I’ve traveled to Alaska many times and enjoyed different cruises there often. This is largely because so much of Alaska's impressive scenery can be viewed from the water.  Some of the most appealing cruises take a day and these generally run daily from May to September from Alaska’s coastal towns. They are guided by well informed locals and compact in length.  All you need to do is book early, arrive on time and sit back and enjoy unique viewings only available from a boat!

An Alaska day cruise whale watching around Resurrection Bay and further off the coast of Seward is likely to provide close up views of wildlife and sea creatures for most of the day. Cruise goers are often treated to sights of orca (killer whales), humpback whales or grey whales and even to sightings of Stella sea lions, bird rookeries, puffins, eagles, and even porpoise and sea otters. Puffins are amazing creatures only venturing on to land to nest. They can dive underwater for up to one minute and this is a sight worth seeing!

An Alaska day cruise from the town of Valdez through the edge of Prince William Sound can see you exploring the spectacle of the Columbia Glacier.  This is Alaska's largest tidewater glacier and is well worth visiting.  Columbia and the nearby Mears Glacier both feature active calving along their faces. As a result a large number of floating ice bergs move in and around nearby waters across the warmer months of each year. Regardless of the time of the year, always take warm clothes on this day cruise as glaciers have a substantial impact on the surrounding air temperature.

Alaskan wild life features in these glacier day cruises as this is the habitat of whales, sea lions, puffins, seals, sea otters, eagles, goats, bears and other land and sea creatures. As Valdez endured the Alaskan earthquake of ’64 and the ’89 oil spill a 6.5 hour day cruise in the pristine waters surrounding this interesting town always include historical information around these events.

Further south, consider taking an Alaska day cruise from Juneau to the spectacular fjord Tracy Arm and Sawyer Glacier there.  Be prepared for a long day (8.5 hours) as traveling to the Taku inlet from Juneau takes a while. It is well worth traveling the distance and this part of the journey is made interesting as it follows the migrating pathway of whales along Alaska’s coastline. Viewing these creatures breaching and tail waving is common.

The rest of the trip is breathtaking as well. Waterfalls, bears, mountain goats, seals, sharp glacier-ravaged cliffs, deep teal colored waters and the striking contrast of white ice flows and then the calving glacier – up close and very real, stimulate all the senses in this very unique experience. There is nothing quite like a day cruise to Tracy Arm!

An Alaska day cruise is often an experience not able to be replicated on large cruise liners because if the navigation maneuverability of smaller cruise vessels. So consider one or even each of these Alaska day cruises when you visit.  You will remember them as highlights of your vacation. For more information about Alaskan cruising go to my website http://www.alaskacruisetravel4u.com/

Warm regards Rowena French

For theteam@MightyDigitalDownloads.com

Transforming Lives, One Person at a Time

Rowena French has enjoyed a life-time love affair with Alaska, returning often, ‘just once more’, to experience another aspect of this spectacular part of the world.

As the Silverseas Inside Passage cruise travels up the Lynn Canal, the longest and deepest fjord in North America, it stops at Haines a fascinating town with the carefully preserved Fort Seward, built there in 1901. The world’s largest hammer museum is located in Haines and this little town looks out on to some of the world’s most spectacular mountainous scenery.

Juneau is Alaska’s political capital, set at the foot of Mt Robertson. Its population is with an unusual combination of ‘suits’, part of the political scene there and the local folk, environmentally aware and keen to maintain Juneau’s integrity. Walks around this hill city are only for those with stout shoes and clear arteries. The foreshore abounds in shops catering for every tourist need.

A range of activities are available for Silverseas cruise passengers, including helicopter flight seeing over the Juneau icefield and the famous Mendenhall Glacier along with dog sledding, bear spotting, whale watching, kayaking or salmon fishing.

The thrill of a dog sledding experience high up in the icefield behind Juneau leaves its participants feeling jubilant! After landing on Norris glacier the amazing silence of the place is interrupted only by the occasional yelp of the huskies and the sound of the sled blades cutting the ice. The breathtaking scenery all around makes this whole day seem almost surreal.

