If I only have, give or take a day or 2, just 7 days vacation, what should I choose to do in Alaska ?

If you only have estimate 7 days of vacation and want to venture to Alaska, ultimately choose a 7 night cruise !

Why Choose to Cruise ?

* It’s laid back
* Meals, entertainment, and daily activities onboard are included
* No driving or figuring out how to get to another area of destination
* Where you go next is all planned for you
* Day time focus on the destination and night time do something different

Why not just choose to be solely on the land and take the Alaska Railroad ?
You can !

What type of opportunities will I adventure only on a land package that would not be available by Choosing just the cruise ?

Fishing ? Fishing is available in the ports of your cruise, such as Ketchikan or Juneau.
Can I pan for gold ? Yes, you can opt do this in Juneau.
Visit a dog sled camp ? Yes, @ $ 129 in Skagway.
Opportunity for a Salmon Bake ? Yes, this is available in Juneau
Take a train ride ? Yes, this is available in Skagway.
Can you go bear watching ? Yes, tour available in Icy Straight of on Royal Caribbean
Can you see Mt McKinley from the cruise ship ? No.
Can you go into a National Park such as Denali ? No.

Will I feel that I truly saw Alaska when Choosing to Cruise ?
Most definitely !

* Mountains (possibly with snow)
* Glaciers

* Salmon running
* Wildlife (birds, eagles, whales, etc)
* Towns
* History

Again, if I do not have time to do the land portion in Alaska, what advice can you give, in helping me feel that I have not missed some of the more simple yet explicite opportunities ?

Many folks want to at least touch Anchorage ! If you do a round trip cruise from Seattle or Vancouver, you do not get this chance at all. If you choose at least a North or Southbound cruise in Alaska, you will at least get to go to Anchorage, even if it’s only to fly in or out (airfare cost more). You then have that spectacular view of the sugar coated mountains coming into Anchorage (as long as not dark or cloudy), which is truly a plus.

Also, even if you do not have much more than a week for your vacation, you could opt to stay at least 2 nights in Anchorage before or after the cruise. If cruising in or out of Seward, you could opt for the fabulous train ride on Alaska Railroad to or from Anchorage. Then take another day, rent a car, and ride down to the Wildlife Refuge and go over and take a cruise to Portage Glacier. From jagged peaks and alpine meadows to breathtaking fjords and crystal lakes, this tour of the Seward Highway offers a concentrated series of diverse landscapes and experiences found together nowhere else in the nation. These are my 4 most favorite things, however, they are actually outside of Anchorage (south).
　




　
　

Alaska Photo of the Month

This month photo, submitted by :  Kevin Peterman - sunny Alaska Scenery 

Travel Alaska wants visitors to subit/share their Alaska photos.  They will be selecting one photo each month in their newsletter.

Submit them on TravelAlaska.com. Simply create a My Alaska account and post away.

Should I read up and even possibly choose my Alaska Shore Excursions in advance of Alaska cruise ? What if I choose to do nothing in port

Reading up on opportunities of availability answer is a sure YES.
Making decisions and committing to decisions in advance, is a little toss-up of an answer, however, I totally lean towards YES !

Just like many other things in your every day life, you have a true investment in your vacation, such as your Alaska cruise … Whether it’s just the cruise it’s self or a cruise/tour package. Therefore, in my opinion, it logically makes sense, to choose to read through all the shore excursion available, way before you sail !
It’s only to your personal advantage to read up and know what is actually available for you to see and do !


Again, whether you decide to make a choice prior, will have to be your decision.

The only two reasons, that I evern consider waiting on making a decision till I get onboard or on land is (and NOTE, I do not wait on any cruise, unless I specifically know that I can buy once on land) ...
* On the 2^nd day of your cruise, like on many cruises, there will be a port talk. This allows you to know and learn more, in helping you make the best decision for you and those traveling with you.
* Some ports offer you the opportunity at buying select tours, just right after you get into port, on the land, at a lower cost, such as Juneau. Yet NOTE, it’s to your advantage to know the type tour you want, and then know someone who knows, whether these type tours are ones you can wait on deciding on.

However, like on many cruises, there are select tours, offered through the cruise lines, that will undoubtedly sell out very quickly. Such tours, but not limited to, may include helicopter ride, zip lining, canoeing, kayak, plane rides, whale watching, dog sledding, and more ! For this reason alone, I would be unable to wait, in making a decision, till I got there !

