Alaska Cruisetours Online Announces their 2011 Alaska Cruise and Cruisetour Programs

Alaska Cruisetours Online Announces their 2011 Alaska Cruise and Cruisetour Program br /br /Twenty Two Ships from Princess, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Norwegian Cruise Lines to Offer Gulf of Alaska and Inside Passage Sailings for 2011 including new Alaska offers from Disney Cruise Line and Oceania Cruises. br /br /Ninety Eight Cruise Tour Choices Give Travelers Many Ways to Enjoy the Wilderness; Affordable Options Start at Just $299 for Three Days at Denali National Park.br /(May 03, 2010) -- Whether it’s mushing dog sleds across glaciers or flightseeing over the Arctic Circle, Alaska Cruise tours Online will offer guests an unrivaled Alaska adventure vacation in 2011. br /br /Travelers can choose a seven-night northbound or southbound itinerary between Vancouver, Whittier or Seward, Alaska, via the Inside Passage, or a seven-night roundtrip Alaska itinerary from Seattle. As well as a 10 Alaska cruise from San Francisco. br /br /Alaska Cruisetours Online 2011 Alaska programs offer travelers a full range of cruise and cruise tour options from 7 cruise lines, whether they want to just cruise the Inside Passage, Gulf of Alaska or visit ports-of-call such as Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan, Sitka, Anchorage, Homer, Haines or Kodiak, Alaska. br /br /On select itineraries, guests will enjoy a day ashore at Icy Strait Point near Hoonah, the largest Tlingit Indian village in Alaska. They can visit the Native Heritage Center to learn Tlingit history and culture through exhibits and live performances. They can also go wildlife watching, flightsee above Glacier Bay, book a charter fishing excursion or ride the world's longest zip line.br /br /Guests can also explore; Vancouver, Victoria or Nanaimo, British Columbia in Canada. Most cruises feature scenic cruising in Glacier Bay, the Tracy Arm fjord and past the Hubbard Glacier – North America’s largest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.br /br /Alaska native guides, naturalists and park rangers come aboard at key times to share their knowledge of local culture, history, glaciers and wildlife with guests. There are more than 250 optional shore excursions so travelers can maximize their Alaska experience with everything from sea kayaking and wildlife watching to history, art and cuisine. Guests can go mushing across a snow-covered glacier on a dog sled in Juneau or and cheer on lumberjack teams in Ketchikan as they compete in events such as axe throwing and log rolling. In Skagway, guests can choose to hike the first two miles of the Chilkoot Trail, the centerpiece of gold rush history, and raft down the Taiya River and then voyage from Icy Strait Point to Point Adolphus, the region’s premier whale watching destination, on a whale and marine mammals cruise.br /br /Guests can also choose to explore Denali National Park in depth, plan independently, or take a fully escorted cruise, or venture off the beaten path. The season opens for sale May 13th with special rates that include adding three days at Denali to a cruise for just $299. br /br /“Alaska Cruisetours Online 2011 Alaska cruises and cruise tours offer travelers a variety of ways to take in Alaska’s wonders, from mild to wild. They can explore by cruise ship, deluxe motorcoach, glass domed private rail cars and even by float plane.” br /br /The 2011 lineup offers 10- to 15-night cruise and land vacations that combine a seven-night cruise with a pre- or post-cruise tour into Alaska's majestic and wild interior. Guests can explore the Alaskan frontier aboard signature deluxe motorcoaches and glass-domed train cars, which offer dazzling glass windows, affording guests sweeping vistas and breathtaking views of Alaska’s untamed landscape as it unfolds. br /br /Most packages feature overnights in Denali with included activities into the National Park for the chance to spot grizzly bear, caribou, wolf, moose and dall sheep – known as the “Big Five” – and include overnights at charming and rustic lodges. With Princess cruises exclusive Direct to the Wilderness program, guests step right from their ship onto luxury railcars that transport them directly to the Denali area. br /br /The season includes a total of 326 Alaska departures aboard 22 ships sailing during May to September.br /br /New to Alaska cruising for 2011 is Disney Cruise Line and Oceania Cruises.br /br /Disney Cruise line will sail north weekly on roundtrip Vancouver cruises to picture-perfect Alaska and guests can behold all kinds of wildlife, from bald eagles and bears to sea otters and whales—and surrender to scenic nature views, ice-blue glaciers, gushing waterfalls, snow-capped mountains and pristine fjords.br /br /Disney Cruise Line's 7-Night Alaskan Cruise sails aboard the Disney Wonder to where fur traders and gold prospectors once walked, where land animals and sea life abound. From the historic gold-mining town of Skagway to the ice fields of Juneau's Mendenhall Glacier, the Alaska amp; Pacific Coast ports of call offer a magical adventure. Ports of call include Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, Tracy Arm and Vancouver, Canada—plus 2 days at sea.br /br /For a more luxury cruise experience, Oceania offers for the first time 10, 12 and 14 day Alaska cruises.br /br /nbsp;"America’s largest state, Alaska truly knows no bounds. Stretching beyond the imagination, it is a land of staggering natural beauty. Virgin forests blanket the hills, snow-mantled mountains soar high into the sky, and ancient glaciers