| Alaska is one of those rare destinations that | | | | the sight of a gold stampede as lots of |
| never succumbs to the "been there, done that" | | | | miners headed north to make their fortunes. A |
| syndrome. People who cruise once to Alaska | | | | few even planned to pan for gold. |
| usually go there again. It is not unusual for | | | | |
| first-time cruise visitors to Alaska to plan | | | | Today, Alaska is more concerned with "black |
| or even book their next cruise before they | | | | gold," or its native oil reserves. Despite |
| get off the ship. What's so great about an | | | | abundant natural wealth and beauty, life and |
| Alaskan cruise, anyway? | | | | even tourism in Alaska isn't always easy. |
| | | | Many products and services in Alaska are |
| The largest state in a very large country, | | | | expensive, at least by lower-48 standards. |
| Alaska is probably not the place you think it | | | | The climate is cold and can be hostile, so |
| is. First, it is a vast land where | | | | travel requires a lot of advanced preparation |
| civilization exists in outposts against a | | | | and some physical hardiness. |
| wilderness background. There are many parts | | | | |
| of Alaska where animals outnumber people. | | | | That's why an Alaskan cruise makes sense, |
| | | | particularly for those modern-day adventurers |
| The wilderness theme crops up where you would | | | | who aren't so sure they want to climb a |
| least expect it. Try to get in and out of the | | | | mountain of ice to see a glacier or struggle |
| state's capital city, Juneau, and you find | | | | along an unpaved road in an off-road vehicle |
| that you need to do it by boat or plane. The | | | | in the snow to get to the next town. |
| place is not accessible by car. | | | | |
| | | | When shopping for an Alaskan cruise, look at |
| Flying is altogether a normal way of going | | | | the excursions that are offered. Most cruise |
| from point A to point B in Alaska. The state | | | | ships offer plenty of time for you to soak up |
| has made flight-seeing popular since so many | | | | on-board activities, so you should take |
| great natural attractions were best accessed | | | | advantage of whatever shore excursions best |
| from the air. | | | | match your interests. |
| | | | |
| Alaska also has a railroad system that was | | | | Want to see polar bears? Go whale watching? |
| built specifically to show off the state's | | | | Go fly fishing? Flight-see around a glacier? |
| enthralling natural beauty. Though not | | | | Shop for native art? Drive a dog sled? Most |
| extensive, you can travel by rail in Alaska | | | | Alaskan cruises offer great excursions like |
| in dome-topped luxury club cars and see the | | | | these. |
| mountains, valleys, and wildlife from the | | | | |
| comfort of a luxury vehicle. | | | | Some cruise shoppers penny pinch for |
| | | | excursions, but it is usually a better deal |
| That's not such a very different concept from | | | | to penny pinch on a stateroom. Here's why. |
| cruising, where you can sail by glaciers, | | | | The biggest part of your bill in seeing |
| mountains, wildlife, and postcard-perfect | | | | Alaska is getting there. That's your cruise |
| scenery all without leaving the comfort of | | | | fare. Once you're there, you may be able to |
| the balcony of your stateroom. (If you like | | | | flight-see or whale watch or do other |
| to travel inside stateroom to save money, you | | | | once-in-a-lifetime thing for a few hundred |
| can watch this from the many public rooms on | | | | dollars. |
| the ship.) | | | | |
| | | | Think of it this way. If you wanted to go |
| If you cruise to Alaska, expect to find | | | | fishing for Alaskan king salmon, right this |
| chilly temperatures, even in summer. Factor | | | | minute, you'd have to get to Alaska and then |
| in the breeze off the water and the chill | | | | charter a fishing trip. |
| when the sun sets and you can see why a | | | | |
| cruise to Alaska requires you to take what | | | | If you wanted to whale watch today, you'd |
| passes for winter wear in some of our more | | | | have to get to Alaska and then book passage |
| southern states. | | | | on a whale-watching expedition. |
| | | | |
| Of course, that has never stopped adventurous | | | | On the cruise, you're already there. You're |
| souls from appreciating Alaska. The state has | | | | just paying a supplement or upcharge for |
| a very diverse history. First, it's the only | | | | these incredible experiences. If you have to |
| part of the United States that was ever once | | | | economize, you're better off making do with a |
| part of Russia. You may find Russian | | | | smaller or inside stateroom and getting the |
| artifacts, habits, and even souvenirs in some | | | | excursions. |
| places. When Seward bought Alaska for the | | | | |
| U.S. in the 19th century, the deal was | | | | Years from now, you won't remember your |
| negotiated with Russia. | | | | cruise so much from what your room was like |
| | | | but rather the excursions you had. |
| Early in its American history, Alaska became | | | | |