Your GETAWAY Guru
Wild & Wonderful
Head North for Your Next Cruise
By Kathy Yarian
Alaska, the last frontier… Or is it, really?
Our 49th state is a top bucket-list travel destination among older adults, and its location, scenery and affordability are the reasons why.
Location
The land of the midnight sun is a half-world away from Northeast Ohio, but surprisingly accessible with daily flights to Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau. Even better, it’s easily accessed via cruise ships from Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia.
Scenery
Clean. Pristine. Unspoiled. Natural beauty. That’s how I would describe this state. In one day can you see a snow-capped mountain, a grizzly bear and her cubs, salmon swimming in the stream, bald eagles soaring overhead, moose walking alongside the road and a pod of orca swimming alongside your boat? It’s true. I’ve seen this firsthand, and so can you.
Affordability
There are so many ways to visit Alaska. Some folks enjoy taking their time to rent a motorhome and drive there. Others prefer to fly into Fairbanks, take the Alaska Railroad through Denali National Park then onto Anchorage and end in Seward, which lies on the Gulf of Alaska. Most others opt for the cruise ship method.
Choose a Cruise
When it comes to touring this great state, I recommend a cruise/tour for your first-time visit. This gives you the best views of both the ocean and land that Alaska has to offer.
My favorites are Holland America Line and Princess Cruise. Both lines have several ships in Alaska during the summer. Both specialize in Alaska with their own buses, lodges and trains. If you are a fan of other cruise lines, you will probably find an option on them for Alaska but, chances are, they will not offer the same land tours, accommodations or services that Holland America or Princess do.
What’s the best cruise or cruise tour? It depends on how much time you have. If you are limited to a seven- to eight-day trip, I recommend a seven-night round-trip cruise from Seattle. This would have you traveling along the coast with stops in Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway, and cruising the beautiful inside passage, where you will see lots of glaciers and mountains.
Alaska Airlines offers daily nonstop flights from Cleveland to Seattle. Unfortunately, this itinerary does not go into Denali National Park.
If you have at least 10 days or more, I recommend flying into Fairbanks or Anchorage and taking a land tour via bus or train to see Denali National Park and Mount McKinley. Here you could stay at one of the lodges and take daily hikes or excursions to see wildlife. Bears, eagles, wolves, moose, caribou and dahl sheep are the main animals to spot here. There are great hiking trails and immersive bus tours that will allow you to see all the natural beauty that you’d expect to see in Alaska.
After your time there, continue your journey on a seven-night cruise along the coastline visiting Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Glacier Bay or Icy Strait and Sitka. The ports vary with the cruise line.
Excursions purchased onboard are tailored to your interests. Some include a wildlife kayak trip, whale watching, glacier hiking, helicopter tours, deep-sea fishing, crab boat tours and relaxing trolley rides through town. Otherwise, the ship docks in the middle of town and you can explore it on your own for the day, grab an ice cream cone or cold beer, and talk with the locals.
How Much?
Alaska cruises vary in price and are offered from mid-May through mid-September. The best prices are found early and late in the season when the weather can be cool and rainy. Late June through July or early August offer the best weather.
Choosing the right cabin on the ship is important. If you’re on a tight budget, or don’t plan to spend time in your cabin other than sleeping there, opt for an interior cabin with no window.
Oceanview balcony cabins are my favorite. There is something to be said for sitting out on your balcony, watching the world go by while sipping your hot cocoa under the stars. These types of cabins range from the standard-size cabin to a suite. Depending on the number of guests in the cabin, a suite has much more living space.
One more point: Larger, older ships are usually less expensive than smaller, newer ships.
Booking early is the key for Alaska. Lock in your price and your cabin. If deals come up after you book, most cruise lines allow you to revert to that lower price or promotion prior to final payment.
Enjoy drinks and want to have Wi-Fi to message friends back home? Many of the cruise lines will have packages that include those and other perks like prepaid gratuities or shore excursion discounts. A good travel agent will walk through these options to help you find the best deal and package that best suit your lifestyle.
Happy traveling.
