ALASKA PORTS AND CITIES
ALASKA PORTS AND CITIES
Cruise to Alyeska, Alaska's Premier Year-Round Resort
Alyeska boasts the chateau-style Alyeska Prince Hotel, the only Alaska property to earn a place on Conde Nast's Gold List. Take the tram to the top of Mt. Alyeska. There, the legendary Seven Glaciers Restaurant boasts an incredible view. Ride the Alaska Railroad to view massive glaciers, moose and bear. Nearby, hike, horseback ride or bike part of the original Iditarod Trail.
Cruise Anchors Down at Anchorage in Alaska, In the Shadow of a Towering Glacier
At the base of the Chugach Mountains in the shadow of a towering glacier and surrounded by snow capped peaks, the tiny town of Whittier is the gateway to the spectacular Prince William Sound and the city of Anchorage. Whittier exists on thriving fishing and tourism industries. Its 290 residents enjoy a near wilderness state, as it was inaccessible by road until 2000. The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel accommodates highway traffic as well as rail, and at two and a half miles, it is the longest highway tunnel in North America. Cruise the Prince William Sound, With its 3,000 miles of shoreline, pristine waterways, it is one of the most scenic archipelagoes of tidewater glaciers in the world. It also hosts the largest gathering of migratory birds and a wealth of marine wildlife. Located at the mouth of Whittier Creek, the new 20,000 square foot passenger terminal and floating dock is the perfect launching pad for a Direct to the Wilderness rail service with same-day service to Denali.
Take the Alaska Highway and Cruise and Visit Beaver Creek
Beaver Creek, located next to the Canada/US border and Canada's western most community is the Yukon's gateway to Alaska. A natural stopping point for visitors travelling along the Alaska Highway and home of the White River First Nations
Alaska Cruise to Coldfoot in the Winter, you may get Coldfeet, but what a Spectacular Sky
Coldfoot is Surrounded by the snowcapped peaks of Brooks Range-one of the most remote and best-preserved areas of wilderness in North America-Coldfoot lies on mile 175 of the scenic Dalton Highway. Coldfoot reportedly got its name not from its frigid winter temperatures, but when gold stampedes came north in 1900 but got cold feet and turned back at Slate Creek, the settlement's original name. Today, a visitor centre features information on recreation and natural history. Cruise in the summer months and explore the breathtaking landscape by hiking, rafting or fishing. Nearby, discover Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, an untouched 8.3 million acres of Alaskan wilderness-or explore the Arctic Refuge, where populations of birds, moose, caribou and other wildlife roam free. Cruise in the winter months and enjoy the spectacular evening colours of the aurora borealis or bundle up and climb aboard for a dog mushing excursion.
Alaska Cruise to Cooper Landing, Catch your own Supper, you Need to be Quick it May Jump
Cruise to Cooper Landing, nestled in the heart of the Kenai Peninsula-home to massive glaciers on its eastern portion and both the Sargent and Harding Icefields-Cooper Landing is the outpost for some of the best fishing in the world and stretches along the Kenai River. Discover the past at the Historical Society Museum, comprised of two historic buildings. One of these, Jack Lean's Cabin, was built in the late 1920's and was the home of the Cooper Landing Post Office for 40 years. The School House was built in 1955 and used until September 2001. Here, you can also learn more about the town's namesake, Joseph Cooper. Nearby, explore Lower Russian Lake and the falls on Russian River, where you can watch the salmon jump during the salmon runs. In K'Beq, archaeologists found prehistoric artifacts, Indian and Eskimo graves. Today, local Athabascans share their traditions & culture through interpretive walks featuring the sites and talks on traditional plant use
Alaska Cruise to College Fjord to Witness the Largest Collection of Tidewater Glaciers in the World
Some of the best glacier viewing in the state can be seen by cruise tucked into the northwest corner of Prince William Sound at College Fjord. Winding down from mountains and through valleys and fjords, these massive rivers of ice are often on the move, periodically dropping their bounty into the sea. The process known as "calving" is when the mammoth glaciers shed enormous chunks of ice, making a thundering noise as it crashes into the sea. In most cases, the cascading wall of ice is several hundred years old. There are 16 glaciers named after Ivy League colleges by the Harriman Expedition that discovered them in 1899. For those who cruise far enough north there's nothing like the sight of a 40-ton humpback whale breach. During the summer, more than 2,000 of these magnificent giants of the sea are known to feed in the waters off Alaska.
