is to get just what you want.

The most popular cruises to Alaska are the 7-day Inside Passage Cruises, these are round trip - either from Vancouver or Seattle, depending on the cruise line, and they stop at the coastal towns. "Ketchikan, Skagway, Sitka, and Juneau the Capital, but they also cruise Tracy Arms Fjord giving one an awesome experience, not easily matched on other cruises.

Skagway was once a lawless boom town during the heyday of the Klondike Gold Rush in 1898. Since those days, Skagway has become a top tourist destination, with the old "gold-rush buildings now located in one area, and easily accessible on a walking tour. Some of the more lurid sites can be seen on a walking tour of the area.
1. Jeff Smith's Parlor, looks much as it did in the gold rush days. Jeff was a con-man who ruled the town from his arrival in 1897 until he as shot by a Sureyor :Frank Reed", and now rests in the town cemetry.
2. The Red Onion Saloon was built in 1898 and was used as a dance hall and Bordello. The "working-girls" (mannequins) can be seen leering down from the end store windows.
3. On the corner of 3rd and Broadway stands Mascot Block where Mascot Saloon known in the past as the "roughest place in the world" still stands - and operated as a saloon until 1916 when Prohibition closed it.
4. The curtain has risen at Eagles Hall with the popular "Days of "98" show since 1927, and is the longest running theatre production.

Ketchikan is the first stop on the northbound cruises of the inside Passage, it is located on an Island and is the fourth largest city in Alaska. The name is from the Tlingit Indians and means "eagle with spread out wings", a reference to a nearby waterfall.

Ketchikan Creek is one of the few places you won't miss, as it is located right in the heart of downtown. The earliest inhabitant were the Tlingit Indians who set up their summer fishing camps along it's shores. Creek Street's wooden boardwalk lies along the shoreline, and was once home to the city's bordelloes. Today it is home to restaurants, gift shops, art galleries, and museums.

South of town is Saxman Native Village which has one of the largest standing collections of Totem Poles, a native dancing show, and a lumberjack show.

Totem Bight State Historical Park has the world's oldest collection of Totem Poles dating from 1920, along with a Clan House in the Heritage center, it is now on the National Register of Historical Places. Here also one can catch sight of Bald Eagles as they are known to frequent the park.

Tracey Arms Fjord is not far from Juneau, most ships on an Inside Passage cruise, will sail through it going all the way to Sawyer Glacier, before sailing back out. During the 5 hour cruise it is possible to see - icebergs of all sizes floating in the water, seal pups sunning themselves on bergs, bald eages overhead, mountain goats and even whales.

Juneau is the Capital of Alaska with the interesting fact - it can not be accessable by road - as it is sandwiched between a coastal mountain range and the Pacific Ocean. It has one of the most interesting shore excursions - a helicopter flight to the Mendenhall Glacier - which actually lands on the glacier so that you can walk on it. Other places of interest is "Saint Nicholos Orthodox Russian Church" an ornate structure that was built by the Tlingits in 1893. It is also possible to take a ten minutes walk from where the ship comes in to the Alaska State Museum that covers the history of the State.

The Mount Roberts Tramway runs from the docks to Mount Roberts - one of the peaks overlooking the city - beside the spectacular view, there are hiking trails, for those so inclined. Like beer, then take a tour of the Alaska Brewing Company, where the give a tour and free tastes.

Sitka is the fourth largest city in Alaska, and was occupied by the Russians from the 1800's, until it was purchased by the United States in 1867. Among the many places of interest, that can be visited by passengers from a cruise ship are -
1. St Michael's Cathedral built in 1844 and is representative of the Russian occupancy.
2. The Alaska Raptor Center, a 30 minutes walk east downtown area, it is a hospital for the care of injured raptors, and their release back into the wilds.
3. Sitka National Historical Park - was established in 1910 to preserve native art, and the site of the battle between Europeans and the Tlingits. It also has a Totem Trail. Here the cultgures of the Tlingits, Russian and Americans are displayed.

Seven days, is not enought time to see the wonders that these cities on the Inside Passage have to offer, but it is a beginning. The next time you plan to cruise to Alaska cruise on one that goes all the way to Whittier. It is also the subject of my next article - "Alaska Cruises, how good are they - Part 2"