What better to way, than to “sea” Alaska in 2016, than with family/friends

It’s great over the last few years, that more and more folks are cruising, and inviting family/friends to join.  Great opportunity in having some of the “same type memories”, for sharing, years to come.

Yet there are still many folks who have yet to cruise.  And yes, cruising is on their bucket list. And yes, Alaska is too.  Folks are just waiting for YOU to ask them to join YOUR CRUISE.

Many folks don’t like traveling alone.  Some, prefer there’s a person in charge, who will help them cross all the T’s.

2016 is showing to be a great year, that folks are inviting others to join them.  YOU SHOULD TOO !

Decide what you might want to … Call an agent for insiders advice  …. Then lock in and start invited family/friends to join you !

 

BEAUTIFUL OPPORTUNITY !

Many folks already booked for 2016 ... There's not as much space on the land tour packages available for Denali as you might think ! 
Call today ! 

Alaska … Facts & Myths. Did you know ?

My offered facts … Alaska is breathtaking.  If you have only 7 days to get away, what better way than on a cruise ship, where your meals, accommodations, and getting you there is included in your price.

Though some excursions in port, can be pricey, due to popularity, it may be your only once in a life time adventure to Alaska, if there’s more destinations on you bucket list.  For me, I keep returning.  And though I have done most excursions I want, new ones continue to be developed, that I may too, choose to do. 

 

Some of the pricing below, may seem a little low to me, especially for excursions and/or hotels. Though you may be on a budget, there are sites you will specifically want to see and can often purchase without all the hype.  Be sure to make your cruise purchase with an agent, who has been to Alaska and can help offer you suggestions.

Facts & Myths from Alaska.gov

Facts About Alaska

Mountains

Of the 20 highest peaks in the United States, 17 are in Alaska. Mt. McKinley, the highest peak in North America, is 20,320 ft. above sea level. Denali, the Indian name for the peak, means "The Great One."

Water Bodies

The Yukon River, almost 2,000 miles long, is the third longest river in the U.S. There are more than 3,000 rivers in Alaska and over 3 million lakes. The largest, Lake Iliamna, encompasses over 1,000 square miles.

Glaciers

Alaska has an estimated 100,000 glaciers, ranging from tiny cirque glaciers to huge valley glaciers. There are more active glaciers and ice fields in Alaska than in the rest of the inhabited world. The largest glacier is the Malaspina at 850 square miles. Five percent of the state, or 29,000 square miles, is covered by glaciers.

Compass Points

Alaska Over U.S.
Alaska boasts the northernmost (Point Barrow), the easternmost (Pochnoi Point on Semisopochnoi Island in the Aleutians), and the westernmost (Amatignak Island in the Aleutians) points in the United States."

Coastline

Alaska has 6,640 miles of coastline and, including islands, has 33,904 miles of shoreline.

Volcanoes

There are more than 70 potentially active volcanoes in Alaska. Several have erupted in recent times. The most violent volcanic eruption of the century took place in 1912 when Novarupta Volcano erupted, creating the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes which is now part of Katmai National Park.

Earthquakes

On March 27, 1964, North America’s strongest recorded earthquake, with a moment magnitude of 9.2, rocked central Alaska. Each year Alaska has approximately 5,000 earthquakes, including 1,000 that measure above 3.5 on the Richter scale. Of the ten strongest earthquakes ever recorded in the world, three have occurred in Alaska.

Common Misconceptions About Alaska

Most visitors have pleasant surprises in store when they come to Alaska. Three common misconceptions concerning Alaska are weather, road conditions, and prices.

Bad Weather

Over a third of all vacation/pleasure visitors found the weather better than expected. During the summer, average daytime temperatures throughout the state range from the 60s to the 90s.

Bad Road Conditions

Almost the entire length of the Alaska Highway is asphalt-surfaced, and approximately half of the roads in the state’s highway system are paved.

High Prices

Contrary to popular belief, prices throughout Alaska are generally quite reasonable. To help illustrate the cost of a vacation, the following chart provides high and low prices for a few of the basics. More specific pricing may be obtained in the Official State Vacation Planner.

Meals

Expect variety in price and in menu.

Deluxe Hamburger  $5-10

Salmon Dinner $18-25
Breakfast $3-11

Accommodations

Rates reflect the low tariff in the off season the high in the summer months.
 
Hotel/Motel, Standard $40-90
Hotel/Motel, Deluxe $90-145
Bed & Breakfast $45-80
Wilderness Lodge $150-425
Private Cabins $20-100
 
Sightseeing
Half-Day City Tour  From $9/person
Flightseeing From $90/hour
Whale Watching From $90/day
3- and 4-Day Cruises From $300/day

Fishing

Alaska sportfishing licenses for nonresidents are available in Alaska sporting good stores or from an outfitter.

