A personal note from Ales!
As we are welcoming the 2nd month of this year, it is time to start thinking about making travel plans for the summer.
A destination that is a wonderful choice for the entire family and which I have experienced myself a couple of years ago with my wonderful son, is Alaska.
The Alaska cruising season begins in May and right now is the perfect time to start making arrangements as cruise lines have some great offers and we as a full service travel agency, are able to offer some wonderful amenities on many of the sailings this summer as well.
Because there are so many different options when it comes to cruising the breathtaking Inside Passage, I’d like to share some information which will help you to choose the best option for your Alaskan adventure.
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Each year more and more cruise lines base their ships in the Pacific Northwest giving travelers the experience of a life time to cruise the Inside Passage.
One way, and maybe the most convenient way, is to begin and end the cruise in the same city which can usually be done from Seattle or Vancouver, though for 2015 you will also have the option to embark in San Francisco as well with Princess Cruise Lines.
The other option and my personal favorite, is to embark on a North- or Southbound cruise which begins in the beautiful city of Vancouver, Canada ending in Seward or Whittier and vice versa, depending on the cruise line.
I have personally experienced the Northbound itinerary, which gives you the opportunity to see more of Alaska by extending your journey and adding a few days to see the breathtaking Denali National Park and the amazing Kenai Fjords.
Leaving from Vancouver will also give you the additional benefit of cruising along the Inside Passage between the Canadian Mainland and Vancouver Island rather than cruising along the outside on the Pacific Ocean where waves can be much higher and you’ll feel the motion of the ship more.
Our itinerary took us from Vancouver all the way to Seward, with stops in Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Skagway, Juneau and an unforgettable morning cruise right next to the breathtaking Hubbard Glacier.
Once we arrived in Seward we spend the day exploring the Kenai Fjords and in the evening took the Alaska Railway to Anchorage, an unforgettable 4 hour train ride along lakes, glaciers and pristine wilderness. It is also considered to be one of the world’s 10 most beautiful train journeys.
Each port offers extensive shore excursions and whether it is river rafting down the Mendenhall River or taking a leisurely stroll through historic Ketchikan, you can be sure to find something that will be suitable for every age group. This is one of the reasons why cruising Alaska is such a popular option for multi generational family vacations.
We ended our journey with a couple of days in Anchorage from where we flew back home.
With so many options it is more important than ever to educate yourself and choose the cruise which will best fit your lifestyle and meet your expectations for a journey of a lifetime.
If you are traveling with children, cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Disney, Norwegian or Carnival would be good choices.
If you prefer something a little more upscale I’d highly recommend Celebrity and if you want to add a land based itinerary in Alaska before or after your cruise, Princess or Holland America are great options. Both of these have excellent programs and wonderful lodges in the Denali National Park.
You will have a more intimate and luxurious experience on a smaller sized ship, in which case I’d recommend Oceania, Silversea, Regent Seven Seas or Crystal Cruises. These usually also offer more unique itineraries which include ports the larger vessels don’t visit, like Sitka or Haines.
Does this all make you feel excited and ready to do some planning? Don’t hesitate to contact me for a free consultation and let me help you go through all the different options. This way you’ll be sure that you have made the right choice and your Alaska Adventure will be an unforgettable experience.
About Ales
I’ve been passionate about travel ever since I can remember. Having had the opportunity to travel all around the world for many years it’s my greatest desire to enrich peoples lives in a profound way by creating unforgettable journeys, and give each of my clients the amazing experiences I’ve had throughout my travels.
By allowing me to design your journeys, you can be assured that you will be taken care of from the moment we start planning your vacation until the moment you return. Contact me and let me know where you would like to go or let me help you find the destination that will give you the experience you are looking for.
May all your travels stir your soul and change your life forever – Ales.
