Alaska Vacation
An Alaska cruise offers something very different from the typical "fun in the sun" vacation. Alaska is the destination of a lifetime, and Alaska cruises seem to be getting more popular each year. Because of the unique vacation experience it provides, Alaska is an excellent choice for your next cruise vacation whether you're an avid cruiser or a "first-timer!"
Perfect for nature lovers, an Alaska cruise means you'll be able to view majestic glaciers as you cruise through fantastic surroundings such as Glacier Bay National Park. You can also enjoy a nature tour as you search for eagles, bears, whales and more. Feeling adventurous? Relive the gold rush by taking part in a gold mining excursion, take a helicopter ride, do some white-water rafting, or try out some dog sledding. Are you a fishing enthusiast? Alaska is going to be right up your alley if that's the case. Seafood lovers shouldn't miss out on the fresh salmon and crab cakes available at many eateries. An Alaska cruise has all of this and much more to offer you!
A typical Alaska cruise is 7-nights in length, and is usually in one of three formats: round trip from a city like Seattle, Vancouver or San Francisco; northbound (one-way, from Seattle or Vancouver to an Alaskan city like Seward or Whittier; southbound (the reverse of northbound). If you're really looking to do something unique, book one of our custom Alaska cruise tours where you combine a cruise and a land package into the vacation of your dreams. An Alaska cruise tour is an excellent option if you are looking to get a more in-depth Alaskan experience. Such a trip combines a northbound or southbound 7-night Alaska cruise with a (typically 3- to 5-night long) land package.
American Discount Vacations is proud to offer the best deals possible on all Alaska cruises booked with us. Backed by our "Low Price Guarantee," and powered by our team of expert travel agents, we're sure to exceed your expectations when booking your next Alaska cruise!
Highlighted Alaska Cruise Attractions
The following are just a few of the many things to do while in Alaska:
National Parks & Wildlife
Alaska is home to a number of wonderful national parks. Among them is Denali National Park, home to Mt. McKinley (the tallest mountain in North America). While on an Alaska cruise or cruise tour you may have the opportunity to visit a couple of these parks, where you can do a number of things such as taking a nature walk to view the amazing wildlife (including bald eagles, bears, whales, sea lions and salmon), or participating in water-based activities like kayaking and white-water rafting.
Historic Towns and Cities
There's a wide range of towns and cities throughout Alaska, from small fishing towns to larger, more cosmopolitan cities (like Anchorage and Juneau). The gold mining past of Alaska is very important to them, so there are a bunch of shore excursions available in a few ports (such as Skagway) that include fun gold panning experiences. Ketchikan, one of the most visited Alaskan ports of call, is home to Totem Bight State Park, where you can learn about the native Alaskan culture and view a slew of impressive totem poles.
Glaciers
One of the main attractions available during an Alaska cruise are the glaciers, so there are a number of glacier-related experiences available to Alaska cruise passengers. Among the more adventurous shore excursions typically available during an Alaska cruise is a helicopter ride that takes you to a hiking excursion on top of a glacier, which is a truly special activity to experience. A more relaxed thing to do during an Alaska cruise is simply hanging out on deck (or on your balcony, if you have one) as your cruise ship sails through one of the breathtaking national parks filled with glaciers, such as Glacier Bay National Park (a 5,000+ mile area, filled with glaciers and wildlife).
