See Alaska By Cruise Ship This Summer

By Mandy Karlik

Sometimes I think that even if nobody new ever went on a first-ever cruise to Alaska, the cruise industry would stay busy with Alaskan cruises just taking people who've already been there back again...and again.

The largest state in a very large country, Alaska is probably not the place you think it is. First, it is a vast land where civilization exists in outposts against a wilderness background. There are many parts of Alaska where animals outnumber people.

The wilderness theme crops up where you would least expect it. Try to get in and out of the state's capital city, Juneau, and you find that you need to do it by boat or plane. The place is not accessible by car.

Flying is altogether a normal way of going from point A to point B in Alaska. The state has made flight-seeing popular since so many great natural attractions were best accessed from the air.

Alaska also has a railroad system that was built specifically to show off the state's enthralling natural beauty. Though not extensive, you can travel by rail in Alaska in dome-topped luxury club cars and see the mountains, valleys, and wildlife from the comfort of a luxury vehicle.

That's not such a very different concept from cruising, where you can sail by glaciers, mountains, wildlife, and postcard-perfect scenery all without leaving the comfort of the balcony of your stateroom. (If you like to travel inside stateroom to save money, you can watch this from the many public rooms on the ship.)

If you cruise to Alaska, expect to find chilly temperatures, even in summer. Factor in the breeze off the water and the chill when the sun sets and you can see why a cruise to Alaska requires you to take what passes for winter wear in some of our more southern states.

Of course, that has never stopped adventurous souls from appreciating Alaska. The state has a very diverse history. First, it's the only part of the United States that was ever once part of Russia. You may find Russian artifacts, habits, and even souvenirs in some places. When Seward bought Alaska for the U.S. in the 19th century, the deal was negotiated with Russia.

Early in its American history, Alaska became the sight of a gold stampede as lots of miners headed north to make their fortunes. A few even planned to pan for gold.

Today, Alaska is more concerned with "black gold," or its native oil reserves. Despite abundant natural wealth and beauty, life and even tourism in Alaska isn't always easy. Many products and services in Alaska are expensive, at least by lower-48 standards. The climate is cold and can be hostile, so travel requires a lot of advanced preparation and some physical hardiness.

That's why an Alaskan cruise makes sense, particularly for those modern-day adventurers who aren't so sure they want to climb a mountain of ice to see a glacier or struggle along an unpaved road in an off-road vehicle in the snow to get to the next town.

When shopping for an Alaskan cruise, look at the excursions that are offered. Most cruise ships offer plenty of time for you to soak up on-board activities, so you should take advantage of whatever shore excursions best match your interests.

Want to see polar bears? Go whale watching? Go fly fishing? Flight-see around a glacier? Shop for native art? Drive a dog sled? Most Alaskan cruises offer great excursions like these.

Some cruise shoppers penny pinch for excursions, but it is usually a better deal to penny pinch on a stateroom. Here's why. The biggest part of your bill in seeing Alaska is getting there. That's your cruise fare. Once you're there, you may be able to flight-see or whale watch or do other once-in-a-lifetime thing for a few hundred dollars.

Think of it this way. If you wanted to go fishing for Alaskan king salmon, right this minute, you'd have to get to Alaska and then charter a fishing trip.

If you wanted to whale watch today, you'd have to get to Alaska and then book passage on a whale-watching expedition.

On the cruise, you're already there. You're just paying a supplement or up - charge for these incredible experiences. If you have to economize, you're better off making do with a smaller or inside stateroom and getting the excursions.

Years from now, you won't remember your cruise so much from what your room was like but rather the excursions you had.

Mandy Karlik loves to travel and wishes she was on a cruise ship to Alaska right now. If you're not on an Alaskan cruise, either, find out how to get there by going to http://www.thecruise-shopper.com

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Why You Should Consider An Alaskan Adventure Cruise Now

By Dean Caporella

Alaska amazingly holds some fears for many and I guess the fear of the unknown has something to do with this however, what better way than to face those fears by hopping on board a ship and getting immersed in all it has to offer with an adventure cruise.