creep toward the sea, oblivious to the passage of time. Even the cities, so youthful and spirited, blend in seamlessly. Alaska remains a beacon for those who hold Mother Nature dear, and Oceania's Regatta will explore from north to south, even calling upon Anchorage itself and charmingly remote Kodiak."br /Oceania's Regatta will cruise the breathtaking fjords of the Inside Passage and the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska’s unique treasures unfold. Guests can stroll the wooden sidewalks of Skagway, an authentic gold rush town. Ride a horse drawn trolley through Ketchikan, the “Salmon Capital of the World.” Learn about Tlingit Indian traditions and totem poles in Sitka. Hike along Mendenhall Glacier on the outskirts of Juneau, the state capital. Explore the glaciers of College Fjord and natural wonders just outside Seward. The deeper you delve into Alaska, the more amazing its culture and beauty become.br /br /Featured Cruise Linebr /br /For 2011 Princess Cruises combines a seven-day "Voyage of the Glaciers" cruise with three to eight additional nights on land exploring Alaska's interior. Travelers can choose from four types of land and sea packages -- Denali Explorer, On Your Own, Off the Beaten Path and Connoisseur. All Princess cruise tours include the company's exclusive wilderness lodges, rail or motorcoach travel, plus the top two attractions in the state -- Glacier Bay National Park and Denali National Park, where visitors spend at least two nights exploring the wonders of this area.br /br /Cruises -- Princess offers three itineraries to the majestic glaciers, historic towns and scenic waters of Alaska with sailings from seven to 10 days.br /br /Voyage of the Glaciers -- The line's famed Gulf of Alaska route between Vancouver and Whittier (for Anchorage) features calls at Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway with daylight cruising in Glacier Bay National Park and the 16 glaciers of College Fjord (or Hubbard Glacier on southbound sailings). Diamond Princess and Coral Princess sail on Saturdays and Island Princess offers new Wednesday departures for a total of 54 sailing choices between May 18 and September 17, 2011.br /br /Inside Passage from Seattle -- Golden Princess and Sapphire Princess offer convenient weekend departures on seven-day roundtrip itineraries from Seattle along the scenic Inside Passage with calls at Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Victoria, B.C. Passengers will enjoy dramatic glacier viewing in either Glacier Bay National Park (Golden Princess) or Tracy Arm (Sapphire Princess). The two ships will sail on 37 departures between May 14 and September 17, 2011. br /br /Inside Passage from San Francisco -- Sea Princess again sails from the "City by the Bay" on 10-day roundtrip cruises. The ship offers 13 voyages from San Francisco featuring the scenery of Glacier Bay National Park or Tracy Arm, stops at Victoria and Juneau, plus two other calls in Ketchikan, Skagway, Haines, Sitka or Icy Strait Point. Departures sail between May 10 and September 7, 2011. br /br /Cruise Tours -- Princess cruise tours offer passengers a complete land and sea Alaska experience with vacations ranging from 10 to 15 nights. All cruise tour options include at least two nights in the Denali National Park area, stays at Princess' own riverside wilderness lodges, and a seven-day Voyage of the Glaciers sailing including Glacier Bay National Park. br /br /Denali Explorer -- Featuring multiple nights at the line's own Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge and/or Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, these tours also offer the exclusive Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail service between the Whittier cruise terminal and the dramatic Denali National Park area. Most also offer the opportunity to explore Fairbanks or Anchorage.br /br /On Your Own -- A new option for independent-minded travelers, these tours offer a more affordable and flexible way to see the Heart of Alaska. Tours do not include any pre-planned excursions, giving travelers time to create their own experience.br /br /Off the Beaten Path -- For those who want to explore Denali and beyond, these tours offer options to the Kenai Peninsula with stays at Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge or Wrangell-St. Elias National Park with stays at Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge. Passengers can even choose to venture to the state's far north into the Arctic Circle and Prudhoe Bay.br /br /Connoisseur -- These cruise tour options offer the services of a professional tour director and additional time for passengers to experience the Great Land. Travelers can choose from more of these extended itineraries in 2011, with most meals and enhanced sightseeing options included as well.br /br /Gulf of Alaska cruises and cruise tours for 2011 are available for reservations on May 13, 2010. br /br /Fares begin at $649 per person for an inside cabin for seven-day cruise only voyages, and $948 for an inside cabin and a 3 night land stay for cruise tours. br /br /Rates do not include government fees and taxes. All cruise lines reserve the right to impose a fuel surcharge at anytime, even after the cruise or cruise tour is fully paid for. At the present time, there are no fuel surcharges.br /For more information visit www.alaskacruisetoursonline.com or call 800.365.1445 for more information.div class="blogger-post-footer"img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9902695-8010053278465088492?l=cruisenews.blogspot.com' alt='' //div

