It’s not just snow that you will see on an Alaskan cruise. I remembered a story that I heard a few years ago in Edmonton when I used to travel there for business. A cab driver told me that he had picked up a family of four from the international airport in Edmonton. They saw a show that featured the West Edmonton mall on tv and were curious enough to fly up in the middle of winter. Halfway to the mall, it began to snow. They all got excited in the cab and asked the cab driver to pull over. They got out of the cab and took their sandals off, as they wanted to see how snow felt against their bare feet. “Weren’t they cold?”, I asked. The cab driver said they were so happy to see snow that they didn’t care it was minus 20 degrees outside.
For those of you who are cruising or plan to cruise to Alaska this spring or summer, here are my top picks for the ports you may visit:
1. Skagway – I chose the Whitepass and Yukon Route train ride that took 3.5 hours to climb 2,865 feet in elevation. You get on the train almost at the bottom of the gangway from your cruise ship. It’s a nice relaxing trip with lots of photo opportunities. Once the train gets going, go outside for unobstructed views of the tunnel, waterfalls and bridges. After the tour returns to the ship, walk into town and do some shopping on the main strip.
2. Juneau – I chose the bus tour to Mendanhall Glacier. Once there, you can hike around the area and see eagles and the arctic tern. Did you know the arctic tern flies 19,000 km each way as it migrates between the arctic and anarctica each year? This is the true snowbird that sees two summers each year and more daylight than any other creature on earth. For salmon lovers, attend the salmon bake and try the local beer.
3. Ketchikan – If you missed shopping in Skagway then pick up your souvenirs at this port. The shopping district starts when you get off the pier and extends almost 3 blocks radius. If the forecast calls for a nice day then choose an excursion to the Misty Fjords where you can witness some of the most beautiful inlets and waterfalls. Or try the Ketchikan Duck tour and see Ketchikan in the most strangest and unique vehicle around – an amphibious truck/ boat.
4. College Fjord, Glacier Bay, Tracy Arm Fjord – Cruise ships sailing to these destinations provide a scenic cruising experience. In other words, glaciers are best viewed safely from the deck or balcony suites. Dress warmly and bring a cup of hot chocolate with you as you watch ice break away and become icebergs. This process is called ‘calving’. Bring binoculars and see otters, seals, eagles and if you’re lucky, bears.
5. Whittier – I chose a bus tour that drove through the Anton Anderson Memorial tunnel which is the longest tunnel in North America. In Anchorage, there is a museum to browse through or for the more adventurous, try an ocean kayak tour to Kenai Fjords and see whales, orcas and seals along the way.
I hope you make the most of your Alaskan cruise. If you are sailing through Prince William Sound, be sure to remove your iPod earbuds and enjoy the peace and serenity that the area offers.
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