by Andre Sanchez

There are several reasons why you should take an Alaskan cruise if you have never visited the state before.  The awesome scenery, the wildlife and the sports are three good reasons for a start, and there are others.

Let’s look at the scenery first.  One of the great things about Alaska is that it is unspoiled by industrial development and the destruction of the habitat by human overpopulation.  The route from Vancouver to Anchorage is awe inspiring, and you will also see the Inside Passage all the way from British Columbia to the Alaskan Gulf Coast.  You can terminate at Seward to make the trip a little shorter, but with each you can visit  the former Russian post Sitka, the Glacier Bay National Park and the state capital, Juneau. 

Glaciers look impressive when you see them in the movies or on TV, but nothing can prepare you for the magic and enormity of the real thing, seen up close.  You can get excursions from Juneau into Glacier Bay for a first hand look at some of natures most astonishing and breathtaking creations. 

The excursions can introduce you to even more of Alaska’s awesome scenery, and you will need a lot of film for your camera!  Adventure cruises can take you to the magnificence of the Denali National Park.  Here you will find much of the indigenous wildlife of Alaska, including grizzly bears, wolves, moose and caribou. You can take in some climbing, or visit the glaciers, and this is also the home of America’s tallest mountain, Mount McKinley.  Don’t just visit, but spend a night or two in one of the many lodges and enjoy the experience to the fullest.

If you prefer to take in the glaciers in style and comfort, you can take a helicopter trip, if you call a helicopter comfort.  However, you can soar above these slow moving rivers of ice and take in all the breathtaking scenery from above. This is a good option on the occasions that the weather is too wet for you travel on foot.  If fishing is your thing Alaska can offer salmon and massive halibut, and you can also try a bit of ice fishing. 

If you prefer something a bit more energetic, many cruises offer inland trips and also the chance for a bit of sailing.  Kayaking is popular and you could combine that with some whale watching.  Add to that the possibilities of gold panning, dog sledding and snorkeling and you will get an idea of some of the activities on offer during an Alaskan cruise.

Don’t forget what the cruise ships themselves have to offer.  For the energetic there are the fitness activities, and also wall climbing, swimming, spas and some even have skating rinks.  You will be well catered for on the entertainment front, with casinos, shows and night clubs. 

One thing that cruises are famed for is the food.  There is food of all types to suite every taste and diet, and depending upon your cruise ship, there is normally a wide variety of eating times so that you can choose what suits you best.  The quality of food is excellent, and very rarely does anybody leave their ship grumbling about the food, unless they have put on too much weight!

There are a number of different Alaskan cruises available ranging from the huge cruise ships that make up for their restricted mobility in smaller inlets by offering a good range of excursions, to the smaller operators who offer adventure cruises that allow to see more of inland Alaska with hiking treks, bicycle trips and sled rides.  Your cruise can last from less than a week to an adventure cruise of almost a month.

You can take one way cruises between Vancouver and Sitka, returning when you want or even continuing with another trip farther North.  It is possible to design your own vacation, making a list of your needs and what you want to take in, and it will be designed specifically for you. Such tailor-made vacations can involve a combination of regular cruises and bespoke overland adventures.

Because there is always something exciting to do in Alaska, the itinerary and route is normally arranged so that most of the sailing takes place by night so that as much as possible can be packed in during the day. 

An Alaskan cruise should be the vacation of a lifetime. However there is so much on offer in Alaska that you will have time to see and do only a fraction of what is available.  That is why many people keep returning for more, and why you should take an Alaskan cruise.  If you have not yet had the pleasure of seeing Alaska in the raw, then you must take a cruise at least once.  If you do not, you will always wonder what you have missed.

Why You Should Take an Alaskan Cruise was originally published at http://www.globallifenow.com