May & September: Best Deals To Alaska

If you are considering an Alaska cruise, you can choose from a wide array of ships and itineraries.

There are two main Alaska itineraries. One is a round-trip Inside Passage cruise featuring a glacier visit (such as Glacier Bay, Tracy Arm or Hubbard Glacier) and port calls at Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan.

Some itineraries may include Sitka, Haines, Icy Strait Point, Prince Rupert or Victoria.

Or consider a one-way cruise between Vancouver and Seward or Whittier (near Anchorage) with calls at several Inside Passage ports and glacier viewing in Prince William Sound or Yakutat Bay (location of Hubbard Glacier).

Cruise rates do not vary much for similar staterooms, and most lines offer specials cruise prices in May and September. If you don't mind taking a chance on the weather, some great deals are on offer.

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES: This is a casual, family-oriented cruise line and Carnival's 'Fun' ships often attract a high number of first-time and younger cruisers. The line is known for good children's facilities. Carnival Spirit (2,124 passengers) sails mostly seven-day one-way cruises between Vancouver and Whittier, with glacier viewing in Prince William Sound and stops at Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Sitka.

CELEBRITY CRUISES: An upscale cruise line which offers both a sophisticated ambiance and good facilities for children and teenagers. The fleet's ships feature modern decor and gourmet cuisine. Mercury (1,870 passengers) sails seven-day round-trips from Vancouver with calls at Ketchikan, Juneau, Sitka and Hubbard Glacier. Millennium (1,950 passengers) offers seven day one-way cruises between Vancouver and Seward.

CRUISE WEST: This Seattle-based line offers a casual atmosphere on board its small ships which travel on a variety of itineraries that explore less-travelled waters of the Inside Passage, Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea. Evening presentations are designed to enhance the daytime sights and activities which include wildlife viewing by Zodiac. Spirit of Oceanus (114 passengers) offers 12-night voyages between Vancouver and Anchorage.

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE: This premium line offers spacious, immaculate ships with a high level of personal service. HAL's distinctive dark blue-hulled ships have classic lines, contain extensive artwork and are finely appointed with amenities. HAL has been a major presence in Alaska since 1973 with extensive infra-structure supporting land tour and shore-side activities for its passengers. HAL currently bases five mid-sized ships in Vancouver throughout the summer. Servicing the Inside Passage on seven-day round-trips are the Ryndam and Statendam (1,258 passengers), with visits to Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Glacier Bay. Servicing one-way line cruises between Seward and Vancouver are three ships -- Zaandam and Volendam (1,432 passengers) and Veendam (1,258 passengers)

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE: This mainstream line is an industry leader in innovative cruising, offering unstructured dining in its many restaurants and a casual dress code. Ideal for families, NCL is home-porting one ship in Vancouver this season. The Norwegian Sun offers seven-day round-trip cruises from Vancouver which stops at Tracy Arm, Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway.