Alaska Cruise to Dawson City - There's Gold In Them Their Hills
Cruise to Dawson City, now a National Historic Site, where the search for gold transformed a small fishing camp at the confluence of the Yukon and Klondike rivers into the largest city west of Winnipeg and north of Seattle. Jack London came here as a 21-year-old prospector. A replica of his original cabin, with his famous signature on the back wall, is part of the flavour of a town that has turned back the clock to preserve a rich living history. Meander the wooden boardwalks with costumed townsfolk ready to share their home and its national historic treasures. There are interpretative programs to join, Klondike Gold Fields tours where you can see where it began. And, in the evening, you can stake your poke in a blackjack game at Diamond Tooth Gertie's Gambling Hall. Nearby, visit Tombstone Territorial Park, part of the original North American continent, dating back two billion years. The vistas are endless, the valleys broad and rugged. This land remains the ancestral home of the Tr'ondek Hwech'in First Nation. It is also the realm of a full range of wildlife, from grizzlies and moose to peregrines and plovers.
Alaska Cruise and Tour Denali National Park, You Can't Miss "the High One"
The word "Denali" means "the high one" in the native Athabaskan language and refers to the mountain Mt Mckinley itself. Everything about Denali is big, from animal inhabitants like grizzlies, moose and caribou found in the Denali National Park to North America's highest peak, the venerable Mt. McKinley make this a must-see on your cruise and stay. (View current weather)
Scenic Alaska Cruise to Eagle
Cruise and discover beautiful Eagle Alaska, once the judicial, commercial, mining and military centre of the Upper Yukon
Alaska Cruise to Fairbanks for the Gold Mine Experience
When all stakes had been claimed and the rush for gold had faded in the Klondike, the sourdoughs headed west toward Fairbanks in the hopes of making their fortunes there. Trouble was, the gold in Fairbanks lay buried deep under a layer of "muck" that had to be dug out. Thus the gold dredge was conceived, a sort of floating gold pan that combined the four parts of the mining process - digging, sorting, gold-saving and disposal of tailings. One of these giant diggers was Gold Dredge No. 8, a massive four-story-tall machine that was in operations right up until 1959. The dredge represents such a valuable landmark to the historical archives of Alaska that it has been placed on the register of National Historic Sites. Today it is one of the few gold dredges still open to the public. Holland America Line purchased and restored the dredge in 1996. Now owned and operated by the Binkley family of Fairbanks, a visit to Gold Dredge No. 8 also includes the unique and memorable El Dorado Gold Mine experience where guests are able to take a step back in time aboard a narrow guage railroad, explore a permafrost tunnel, and even try their hand at gold panning – all accompanied by a hearty lunch.
Alaska Cruise to Glacier Bay Possessing the Highest Concentration of Tidewater Glaciers on the Planet
Cruise to spectacular Glacier Bay national park which displays massive glaciers that stretch 3.3 million acres from the St. Elias and Fairweather mountain ranges to the ends of the fjords. The north eastern edge of the Fairweather Range is home to nine glaciers. Framed by rocky slopes that stretch for more than 6,000 feet, these wondrous bodies are eclipsed only by Mt. Fairweather itself, which, at more than 15,300 feet, is the highest point in southeast Alaska. Cruise to the head of Glacier Bay to the Tarr Inlet, where scientists have found exposed rock that is believed to be more than 200 million years old. It is home to an amazing world of marine life, including humpback whales, sea otters, porpoises and harbour seals. And access is extremely limited.
Alaska Cruise to Spectacular Haines, Nestled on the shores of America's Longest Fjord
Fill your cruise day with a float trip through the Chilkat Bald Eagle Conservation area which protects the habitat of the nation's avian symbol, or visit the Sheldon Museum, art galleries and local hops in town. Optional highspeed catamaran access for shopping and excursions in Skagway will also be available.
Alaska cruise to Homer that locals call The Spit
Cruise to the southern Kenai Peninsula, where Homer is located on the pristine waters of Kachemak Bay and Cook Inlet, in the shadow of the Kenai Mountains. The second largest city on the peninsula, Homer boasts the geographical anomaly that locals call The Spit. 15,000 years ago, a glacier covering Kachemak Bay pushed a five-mile long gravel bar toward Cook Inlet. After the glaciers retreated, this bar remained. Today, it is a bustling port where visitors can stroll its beaches and boardwalks. Visit Pratt Museum, where you can learn the natural history of the bay and the southern Kenai Peninsula. Start a tour of the harbour by exploring the galleries of local artists or rest for a spell at the Salty Dawg Saloon, which dates back to the late 1800 s. At low tide, walk the sand and marvel at the life in the tide pools. If you re lucky, you may just spot an eagle soaring overhead or catch seals, otters and sea lions enjoying the view along with you.