Select tours, you do not dare wait till you get to port to sign up for, in hopes of lower rates … Such as the train in Skagway. As soon as the ship ports, it’s time to board that train. You possibly would never have time to run up to the train station and buy this on your own. Matter of fact, look online to see if there would even be enough savings to take such a chance ! Don’t get me wrong, you may be able to sign up for the afternoon train (?) by waiting ! But again, I would be watching online, because your date could easily sell out, with the cruise lines buying all the space !

In Ketchikan, it is my understanding, that you can NOT, buy on your own, the horse and buggy ride, that goes through the town, on your own. A couple years past, this was only available through buying through the cruise lines. I would wonder if you could buy the Deadliest Catch tour on your own ?). Again, from past experience, the Totem Pole Village, NOT brought from the cruise line, does NOT include the Indian dance show.

NOTE, select tours, like helicopter rides. If the tour becomes unsafe, it will be cancelled, and your money is returned, so it doesn’t really matter that you not know the weather in advance. And often, though the weather is bad in the town, it does not mean it’s the same, over on the glacier or up higher in the clouds.
One option I would not buy in advance, is the Tram Ride in Juneau. I would wait, and decide on the weather, after I got there.

It’s to your advantage, when buying your cruise, that you are buying specifically with an agent who has been to Alaska several times, in order to help you know whether you should choose to buy in advance, or what might be available for you in waiting and deciding once there on land !

If you are considering doing NOTHING, as far as tours in Alaska, especially due to their cost, this would NOT be my advice to you !
* You may only go once to Alaska, though many of my clients, like myself, continue to return, year after year !
* Like I tell clients, 6 months down the road, you won’t remember you spent this money, so go for it !
* So many great things to do and see here, and it’s all worth it
* There are economical choices, that you can make, to not break the bank and yet you will still feel, you “reaped” in your Alaska adventure. You just need that agent who can share insight with you !
　

HAPPY ALASKA ADVENTURES IN PORT !









　
　

What's Fun to SEE in Alaska

What’s Fun to SEE in Alaska ?
SEE pictures on Yahoo.
http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0PDoKh_5kNQNSIAldyJzbkF?p=see+in+alaska&fr=sfp-img&ei=utf-8&n=30&x=wrt

There’s so much to see and do in Alaska ! After being there 12 times, there is still so much that I have yet to see/do, yet, many times when there, I repeat the same things over and over. Why ? I love seeing/doing it again !

Some “Fun” things to get ready to SEE …
Here’s a few of what I continue to look forward to, each time I go !

While on cruise (and ports) …
* Mountains
* Snow
* Glaciers
* Trains
* The towns
* Other ships
* Sales (in the stores)
* Jewelry
* Indian artifacts
* Souvenirs
* Whales
* Dungeness crab (on a plate to eat)
* Eagles and other birds
* Salmon running
* Float planes
* Totem poles
* Natives
* Dogs and dog sleds
* Gardens
* Chunks of gold

Some folks may enjoy the views while …
* Riding in helicopter
* Riding in plane
* Kayaking
* Canoeing
* Fishing
* Zip Lining
* Hiking

Additionally, on Land Tours …
* Cities
* Bear/Moose, etc
* Log Cabins
* Gold Dredges
* River Boat
* Shows
* Rivers

No time like 2013 to get started in seeing Alaska !

Alaska Firefighters helping us folks in the Lower 48

AlaskaPublic.org Announces on August 10, 2012

Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks

Alaska firefighters are helping battle blazes in the Lower 48 again. Alaska Fire Service spokesman Mel Slater says a total of 200 firefighters headed south this week. The deployment includes village and regional crews managed by the State, Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service. Slater says Alaska is in a position to help out.

Slater says five Alaska based firefighting aircraft, a mix of helicopters and planes remain in the Lower 48, since being sent out of state last month.  This year’s fire season has been slow in Alaska, with only 207,000 acres burned.


Thank you Alaska.  From all of us in the Lower 48 ! 
Vivian M. Webb, MCC, C.Ht, CPLC

Why do you go on vacation ? Why not Alaska ? Yes bring your bathing suit !

What is your ultimate goal in going on vacation ?

Fun ?
New Experiences ?
Adventure ?
Sites/sightseeing ?
Culture ?
New forms of entertainment ?