PRINCESS CRUISES: This Los Angeles-based company appeals to all age groups with its well-designed ships featuring an abundance of private balconies, attentive service and extensive children's facilities. Five Princess ships are sailing from Vancouver this year, four of them on one-way cruises between Vancouver and Whittier (Anchorage). A unique 14-day round-trip cruise from Vancouver is being offered on Tahitian Princess, an intimate ship carrying 670 passengers on an extensive itinerary that includes Glacier Bay and the major Inside Passage ports as well as Kodiak Island, Seward, Valdez, Sitka and Victoria. One-way Gulf of Alaska cruises between Vancouver and Whittier are available on sister ships Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess (2,670 passengers) and on sister ships Coral Princess and Island Princess (1,970 passengers). This seven-day itinerary takes you to Glacier Bay, College Fjord in Prince William Sound, and the Inside Passage ports of Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway. The company's extensive services in Alaska include luxury rail service to custom-built wilderness lodges.

REGENT SEVEN SEAS: This luxury line made its Alaska debut in 2000, where it currently positions Seven Seas Mariner, which accommodates 700 passengers -- all in outside suites with a balcony. It offers mostly seven-night Gulf of Alaska cruises between Vancouver and Seward and one round-trip cruise from Vancouver. Ports of call include Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Sitka, with glacier viewing in Tracy Arm.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL: RCI's modern megaships feature a casual atmosphere and the company's hallmark rock-climbing wall. Family suites, a large playroom and teen centre make these ships ideal for passengers with children. RCI has a strong presence in Vancouver with Serenade of the Seas (2,500 passengers) sailing seven-day round-trip cruises from Vancouver with stops at Skagway, Juneau, Icy Strait Point and Hubbard Glacier. Radiance of the Seas (2,112 passengers) sails seven-day one-way cruises between Vancouver and Seward, with calls at Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point and Hubbard Glacier.

Celebrity Cruises’ 2009 Alaska Program

Celebrity is offering the industry's first roundtrip Alaska cruise out of Los Angeles.

Hubbard Glacier is the reigning beauty in Celebrity Cruises' Alaska, where the breathtakingly rugged splendor of the natural world meets the comfortable sophistication of a top- notch cruise. Guests on all three Celebrity ships that will sail in the region in 2009 will have the opportunity to gaze at the glacier, which is the only advancing glacier in Alaska. Hubbard Glacier is but one of countless must-see sights in the region, and much of Alaska's coastal magnificence is featured in Celebrity's 2009 season there. Unique cruisetours will afford guests the opportunity to experience inland Alaska, the Canadian Rockies, and Whistler, British Columbia. Celebrity Cruises' 2009 Alaska sailings opened for sale today.Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Mercury, and Celebrity Millennium will sail Alaska in 2009, from a total of five ports.

The season's cruise highlights include the following:
-- Celebrity is offering the industry's first roundtrip Alaska cruise out of Los Angeles, with a 14-night roundtrip "Ultimate Alaska" sailing on Celebrity Mercury. The voyage includes visits to five Alaska ports as well as Seattle, Washington and Victoria, British Columbia, on April 27. Immediately following that cruise, the ship will sail a 13-night "Ultimate Alaska" voyage from Los Angeles to Vancouver, also visiting five Alaska ports, among others.

Celebrity Millennium will sail the line's first 10-night roundtrip-from-Vancouver sailing with an "Ultimate Alaska" voyage on September 18, visiting six Alaska ports and one Canadian port.

At the core of Celebrity's 2009 Alaska season is a series of seven- night sailings between May and September that include stunning views of Hubbard Glacier, with the itineraries varying between the three ships.

Celebrity Infinity will depart Fridays roundtrip from Seattle, visiting Juneau and Ketchikan, Alaska, and Victoria, British Columbia. Nearly all of these sailings also feature a call at Icy Strait Point, giving guests the opportunity to experience Alaska's only wilderness port. -- Adjacent to the largest Tlingit Indian settlement and home to the historic salmon cannery and carefully restored museum, Icy Strait Point offers numerous shore excursions, including flightseeing, whale watching, sport fishing, biking, kayaking, and rides on the world's longest zip line, which measures 5,330 feet in length and includes a 1,300-foot vertical drop.

Celebrity Mercury will depart Sundays roundtrip from Vancouver, calling at Sitka, Juneau and Ketchikan, and cruising the famed Inside Passage, one of National Geographic Traveler's highly rated destinations. In Juneau, the "Taku Glacier Lodge Flight and Feast" excursion lets guests board a floatplane and enjoy 50 minutes of flightseeing over five glaciers before landing at the historic Taku Lodge for a King salmon feast.

