Cruising Alaska’s wondrous waters
READY with your spirit of f adventure?d t ? Alaska’sAl k ’ wide-open landscapes — where animals and ice-blue glaciers are the stars of the show — are a must to explore.
From bald eagles to bears and breaching humpback whales, to playful sea otters and bright totems, there is so much to wonder at in this stunning wilderness that’s surprisingly warm in summer.
And a cruise is the ideal way to witness its highlights, taking you effortlessly around America’s most awesome outdoor playground in considerable comfort and style.
As you sail into this pristine world of misty fjords, lush forest and gleaming walls of ice, there’s a chance to pan for gold, meet the Tlingit people, and hear tales both tall and true of a region where the Wild West spirit lives on.
As seen on BBC1’s Wild Alaska Live this week, you could chance upon bears snatching leaping salmon from rivers and curious moose posing majestically by the roadside, as you explore national parks the size of nations and vast glaciers. The word ‘epic’ barely does Alaska justice. Watch for whales and eagles EMBARK on an Alaska & The Inside
Passage journey with Viking Ocean Cruises — and enjoy a front-row seat from your own private verandah.
The Inside Passage is an endless canvas of beauty. Sail past lush forests spilling down steep cliffs to the shore. Keep a watchful eye for orcas, dolphins and whales and a wide array of birds, from bald eagles to cormorants.
Former frontier town Ketchikan has a history as wild as the landscape, hundreds of totem poles and a chance to see salmon spawning grounds. Embark on an amphibious duck boat tour of the scenic Tongrass Narrows, or take an optional excursion by seaplane or 4x4 vehicle.
Sitka boasts a colourful Russian influence, with an Orthodox cathedral. Go on an included walking tour here, or opt to see an extinct volcano on a nearby island by boat or plane.
Marvel at Juneau’s fjord-like setting, as you take an included drive to pan for gold, or embark a small boat on an optional excursion to the stunning Mendenhall Glacier, spotting porpoises and whales.
And Skagway really does evoke the Old West spirit. It’s the site of the Klondike gold rush at White Pass. Explore here by coach (included) or rail, or Spectacular: From breaching whales to giant bears, Alaska offers so many stunning sights. Above: On board the spacious Viking Star perhaps choose to visit a sled dog camp. Celebrate Tlingit fishing traditions at Icy Strait Point, where locals in traditional dress show you around the old canning station, a real time capsule (included).
Optional excursions include whale-watching — or a floatplane ride over the breathtaking Glacier Bay National Park.
Then cruise to the icy wall of the spectacular Hubbard Glacier in majestic Yakutat Bay.
In Valdez, explore the old town (included), or take an optional excursion to magnificent Prince William Sound. And from Seward there are more blue glaciers and national parkland to visit — by helicopter if you choose.
At the end of this 11-day cruise, you could extend your journey with a twonight hotel stay in Vancouver, where there is a rich frontier history, museums, markets and a vast Chinatown, full of foodie treats.
Whatever you do, you’ll never forget the wonderland of Alaska, where you cannot help but feel the call of the wild.