Alaska Cruise to Scenic Hubbard Glacier - Move Fast it's Galloping!
Hubbard is one of Alaska's few advancing glaciers. Ever on the move, previous activity earned it a nickname — the "Galloping Glacier." Your cruise will capture its explosive power as you linger along its shimmering five-mile-long face.
Cruise to Icy Strait Point for Ice Buckets full of Alaskan History and Culture
A cruise to Icy Strait Point will take you 22 miles southeast of Glacier Bay National Park and down the road from the traditional homeland of the Huna Tlingit people. Its premiere location allows for spectacular wildlife viewing as well as a unique glimpse into the history and culture of Alaska. Icy Strait Point's Native Heritage Centre offers visitors a look at genuine Tlingit artifacts, plus fascinating ways to learn about Tlingit history and culture through exhibits and live performances. Once one of the world's most productive salmon canneries, today it is a visitor attraction. Its halls are now filled with shops, a museum, and a mid-1930s cannery line display that brings that past beautifully to life. Nearby Hoonah is the largest Tlingit Indian village in Alaska where one can discover Native Alaskan culture, old growth forests and all the wildlife this area has to offer.
Scenic Alaska Cruise to Johns Hopkins Inlet
The north eastern edge of the Fairweather Range is home to nine glaciers. Framed by rocky slopes that stretch for more than 6,000 feet, these wondrous bodies are eclipsed only by Mt. Fairweather itself, which, at more than 15,300 feet, is the highest point in southeast Alaska.
Alaska Cruise to Juneau, Arguably one of America's Most Beautiful State Capitals
Juneau is perched on a thin strip of land at the mouth of Gold Creek, with the looming summits of Mt. Juneau and Mt. Roberts providing a gorgeous backdrop. Scenic Admiralty Island has the world's highest concentration of brown bears. If you are lucky enough to see one, it is a memory of a lifetime. Amazing Mendenhall Glacier is 12 miles long and 1.5 miles wide, and worth the view from a cruise ship. There are hiking trails into the area, and the Mendenhall Visitor Centre is a wealth of information. For a bird's-eye view, the Mt. Roberts Tramway offers a short, six-minute trek to the top of Mt. Roberts, 1,800 feet above the city.
Alaska Cruise to Ketchikan, the Place to get your Salmon Flavoured Totem Pole
This southern-most Alaskan cruise port city is known as Alaska's First City because it was the first major community travellers came to heading north. Founded as a fishing camp, Ketchikan is built on steep hillsides and is billed as the salmon capital of the world. A quaint village, the town is just three miles long and three blocks wide. Totem Bight State Historical Park, with the world's largest collection of totem poles, these wood-carved creations portray colourful, intricate tales, often showing a family's history or depicting a local legend. With its historic cable car and quaint boutiques, Creek Street is Ketchikan's most famous and photographed section, as well as a great place to spend a relaxing afternoon. Seaplanes provide the most breathtaking vantage point for an exploration of the majestic Misty Fjords National Monument.
Alaska Cruise to Kodiak - King, Sockeye, Coho, Pink and Chum are all Types of what?
Cruise to Alaska's Emerald Isle, Kodiak explodes in lush greenery every summer. Its many islands feature rocky cliffs, marshlands and forests that play host to an abundance of wildlife, including the famous Kodiak brown bear. And Kodiak's sport fishing rivals that of any place in the world. It's also one of the largest commercial fishing ports in the nation. Charters are available for all the salmon fishing you can handle — king, sockeye, coho, pink and chum. Plus, others, such as halibut, steelhead, rainbow trout, rockfish and ling cod. Explore 7,500 years of the Alutiiq peoples' traditions and culture at the Alutiiq Museum & Archaeological Repository. On your cruise enjoy spotting more than 215 species of birds and over 20 species of marine mammals in the waters around Kodiak.
Alaska Cruise to Prince William Sound, one of the Most Scenic Archipelagoes in the World!
With its 3,000 miles of shoreline and islands that form a natural breakwater between the Sound and the Gulf of Alaska, Prince William Sound is stunning. Surrounded by the Chugach Mountains, it hosts the largest gathering of migratory birds in America. The Sound is home to an abundance of marine mammals, such as orcas, Beluga whales and Pacific white-sided dolphins, as well as seals, sea lions and otters. Prince William Sound is an annual gathering place for hundreds of migratory birds; two signature birds that thrive on the western end of the Sound are the wonderful horned and tufted puffins. Comprised of 5.5 million acres, the Chugach National Forest is the largest forest in the United States.
