For Naturalists
You don’ t have to go far to see Alaska’ s bounty. Some of the most exciting wildlife sightings take place as you glance over your balcony railing. Scanning the horizon is a common pastime during a cruise of Alaska’ s Inside Passage, where wildlife seems to be everywhere. Often, the ship’ s captain or a naturalist will make an announcement so that passengers can grab their binoculars and see the birds and animals for themselves.
Choose one of the handful of cruise lines that devotes a day to Glacier Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site. That day is packed full of opportunities to view from the ship’ s deck this extraordinary spectacle of glaciers calving. While stopped in front of the various glaciers, the captain will spin the ship so that balcony cabin passengers on each side have a view from the comfort of their deck chairs. Consider extending your vacation with a visit to Denali National Park & Preserve to explore its stark tundra and archeological findings dating to the Ice Age. Many cruise lines combine an Alaska cruise with a few nights at lodges near the entrance of the park.
With the Kids
Mix a little education into the day’ s events with a visit to Skagway’ s Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Visitor Center, a museum gem that tells the story of prospectors who flocked to Canada and Alaska seeking their fortune. Kids can get a Junior Ranger booklet to interact with the exhibits, and Park Rangers are on hand to interpret the artifacts and lead daily walking tours.
Bald eagles are usually perched on top of the streetlights along Ketchikan’ s boardwalk as the ship docks in the early morning. The birds know that Ketchikan is the Salmon Capital of the World and often the fishermen leave behind an easy meal. Spend an
White Pass & Yukon Route Railway
afternoon at the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary near Ketchikan which offers a zip-line adventure coupled with the possibility of seeing black or brown bears in the forest below. Nothing imparts a deep appreciation of wildlife like witnessing bears prowling in their natural habitat.
With Accessibility
Arguably Skagway’ s most famous shore excursion, the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway is also among the most accessible. The railway ascends the stunning 2,865-foot summit of White Pass through a breathtaking panorama of mountain gorges, glaciers and waterfalls. The 40-mile roundtrip tour offers a look at quintessential Alaska
scenery without any strenuous activity. Offering lift-equipped train cars and ample seating, the tour is perfect for anyone with limited mobility.
In Ketchikan, a day cruise of the Misty Fjords National Monument in a purposebuilt touring vessel offers easygoing exploration. Take in the beauty of remote Rudyerd Bay fjord— with massive cliffs towering up to 3,000 feet high— while comfortably seated inside a heated cabin with panoramic windows. Orca and humpback whales can occasionally be spotted here. Throughout the journey, the engaging crew shares insights and personal histories of their connection to the region. ■
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