Alaska - more than just a cruise!

Although a cruise is an excellent way to see the beautiful Alaskan coastline, there's much more to explore! It's not just ocean, ice and snow - though those are some of it's most attractive features. With Alaskan cruising being the world's most popular cruise destination for two years in a row; this season is sure to make it three years running! Yes that's right folks, Alaska: # 1 cruise destination worldwide. With four different cruise options (Northbound, Southbound, Roundtrip, Inside Passage) and a variety of land tour add-on options, there's plenty of exploring to do in this beautiful state. Here are my personal three favourite spots - and three most well known spots - to spend some extra time in:
 
Valdez - for the Adventurer!

Valdez is a fishing port for commercial and sport fishing. It's also famous as a freight drop point - ocean ships, planes and semis unload freight which moves through Valdez bound for the interior of Alaska. Sightseeing of the marine life and glaciers, together with both deep-sea freshwater fishing, and Heli-skiing support the tourist industry in Valdez. The oil from the Trans-Alaska pipeline is loaded onto ships at the Valdez oil terminal - a definite stop for anyone passing through to see. The natural setting for Valdez is one of the most beautiful on earth, and it is known as the Switzerland of Alaska. Valdez is also known as the "North Shore" of heli-skiing and is home to no less than five heli-ski operations. Just north of Valdez on the highway is Thompson Pass, which has spectacular waterfalls and glaciers next to the highway. A must on the road trip stop list! But beware: Thompson Pass is also known for treacherous driving conditions during the winter. Valdez is home to several World Extreme Skiing Champs such as Dean Cummings.

 
Dutch Harbor, Unalaska Islands - for the Fisher(wo)man!

Dutch Harbor, made famous by the hit TV series Deadliest Catch, has made its mark on the reality TV industry. It is located within the city limits of Unalaska which is located on Unalaska Island and next to neighbouring Amaknak Island, the two of which are connected by a bridge. Unalaska is in the chain of Aleutian Islands located off the coast of Alaska in the Bering Sea. The 2011 census stated a population of 4,347 with nearly 60% of the population being located on Amaknak Island, better known as Dutch Harbor. Also located here is the Dutch Harbor Naval Operating Base and Fort Mears of WWII , now a National Historic Landmark.  Harbor has been the largest fisheries port in the United States, in terms of volume of seafood caught, for nearly every year since 1981. It is the main port and field base for the Bering Sea crab fishery. Due to its location, DH experiences harsh weather conditions nearly year round. With one paved runway on the islands and two sea plane harbours; it's difficult to get to.... especially with only four out of five scheduled flights actually going. There is a ferry however that departs from Kodiak Alaska every two weeks; so make your reservations far in advance!
 

Seaward - the Gateway to Kenai National Park

A deceptively long drive down the Seward Highway from Anchorage leads you to the city of Seward, a city on the Kenai Peninsula and home to just over 3,000 residents.  Named for President Lincoln's Secretary of State William H. Seward, this is the access point for Kenai Fjords National Park. Tours of the park via boat will often result in abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. Nearby Exit Glacier is also easy to access via a short hike from a parking lot.  Seward is also the home of The Alaska Sea Life Center, which was funded largely from settlement funds in the wake of the Exxon Valdez oil spill.  Mile 0 of the historic Iditarod Trail is at Seward. In the early 1900's the trail was blazed in order to transport people and goods to and from the port of Seward to interior Alaska. Seward is unusual among the many small Alaskan communities in that it has road access in the Seward Highway from Seward to Anchorage, a National Scenic Byway and All-American Road, which also brings it bus service. Seward is also the southern terminus of the Alaska Railroad. This keeps the port busy with freight coming on and off the trains, but also makes Seward a primary end point for north-bound cruise ships. Cruise ship passengers get off the boats and take the train farther north to Denali or other Alaskan attractions. Seward is also a very bike friendly community. A paved bike path runs from the downtown business district along the waterfront, through the harbor and along the highway to mile 4.5. Bikes are available for rent and there are guided bike tours of the area departing daily in the summer months.

Photo: Contributed

 
Of course honourable mentions as well go out to Fairbanks, Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, Anchorage, Skagway, Petersburg and Nome. For more information on these Alaskan gems, cruise options and land tour options; have a coffee with your Travel Agent today!

Remember: Alaskan Cruise Season runs from May to September - so all the "last minute cruise specials" for this destination are available NOW. Don't miss out!!

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.