Alaska Cruise to Remote Prudhoe Bay
Marvel at the austere beauty of this remote location on the Arctic Ocean - the source of the oil fields that feed the TransAlaska pipeline. Located on Alaska's North Slope and the Arctic Ocean, a cruise to Prudhoe Bay will take you 1,300 miles south of the North Pole and 250 miles north of the Arctic Circle. Sightsee along the Dalton Highway, the fabled Haul Road, crossing the ancient Brooks Range mountains into caribou country.
Share your Alaska Cruise Experience to Seward with 40,000 Puffins
Founded in 1903, Seward was the southern terminus of the Alaska Railroad. In 1964, an earthquake caused a tidal wave over 100 feet tall to wash away much of the waterfront, devastating the town. But its residents, embodying Alaska's famous spirit and fortitude, rebuilt. Today, the town of Seward is a thriving port for commercial fishing, cruise visits and the rail system. Soaring cliffs overlook Resurrection Bay, so named by a band of Russian explorers who found this calm spot along the storm-tossed Gulf of Alaska on Easter Sunday. Seward is also the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, with its distinctive rock formations, massive glaciers and abundant wildlife, including a colony of 40,000 puffins.
Alaska Cruise to Skagway, Back to the Good ole days
Few one-time boomtowns retain the flavour of the gold rush days like Skagway. This cruise gateway to the Klondike is preserved as a national historic park with its rustic boardwalk and frontier-style storefronts. Due to its geographic location, Skagway enjoys a drier climate compared to the rest of southeastern Alaska, with an average annual rainfall of only 22 inches. Possessing one of the oldest narrow-gauge railroads in the world, Skagway retains the flavour of days gone by and remains an important link to Alaska's rich history. The Arctic Brotherhood Hall is the only remaining example of turn-of-the-century Alaskan driftwood architecture. Other buildings like the Trail of '98 Museum, Corrington's Museum of Alaskan History and the Alaskan Wildlife Adventure and Museum present different facets of prospecting times. Before hitting the famous Chilkoot Trail, there are other well-marked trails to try. Hiking to Lower Dewey Lake is an easy, 20-minute climb to break in your sea legs.
Alaska Cruise to Sitka - What cost $7.2 Million?
The onion domes of St. Michael's Cathedral are your first clue that Sitka was once a Russian settlement - the colonial headquarters of Count Baranof, no less. Discover the echoes of its heyday at a performance by the New Archangel Dancers. Be greeted by Tlingit native people, then stand on the spot where the United States took possession of Alaska in 1867 for $7.2 million, less than two cents per acre. The dramatic setting in the shadow of Mt. Edgecumbe is one of the loveliest in the Great Land. Take a stroll through old growth forest in Sitka National Historical Park, shop the downtown district, and poke around the Sheldon Jackson Museum for a close-up look at some of the city's most prized arts, crafts and Russian relics.
Cruise to Tok Along the Famous Alaska Highway
The town of Tok is the first community inside the U.S. border along the famous Alaska Highway.
Cruise in to Natures Work of Art at Tracy Arm Fjord
Located 50 miles southeast of Juneau, this spectacular glacier-carved fjord has sheer vertical walls that clearly showcase nature's artistry. Linger in this magical place to watch blocks of ice calving off the glaciers towering faces. Alaska's glaciers are constantly crumbling and yet their powerful effect is never diminished. Witness the white thunder as the Sawyer Glaciers release into the waters of Tracy Arm Fjord. Ice calving off the glacier's faces has created this fjord's steep granite canyons. The perfect vantage point to take in the beauty of these dazzling waterfalls is onboard a cruise ships.
Alaska Cruise to Whitehorse - Watch the Rapids!
Whitehorse, overlooking Lake Schwatka and Miles Canyon, once commanded a very different view. This is where thousands of Stampeders travelling down the Yukon River to Dawson met the most treacherous obstacle on the entire route - the Whitehorse Rapids. Nearly 300 boats were dashed to bits on the rocks, and five people drowned. But nothing stopped the determined flow of miners to the Klondike. It wasn't until the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad was completed and Yukon riverboat travel took hold, however, that Whitehorse earned a firm place on the map. It became the territorial headquarters for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and was named capital of the Yukon Territory in 1953. Take in the ss Klondike National Historic Site. This park evokes the days when riverboats brought virtually all goods and many newcomers into the region. It is the final resting place of the ss Klondike II, the largest and last of the great Yukon River sternwheelers.
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