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08 August 2007

Alaskan Cruise - Relaxing Vacation

by Mitchel Mason
The Alaskan cruise is often overlooked when shopping for a cruise. Most people contemplate on a warm destination first. Some popular ones are the Mexican Riviera, the Panama Canal, the Caribbean, and the Bahamas. The itinerary is also an important factor to consider/V]contemplate on. These cruises can be quite a treat for first-time cruisers.

However, for regular cruise aficionados, they might be searching for an idea of a cruise that is a little different from the usual destinations previously mentioned. If the itinerary is still the same although they are sailing with different cruise line, the element of uniqueness and excitement is not present in their cruise vacation.

If you are one of those vacationers who are looking for a different cruise experience, then a cruise trip to Alaska is what you are looking for. You can expect a different landscape and culture that you will not forget.

If you are ready to do something unique, then try the Alaskan adventure. It has everything that will suit your needs. It is indeed a perfect getaway either for a short excursion or for a long vacation.

Alaska is the biggest expansive state in the United States in terms of land area (570,374 square miles); if superimposed over the map of the country, it can cover the states of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico, and Colorado. Although having an enormous land area, it is one of the largely unpopulated areas in the world, with animals outnumbering human settlers.

Its boundaries are marked by natural expanses like mountain ranges and streams. The largest attraction in Alaska is its ice glaciers, which makes it a perfect destination for cruising. Sailing along its expansive coastline allows you to observe these spectacular sights.

If you select a cruise that will bring you in Glacier Bay, you will witness the glaciers calving. Calving is the process by which the rivers of ice drop breaks off the edge of the cliff into the sea. Larger mass of glaciers can perform this several times an hour. It is one of the breathtaking aspects of an Alaskan cruise.

After seeing these glaciers calving, you may also have the urge to touch a glacier. Lucky for you, there are cruise lines that provide helicopter rides and hiking which permit you to step on one of these ice glaciers. This is one of the many unique options that an Alaskan cruise provides.

If you take an Alaskan cruise vacation, you may also want to check Tracy Arm Fjord, which is a stretch of water that ventures inland and away from the shoreline. It will allow you to experience the power of the granite walls, mountain peaks, and majestic waterfalls from an unusual vantage point.

Perfect months for getting an Alaskan cruise are May through September. You can expect a decrease in temperature at over a hundred degrees in the South during summer season.

There are two very popular Alaskan cruises. The first one is the Inside Passage cruise, which normally runs a length of about a week. It includes itinerary stops at Ketchikan, Skagway, and Juneau. Different sights and side trips can also be expected when you take this cruise.

The second one is the Gulf of Alaska cruise, also known as the Glacier Route Cruise. You can expect to see the Glacier Bay, which is previously mentioned in this article, and possibly the Hubbard Glacier.

Whichever cruise you prefer, cruise lines will provide you options on the ships that you want to board. There are smaller excursion ships that can carry an average of 150 passengers. You can take a closer look at a glacier rather than using the larger cruise ships (see what happened to the famous Titanic vessel).

The selections are all dependent on you. If you are really an adventurous individual, you want to book a smaller cruise vessel although it is quite expensive. If sightseeing for you is enough, then a bigger cruise ship is good for you. Don't worry, though, whichever you choose, always expect the unexpected!

Alaskan cruising might seem like a strange choice at first. However, it will surely be an exciting vacation and an unforgettable time for you. If you're looking for something a little different, embark on an Alaskan cruise.


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