For those who are unsure of venturing to Alaska, why ?
Love the sun ?
Fear of cold ?
Think you might be bored ?

　

Though it most certainly rains in Alaska, and the whether is unpredictable, just like Hawaii and Florida, the sun does come out in Alaska ! Matter of fact, a many a cruisers have laid out on the deck of the pool, while in port, in their bathing suit, and received a sun burn !

Did you know, they even offer snorkeling in Alaska ?
http://snorkelalaska.com/ 　


Per TravelAlaska.com …. “If you’re addicted to the History Channel, you stockpile old issues of National Geographic, or prefer to visit places where people practice customs different from your own, Alaska offers endless options.”

CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT. “Alaska visitors can experience the state’s unique Native culture through many avenues including totem carving, Native dancing, the blanket toss, traditional music, crafts and festivals as well as cultural and historical museums, heritage centers and academics. Whether you want to explore Alaska’s vibrant Native culture or other artistic and intellectual attractions like music festivals, local artisan handiwork, Russian iconography or museum exhibits, a long list of things to do and see awaits you.”

Russian Heritage
http://www.travelalaska.com/Things%20To%20Do/Art%20Culture%20History/Russian%20Heritage/Index.aspx

SIGHTSEEING. “Every step along the way offers sightseeing and touring opportunities in such a wide variety you'll never lack for choices. From whale watching, wildlife and glacier tours to historical towns and gold mines to cultural experiences to pure Alaskan wilderness adventure, you'll find much to experience and savor. From the Inside Passage to Fairbanks in the heart of the state to the frigid waters of the Arctic Ocean to the tip of the Kenai Peninsula you'll discover the best Alaska has to offer.”

ADVENTURE. “If you're looking for adventure, Alaska has it from the mild to the wild. Raft a world-class river, kayak along rugged coastlines, hike or bike a mountain trail. All are available on your own or with an experienced guide. Out of town adventures include charter fishing trips, sightseeing cruises and flightseeing tours. The railroad can take you in comfort through some of the world's most spectacular scenery.”

Alaska Rail Road traveling is fun !
http://www.alaskatravel.com/alaska-railroad/
Fishing
http://www.travelalaska.com/Things%20To%20Do/Fishing.aspx
Kayak and Rafting
http://www.travelalaska.com/things%20to%20do/adventure/kayaking%20rafting.aspx

Zip Lining
http://alaskacanopy.com/
Wildlife Viewing
http://www.travelalaska.com/Things%20To%20Do/Wildlife%20Viewing.aspx

Golf
http://www.alaskagolflinks.com/golfcourses.html
Shopping
http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/alaska/alaska-shopping

View photos:

http://www.travelalaska.com/Experience%20Alaska/Photo%20Gallery.aspx 　

There’s basically something for everyone.

What are you waiting for !

Is this an Alaska White Bear or what ? Is it an endangered animal ?

AlaskaPublic.org reports this month, by Anne Hillman, KSTK (Wrangell) … ‘Spirit Bears’ May Be Facing New Threat. “Some black bears, especially those on the coast of British Columbia, carry a genetic anomaly that makes their fur white. They’re popularly called spirit bears. KSTK’s Anne Hillman spoke to bear biologist Wayne McCrory, who has been studying the bears and trying to protect them for the past 30 years. He says they could be facing a new, larger threat. “

Why not take a moment and learn a little more about this unique bear …


Per Wikipedia, “Kermode bear, also known as Spirit Bear“.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kermode_bear

From National Geographic:
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/08/kermode-bear/barcott-text

Charles Russell writes… “Princess Royal Island, an uninhabited spot of land off the coast of British Columbia, is the home of the rare Kermode bear, a variety of grizzly bear. Also called the white, ghost, or spirit bear, it has long been the subject of myth, curiosity, and fascination to humans. ”.

Call your local book store and order your copy today:
Spirit Bear: Encounters with the White Bear of the Western Rainforest.
Diane Swanson writes … “The Spirit Bear is a unique subspecies of the North American black bear. It's neither a polar bear nor an albino, but a black bear that's white.”

Call your local book store and order your copy today: Welcome to the World of Spirit Bears, which contains nearly 30 titles and inspires, fascinates and educates children. “

Personally I have never seen or at least, never been pointed out, that a bear that I was viewing was one of the Spirit Bears.  I will ask better on my future adventures to Alaska !