Alaska Cruises, more to see and do, part 2

This is the follow-up to my Alaska Cruises - how good are they, part 1, which I hope you have read, either way you will find lots more information about cruising to Alaska, and the land tours - to make the trip that much more enjoyable.

Of course all the cruises go up the Inside Passage, but there are many cruise lines, that do roundtrip cruises from either Seattle or Vancouver to Whittier - the northernmost port for disembarking. On these longer crises, usually 9 to 14 days - depending on ship and criuise line - passengers do not stay over in Alaska - they do however cruise by some of the most spectacular sights one of which is Hubbard Glacier.

Cruising the glacier is usually included on longer cruises, as it is much further north. Seventy-five miles long and over 1350 square miles in area, it is the largest tidewater glacier in America, and one of the most impressive, extending 76 miles from it's source on Mt. Logan in the Yukon. This glacier, is said to get thicker as it advances, differring from other glaciers that get thinner, and the deep blue color denotes it as being "active glacial ice". As the glacier advances it creaks and moans, and is very actively "calving" - great chunks of ice crashing into the bay, with a sound the Tlingit people called "White Thunder"

Cruise lines usually spend the entire day, cruising Hubbard Glacier, not only is the spectacular "calving" an enormous attraction, but the wildlife found in the nutrient rich waters, means that passengers have the opportunity to see - bald eagles, cormorants and gulls all perched on the floating ice - waiting for the unsuspecting fish that lives here. The Orca, Mike, humpback and toothed whales all frolic in the coves, their breaching affords passengers the opportunity for many unbelievable photos.

Cruise Lines sailing to Alaska, like to combine land tours with their cruises, and offer them as "Cruisetours". The length of the cruise can vary from five days, combined with a three day land tour, or, up to a seven day cruise combined with a land tour of 2 weeks or more. Options vary by company and ship, but they all showcase the spectacular places to see in the "last frontier".

How much you see of the "great land" depends on how long you stay. Disembarking in Whittier, there is transportation to take passengers directly to their destination. Princess Cruises has the exclusive "direct to the wilderness" rail service that whisks passengers in comfort to their lodges in Denali - The Denali Wilderness Lodge and the Mt. McKinley Wilderness Lodge - from either of them they offer tours of magnificant Denali National Park. Other companies have their own method of transportation, choice of luxury hotels and guides to accompany them.

One of the closest cities to Denali is Fairbanks, a charming "frontier town" that has retained many reminders of it's past and the pioneer days. There are - authentic sternwheeler river boats to cruise the Chena river; native Athabascan Villages, where storytellers and performances tell about the real Alaska; dog sledding kennels to visit and hear about the Iditatrod, unfortunately it's summer no snow, no rides; and of course a "Salmon bake" which in Fairbanks means beef is also included, along with fire cooked Salmon and beer battered Cod. One of the best experiences is visiting the site of the "Trans Alaskan Pipeline" a remarkable feat of modern times.

Amony the many choices for a cruisetour is "The Kenai Peninsula where one can have a "up-close and personal experience. Usually visited - on a cruisetour for only a day or two - it has so much to offer it should be done on a "stand alone vacation. Here are the highlights - Central Kenai is not far from Anchorage, and is known as Alaska's playground because of it's abundant recreational opportunities - Salmon fishing, hiking trails through forested valleys to open meadows and blue lakes, rafting on the upper Kenai river with the chance to spot Moose, Eagles and Dall sheep. Watch for my article on the Kenai Peninsula, coming soon.

One of many Off-the-beaten-paths, tours included by some cruise lines is Wrangell-St-Elias National Park, the most remote of Alaska's parks. It is accessible by car from Anchorage, first on a main highway, and then on unpaved roads into the park, best done in a two-wheel-drive vehicle in the summer. The most recommended place to stay is the Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge - with advanced reservations. The park is home to two spectacular mountain ranges - Mt. Wrangell and Mt. St Elias - as well as the Bagley Icefields and Malaspina Glaciers. It is the least developed of Alaska's parks, whose activities include backpacking, camping, hunting, fishing, and river rafting. Here one will see the largest concentration of Dall Sheep, as well as Moose, Caribou, bison and brown and black bears; and visits can be made to the historic town of Kennicott where the deepest discovery of copper ore was made in 1901.

Seward is the closest town, after debarming from a cruise, situated at the head of Resurrection Bay on the Kenai Peninsula, it is one of the oldest and most scenic communities. While only 126 miles from Anchorage, which can be reached by car, rail, or bus, the town has much to offer those who choose to stay, including a variety of lodgings from hotels to 1 bedroom cabins This is a small community, the best part for cruisers, is to rent a car and drive the "Seward Highway" which is alive with spectacular alaskan scenery along rivers, lakes and a glacier fjord; through rainforests, snow-capped mountain passes,and wildlife viewing areas. I sometimes think the drive is the best part of the trip.

Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska and the gateway, by air, to the lower 48 states is a unique destination, with a thriving city center, lots of hotels, restaurants, entertainment and shopping centers; as well as a rich native culture, spectacular scenery, and a nearby wilderness area, the third largest state park - Chuqach State Park - with nearly half-a-million acres of accessible wilderness areas, it allows visitors, who have limited time, the opportunity to experience "what Alaska has to offer".

Within the city there are lots of places to visit - The Anchorage Museum and Cultural Centers displays the fascinating blend of Russian, Native and pioneer history; The Alaska Experience Theatre in the heart of the city has movies showcasing all of alaska and the northern lights, a free exhibit of the Good Friday March 27 1964 "earthquake"; and the 4th Avenue Marketplace a unique shopping venue, featuring murals of the Idatorod Sled dog race, Tlingit Bear totem pole, and a cultural dance show, complete with drums and natives in full regalia.

Summer is a short season in Alaska, a time when sunsets linger for hours, whales swim next to the highway, and moose, bears and eagles compete with the spectacular vistas of mountains, glaciers, rivers and lakes. Take an extended cruise to see Alaska from the Inside Passage, through the "Gulf of Alaska", "Glacier Bay National Park, and past Hubbard Glacier. Spend time on land to enjoy the many wilderness parks, filled with wilflife, and the plethora of activities; rent a motorhome, car, or 4-wheel drive and visit the out-of-the-way and remote places in Alaska, this is the place to experience and appreciate nature's handiwork.