CP56 Alaska for Beginners

cruıse WIN A PACIFIC ISLANDS CRUISE ON CARNIVAL LEGEND

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

ISSUE 56 WINTER 2014

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NEW CRUISERS’ GUIDE ALASKA

wild Call of the

Why Alaska has become a favourite cruise destination for Australians.

Words Roderick Eime

I

Brown bears and a bald eagle in Alaska, where wildlife is a big drawcard.

t’s no wonder that Alaska is attracting visitors from Down Under in record numbers. The vast wilderness, huge range of activities for all tastes and budgets and opportunity for adventure make it the perfect destination for outdoor-loving Aussies.

But Alaska’s tourism season is short and frantic and the best attractions sell out quickly. So first-timers are advised to plan carefully, ideally with help from an experienced agent.

To gain a full insight into this rich and varied destination, any visit to Alaska should include both land and sea components.

No matter what size ship you choose, Alaska’s famous Inside Passage is where the vast majority of cruising takes place. Bordered by stunning mountain ranges covered in dense forest, this stretch of water is a 1,500-kilometre sheltered sea extending from Seattle in Washington to Skagway in Alaska.

The calm, deep waterways of the Inside Passage were originally explored by early navigators escaping the dreadful weather www.cruisepassenger.com.au

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ALASKA NEW CRUISERS’ GUIDE Humpback whales, Juneau, Alaska

in the Pacific Northwest. But it wasn't long before tales about this most agreeable land and the favourable passage became widespread in maritime circles.

Alaska’s portion of the passage encompasses over 1,000 islands, 24,000 kilometres of shoreline and thousands of coves and bays, while British Columbia’s share is a similar size.

During the northern summer tourist season (mid-May to mid-September)

that are hidden away in the region.

Small-ship voyages are a fascinating way to explore the truly wild Alaska.

Adventure cruise options from operators including Lindblad Expeditions, UnCruise Adventures, Alaskan Dream Cruises and others allow a much more intimate exploration of these glorious waters. Excursion by Zodiac is the preferred method, when a dozen passengers and a guide can investigate wildlife sightings, birds,

You ' can get up close to calving glaciers while escorted by pods of orcas and inquisitive seals.' the traffic through the passage gets pretty hectic. Big cruise ships from lines such as Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and Norwegian Cruise Line, each carrying around 2,000 passengers, slip through the tranquil waters, soaking up the crisp air and eye-popping scenery. When the ships stop at little villages and towns along the way, enterprising locals come out in force to embrace the cashed-up tourists.

Inside Passage cruises are overwhelmingly popular, easy on the motion-sensitive tummy, and overflowing with magnificent scenery and fun shore excursions. But the big-ship experience barely scratches the surface of the wondrous nature and wilderness possibilities 60

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plants and geographical features at leisure.

These vessels typically carry fewer than 50 passengers into some of the most remote and secluded nooks and crannies along the passage where you can get up close (but not too close) to calving glaciers while escorted by pods of orcas and inquisitive seals.

The iconic tourist attractions such as the glaciers in Prince William Sound, the delightful Alaska Railroad and the aweinspiring Denali National Park should all be considered, but remember that everyone else wants to see them too. This is why booking with an experienced agent is important.

Don’t let a rookie mistake spoil your expensive holiday.

Apart from the enormous variety and scope of natural attractions, there is a refreshing perspective on indigenous tourism in Alaska. “First nation” families run many of the museums and guided tours in and around the little towns like Petersburg, Ketchikan and Wrangell. An exquisite piece of Alaskan native artwork is a magnificent souvenir.

Other activities to consider include guided trekking, kayaking, flightseeing and camping.

Experienced kayakers can enjoy some of the best open-water and river kayaking in the world, but wilderness paddling and camping need to be taken seriously – the water is cold and the wildlife can be, well, wild.

Many visitors take the self-drive alternative. Using a regular car or selfcontained campervan/motorhome, Alaska is the ideal destination for experienced road warriors, with excellent roads, camping grounds and planning material.

Tourism in Alaska is a major business and everyone from local “mom and pop” stores to government bodies are fully tuned in to deliver the most rewarding experiences possible.

MORE INFORMATION The official state website for travellers, TravelAlaska. com, is packed with tips, guides, maps and planning tools for both the experienced and novice traveller.

The hard-copy, 106-page vacation planner is a virtual encyclopaedia of holiday options and can be obtained from most travel agents.

NEW CRUISERS’ GUIDE ALASKA

Bald eagles These magnificent raptors can be found all over Alaska, especially around salmon time.

You’ll squeal with delight the first time you see one, but after 100 or more you’ll feel like a local and barely notice them.

Most commonly seen around rivers, waterways and streams, these birds often perch high in the trees to watch for prey.

Meet the locals

One of the greatest attractions of any visit to Alaska is the wildlife. Big, small, furry, feathery, slimy and cute… they’re all there. Here's a guide to some of the most commonly sighted species.

Bears They’re either brown or black and the two are rarely found together. Brown and grizzly bears are now known to be the same animal; they’re just bigger on the coast where there is more food. Bear viewing is best done with an experienced guide who can educate you about their behaviour and keep you safe.

Salmon There are plenty of places around Alaska where you can see the spawning salmon or even catch these exciting and tasty fish. Besides the natural streams and rivers, several hatcheries have been set up to reinforce breeding populations, and most welcome visitors. Bears and salmon are often seen together and it’s a delight to see bears fishing.

safety, as moose and caribou can be unpredictable. If you stumble across one while hiking, give it plenty of space.

These animals can wander into town, too, and if driving, always be prepared for one.

Whales Alaska is a haven for whales of many species. Humpback, grey and orcas are the most common and guests on small-ship cruises have the best chance of seeing them up close. Humpbacks just love to breach and it’s a gold-medal event to see one of these great animals leap out of the water.

