Experiencing Alaska

Anyone who plans a cruise to Alaska has images in their mind of what it will be like -- visions of big mountains, glaciers, and abundant wildlife. What are these quintessential Alaska cruise experiences? What are the highlights that epitomize the essence of this place?

If you ask the people who live there and those who have visited, some answers come up time and time again regarding absolute 'must dos' and 'must sees' of this great frontier. One thing is for certain, a cruise to Alaska is the best way to experience many of the 'must see' sights.

Giant glaciers

Visiting glaciers is surely one of the highlights of an Alaska cruise vacation. There are an estimated 100,000 glaciers in the state and best way to see them is aboard a cruise ship. The sights and sounds of a monumental glacier calving icebergs into the sea will send chills up your spine. The most active glaciers are in Glacier Bay and in College Fjord you can be surrounded by sixteen glaciers. One of the prettiest glaciers is the Sawyer Glaciers whose massive walls of ice are offset by the beauty of Tracy Arm. The most spectacular glacier of all is the massive Hubbard Glacier. This glittering ice-blue behemoth extends for miles - a sight you won't forget.

Soar with the eagles

A cruise to Alaska just isn't complete without a flightseeing tour. Stops in Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan offer a number of flight tour options. The perspective gained from the air is absolutely amazing; in fact, you will be forever changed in how you think about Alaska and the sheer magnitude of nature and beauty exhibited there. You'll look down at moose standing in pristine lakes, bears slapping salmon out of rushing creeks, and mountain goats gracefully gallivanting mountainside precipices. And you?ll discover glaciers that seem to tumble from heaven to earth, ice fields that seem to stretch to eternity and jagged peaks that give the impression of reaching to the heavens. Upon your return, don't be surprised if you fly right over your cruise ship in port.

Float with the salmon

There may be no better way to sneak up on nature than by floating silently down a river in a raft or kayaking on the sea and lakes. Moving at the pace of the current, you have time to observe the shoreline and every bend promises new discoveries. Many Alaskan cruise shore excursions offer the chance to kayak on the coast and on some lakes. Rafting the Nenana River in Denali National Park offers abundant wildlife and wilderness scenery. Kayaking along the shore in Sitka you'll be able watch eagles nest and dive for their prey.

Into the Yukon

The majority of Alaska Inside Passage cruises call upon Skagway: a living museum of Klondike Gold Rush days. Most cruise visitors opt to take one of the world's greatest train rides aboard the historic White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad which began service in 1900. The railroad parallels the old trail that the miners trekked to the goldfields. The trail is so dangerous that hikers are forbidden to use it; one portion, called "Dead Horse Gulch," marks the final resting place of some 3,000 pack animals.

Go mushing

What experience is more iconic of Alaska than dogsledding? Even in the summer months, cruise passengers can sample this legendary pastime, either on glaciers or on wheeled sleds made for snowless backcountry. Feel the power of these strong animals as they pull your sled across a stark glacier or through a lush rain forest. Cuddle with husky pups and learn about the lives of sled dogs and their mushers.

Bear watching

Alaska is home to more than 98 percent of our country's brown bear population, so it is no wonder that Alaska bear viewing is a popular visitor attraction. In certain places where the bears congregate to feed on salmon, special bear-watching platforms have been set up. One popular grizzly watching spot is in Katmai National Park, which has the highest concentration of brown bears in the world. Other popular bear viewing areas include Icy Strait Point near Juneau, Neets Bay near Ketchikan and Redoubt Bay near Anchorage.

Whale watching

Alaska's waters are the summer feeding ground for humpback whales since the waters are rich in krill and small baitfish - humpbacks' favorite fare. Orcas also frequent the area with both resident pods and transient pods that may travel up to 100 miles per day. There's nothing quite like watching humpbacks as they form nets of bubbles to catch krill, or seeing an orca breach from an up-close vantage point that a cruise ship provides.

Lifetime memories

Experience Alaska and the Yukon as you've always dreamed it would be on a cruise vacation. When you come home with these experiences, you'll truly know that you've explored a place where nature rules and where beauty never ceases to amaze.

- Anita Dunham-Potter
Anita Dunham-Potter is a Pittsburgh-based travel journalist specializing in cruise travel and cruise vacations. In addition to writing pieces for Princess Cruises, Anita is a weekly travel columnist for MSNBC.com and Tripso, and she is a contributor to Fodor's "Complete Guide to Caribbean Cruises 2007