3-Day Non-resident License $20

14-Day Non-resident License $50
Charter Boat Fishing From $120/day

Rentals

Bicycles From $20/day
Cars/Vans From $25/day
Canoes/Kayaks From $40/day

 

Isn’t it time you plan that Alaska Cruise adventure ?  Few sailings and savings still available for 2015.  More importantly, there are some great savings if you plan now for 2016 !

Which Alaska cruise for you ? Tis the planning season for 2016. Discover insight from your agent.

There’s so many choices, right ?

Do you want 2 glaciers or do you want 4 ports ?
Which glacier do you want to see ?
Should you go Northbound or South ?
What month to sail ?
Which cruise line do you choose ?
Will you be including a land package with your cruise ?

Alaska, like Europe, is not a destination that you can call and say, “how much is it”.  There’s lots of choice.  The above list only names a few !

I would start by calling your agent.  Find out if they have Alaska experience. 

Sure it’s great to get insight from family/friends who have been to Alaska or even from chat lines or FB groups.  But in reality, do these folks really know YOU ?  Do you like the same things as they do ?

In general, Princess and Holland America are the King/Queen of Alaska.  Meaning, they have been sailing to Alaska, many more years than the other cruise lines.  But it doesn’t mean that other cruise lines won’t do a good job.  I receive great reviews from folks sailing with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity too.  FYI, I have never sailed on Carnival nor Norwegian to Alaska. 

 

I have a cruise planned now for June 27 on Norwegian … Come join me !  Though I will be sailing Northbound, I will not be including a land package.  However, I plan to partake in the Alaska rail service, from Seward to Anchorage, which I love !

When including a land package with your cruise, you'll want to learn, which part of the Alaska rail services is included in your package ?  My 1st choice is at least Denali to Anchorage (or maybe vice-versa).  And whether your package allows you enough time in Denali, just to partake in the minimums offered ?

And if choosing North/Southbound cruise, do you want the longer flight to Alaska first, or after ?  And why you might want the cruise first or after ?  And how much time I will have in each port ?

Since I’ve been to Alaska 13 times, I do have my rather !  I prefer southbound, yet I enjoy Northbound and leaving from Vancouver, versus roundtrip Seattle.  I enjoy at least touching Anchorage, even if not spending any time here.

 

I’m also interested in which Glacier I will see. 

 

And though my 1st choice might be Princess, when including a land package, so that I can enjoy their observation car on the rail, their “views” from their hotels, and an opportunity to stay at their location in Mnt McKinley ... I also love sailing to/from Seward and including the mountainous rail services, to/from Anchorage.

Alaska is Fun.  No matter what you choose, you will partake in an Alaska experience.  However, call your agent before committing.  Discover what you choice is really giving you out of the deal … Or what it’s not.  Sometimes only another $100 or 2, could get you a little more !

Tis the season .... Folks are booking 2016.  Land tour packages are already selling out with the cruise lines.  Remember, even if the ship holds 2500 folks, there may only be space for 20 guests on any given land package.  That's not a lot of space ...

ACT QUICKLY !  July is a big month for next year sales. 
Have you seen Princess drink offer (includes coffee, tea, gelato, soft drinks, bottled water, juices) ?  Wow !

 

Foods you may be thinking of, as you make your plans to visit Alaska

Foremost, I think of “cold water seafood” cuisine.   I love Alaska salmon … Prefer smoked, yet others enjoy cured, jerky, or even Indian Salmon candy.

Next I think of Alaskan King Crab.  When I first began sailing to Alaska, the only place I actually went was in Juneau, up on the top of the mountain (tram) and would partake in their buffet there.  The best King Crab I had on a cruise, was when I was sailing in Alaska with Cruise West (no longer sails).

Today, you can buy Alaska King Crab in more locations.  One being the King Crab Shack.  I’ve seen locations especially in Juneau and Icy Strait.  Also, my last cruise to Alaska, this opportunity was onboard Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas.

I also think about Halibut.  I’ve had this many a time, at he outside café on the dock of the Creek in Ketchikan.  My father & I have even fished for Halibut, which we both love.

What about the large game animals ?  Moose, caribou, elks, and bear.  I have had hamburgers made of these different meats.  I’ve had in Denali, Skagway, and others.

Then there’s the reindeer.  I’ve only had reindeer sausage and this was in Fairbanks.

What about Alaska’s Sourdough bread.  I have had this many times, when ordering soups or sandwiches.  Such as in Anchorage or even onboard my cruise !

There’s other local foods and recipes you may want to learn more about, by surfing the net.  An example is “ Eskimo Ice Cream (also known as "akutaq"), which I’ve not yet explored in finding.  It is a fancy name for a hearty dish you probably haven't heard of. Natives used to make this unusual dish by whipping the fat of hunted reindeer, seals, or bears, then adding snow and wild native berries. Sugar wasn't available then but it would probably be a nice addition. Nowadays it is made with crisco and is mixed with berries, mouse food, dried meat, and other vegetables depending on what is available”.  Info provided by Alaska Wildberry Products.

Hmmm ... Ready to visit Alaska ? !