Imagine your sense of wonder as you glide past glacier
after glacier or your first sight of a cresting whale.
While we have much to be proud of in our Alberta parks, I
think Alaska is mother nature's most spectacular show
piece.

This year over 30 ships are providing you the incredible
delights of warm, pampering service combined with the awe
of this magnificent journey.

Remember, there are no roads to Glacier Bay, nor to many
other top Alaskan attractions. That's why exploring these
pristine areas by ship is such a privilege.

Cruising Alaska offers us breathtaking views of Alaska's
natural wonders, as well as nights of thrilling
entertainment, fine dining, pampering service, and an
endless variety of activities.

>From the moment you depart the convenient port of
Vancouver, this will be the vacation you have only dreamed
about.

As you cruise along the Glacier route, you will experience
a magical, unspoiled land where walls of ice rise up from
crystal blue seas and landscapes of wild flowers give way
to snow-capped peaks.

Alaska is a mecca for lovers of wildlife and vast
wilderness. It is a place where you see sea lions
gathering to bathe in the sun and the bald eagles circle
overhead searching the waters for salmon. And you might
see humpback or orca whales as they acrobatically breach
the water's surface.

You'll be spellbound by the beauty of the Inside Passage.
You'll pass quiet bays, wooded islands, innumerable
mountains and waterfalls cascading from granite cliffs - a
panorama interrupted only by sightings of sea lions and
whales frolicking in the waters around you.

Even more fun can be had as you visit ports as interesting
as Ketchikan, southerly most port on the Inside Passage
route and known as the "salmon capital of the world". This
port is also renowned the world over for its famous
totems. Enjoy a stroll down famous Creek Street, the
towns "red light" district; visit Misty Fjords, America's
newest national monument or attend the "Salmon Bake" and
sample the local fare.

Juneau, Alaska's capital and your first taste of the gold
rush era, is a contrast of wild, natural country and
thriving city. Explore the fascinating City Museum, quaint
St. Nicholas Church and stop at Juneau's favorite watering
hole, the Red Dog Saloon.

The treasures beyond the city limits will beckon you too.
Tour Mendanhall Glacier by motorcoach or helicopter. This
river of ice, with craggy rock sentinels 3,000 feet above
sea level is a natural wonder.

Skagway, a magnet for gold-seekers in the late 1890's, was
referred to as the "roughest town on earth" with its over
80 saloons. You can relive the racy Klondike days in this
colourful turn-of-the-century town where cancan dancers
and other entertainers in 1890's garb will welcome you or
take an authentic horse drawn taxi into town and explore
the "Trail of 98" museum.

The plank sidewalks, false front buildings and narrow-
gauge White Pass and Yukon Railroad will make you feel as
if you were back in the days of the Gold Rush.

On northbound cruises, you'll also visit Sitka. When
Alaska was still Russian territory, this was her
glittering cultural centre in the West. Today, evidence of
Russian culture can be found in the priceless icons and
paintings of the onion-domed St. Michael's Cathedral.
Remnants of Sitka's Indian culture are preserved in the
National Historic Park.

A cruise to Alaska us the ideal vacation for couples,
families, single people, honeymooners and fun-lovers of
all ages and interests.

And there is no other way to do it with so much ease,
affordability and excitement than by modern cruise ships.

By Sid Kaplan

http://www.cruisevacationsguide.com