Glacier watching on an Inside Passage cruise is a close up and personal way to grasp the enormity and grandeur of these ‘rivers of ice’. Nothing can prepare you for their sheer size or their impact on the temperature of the surrounding air. Despite the cold, they always seem more authentic when viewed outside so passengers are advised to dress well as they venture out.

The Silverseas cruise headed south to Ketchikan listed on the top 100 artisan communities in the US. A popular option there is a Ketchikan Walking Tour starting at the Visitors information Center and taking in the Totem Heritage Center’s impressive collection of 19th century totem poles, This is one of Alaska’s most extensive collections of totem poles most of which were rescued from abandoned native villages when this center was established in the 1970’s.

Homeward bound to San Francisco, this Inside Passage cruise was the trip of a lifetime providing the best of amazing scenery, cultural insights and wonderful service with someone else ‘doing the driving’!

If you’d like to read about other information about this Inside Passage Cruise read my article ‘What to Expect on an Inside Passage Cruise Part 1’ on my website at alaskacruisetravel4U

Warm regards

Rowena French

For theteam@MightyDigitalDownloads.com

Transforming Lives, One Person at a Time

Rowena French has enjoyed a life-time love affair with Alaska, returning often, ‘just once more’, to experience another aspect of this spectacular part of the world.

The opportunities for negotiating the best deals for Alaskan cruising are worth pursuing. Follow these basic steps and enjoy cruise discounts that will make this vacation of a lifetime affordable as well as breath taking!

1. Consider arranging a cruise during the off-season. Avoid wherever possible the peak seasons of cruise vacations and schedule your time three to four weeks away from peak season. Alaskan cruising normally has its peak season in July and September. Planning an Alaskan vacation cruise outside these dates generally saves a lot of cash.
2. Choose a cruise line that meets your budget. Research these carefully and avoid being cajoled into a cruise that is too expensive. Some travel agencies push a specific line for different reasons. Careful comparison of the shipping lines fees and services will save a lot of money.
3. Avoid travel agencies that promise the world for nothing. Talk to more than one travel agent and to find one that will work within your budget. The right Alaska travel agency can give very important information that can result to significant savings.
4. Find an Alaskan cruising quote that includes the port fees and tax revenues. If the traveling agency doesn’t provide this information, look for another agency. Avoid hidden fees and uncertain collections as port fees can be a much as couple of hundreds of dollars each for each person.
5. Get an inside cabin. Usually, an inside cabin is the cheapest and can be more comfortable especially of the temperature takes a dive.

Remember to avoid the stresses in Alaskan cruising by always book at least two weeks before your departure. Check out for a list of the Alaska cruise trips and spend time examining the best offers and locating a reliable travel agent to help you with planning and the most affordable payment.

Follow these tips and then enjoy your vacation of a lifetime to this unique part of the world that wont break the bank!

For more information about Alaskan cruising go to my website http://www.alaskacruisetravel4u.com/

Warm regards

Rowena French

For theteam@MightyDigitalDownloads.com

Rowena French has enjoyed a life-time love affair with Alaska, returning often, ‘just once more’, to experience another aspect of this spectacular part of the world. 

Why Alaska?

Alaska is a beautiful, unique place that amongst many other spectacles, offers extensive mountains of glaciers and icebergs. It is also a place where whales and bears live and flourish and it offers breathtaking scenery reflecting the unadulterated beauty of Mother Nature. It is also a unique location for cruises offering the best of both worlds, from the naturalistic to the urbane.

What Surprises can Alaskan Cruisers Expect?

Many cruisers who have enjoyed the splendor of Alaskan cruising often describe their vacation there as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Many are ‘hooked’ and return for more of these Alaskan surprises.

The mountains are towering high. The animals that call Alaska home are a wonder to behold. Many of these are animals easily seen in Alaska are not found in other places.

In summer Alaska is transformed from white to green as it spouts a wide collection of nibbling grass and brings on a mystical color. We often imagine Alaska as an ice covered white blanketed land so these summer grasses come as a surprise.

