Travel Articles: Alaska

A birthday gift to my mom and me! We decided to celebrate our 30th and 60th birthdays with a small-ship cruise to Alaska. What an amazing adventure! It was the perfect mix of our interests such as kayaking, beautiful scenery such as glaciers and such a fun way to ring in those big birthdays.

Yes! The largest temperate rainforest in the world. Little did I know that a cruise in Alaska could also be an adventure. Kayaking, camping, hiking, and swimming with icebergs...this is an adventure of a lifetime aboard the Wilderness Explorer.

Is it best to go on an Alaskan cruise in the highest season, warmest months of July and August? Or do the shoulder months of June and September have advantages? The time that you choose to travel depends on your personal interests & desires. Our Alaska cruise experts reveal their recommendations.

A recent Wall Street Journal article stated, "Enjoying an ocean cruise and breaking a sweat aren't concepts that traditionally go together. Indeed, the indolence that many people crave from such vacations is the very thing that keeps others away from them."

However, this is changing as there has been an increase ofcruise options …

A beautiful journey into the Inside Passage in Alaska. We explored Juneau, Glacier Bay National Park Headquarters and Thomas Bay. We went kayaking, hiking, whale watching, went on zodiac cruises, explored glaciers and their crystal clean ice and had a grand old time on the MS Endeavour.

A fun-filled historical cruise that took my sister and I through Southeast Alaska from Juneau down to Seattle in August. We saw living history with our crew from the Gold Rush era. There was not a dull moment with wildlife and culture abounding, especially the whales!

We'll never forget our family trip to Alaska and all the adventure we enjoyed together. We spent time at Camp Denali and hiking the surrounding area. The boys enjoyed hiking up to the peaks and riding the Alaskan railway to explore the countryside. We covered so much ground and saw a Moose grazing with her calves. Later we viewed the mountain …

What are the top five destinations if you want to see incredible animals? At the top of our list: Africa, Antarctica, the Galapagos Islands, Alaska, and Costa Rica! Spread across five distinct ecological zones from the northernmost tip of the globe down to its frigid south pole, Adventure Life has tours that will immerse you in the best wildlife.

We spent over a week in Alaska going from Sitka to Juneau. Lots of kayaking, icebergs, bears, and so many whales! An incredible group of people aboard ship. They call this a small ship cruise, but it was so much more of an adventure than cruise!

I took my granddaughter to Alaska for her 8th grade graduation, we had an amazing time on our Alaska Cruise. We enjoyed delicious food, wonderful activities, and incredibly views. We I encourage any and everyone to take this Alaska cruise. Awesome!!!

Our Un-cruise Christening on the Safari Endeavor. I am absolutely honored to have taken part in the inaugural journey of the Safari Endeavor before she ventures on to Alaska this summer. We had the pleasure of staying aboard the ship over the weekend and kayaking, eating gourmet food, and relaxing. My un-cruise experience surpassed every …

Alaska's animals will be the stars of the show during your visit! Several species of bears and moose dominate the landscape, while seals and seabirds inhabit the coastlines. Whale watching is a major attraction, and you may even get a lucky glimpse of playful sea otters. Prepare yourself for a WILD experience!

Marissa, Adventure Life Trip Planner, shared a short video from her Alaska trip. In mid-May, Marissa spent a week in the famous panhandle. Spreading her time between hiking to caves, a camping trip, taking a polar plunge, and sea kayaking in one of the last remaining frontiers, her home-base for her Alaska voyage was the 49-passenger expedition …

Short musings about the fabulous Un-Cruise my husband Richard and I took in Southeast Alaska (booked by our fabulous travel agents, Sue and Robin at Travel Cruise Connections, through Adventure Life!), followed up by a trip to Denali National Park. Small boat cruising is definitely the best way to experience Alaska's natural wonders!

The Alaska trip of a lifetime for my 77 year-old mom aboard the Wilderness Explorer! We got to hike in Denali National park, kayak and snorkel in the Alaskan waters, visit with native Alaskans and watch glaciers calve into the sea. Sharing these experiences with my mom was truly amazing!

Our nation's 49th state went unnoticed by travelers for so long. This introduction to Alaska gives just a few of the reasons why it is now being recognized as such an attractive destination. Alaska offers unique experiences right within our own country for savvy and novice travelers alike.

Mating season – the best time of year for wildlife enthusiasts! With destinations to every corner of the globe, Adventure Life is your key to seeing nature's most fascinating breeding rituals, from the dance of the blue-footed boobies in the Galapagos Islands to the playful, nuzzling interactions of the wolves of Yellowstone.

Each year various whale species make their migration from the cold waters near Alaska to warmer conditions. Right now, we are amid fantastic whale watching opportunities in different locations along the Pacific, including Hawaii and Baja Mexico

Enter an untamed wilderness that allows opportunities to have up close experiences with the natural wonders of Alaska. Moose, caribou, brown & black bears, and bald eagles greet you as you explore by land. While cruising, keep an eye out for humpback whales, orcas, otters, and porpoises. Zodiac and kayak excursions give access to more remote …

Learn the BIG differences of small ship expeditions compared to the huge, more traditional cruises. Fewer passengers means having the complete attention of the crew, personalized activities, and more time to really explore Alaska!

Fairbanks is known as "the Golden Heart of Alaska," some say because of the discovery of gold there in 1902, some due to its location, and still others claim the name for the character of the city’s inhabitants.

Anchorage is an urban hub of Alaska, located in the south central part of the state. It is one of the oldest Alaskan cities, and now it is a booming city with a vibrant population.

Juneau is Alaska's capital city, and though not the largest, it may be the most full of contrast. It is bustling metropolis in the heart of the Tongass National Forest.

The remote wilderness of Alaska beckons, and we’re here to help you plan your trip with our guide to choosing the best small ship cruise for your visit to this natural northern paradise. Home to grizzly bears, eagles, wolves, caribou, moose, and other majestic creatures, small ship cruises give you a more up-close encounter with the amazing …