Alaska Cruise on Noordam from Vancouver (Canada)

Vancouver (Canada)

Vancouver is the third largest city in British Columbia and is considered to be one of the most attractive cities to live in the world. Its location by the sea and nearby mountains is popular for tourists and is often compared to Sydney and Rio de Janeiro. It is a cosmopolitan city with the flashing skyscrapers and tourist centers. Places to visit in Vancouver: the Anthropological Museum and its surroundings, Gastown, Granville Island, Chinatown, Waterfront Canada Place, World Science Centre, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Stanley Park, Vancouver Aquarium, University of British Columbia (UBC), Mountains and Beaches.

Alaska Inside Passage

The Inside Passage is a coastal route for oceangoing vessels along a network of passages which weave through the islands on the Pacific coast of North America. The Alaskan portion of the Inside Passage extends 500 miles (800 km) from north to south and 100 miles (160 km) from east to west. The area encompasses 1,000 islands, 15,000 miles (24,000 km) of shoreline and thousands of coves and bays. Cruising through the Inside Passage is really what has made Alaska cruising so popular. There are glaciers the size of Rhode Island. Misty rain forests and ghostly blue fjords.  And spirited communities that celebrate their varied heritage. Be sure to take in every view as you sail through one of the most beautiful parts of Alaska. Cruises to Alaska´s Inside Passage stop in four major destinations – Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, and Ketchikan – each with its own unique style and identity. Other stops on your Alaskan itinerary may include Anchorage, Icy Strait, Prince Rupert, Denali National Park, Haines, Glacier Bay, and Vancouver, British Columbia (or Victoria, British Columbia), Canada.

Ketchican (Alaska)

Ketchikan is a scenic town of approximately 14,000 people. Ketchikan´s economy is based upon tourism and fishing, and the city is known as the "Salmon Capital of the World". A stay in Ketchikan itself can be rewarding, however, as the city is the gateway to Misty Fjords National Monument, an area so beautiful, it is known as "The Yosemite of the North." With steep valleys formed by glaciers and lava flows left by volcanic activity, Misty Fjords offers gorgeous views of natural formations, all reflected in the calm waters of Pacific inlets. The Ketchikan Visitors Bureau, located near the cruise ship berth 2, publishes a comprehensive area guide that provides maps, contact information for tour operators and local attractions, sample itineraries and community information. Explore the surrounding area: set on the hillsides above the waterfront on a heavily forested, mostly wilderness island, the town of Ketchikan is worth visiting on its own merits.

Juneau (Alaska)

Juneau is Alaska´s capital, however you can´t get there by road, only by air or by sea. Juneau is a main port for the Alaska Marine Highway, Alaska´s ferry system. Downtown Juneau is compact and highly walkable, The most popular activities in Juneau for visitors are flight seeing, charter fishing, visiting the Mendendhall Glacier, hiking and shopping. Look for local shop with a sign on the window that says "This store is owned by an Alaskan family", that sell awesome pins, beads, carving arts, all done by local artists or customizable gifts for travelers who don´t want a boring, touristy-looking T-shirt. Highlights in Juneau include Mount Roberts Tramway, the Red Dog Saloon, the Alaska State Museum, the Gastineau Salmon Hatchery, the Governor´s Mansion, the Alaska Gastineau Mill, and the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center.

Skagway (Alaska)

Skagway is located in a narrow glaciated valley at the head of the Taiya Inlet, the north end of the Lynn Canal, which is the most northern fjord on the Inside Passage on the south coast of Alaska. Skagway is a town with a population of less than a thousand in south-eastern Alaska. The historical interest and natural beauty of the area make it a worthwhile place to visit. Start by stepping away from any buildings and turning 360 degrees for an impressive view of the nearby peaks that enclose Skagway. Places to visit are the Visitors Center, Skagway Museum and Archives, Jewell Gardens, Skagway, and the Sculpture Garden.

Glacier Bay (Alaska)

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is a United States National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is in the Panhandle of the state of Alaska. The park is best known for its massive glaciers, but is also an ideal destination for those seeking wildlife, kayaking, or simply a chance to get away. The park has snow-capped mountain ranges rising to over 15,000 feet, coastal beaches with protected coves, deep fjords, tidewater glaciers, coastal and estuarine waters, and freshwater lakes. Each summer humpback whales return to the bay from their wintering grounds near Hawaii to feed on the abundant small schooling fish. Many land animals also use the marine environment for foraging and travel. Moose and bears, for example, are accomplished long-distance swimmers that are frequently seen "dog paddling" their way across the bay.

College Fjord (Alaska)

College Fjord is located in the northern sector of Prince William Sound in the U.S. state of Alaska. It contains five tidewater glaciers (glaciers that terminate in water), five large valley glaciers, and dozens of smaller glaciers most of them named after renowned East Coast colleges. College Fjord was discovered in 1899 during the Harriman Expedition, at which time the glaciers were named. It is a popular destination for cruise ships. From one place, it is possible to see eight of College Fjords Glaciers at once. You will not be able to describe the feeling of being in the presence of these tidewater giants. A glacier calving is an incredible event: imagine thousands of tons of ice peel away from a glacier and hearing a sound like a massive detonation of high explosives, followed by a huge roar as newly born icebergs plunging into the sea.

Whittier (Alaska)