Alaska

Immense icebergs, snow-encrusted scenery and an amazing diversity of wildlife make Alaska one of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders – and a cruise destination like no other.

Imagine days spent watching pods of migrating humpback whales surfacing and diving against a pristine backdrop of glacial coastline in Glacier Bay.

Or a trip ashore to witness the excitement of a grizzly bear feeding frenzy as they squabble over fish in crystal-clear mountain streams.

The occasional orca, or a swooping bald eagle – Alaska is home to an amazing variety of species, many of which face near extinction in other parts of the world.

Then there’s the sheer awesomeness of the landscape.

Where else can you experience the jaw-dropping spectacle of huge sheets of ice shearing from the sides of icebergs the size of ten-storey buildings and thundering into the sea, as they do with regularity at the face of the Hubbard Glacier?

Excursions ashore to places like Ketchikan can offer visits to unspoilt native Alaskan settlements peppered with icons and artefacts crafted in traditional style.

Or why not try one of the many organised activities like dog-sled rides across the tundra and hikes through forests dotted with glacial waterfalls.

You can also get a glimpse of the region’s significant American heritage with a visit to the gold-rush buildings of the Klondike frontier towns like Skagway or spend a day in Juneau, the state capital with the most eye-catching setting in the USA.

You may want to extend your stay in Anchorage whose big city attractions lie surrounded by such spectacular scenery as the wilds of the Kenai Peninsula and ice covered peaks of Alaska’s mountain hinterland.

Choose your cruise ship to suit your desired style of holiday, from the larger ‘floating resort’ vessels with a wealth of onboard entertainment and activities, to smaller pathfinder ships where the emphasis is on getting up close to the network of fjords and inlets.

Most cruises will start from Canada or the USA and you may choose to spend some time in places like Seattle, San Francisco or Vancouver before your journey departs.

You may even take the opportunity to book an add-on tour that could take you through the Canadian Rockies, either by coach or the Rocky Mountaineer train – a highlight of many passengers’ holidays whether taken at the beginning or end of your cruise.

Alaska’s exciting cruising season only runs from May to September so be sure to book your holiday in good time.

There are a range of cruise options to this breathtaking part of the world which is a popular choice for most of the world’s leading lines including Princess, Holland America, & Carnival