Celebrity Millennium will cruise between Seward, Alaska and Vancouver, British Columbia, departing on Fridays, calling at Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, and cruising the Inside Passage.

In Ketchikan, guests can taste local seafood in an intimate setting with the "Alaskan Chef's Table" excursion.

Celebrity Mercury will reprise its popular 2007 and 2008 wine cruise with an 11-night sailing from Vancouver to San Diego, California on October 12, 2009.

Celebrity Mercury will continue to alternate between three- and four-night Pacific Northwest sailings out of Seattle in September and October, with calls at Nanaimo and Victoria, British Columbia.

In Victoria, the "Butchart Gardens, Wine and Chocolate" shore excursion gives guests an introduction to the city's charms, including the renowned Butchart Gardens and a unique wine-and-chocolate-pairing experience at a local winery.Combining a cruise with a multi-night, land-based journey enhances the Alaska experience. In 2009, Celebrity is increasing its cruisetour offerings.

Highlights include the following:
A total of 21 Alaska cruisetours are available to guests sailing seven-night voyages on Celebrity Millennium out of Seward and Vancouver.

In 2009, these offerings include a new seven-night post-cruise tour through Seward, Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali National Park and Fairbanks, Alaska.

Three Canadian cruisetour journeys (two Canadian Rockies and one Whistler) are available to guests sailing seven-night voyages on Celebrity Mercury out of Vancouver. A five-night Canadian Rockies package featuring rail travel on Rocky Mountaineers' RedLeaf will visit Calgary, Banff and Vancouver. A three-night Whistler package features rail travel on Rocky Mountaineers' Whistler Mountaineer Coast Classic and visits the 2010 Winter Olympics sites of Vancouver and Whistler.

To learn more about Celebrity's 2009 Alaska and Pacific Northwest cruises and cruisetours, guests are encouraged to visit http://www.alaskacruisetoursonline.com.

Celebrity Cruises offers comfortably sophisticated, upscale cruise experiences with highly personalized service, exceptional dining, and extraordinary attention to detail. Celebrity sails in Alaska, Australia/New Zealand, California, Canada/New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, the Pacific Coast, Panama Canal and South America. The line also offers unique cruisetour vacations in Alaska, Australia, Canada, Europe and South America. Noted for "The Top Cruise Ships in the World," as voted by the readers of Conde' Nast Traveler (February 2008 readers' poll), Celebrity's current fleet will be joined by Celebrity Solstice in 2008, Celebrity Equinox in 2009, Celebrity Eclipse in 2010, and a fourth Solstice- class ship in 2011. For more information, call 800.365.1445or visit http://www.alaskacruisetoursonline.com

Alaska offers great views of whales, eagles, bears,but plan ahead, as wildlife viewing is not guaranteed.

Did you know that Denali National Park has over 9,500 square miles, but a population of just 350 brown bears.

Most people viist Alaska with high expectations of seeing an abundance of wildlife. Some even think they might see bears just minutes after landing on the pier, or pods of whales swimming beside their cruise ship, whereever it goes

If you go, you should be prepared for the possibility that you might not.How can you improve your chances of viewing wildlife? Just be in the right place at the right time.

First, call your cruise line and ask to talk to the shore excursion desk about your expectations. They know what to to do and when.

Let's take a look at some possibilities....

Sea Otters

Want to see Otters? Try the Sea Otter Quest from the town of Sitka. You will cruise through one of the world's most beautiful coastal environments.

You'll have the opportunity to observe sea otters, whales, sea lions, porpoise, harbor seals, brown bears, blacktail deer, bald eagles and a variety of marine birds. An onboard naturalist explains the workings of this remarkable ecosystem. Learn about the sea otter's recovery following their near extinction at the hands of Russian fur hunters in the early 1800s.The waterjet-driven boat, offers wildlife viewing at close range. Go topside and use the observation deck for photo ops and to fully enjoy a 360 degree viewing experience.

You are guaranteed to see an otter, a whale or a bear. If not, the tour operator offers a $100 cash refund ($50 refund per child) as you disembark the vessel. Complimentary admission to St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral is also included.