Otters, seals and weasels The rivers, lakes and streams are also home to these cute and fun-loving creatures. River otters are particularly amusing to watch as they scurry about feeding. Weasels and mink can sometimes be found along quiet streams, while harbour seals are a common sight in almost every port and even among the glaciers.

For more information about Alaska’s wildlife, see adfg.alaska.gov.

Moose and caribou Until you’ve seen a moose up close, you don’t fully appreciate how big these guys are. Hopefully you’ll see one from a car or position of

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ALASKA NEW CRUISERS’ GUIDE

1

Alaska is the United States’ northernmost, westernmost and easternmost state.

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Kodiak is Alaska’s largest island and home to the world’s largest bear species — Kodiak brown bears — the only scientifically recognised subspecies of brown bear.

THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT Alaska

3

In Barrow, the US’s northernmost city, citizens are plagued by a depressive illness called seasonal affective disorder in winter when the sun doesn’t rise for 67 days.

On the upside, in summer, when the sun does not set for 84 days, crops such as pumpkins and cabbages can grow to enormous sizes due to the long daylight hours.

6

The world’s greatest concentration of American bald eagles is found near Haines, Alaska. The American Bald Eagle Foundation holds a Bald Eagle Festival there every year.

4

The first white settlers in Alaska came from Russia. When Alaska belonged to Russia, Sitka was its capital. In 1867 American politician William Seward helped the US negotiate the purchase of Alaska from Russia for 2 cents per acre.

5

A 9.2-magnitude earthquake struck south-central Alaska on March 27, 1964. Lasting nearly four minutes, it is the second largest earthquake in recorded history. Anchorage and surrounding areas suffered collapsed buildings and tsunamis, resulting in more than 130 deaths.

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Haines is also home to the Hammer Museum, where visitors can marvel at a collection of more than 1,500 hammers.

8

While many movies set in Alaska were not actually filmed there, the 1991 Disney movie White Fang, starring Ethan Hawke, was filmed in and around Haines.

9

Alaska and Russia are less than 5km apart at their closest point – between Russia’s Big Diomede Island and Alaska’s Little Diomede Island in the Bering Strait.

10

Alaska is more than twice the size of Texas, the next largest US state, yet is home to fewer than 800,000 people.

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Alaska has the lowest individual tax burden in the US, collecting neither state sales tax nor personal income tax.

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Alaska’s name comes from the Eskimo word Alakshak meaning “great lands” or “peninsula”.

NEW CRUISERS’ GUIDE ALASKA

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Although it is 2,700 kilometres south of the actual North Pole, the city of North Pole in Alaska is home to the world’s largest fibreglass Santa, measuring 13 metres, and hosts a number of Christmas-themed attractions. Each year the city receives sackloads of letters addressed to Santa Claus and even has streets with names like Snowman Lane and Kris Kringle Drive.

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Numbering more than 100,000, Alaska has half of the world’s glaciers.

The state’s largest glacier, Malaspina, covers 2,200 square kilometres.

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Only 20 per cent of Alaska is accessible by road. Despite a land mass of 1.5 million square kilometres, the state has only 12 numbered highways.

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The Aurora Borealis, or northern lights, can be seen an average of 243 days a year in Fairbanks, Alaska.

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Alaska has the highest number of pilots per capita of any US state: one out of every 78 Alaska residents were pilots in a 2005 survey.

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In Alaska it is illegal to wake a sleeping bear for the purpose of taking a photograph. For some strange reason, apparently it is also illegal to whisper in someone’s ear while they are moose hunting.

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Dog mushing was designated the official state sport of Alaska in 1972.

In April 2010, Alaska also recognised the Alaskan malamute as the official state dog.

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In 1985 Alaska took the record for the world’s largest sport-caught Chinook salmon when a fisherman caught a fish weighing a whopping 44.11kg in the Kenai River. www.cruisepassenger.com.au

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ALASKA NEW CRUISERS’ GUIDE

ROD’S ADVICE FROM THE ICE First-timers' guide to Alaska

The peak tourist time is *mid-June to mid-August.

Save 10-25 per cent by travelling between the peak and off-peak seasons.

If staying in towns, allow a*minimum of two nights for a proper experience.

Mosquitoes are at their *worst in mid-June and July.

Wear dark clothes and insect repellent.

*

Don’t just cruise.

Make time to see the backcountry and explore towns and villages.

It rains in Alaska. Be *prepared and check out the many museums on wet days.

*

Don’t be cheap. Allow yourself an adequate budget to do the things you’ve come all this way for.

Alaska novices should *book an all-inclusive

Writer Roderick Eime

package with an expert agent. Don’t be precious, it’s sensible.

Feet first. Proper footwear *is critical.

Sturdy, splashproof and comfortable is the way to go.

in layers rather *thanDress single, heavy items. This

makes clothing easy to adjust in changing conditions. You’ll need a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, too. Snow and ice can be very reflective.

You want to see the *wildlife, so bring a small pair of binoculars at the very least.

sure your camera *hasMake a decent zoom if you want to photograph the wildlife. Learn to use it.

Don’t be blasé about *wildlife, especially bears.

Keep your distance and no sudden moves. Bear spray is a last resort.

“tick tour”. Alaska *hasDon’t plenty to see besides the iconic landmarks.

is great, *butTheyoufishing need a licence.

Uncommon Explorations

...unimagined encounters

Adventurous Alaska – by Yacht and Expedition Vessel Come play outside. Go eye-to-eye with whales and wildlife. Kayak and paddle board.

Hike and skiff exploration. 22-84 like-minded adventurers. April – September.

Unrushed. Uncrowded. Unbelievable.

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Un-Cruise.com ◆ 1-877-263-9888 or contact your local travel agent