Ready for the 2011 Alaska Season??

Set sail on an Alaska cruise and get ready to be mesmerized by awe-inspiring glacier fields and extraordinary wildlife not found in any other part of the United States. This is “big adventure” country and the best way to experience it all is on a cruise.

The 2011 Alaska season is closer than you think, and it is sure to be another record year, with a number of new and exciting sailings and shore excursions that go way beyond the ordinary.

Beginning at the end of April, cruise ships will start sailing the waters of Alaska and continue through September. This season, choose from a number of unique itineraries spanning from 7 to 14 days, exploring the breathtaking seaways and quaint ports of the Inside Passage and Gulf of Alaska. With each Alaska itinerary offering so much to see and do, the hardest part of your Alaska cruise experience may be choosing one.

In the land of the midnight sun, you will need every extra minute of daylight if you want to experience it all. From the awe inspiring blue ice of a massive glacial field to the expansive grandeur of its wildlife and nature, everything in Alaska is bigger and nothing gets you closer to the action than a cruise.

Catch sight of a humpback whale or wolf pups frolicking in the snow. Gaze at a 10-story crystal blue river of ice in Glacier Bay National Park and watch icebergs calving into the tidewater with a thunderous crack. Discover a nesting eagle high in a Sitka spruce or observe a family of brown bears foraging along a rocky beach.

From the breathtaking sights of Hubbard Glacier to the pioneering spirit of Juneau, the gold rush spirit of Skagway and the totem poles of Ketchikan, this is everything you ever imagined – and traveled so far to see. This is one of life’s greatest adventures!

Ready to book your Alaska vacation? Let CruiseOne Freer & Associates help you find that perfect itinerary that provides just what you are looking for. You can contact us toll free at 888-882-5793 or visit us on the web at www.GetLostAtSea.com.

Ports in Alaska

Breathtaking scenery, gleaming glaciers, abundant wildlife, and Native American culture are only a few of the spectacular attractions that draw cruise vacationers to Alaska. With so much to see and do in Alaska, it's no wonder the state's official flower is the alpine forget-me-not!

Ships that visit Alaska on a seven-day itinerary typically sail along the Inside Passage and visit Glacier Bay National Park or Hubbard Glacier, stopping at four ports along the way. Most cruise lines also offer a variety of extended cruise-tour package options which take passengers deeper into Alaska via train and include land stays at lodges and sightseeing in Denali National Park - making their trip to Alaska even more comprehensive.

For climate and sunlight purposes, cruises to Alaska sail strictly during the summer months, from early May to mid-September. June, July and August can be classified as peak season when average daily high temperatures can reach 75 degrees Fahrenheit, so those looking for the best value should check sailing dates in May and September when temperatures hover around 50 degrees.

A variety of cruise ships sail to Alaska, including luxury vessels and midsize ships - most of which offer expanded kids programs for family vacationers. While the majority of ships sail from Vancouver, BC, Seattle is increasingly becoming a popular summer homeport for many lines. Both embarkation/disembarkation points allow ships to visit the most popular ports on an Alaska cruise, including Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway.

Ports of Call

Juneau
Alaska's capital city, Juneau, has a population of about 30,000 and one of the country's highest costs of living. It also houses many attractions, including the famed Mendenhall Glacier, Alaska State Museum, the Alaska Brewing and Bottling Co., St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church and the Red Dog Saloon, a famed Juneau bar/restaurant with swinging doors, sawdust floors and a display of Alaskan history.

Mendenhall Glacier
Described by John Muir as "one of the most beautiful coastal glaciers," the world-famous Mendenhall Glacier attracts curious vacationers who want to enjoy the rush of a helicopter ride and set foot on the surface of this massive piece of ice. Others can see the glacier from afar during a tour of Juneau or come face to face with it by during a kayaking or rafting adventure.

Ketchikan
This "salmon capital of the world," is a quaint Alaskan town with a population of 7,922. The largest collection of totem poles in the world resides in Ketchikan at Totem Bight State Historical Park, Saxman Native Village and the Totem Heritage Center Museum. It's also popular for Creek Street - a former brothel district that is now lined with shops and offices.

Misty Fjords
Another popular activity is a flightseeing adventure over Misty Fjords National Monument. Encompassing an area of more than two million acres, this protected wilderness area boasts granite cliffs, waterfalls, crystalline lakes, and snowcapped mountains.

Skagway
Back in the late 1890s, thousands of prospectors rushed through Skagway en route to the Klondike gold fields of Canada. Now the small town marks the beginning of the Chilkoot Trail - a 33-mile hike that takes three to five days - which begins in the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park and ends at Bennett Lake in British Columbia.

CruiseOne is the only thing you’ll need to plan your next cruise vacation; offering most major cruise lines, the very best direct prices along with excellent personal service, all at no additional cost to the traveler. Contact Kathy & Eric Freer, your Local Independent Cruise Specialists at (321) 735-0202 or toll free at (888)882-5793, or via the web at www.GetLostAtSea.com for more information.