Long time Alaskan cruise enthusiasts have been discovering the magical qualities this vast wilderness has to offer over and over again and it's one of the few places left in the world where history has been relatively left untouched.

An adventure cruise should be just that and despite the wonderful experience you can have sailing on board one of the bigger ships on the seas, for those who want to get "down and dirty" and have plenty to choose from, smaller charter operators offer anything from kayaking adventures to fishing expeditions along with marine life experiences such as whale watching.

Experienced charter operators offer Inside Passage adventure cruises and if you are a keen angler then you'll get a whole new meaning to the word "big!" King Salmon and Halibut are in plentiful supply and the only problem will be whether you have the strength to haul them in. Kayaking trips are a great way to get amongst the wilderness and packages usually involve hiking trips as well. It's amazing once someone gets a taste of Alaska close up, the experience can be so overwhelming that it becomes a regular destination during their vacation schedule.

Did You Know?

Alaska is such a huge and diverse area however, there are places where big ships cannot go. Adventure cruise enthusiasts have the choice of a number of smaller operated charter services which can take them into areas that would normally be seen from a distance.

Then there's the trip along the amazing coastline between Vancouver and Anchorage. It's a long trip and along the way you'll get to see all of the Inside Passage from British Columbia, all the way to the Alaskan Gulf Coast. Adventure cruise specialists include land excursions as part of the packages available and you'll experience some of the Denali National Park and spend one or two nights in the midst of the wilderness in fabulous lodges.

Glaciers despite there enormity and mystery hold a magic fascination for many people. On an Alaskan adventure cruise, you have every opportunity to get close up and personal with the mighty glaciers. Shorter four day excursions from Juneau take you right into the hight of Glacier Bay. Not only will you get a close hand look at one of nature's most awe-inspiring structures but the marine life there to greet you will have you snapping away vigorously on your camera.

Package Prices

There are an array of options available to holidaymakers from shorter 3-4 day trips right up to near month-long adventure cruises. One of the best ways to enjoy the smaller charter operated expeditions, which include anything from glacier cruising to fishing, is to have your vacation tailor-made. You simply tell them what you're after and an itinerary will be drawn up to suit your particular needs. Otherwise, booking a passage on any one of the cruises on offer will ensure Alaska remains high on your list of destination highlights!

Dean Caporella is a professional broadcaster. Great tips and advice for your next Alaskan adventure cruise.You'll want to read this informative guide! Plus, read the latest cruise news and reviews at:http://www.cheapcruiseheaven.com

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Secrets of Alaskan Fishing

By Mandy Karlik

Cruise passengers to Alaska get plenty of opportunity to take fishing excursions, but it is hard to prepare a newcomer to Alaska for thrill of landing a 20-pound king salmon or the thrill of fishing for 100-pound halbiut. If you'd like to come home from your Alaskan cruise with some fish stories even your best fishing buddies would not believe, just test the icy waters of Alaska.

It's really better for the tourist to go with an excursion or guide than to set off alone. The main advantage to the tour is obvious: no gear. Just getting in and out of Alaska can be a bit of an adventure; so can travel within the state. After all, this is the only state in the Union whose capital city can only be accessed by ship or plane. Traveling with a rod and reel, tackle, and an assortment of lures is asking for trouble.

Guides are also important if you will only have a very limited amount of time to spend and want to maximize your fishing opportunities. Guides know the best spots to fish, can advise you of local regulations, and will assist you in getting the most productive fishing time out of your day.

The most abundant fish in Alaska's abundant waters it the sockeye salmon, sometimes called "reds." These fish are best known as being fighters. Born to swim against the current, a sockeye who takes a hook tends to explode and fight. They're pretty good at it, too. Only one out of every three sockeyes that gets hooked will get cooked. That's because most sockeyes never are landed.

