Booking with an Alaskan cruise line can be challenging. You’ll have to consider more than just the price. The ports are just as important. Each cruise line will have their own shore excursions available. Since this is one of the best aspects of an Alaskan cruise, you’ll need to do some research. The Alaskan cruise line you choose should meet all of your expectations. Here are 3 of the most popular ports, and a few of the activities offered.
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Skagway Ports for Alaskan Cruise Line Excursions
Skagway ports offer a lot when it comes to sightseeing excursions. For example, Carnival cruises line offers their Steam Train Adventure. On this 4 hour excursion you will board a train that takes you through Skagway port’s most scenic locations. A personal attendant will provide a full commentary of the Klondike Gold Rush history. While on the train you will experience gorges, mountains, tunnels and waterfalls up close and personal. With Celebrity cruises, you can experience Skagway by way of helicopter. This will give you a bird’s eye view of the remote glaciers of Alaska. The helicopter will take you to a remote Alaskan cruise line area to go on a walking tour. This cruise line tour is approximately 80 minutes long. The time is split up evenly between your time on the helicopter and your time on the actual glacier. Norwegian cruise lines offer you with a dog sledding inspired tour. This excursion starts by way of flight over the Skagway glaciers. You will land on Denver Glacier at a dog camp. You have the option of driving the actual sled or riding along.
Ketchikan Ports
For any Alaskan cruise line, the wildlife is a big part of the package. There are not many cruise locations that will allow you to see wildlife up close and personal like Alaska. With the Celebrity Cruise line, you can experience Alaska as a local. Get outfitted with quality fishing gear and board a 20 foot skiff. The fish you catch will then be prepared at an exclusive nearby beach. While the fish is prepared, you are taught special techniques in preparing fish. As you fish you will also get the opportunity to see bald eagles, whales and seal rookeries up close. With Carnival cruise lines, you can see live bear up close and personal. With this Alaskan cruise line take off on a float plane and take a short 20 minute flight to Tongass National Forest. With these Alaskan cruise packages, you will be met by a local naturalist after landing. They will then take you to a salmon filled stream. As you learn about the vegetation, bald eagles, martens, minks, Sitka black tailed deer and black bears are likely to be nearby. Norwegian Cruise lines will also take you through the Tongass National Forest. Your destination is Totem Bight State Park where you will visit Eagle Center and Deer Mountain Hatchery. It is here with this Alaskan cruise line that up close photographs can be taken of bald eagles in a natural setting. As you walk along Ketchikan Creek you will be taken to the Totem Heritage Center where they have original totems.
Juneau Ports
Juneau ports offer up fantastic looks at the city and way of life. The Norwegian Cruise line will take you right into downtown Juneau. It is in the capital city where you will experience one of the only drive-to glaciers in the world. As you are taken through downtown you will visit Mendenhall Glacier. This glacier has a very distinctive blue color in its moving river of ice. The Glaciology exhibit can be visited at the visitor center. With this Alaskan cruise line, take the opportunity to learn more about the area with the Forest Service Ranger or simply enjoy the view. Carnival will take you to Glacier Gardens in Thunder Mountain. With these Alaskan cruise tours you are guided through an atrium filled with unique flowers and upside down trees in full bloom. From there take a trip to the Mendenhall wetlands. This includes Douglas Island, Gastineau Channel and Auke Bay. The Alaskan Brewing Company will offer tours on this excursion as well. This company will provide you with a detailed look into their humble beginnings in 1986. You will also have the opportunity to sample 4 different beers and watch them make their bottles. Celebrity Cruises allows you to get a glimpse in Juneau’s rich mining heritage. Juneau is a very popular port for any Alaskan cruise line.
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