The coastline gives an outstanding view of sparkling ice formation. The regular water flows from melting ice create an emerging deep blue color. The sky is illuminated by the warm sun during extended hours of sunlight and the fields of flowers and wild grass are stunning.

Why Cruising in Alaska?

Alaskan Cruising is not the only way to enjoy a visit to this unique part of the world. Cruising along the coastal areas of Alaska however, provides views not seen from any other route. On a cruise you will have the chance to witness the action of the massive collection of glaciers as they meet the ocean.

Cruisers can also observe the different lifestyle of the people in Alaska in destination stops that are part of their cruise and they can also enjoy up close experiences of wildlife like different kinds of whales as they play along in their natural habitat.

When is Alaskan Cruising more than Just Cruising?

Cruise ships included stops at picturesque locations along the Marine Inland Passage like, Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan where tourist guides explore the local area and traditions with cruise passengers. Others make their way to places like the island of Sitka, where influence of the Russian Orthodox Church still remains.

Most Alaskan cruises offer inland pleasure trips into Alaska’s national parks. In places like well known Denali National Park and Mt McKinnley, passengers have the chance to explore the inner beauties of Alaska’s mainland through magnificent tours there. Alaska from a cruise ship is spectacular and there’s even more to see as you travel inland.

Warm regards

Rowena French

For theteam@MightyDigitalDownloads.com

Rowena French has enjoyed a life-time love affair with Alaska, returning often, ‘just once more’, to experience another aspect of this spectacular part of the world. Want to go Alaskan cruising and stay within your budget? Read about ‘How to Save on the Best Alaskan Cruising Deals’ on my website www.alaskacruisetravel4U.com

Cruise destinations around the world include the Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, the Bahamas, and the Panama Canal. These offer quite different vacations for cruise ships’ passengers, especially for the first timers. An Alaskan cruise can appeal to these cruise travelers as well as more experienced ‘cruisers’ because its itinerary offers an element of uniqueness and excitement not present in other cruises.

What uniqueness and what excitement? On an Alaskan cruise you can expect a spectacularly different landscape, different people and different wildlife. These will provide unique experiences and remain with you forever. So if you are looking for a cruise unlike any other, then a trip to Alaska to experience its rivers of ice, fjords with granite walls, mountain peaks, and majestic waterfalls may be a once-in-a-lifetime vacation option for you. But how is this so?

Alaska is an enormous pristine environment. It has the largest land area of any state in the United States (570,374 square miles), the equivalent of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico, and Colorado all combined. Despite this, it is one of the most largely unpopulated areas in the world, with a greater population of wildlife than its human population.

The largest attraction in Alaska is its ice glaciers, which makes it a perfect destination for cruising. Sailing along its lengthy coastline allows you to observe these incredible sights. If you take a cruise that will bring you into Glacier Bay, you can witness glaciers calving as the edge of the ice cliffs there break into the sea. This can happen several times an hour and is a breathtaking moment on an Alaskan cruise.

You can enjoy unique ‘up close and personal’ experiences on your cruise as some cruise lines provide helicopter rides and hiking and these allow you to step on one of these ice glaciers. This is something cruise lines cannot offer you to any other cruise destinations in the world.

An Alaskan cruise is available from May through September and will generally take you to one of two parts of Alaska. An Inside Passage cruise generally runs for about a week and includes itinerary stops at Ketchikan, Skagway, and Juneau. You can expect different sights and side trips when you take this cruise. A Gulf of Alaska cruise also known as the Glacier Route Cruise travels to Glacier Bay and possibly the Hubbard Glacier.

Cruise lines will provide a wide range of options from sightseeing to fine cuisine and entertainment. If you are a more adventurous cruise traveler smaller (more expensive) cruise vessels carry an average of 150 passengers and enable you to take an even closer look at a glacier than a larger cruise liner. Whatever cruise travel you decide upon you can always expect the unexpected in Alaska.

Cruising is a perfect way to experience this breathtaking part of the world. So, consider it, arrange it and then enjoy it. You’ll return home with memories to last you a lifetime.

