The history of the United States is founded on the great frontier spirit that first enabled the country to be settled and developed to become the most powerful nation in the world. That frontier spirit still exists, no more so than in the far-flung state of Alaska, separated from the main body of the country and an extension of the Canadian landmass.

This vast, icy landmass, a mere 50-miles from Russia at its westernmost point across the Bering Straits, has proved to be a magnet for cruises, with dozens of cruise deals available during the sailing months of May to September, the winter and spring months being considered generally too cold for comfortable cruising.

Departure Ports

Most cruise ships leave either from Seattle, in the United States, or Vancouver in Canada. Americans will often travel from Seattle because it means that they do not have to go through customs at the airport in Vancouver. However, Vancouver has one of the most beautiful settings of any city in the world, and many people find it a great place to stay for a few days before setting out on their Alaskan cruise.

It is also possible to take a long cruise from San Francisco to Alaska, and very often travellers will take it one way and fly home from Anchorage, Alaska’s capital. The option is also usually available to passengers on the Seattle and Vancouver voyages.

Routes

The majority of cruises will take the Inland Passage, a mass of waterways, channels and fjords that have protection from the wild, open ocean thanks to a variety of islands. Cruise deals offer many opportunities to take shore trips, and these are both entertaining and informative about the history of the little settlements and the teeming natural life that exists there. It is worth studying carefully information about excursions and bear in mind the time of year as well. It will be colder in May and September, and although the summer months may not be considered warm compared with many other summer climates, it can get up to a perfectly pleasant 600 F.

Some cruises also take passengers further north to the Gulf of Alaska. Known as the Glacier Route this journey provides stunning views of the ice-covered marvels of south Alaska, with many people then opting to fly back from Anchorage or extend their trip by taking a longer land excursion into the Alaskan interior.

Wildlife and Excursions

From a helicopter dogsled tour in Juneau to an underwater tour in a semi-submersible ship in Sitka, there are wide-ranging opportunities to take part in different activities onshore. Indeed, part of the attraction of cruises to Alaska is the difference between the luxury lifestyle on board ship and the uncompromising, raw lifestyles that are lived by Alaskans.

Wildlife can be spotted at almost any time during a cruise: bald eagles, the national bird and symbol of the USA, may be seen dipping and soaring in the clear blue skies; black bears and grizzly bears might be glimpsed as they fish for salmon; beluga whales may be swimming off shore and herds of caribou roam the rugged countryside. Take binoculars and spend some time on deck checking out everything there is to see.