Nearly one million visitors discovered Alaska in 2006, arriving on cruise ships big and small. Most of these vessels sailed the inside passage, where mountains, wildlife, and spectacular ocean vistas are common sights of Southeast Alaska.
You may see soaring eagles and spy hopping orcas. Thousands of bald eagles call Alaska home, growing fat on the state's abundance of salmon. Pods of orcas cruise the coast, looking to lunch on those same salmon. (Alaska is a great state for salmon fishing enthusiasts).
While there is a lot to take in from the deck of your ship, there is so much more to discover during day trips ashore. Meet some of the Natives to learn about their rich history and colorful culture. There are five groups of natives residing in Alaska today, each with their own continuing traditions. In fact, Alaska owes its name to the Aleuts who called it "Alyeska," or "great land. ...More information below photos...
...Continue gallery information:"
Cruise ships will stop in at a number of port towns of in Inside Passage. Skagway is a frontier town, once the Gateway to the Klondike. Here, horse and buggies and streetcars take you back in time to Alaska's gold rush. If you time your adventure just right, the town of Fairbanks holds the Ice Art Championships every two years. The creative ice sculptures are on display until the sun's rays take their toll. Juneau caters to cruise ship passengers, and for an up-close look at one of the glaciers that cover Alaska, the Mendenhall Glacier is a short trip from the capital city.
We have selected some of our pictures for you to show what you may expect on a Alaska Cruises. One of our Photo Assignments brought us to the Inside Passage in Alaska and some of the most popular Cruise Ship destinations in Southeast Alaska.
From Hyder, Ketchikan to Wrangell to Juneau, Haines and Skagway, Alaska Cruises offer it all