Whales

Summer is a great time to see whales. Summer is the time when humpbacks and orcas are feeding, so there’s a good chance you’ll see them.

Consider the Whale Watching & Wildlife Quest out of Juneau. Whales are so plentiful that this tour comes with a limited money-back guarantee.

You will be taken to Auke Bay, board a waterjet-powered catamaran specially designed for wildlife viewing. Along the way, take in the majestic backdrop of snow-capped peaks and glaciers as you cruise through the island-studded waters of Stephens Passage. An onboard naturalist explains the habits and habitat of the wildlife you may encounter, which may include humpback and killer whales, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, porpoises, and on the shore: bald eagles, Sitka blacktail deer and, occasionally, bears.Or try a whale-watch tour out of Juneau, where you can see so many humpbacks you may lost count. These humpbacks spout, surface and dive all around your boat. Watching their huge tails fan out as they go down is exciting.

Bears

Take the Bear Search tour out of Icy Strait Point. Remember, all wildlife tour descriptions clearly state that wildlife viewing cannot be guaranteed.

You will come to Spasski River. This area offers prime bear viewing opportunities when the salmon are running and the meadows are alive with plump, juicy berries and new-growth plants. Look for Sitka blacktail deer, land otters, salmon, bald eagles, and brown bears. The river valley offers prime bear viewing opportunities.

The standard tour costs about $100 per person. If you want spend more, you can take a fly-in tour to remote areas like Pack Creek on Admiralty Island or the McNeil River State Game Sanctuary. Bears do gather in these places. Visit Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park, to view the bears feeding as the salmon run upstream in the summer.

Consider this: From Ketchikan, take a floatplane to Neets Bay in Tongass National Forest. Begin a quarter-mile walk to Neets Creek, the site of a world-class salmon hatchery whose annual release of fish is a huge draw for the region's most plentiful concentration of black bears. Watch bears fishing for and feeding on salmon and view the abundant bald eagles.

6 Steps to improve you chances of viewing wildlife...

1. Early morning ( 6-7AM ) and dusk are the best times for viewing. The bears are catching salmon for breakfast, and you don’t want to miss it.

2. Know when to go. Bears can be seen in Denali from May to September, but July through late August is the best time to see them at the Wildlife Observatory in the Tongass National Forest.

3. Experience Alaska's wild and majestic bald eagles in their natural habitat while rafting gently through the world famous Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve at Haines..

Your adventure begins with professional guides aboard the Yukon Queen for a narrated marine wildlife-spotting cruise en route to picturesque Haines. On arrival, you will be driven along the coastline into the heart of the "Valley of the Eagles." Take in the towering mountains, hanging glaciers and lush forests from the comfort of an 18-foot raft. Naturalist guides share their extensive knowledge of the area's plants, wildlife and rich Native history. This float trip has no whitewater and the mild nature of the glacial river provides amazing opportunities to photograph eagles in the wild. The preserve is also home to moose, bears, wolves and a host of other animals. Watch for wildlife and take lots of pictures while your guide rows the raft downriver.

Want to see the thousands of eagles? Visit in October.

4. You might see wildlife just by driving or walking around. People have seen moose and bear in towns, wolves and eagles hanging out by the rivers to catch salmon.

5. Increase your odds. Choose longer tours. When you plan your Alaskan vacation, don't miss Denali National Park. Its a place so expansive that it shelters more than six hundred-fifty species of flowering plants and thirty-seven mammal species. The park includes a dizzying six million acres filled with large caribou, moose, and grizzly bears, and offset with startlingly small flowers, miniaturized to suit Alaska's short growth season. You should make Denali National Park, the focal point of your Alaska Cruisetour. You will go deeper into Denali National Park on the six-to-eight hour Tundra Wilderness Tour than on the three-to-four hour Natural History Tour. Some Tundra tour buses also come equipped with high-powered video cameras hooked up to screens throughout the bus so you can get close-up images of animals that are far away. You can even purchase a DVD afterwards with footage from your trip. On the bus tour, you might see moose, caribou and Dall sheep in addition to a bear.

6. Bring binoculars, be quiet on trails, be patient and don't set the expectation bar too high. That way, you won't be disappointed if you don't see everything on your first visit to Alaska.

It take a lot of planning and a small amount of luck, to increase your chances of viewing the beautiful animals and breathtaking scenery that is Alaska. Take the time to do it right