Alaska cruising will reach new heights in 2012, with dozens of ships offering passengers a wide range of experiences and access to an exciting array of adventures ashore. Home to bald eagles, whales, sea lions, black bears, and flocks of seabirds, Alaska is one of the last unspoiled places on Earth and an ideal destination for cruisers looking to get close to Mother Nature.
Alaska In 2012: Cruise Ships
Alaska-cruise leaders Holland America Line and Princess Cruises will have a combined total of 14 ships sailing from Vancouver, Seattle, and Anchorage this year (travelers wishing to add sightseeing in Denali and other areas to their voyage can also choose from a selection of cruisetours available between May and October). Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Star will both set sail for Alaska from Seattle, as will Carnival’s “Fun Ship” Spirit, while Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises will each have one ship sailing from Vancouver and Seattle. Disney Cruise Line will also set sail for Alaska in 2012, with Disney Wonder scheduled for a series of one-week voyages departing from Seattle.
Luxury cruise ships will be visiting Alaska, too. Regent Seven Seas has scheduled Seven Seas Navigator for departures from Vancouver, and Silversea’s Silver Shadow will also set sail for Alaska from that port.
Alaska In 2012: Shore Excursions
My most unforgettable Alaska experience was a three-hour excursion to Juneau’s Taku Lodge, which is only accessible by floatplane. After soaring over a glacier, we gently splashed down in front of the lodge, where we were greeted by the sight of black bears meandering around the property and the incredible smell of salmon baking over an outdoor grill. Lodge staff gently chased the bears away, but they always returned (while dining on salmon during dinner inside the lodge, in fact, one such bear came to the screen door and snorted at us!).
You’ll still find this excursion offered in 2012, along with plenty of other exciting options. “Whales, Bears & Glaciers,” for example, is the perfect Alaska trifecta (a whale-watching cruise, a search for bears along a salmon-bearing stream, and an unforgettable flight above Mendenhall Glacier and Juneau’s Icefield on your way back to town). A “Wilderness Exploration & Crab-Fishing Adventure” is also available (in Ketchikan). After a scenic, 30-minute bus ride, you’ll board a skiff, pontoon boat, or catamaran and motor seven miles past snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, and the Mahoney Glacial Cirque en route to crab-harvesting grounds. At Coon’s Cove, home to a personal-use fishery, guests help pull up crab pots prior to feasting on a Dungeness Crab dinner at George Inlet Lodge.
Care to give whitewater rafting a try? In Juneau, you’ll start with a float in Mendenhall Lake, with its breathtaking views of the blue-tinged Mendenhall Glacier. The current picks up, and soon you’ll find yourself bouncing along some mild, Class-III rapids with ice-cold water splashing against your face. Your journey winds through the forest and concludes with a float through a Juneau neighborhood.
Alaska In 2012: Cruising With Children
Up until about a decade ago, Alaska cruisers were predominantly seniors interested in a sedentary, sightseeing vacation; since that time, it’s become one of the hottest cruise destinations for families. Seeing a whale breech, panning for gold, or watching a glacier “calf” are experiences that children will remember forever. No other place on Earth offers a greater number of exciting adventures.
The most popular cruise lines for families are Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Disney; all are major players in Alaska in 2012. Princess Cruises also attracts many families to Alaska due to its extensive list of “active” shore excursions.
by Anne Campbell
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