10 cool things to do on a cruise to Alaska like see whales, ride in a helicopter
It’s hard to beat the unique experience of Alaska in the wintertime. Although some might define that trip as the definition of “hardship,” the northernmost state offers rare joys in its coldest months: the most snow, the least bugs, a chance to see the enchanting aurora borealis.
But what to do up there? Chiming in with a sweet activity list is Fodor’s Travel Guide and its “10 Can’t-Miss Shore Excursions to Choose on Your Alaskan Cruise.” From salmon fishing to off-roading to fjord-flightseeing tours, there seems to be plenty to do (as long as you don’t mind chipping ice off your eyebrows after doing it).
“Thanks to the multiple ports of call you’ll visit on a standard cruise itinerary, you’ll have plenty of opportunities for the state’s wild-at-heart approach to sightseeing,” journalist Donna Heiderstadt writes. Should you take up any of these suggestions – which are explained in detail in the guide – please double-check to see if they’re seasonally available.
Fodor’s can’t-miss shore excursions for Alaskan cruises
1 Off-roading (Ketchikan)
2 Helicopter glacier treks (Juneau Icefield)
3 Rock climbing and rappelling (Skagway)
4 Salmon and halibut fishing (Sitka)
5 Snorkeling (Ketchikan)
The icefall of Alaska’s Matanuska Glacier is reflected in a shallow supraglacial lake, which shimmers on top of the ice. (Getty Images)
6 Whale watching (Icy Strait)
7 Misty Fjords flightseeing tour (Ketchikan)
8 Dog sledding (Mendenhall Glacier)
9 Train ride and mountain biking (Skagway Valley/White Pass Summit)
10 cool things to do on a cruise to Alaska like see whales, ride in a helicopter News It’s hard to beat the unique experience of Alaska in the wintertime. Although some might define that trip as the definition of “hardship,” the northernmost state offers rare joys in its coldest months: the most snow, the least bugs, a chance to see the enchanting aurora borealis. But what to…
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