Alaska, also known as the Last Frontier, is an outstanding place to see and experience.
Everything you have heard about the beauty of this state is absolutely true; photographs alone do not do it justice. Between Glaciers and snowy mountain peaks, there is no shortage of breathtaking sites to capture your attention.
Here are a few tips to know before you go:
Always be on the lookout for movement in the water it could be all manner of creatures but If you see the spray come up prepare for one of the most majestic mammals in the world to make a brief appearance.
If Whale Watching is something that interests you, I would recommend Shore excursions group.
Binoculars are a must; good-quality ones that are bigger will increase the chances of seeing wildlife.
If you see a white head soaring through the trees, it is most likely an American bald eagle. Keep an eye out for their large nests above.
It is always a good idea to bring footwear that is waterproof or at least resistant, that has already been broken in as you will be doing a lot of walking.
Ketchikan is great for whale watching. It also offers a variety of shops within walking distance of the port.
Keep an eye out for the Made in Alaska symbol or made by Alaskan Natives as most things cannot be produced in Alaska and must be shipped in.
Juneau was wonderful for Whale Watching, even seeing Orca's which are more elusive at this time of year, surrounded by incredible history.
Skagway offers a bus service from the cruise port through Downtown for three dollars per person per direction, or five dollars per person for the day to which they would stamp your hand. This allows you to get on or off the small buses as they move around the main area of the town and return to the ship port.
Book the excursions; if there is an activity that interests you book it, they can fill up fast, cameras do not do the views justice. They allow you to get much closer to the action and connect you with knowledgeable individuals. It is worth it.
The weather is unpredictable, so it is best to bring items that can be layered. A good water-resistant layer that can break the winds and boots will be very useful.
If you are leaving from Seattle, there are many available options for getting to and from the port. We stayed at the Hyatt Place Seattle Downtown, located nearby the Space Needle. It was easy to access from the Seattle-Tacoma airport using the light rail and public bussing. They also offer access to a shuttle service that picks you up at the hotel lobby and drops you off at the Cruise Port for twelve dollars per person. However, I did find that if you would prefer a more budget friendly option, it is very easy to use public transportation.
There is a light rail station attached to the airport where you can traverse many places or 3 dollars USD per person for a bus ride one way.
Google maps are very helpful as far as navigation is concerned. Seattle's cruise port is at Pier 91. If you have the option of choosing your boarding group, be sure to choose the first in one order to give your party as much time as possible. The Terminal is very small and the pier is short and the majority is outside.
There are no shopping or sight-seeing spots at the pier; it is just the ships, up to two.
Be sure to make sure you get in the correct line for your boarding group, and for the correct ship.
There is a luggage drop-off when you enter the building for correctly labelled luggage, then you must proceed back into line to continue the process.
Once through security, you will be directed to an agent who will process your passports. We found some Canadian passports were challenging because of the glare when photos are taken, so it may increase the wait time. Then once you receive your medallion, you may proceed onto the ship with your carry-on luggage.
I had the great pleasure of experiencing Alaska for the first time aboard Star Princess and it was truly incredible.
Everywhere you look in Alaska is like looking at a stunning postcard. Whether it is by cruise, land or train I hope that you can enjoy the experience and wonder of Alaska
