Alaska Cruise Tours

So, you have decided to visit Alaska by cruise ship, one of the most popular itineraries of today. You’ve purchased your camera in anticipation for those breath-taking views, hoping to catch the calving of an iceberg at Hubbard’s Glacier , the breaching of a whale at Icy Strait Point , or the glimpse of a bear foraging along the coastline. Panning for gold and a salmon bake are on your list for Juneau and perhaps the world’s largest zip-line ride in Icy Strait Point. And of, course there are all those cultural museums and historical places to explore …

Aurora Borealis – a display you will never forget.

But wait! You may be missing more of what Alaska has to offer! With all that one can see and do in a 7 to 10 day cruise ( the norm), there is so much more – and it is inland. What is commonly known as an Alaska cruise tour combines the best of both worlds, the coast and the interior. Sometimes the adventure extends to a Yukon (Canada) visit too as in the case of one of the exclusive offerings from Holland America Line®.
Do you have a favourite cruise line or preferred level of service? No problem! Alaska and its cruise tours are covered by most popular lines from the contemporary category to the more intimate premium lines. For example, both Royal Caribbean Line and Norwegian have cruise tours with up to 12 to 14 days of adventure in total. This usually includes a 7 day cruise and 5 to 7 days in the interior. Typically one either flies into Alaska and cruises

How about a spot of fly fishing while visiting Denali?

the return journey, or the other way round. Princess Cruises® , Celebrity Cruise Line®, and HAL (Holland America Line®) offer the same, but the cruise tours can be as long as 20 days in the case of HAL. There are literally hundreds of choices when it comes to Alaska cruises and cruise tours so if you are not committed to always sailing with the same line, your travel professional is invaluable.
What to expect from a cruise tour? In general, you may enjoy some or all of these sights and activities depending on the length of the tour:
• A Riverboat cruise in the historic gold rush town of Fairbanks, Alaska
• Aurora Borealis
• Denali National Park, usually 1 to 3 nights stay
• Sightings of bears, sheep, moose, eagles and more
• Fly fishing
• Wilderness Tours ( bikes, ATV’s, canoes, huskies or by air)
• A domed roof train journey through magnificent scenery
• Mt. McKinley
• Paddle wheeler cruise in Dawson City, Yukon ( HAL only)
• Gold Rush town (Klondike) of Whitehorse, Yukon. ( HAL only)

Gold rush town of Dawson City, Yukon.

Before you reserve that cruise-only visit to Alaska consider that it may be the only time you will visit this part of the world so why not extend your stay a few days if possible to see so much more – there’s a cruise tour the right length out there waiting for you, encompassing the adventures you wish to experience, and with the value attached to the budget that you are comfortable with – just ask your travel professional. He or she will have the resources and personal experience to guide your choice.

Photo images courtesy of Bigstock and Pixabay.