There is something about Alaska….
It beckons us. It is on almost everyone’s bucket list. Why?
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- Is it because it was the last state to join the union and is still considered a frontier?
- Is it because 87% of the state in park?
- Is it because of the wildlife, glaciers and mountains?
Yes, it is all of the above
The best way to see Alaska is on a Cruise tour or Land and Sea Adventure that sails between Alaska and Vancouver. By combining a seven night cruise with time in Alaska, you will see Mt McKinley, Denali National Park, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Vancouver. A return trip from Vancouver or Seattle won’t allow you to see everything. If seeing a lot of Alaska is on your list, we recommend a southbound or northbound cruise where you will;
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- See 24,200’ mountains vs. 5,500’
- See 500’ of ice glaciers vs. 90’
- See wildlife. 80% of the wildlife is north of Glacier Bay
Check out this video I created as a segment of my Beyond Your Front Door series. (check our blog section for additional segments of interesting destinations and chats with vendors)
Here are some things to know when planning an Alaskan Vacation;
Plan to dress in layers at any time. Days can start chilly and warm up. If you are visiting a glacier, always bring a jacket and gloves. Bring Mosquito spray for the summer months if going on land.
Wondering when is the best time to? It depends on what you want to see;
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- You will see all four seasons from May until September.
- Early May – can still see snow and it will be chilly.
- Spring mid-May to Mid-June – animals are moving, the weather is dry, the land turns green and flowers begin to bloom.
- Peak – mid June to mid-August – Animals are feeding, whales have moved to their food source area, bears are in the salmon rivers (best time is late June to mid-August). The weather warms up at the end of June and July is the hottest month. A little more rain can be
expected after August 1. It is rainy in the summer and there is plenty of fog in the mountains. - Fall – mid August to third week of September. You will see the tundra start to turn color
to red, yellow and gold. More bears can be seen at the end of August as the blueberries are ripe. It will be chillier after Labor Day and in some areas, some of the tourist focused business will have reduced hours.
Here are some of the places you may visit;
Fairbanks - is as hot as Florida in June and July due to 24 hours of sunlight.
Whittier - A former Army Intelligence Station, it is the only place you can go directly from the cruise
ship to Denali (or vice versa). The train pulls up directly beside the cruise ship and you are on your way.
Kenai - A sportsmen’s paradise where the locals go for fishing and camping.
Seward - Located near the Kenai Peninsula. Many cruise ships dock here and you are a two hour drive to Anchorage. You may see Dahl Sheep, and in Cook Inlet or Turnagain Arm, you may see
Beluga Whales.
Denali - Spectacular views of the highest mountain in North America, although you may be distracted by moose, sheep, grizzly and elk.
Ketchikan – your stop to shop on Creek Street, as you see fish, bears and eagles. It is the Salmon Capital of the west coast and a great place for fishing. You can also enjoy zip-lining and remember to
stop by Miss Dolly’s (a former brothel).
Juneau – there is no highway to Juneau so the only way in is by air or ship. This is a great place to enjoy helicopter flightseeing and see the Mendenhall Glacier (12 miles long, 1.5 miles wide and 80‘ tall). Enjoy a salmon bake as you watch soaring eagles. Be sure to drop by the Red Dog Saloon and the Mt Roberts Tramway.
Skagway - White Pass is the number one attraction in all of Alaska (the train is wheelchair accessible). It will take you to Lake Bennett and a view of the Lynn Canal. See the rugged trail
and hear the great stories of the gold rush. Expect to see locals in turn of the century dress as you visit the Red Onion Saloon, listen to the legend of Soapy Smith, and visit the Gold Rush Museum.
Glacier Bay - Only two ships per day are allowed to sail into Glacier Bay as it is the most protected water anywhere on earth. The difference between Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay is life. Glacier Bay is teeming with an abundance of life. This is a chance to see Spinner Dolphins as well as Humpbacks, Greys, possibly Orcas whales. The trip up the fjord to see the glacier and back takes 12 to 14 hours
College Fjord – The area is 17 tidewater glaciers all named after Ivy League Schools – best place to see Orcas, Harbor Seals and Sea Otters.
The absolute ‘must haves’ are Ketchikan and Glacier Bay.
For a unique adventure, consider UnCruise...
Here are some additional authentic Alaska Experiences we have curated for you and can help plan for your Alaskan Adventure...
To plan your vacation, call us at 888-332-8202 or e-mail us at info@saltybreezecruiseplanners.com.
