www.cruiseexperts.org

DESTINATION GUIDES

ALASKA

There are few places as suited to a cruise holiday as Alaska. The incredible scenery yet top quality infrastructure provided in the region allows for a perfect blend of exploration and ease for many cruise passengers who wish to discover the wilderness but don’t want to undertake an expedition. Famed ports such as Sitka, Juneau and Ketchikan provide small towns filled with history, yet are able to cater for all but the hugest of modern cruise ships.

This, of course, can lead to ports being crowded, however the incredible sail ins more than make up for this, while the variety of scenic options mean this can be bypassed for those wishing to avoid other passengers. Exploration types can be both cultural & historic, with sites famous for ancient tribal rituals and the gold rush that first brought settlers to the region on offer, while one can also venture into the untamed forests and mountains of the state that encompasses the 5 largest (and many more) legally defined Wilderness areas in the United States.

Those with an interest in the natural world will not only find the incredible forests and rough country of Alaska fascinating, but will also encounter incredible wildlife with Humpback Whales, Grizzly & Black Bears, Bald Eagles, Caribou and Moose all present in the area, along with the stunning scenes that happen around the migration period of the Salmon, when millions of the fish attempt to swim up river, jumping out of the water with the sheer effort of swimming against the powerful current.

Alaskan cruises mainly require guests flying to the West Coast of the USA or Canada, with Seattle, Vancouver or San Francisco known as the main ports for voyages north. This therefore means that Alaskan holidays can often be combined with fantastic cruise & stay opportunities either prior or post voyage with great attractions available in all 3 of these key cities.

Key PortsSitka, AK, USAJuneau, AK, USAKetchikan, AK, USAAnchorage, AK, USASeward, AK, USASkagway, AK, USASeattle, WA, USAVancouver, Canada

Key AttractionsMendenhall GlacierJuneau

White Pass Scenic RailroadSkagway

Creek StreetKetchikan

Misty Fjords National Monument

Wildlife Watching at Sitka National Historical ParkSitka

Saxman Native VillageKetchikan

Best Times to Go Peak Season: The best time to cruise in Alaska is across the summer from June to October, however ports can be very congested due to the volume of ships sailing there

Shoulder Season: Off peak times are less crowded and provide a great way to see the Alaskan Wilderness in a more natural fashion, however bear in mind that many itineraries or excursions may be cancelled due to inclement weather.

Key InformationLanguages: English is the standard language across the nation as Alaska is a US State

Currencies: USD ($)

Visa Required: Non-US Citizens must apply to enter the United States under the Visa Waiver Programme. To apply you must complete the ESTA application form online, at least 72 hours prior to your arrival in the USA. Completion of the ESTA does not guarantee entry, but entry will not be granted without its completion.

www.cruiseexperts.org

HistoryThe history of Alaska is hugely varied, and the remote nature and slow development of many of its cities and towns mean they bear the hallmarks of that which has come before. Alaska was originally inhabited by a range of Indian tribes, such as the Aleuts, the Tlingit and the Athabascans, as well as the Eskimo tribes from further north. Today, there are remnants of these cultures across Alaska and while many still inherit their tribal lands, as with much of the USA’s indigenous peoples, they have suffered at the hands of colonialism.

Contact with the rest of the world was limited for these peoples until the early 1700’s when the Russians crossed the Bering strait. Tensions were mixed during this time, with some traders happily coexisting but others attempting to show their dominance over the natives. This was not assisted by the arrival of many Western diseases with the Russians, and by the end of ther first two generations of contact between the two, it is estimated over 80% of the Aleut population had been wiped out by the arrival of modern illness.

The Russians quickly became the dominant force in Alaska, founding the major city of Novo-Archangelsk in the southern islands of the region, despite regularly clashes with the Tlingit tribes. There were simultaneously land claims from the Spanish and British and many traders set up small outposts in what were meant to be Russian lands. As the Russian economy worsened from being at war on their Western borders, while the general disdain shown to their laws by American and British traders, alongside the constant threat of the Tlingit people, left Russian control severely weakened. With their hand forced by this, Alaska was sold by the Russians to America for approximately $7.2 million. This was deeply unpopular in America and viewed as a ridiculous vanity purchase by Secretary of State William Seward and President Andrew Jackson. As time would tell, the discovery of gold and oil in the region soon made this a worthwhile transaction.

Gold was discovered in the late 1800’s in the nearby Yukon and brought many prospectors and new settlers to the region, desperate for a new life. This brought Alaska’s economy back to life, as well as creating new cities which are now key cruise ports in the state.

The Second World War saw Alaska invaded by the Japanese and this led to greater calls for the territory to become a state of the USA, but it was not until oil was discovered in the region that these were taken seriously by the powers that be in Washington. In 1958 Alaska was signed into statehood as the newest part of the USA, although this title would be taken within six months after the addition of the 50th state, Hawai’i. Today, Alaska remains one of the country’s key producers of energy, through oil and gas, but has a growing tourism industry. This industry contributes significantly to the local economy and the funding of local culture and is viewed as particularly important by the local governance.

CuisineAlaskan cuisine is now a mix of many different styles of food. There are many contributions to it, such as the standardised US cuisine that has taken over as part of the USA. However, many Alaskan’s will still indulge in classic such as flat quick breads, similar to Bannock in Scotland, and Reindeer which still provides a staple part of the diet for many of the northern and native tribes. Fresh fish is also a key ingredient with Salmon, Halibut and fresh King Crab all regarded as famed Alaskan ingredients. In this way the cuisine of Alaska’s biggest influence is the consistent untrammelled nature of the state bringing with it fresh, natural ingredients.