The king of all Alaskan fish is the aptly named king salmon. Seward is probably the best known fishing epicenter for king salmons. The season starts in May.

Silver or Coho salmon come in fresh water and salt water versions. Silver salmon season is July to September, and the best way to go for these fish is by trolling. The limits are six a day (saltwater) or three a day (fresh).

If you've ever seen pictures of fishermen with gigantic fish caught in Alaska, you may be looking at a halibut. A 50-pound halibut is pretty normal, and it's not unusual for these fish to top 100 pounds or more. These fish are best known for their mild flavor and enormous proportions. It takes a lot of strength to land a halibut. Many fishing organizations prefer that the monster halibut get tagged and released.

Ling cod is another popular fish but it has a reputation of being tough to catch. Ling cod live in and around rocky areas and often keep company with silver salmon and rockfish. They are an appalling ugly fish but are known as a real delicacy with flesh as mild as halibut. Most ling cod have white flesh, but some of them are green in the raw state and cook white. While raw green fish is not very visually appealing to some consumers, fish connoisseurs prize the green ling cod filets (which cook to be white anyway).

Ling cod are best pursued with jigs and bait teasers. A 25-pound ling cod in Alaska is considered just about ordinary, and it would not be unheard of to land one that tops 50 pounds. They're wily fish, tough to attract, and when they bite they tend to run to the rocks and swim around, which can often effectively cut the line. The ling cod season is from July to September with the daily bag set at one fish.

Those cruise passengers who opt to go on a fishing excursion should find out before they go if their catch of the day can be served to them or frozen and stored. Cruise lines may have special rules, so ask or read materials first. You may be able to have your catch of the day served for your dinner. There are fishing companies that will freeze your catch and then send it on its way. Airlines going in and out of Alaska also have provisions for passengers to check frozen fish. Please ask your airlines since regulations change constantly, but at one time, passengers on most flights in and out of Alaska could check up to 50 pounds of frozen fish at no charge.

If you do have fish frozen, find out how it is packed and how long it will last. Many flash-frozen products are placed in insulated coolers, but still can only be expected to last about 24 hours before they need to get in refrigeration.

Mandy Karlik is a freelance travel writer specializing in the cruise industry. She edits the website http://www.thecruise-shopper.com and keeps up with industry news at http://www.cruiselinesnews.blogspot.com

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How to Get a Discount Cruise Deal on a Caribbean or Alaskan Cruise

By Elaine Lince

There are ways to get a great discounted Caribbean or Alaskan cruise. Cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, Princess, Norwegian, Holland/America, Windstar, Carnival and Celebrity offer last-minute deals, seasonal sales, and sometimes discounts for repeat customers. You can search all the cruise lines on the internet for cheap deals. Or you can make good use of your time by using an online cruise agency who has several cruise lines for you to compare. They may also be able to arrange any necessary flights or overnight stays for you in a package deal.

If you are willing to be flexible about the dates you travel you can usually get a better discount. Mid-week prices are often less. If you are flexible about where you go, you can often get a better deal. Booking early is often a way to get a better price. Let Royal Caribbean, Princess, Carnival and the other cruise lines compete for your business.

Booking late is another way to get a good discounted deal. But you have to be willing to be flexible as to where you go and what cruise line you use. On line travel agencies often post last-minute deals that are truly great deals. Going early or late in the cruise season is another way to get a great deal. There will be more competition for you by the major cruise lines like Celebrity, Holland/America and Norwegian. They want your business.

If you are looking for a great deal on a great vacation, going on a Caribbean or Alaskan cruise may be the thing for you. When you consider the luxury of the accommodations and food that you will get on board ship, along with the free activities, a cruise is a great deal. Then if you can get it at a discount, it’s even better!

So now you have your game plan to get the best cruise prices. When you get ready to book your cruise don't forget to check out all the fun activities to enjoy on your perfect vacation.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elaine_Lince