Take a look at this Inside Passage cruise option.  It is one of many available for interested first time cruisers or those who just can’t stay away and keep returning for more.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Rowena French

For TheTeam@MightyDigitalDownloads.com

Rowena French has enjoyed a life-time love affair with Alaska, returning often, ‘just once more’, to experience another aspect of this spectacular part of the world. Want to take an Alaskan cruise to the ‘Land of the Midnight Sun’ and not sure how? Hooked like me and want to take another cruise? Stay updated through my blog posts here and go to my website www.alaskacruisetravel4U.com

]]> http://blog.mightydigitaldownloads.com/travel-the-world/alaskan-cruise/feed/ 1 http://blog.mightydigitaldownloads.com/travel-the-world/three-reasons-to-book-alaska-cruise-travel-now/ http://blog.mightydigitaldownloads.com/travel-the-world/three-reasons-to-book-alaska-cruise-travel-now/#comments Wed, 22 Apr 2009 02:49:50 +0000 The Team http://blog.mightydigitaldownloads.com/?p=236

‘First Docking Opens Juneau Cruise Season Early’ headed up yesterday’s on-line edition of Anchorage Daily News. Yes, Juneau is starting the Alaska cruise travel season early this year. How great is that? Alaska has ‘opened up’ again!

The 1400 passenger cruise liner Balmoral from the Fred Olson Cruise Line with a 500-member crew is on a world cruise with its final destination England. It will call in to Juneau on Monday morning. This is a week ahead of the normal beginning of the cruise season by the Norwegian Star on April 29.

The benefit of early (or later) Alaskan cruise travel is three fold. Firstly, it’s the best way to avoid the summer crowds. Alaska’s window of opportunity for most visitors is generally from very the end of spring till the end of summer. This is certainly likely to provide travelers with the best weather but the dilemma about traveling then can be the arrival of many, many visitors generally to the same destinations and then their departure from these all at the same time.

Our first visit to Juneau was one spring and it is still our most memorable. It coincided with the annual Alaskan Folk Festival that year. We stumbled on this event and enjoyed great entertainment and a fascinating insight into the Alaskan folk scene. We still talk about that night which we discovered to our great surprise on arriving was free of charge. Juneau’s wide array of shops was opening at that time so we enjoyed pondering about our purchases and had plenty of assistance with this. Juneau locals had time to provide directions and share their beautiful city. So, if you prefer a less crowded Alaska travel experience, make your visit there in the off-peak seasons on either side of summer.

Travel to Alaska in summer doesn’t always guarantee weather any warmer than spring. We’ve enjoyed warm summers in Alaska but during last spring and summer there, we experienced much the same temperatures across both seasons. The beauty of Alaskan cruise travel is that it is a great way to travel regardless of the weather. Traveling on a cruise ship pretty well negates the effect of changing temperatures. If the wind blows up or temperatures drop, views from inside the viewing deck of cruise liners look just as spectacular as they do outdoors.

Alaskan wildlife is acclimatized to varying temperatures much better than visiting humans, so in spring your Alaska travel cruise will still provide opportunities to see orcas, humpbacks and salmon swimming, bald eagles flying and bears searching for something to eat. With a backdrop of amazing snow capped mountains and glaciers that look breathtaking year round, you are bound to enjoy these creatures on your cruise to Alaska as soon as the cruise ships start to embark on their journey to this magical place.

There are a number of good reasons that may see you preferring an Alaska cruise travel experience earlier or later in the season than mid-summer, so consider this as an option when you take the plunge and go!

Warm regards

Rowena French

For the Team@MightyDigitalDownloads.com

Rowena French has enjoyed a life-time love affair with Alaska, returning often, ‘just once more’, to experience another aspect of this spectacular part of the world. Want to venture to ‘Land of the Midnight Sun’ and not sure how? Hooked like me and want to return again? Stay updated through my blog posts here and go to my website alaskatravel4U

Rowena French has enjoyed a life-time love affair with Alaska, returning often, ‘just once more’, to experience another aspect of this spectacular part of the world. Want to venture to ‘Land of the Midnight Sun’ and not sure how? Hooked like me and want to return again? Stay updated through my blog posts here and go to my website alaskatravel4U