| Sometimes I think that even if nobody new ever | | | | to make their fortunes. A few even planned to pan |
| went on a first-ever cruise to Alaska, the cruise | | | | for gold. |
| industry would stay busy with Alaskan cruises just | | | | Today, Alaska is more concerned with "black gold," |
| taking people who've already been there back | | | | or its native oil reserves. Despite abundant natural |
| again...and again. | | | | wealth and beauty, life and even tourism in Alaska |
| The largest state in a very large country, Alaska is | | | | isn't always easy. Many products and services in |
| probably not the place you think it is. First, it is a vast | | | | Alaska are expensive, at least by lower-48 standards. |
| land where civilization exists in outposts against a | | | | The climate is cold and can be hostile, so travel |
| wilderness background. There are many parts of | | | | requires a lot of advanced preparation and some |
| Alaska where animals outnumber people. | | | | physical hardiness. |
| The wilderness theme crops up where you would | | | | That's why an Alaskan cruise makes sense, |
| least expect it. Try to get in and out of the state's | | | | particularly for those modern-day adventurers who |
| capital city, Juneau, and you find that you need to do | | | | aren't so sure they want to climb a mountain of ice |
| it by boat or plane. The place is not accessible by car. | | | | to see a glacier or struggle along an unpaved road in |
| Flying is altogether a normal way of going from point | | | | an off-road vehicle in the snow to get to the next |
| A to point B in Alaska. The state has made | | | | town. |
| flight-seeing popular since so many great natural | | | | When shopping for an Alaskan cruise, look at the |
| attractions were best accessed from the air. | | | | excursions that are offered. Most cruise ships offer |
| Alaska also has a railroad system that was built | | | | plenty of time for you to soak up on-board activities, |
| specifically to show off the state's enthralling natural | | | | so you should take advantage of whatever shore |
| beauty. Though not extensive, you can travel by rail | | | | excursions best match your interests. |
| in Alaska in dome-topped luxury club cars and see | | | | Want to see polar bears? Go whale watching? Go fly |
| the mountains, valleys, and wildlife from the comfort | | | | fishing? Flight-see around a glacier? Shop for native |
| of a luxury vehicle. | | | | art? Drive a dog sled? Most Alaskan cruises offer |
| That's not such a very different concept from | | | | great excursions like these. |
| cruising, where you can sail by glaciers, mountains, | | | | Some cruise shoppers penny pinch for excursions, |
| wildlife, and postcard-perfect scenery all without | | | | but it is usually a better deal to penny pinch on a |
| leaving the comfort of the balcony of your | | | | stateroom. Here's why. The biggest part of your bill in |
| stateroom. (If you like to travel inside stateroom to | | | | seeing Alaska is getting there. That's your cruise fare. |
| save money, you can watch this from the many | | | | Once you're there, you may be able to flight-see or |
| public rooms on the ship.) | | | | whale watch or do other once-in-a-lifetime thing for a |
| If you cruise to Alaska, expect to find chilly | | | | few hundred dollars. |
| temperatures, even in summer. Remember that you'll | | | | Think of it this way. If you wanted to go fishing for |
| get a breeze from the water and things get chillier | | | | Alaskan king salmon, right this minute, you'd have to |
| when the sun goes down and you will understand | | | | get to Alaska and then charter a fishing trip. |
| why you may need to drag out some winter gear to | | | | If you wanted to whale watch today, you'd have to |
| cruise to Alaska, even in summer. | | | | get to Alaska and then book passage on a |
| Of course, that has never stopped adventurous souls | | | | whale-watching expedition. |
| from appreciating Alaska. The state has a very | | | | On the cruise, you're already there. You're just paying |
| diverse history. First, it's the only part of the United | | | | a supplement or upcharge for these incredible |
| States that was ever once part of Russia. You may | | | | experiences. If you have to economize, you're better |
| find Russian artifacts, habits, and even souvenirs in | | | | off making do with a smaller or inside stateroom and |
| some places. When Seward bought Alaska for the | | | | getting the excursions. |
| U.S. in the 19th century, the deal was negotiated with | | | | Years from now, you won't remember your cruise so |
| Russia. | | | | much from what your room was like but rather the |
| Early in its American history, Alaska became the sight | | | | excursions you had. |
| of a gold stampede as lots of miners headed north | | | | |