There you are, sipping your morning coffee while gazing at the panoramic view from your very own private balcony. Just hundreds of yards away a stunning glacier setting grabs your full attention. It’s really hard not to look at the jagged peaks of blue, white and gray millennia-aged ice fields as they command center stage from your balcony chair. Content, peaceful, enjoying the view — can it get much better than this?
 Yes, it actually does. And then you realize it will just keep getting better. You are not only going to see glaciers but the excursions at the ports-o-call will get you out trekking on ice fields, sea-kayaking near glaciers and mountain biking to mountain tops.
This is the active adventurer’s method of cruising through the Inside Passage of Alaska where there are plenty of opportunities to hike, bike, kayak, trek, dive and even snorkel in Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan.
There’s good news for those who enjoy more physical interaction with Alaska’s great outdoors and seek a more intense experience. Major cruise lines are noticing a surge in demand for active port excursions and increasing the number of tours they offer.
Recognizing that trend, Holland America added a number of new tours to its lineup last year that met with great success including Juneau’s “Alaska Whales and Rainforest Trails” tour plus the “Rainforest Canopy and Zipline Adventure.” Joe Pinto, Shore Excursion Manager for Holland America notes that zip-lining has been a huge hit.
“It’s so popular that we have added it to two ports-o-call instead of one because of the demand.”
While cruise lines may select certain tour operators and excursions at each port for their fleet of Alaskan-bound ships, it’s important to note that most of the tour operators work exclusively with the cruise lines.
Five major cruise lines depart for Alaska on roundtrip cruises from Seattle. All stop in the major ports-o-call within the Inside Passage and operate 7- to 14 - day cruises.
Deciding on a cruise line usually depends on the amenities, service, food, price and specific dates of cruises offered during the season. Typically the cruise season to Alaska begins in May and lasts through September with some cruise lines departing weekly.
In 2010, Norwegian Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises will depart from the Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 while Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean will start out from the new Terminal 91 Cruise Facility.
Most of the Seattle/Alaska roundtrip cruise itineraries have at least three ports-of-call. Depending on which cruise selected, stops might include Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Ketchikan and Victoria, British Columbia. These are the destinations where guests have the opportunity to disembark from the ship and book excursions.
 It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the large amount of excursion offerings at each port location. Pinto recommends contacting the call center onboard for help.
“There is something for everyone,” he says. “You tell me what you want to see, what you want to do and I can give you those options as to what we think is best suited for the request.” First-hand knowledge of the product enhances the crews’ ability to discuss options with guests. “We can customize an active excursion itinerary because we know it so well.”
Below are suggestions for active excursions that will light the fuse to your adrenaline, get your heart and lungs pumping and your legs moving — all of which are guaranteed to help burn off some of those calories from the late night Chocolate Extravaganza Dessert Buffet
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Juneau
Budget Action: There are lots of great hiking trails in the area. You can either take a local bus into the valley and hit the trails there or take the tram up Mt. Roberts where you can access trails from the mountain top.
Pricey Action (but considered once-in-a-lifetime): The location offers a number of options to take to the air via floatplane or helicopter. As such it is considered the day to fly as you will be able to experience spectacular scenery over sea, mountains, islands, forests and glaciers.
“Helicopter Flight Seeing & Extended Glacier Trek” is one of the most unique and adventurous excursions offered which lasts over five hours. There are two other versions, one of which allows for three hours of ice-trekking and climbing on the glacier with a 30-minute helicopter flight. All of the treks also allot time for gearing up (equipment included) and educational instructions. Why is this so cool (no pun intended)? There is a huge difference between viewing the glaciers from your balcony on the ship to actually being on the ice field where you can touch, walk and hike on it.
Sitka
Budget Action: The town is small with a big sense of community. In fact, walk a short distance to the community center where you will be greeted by volunteers eager to hand out trail maps and offer tips on where to go on a hike.
Moderate Action: There is great hiking in town as well as sea-kayaking trips nearby such as the “Wilderness Sea- Kayaking Adventure” which includes 1-½ hours kayaking in protected bays and inlets surrounded by serene nature. There’s a good chance you might see bears on shore, eagles whooshing overhead, otters and seals, plus maybe even whales in the distance. Did I mention the Tongass National Rainforest is a paddle or two away?
Advanced Action (but moderately priced): Sitka Bike & Hike offers an “Advanced Mountain Biking” four-hour tour. It’s considered challenging and designed for the more physically fit mountain-bikers. The ride gains elevation, passes tumbling waterfalls and hanging gardens and rewards riders with phenomenal mountain views at the top. Mountain-bikes with front shocks are provided plus helmets, raingear and gloves if needed.
Ketchikan
There are a few sea-kayaking tours offered in Ketchikan that offer guests another chance to see wildlife from the sea but there are other unique adventures to consider as well.
Moderate Action: This is a chance to be whisked away by a Zodiac boat ride to the forest. “Orca Beach Rainforest Nature Trail” is a four-hour excursion that includes adventure by sea and by land. Hiking in the rainforest completes the tour.
Moderate Action: You don’t really associate Alaska with the sport of snorkeling but the underwater world is vast and there is a lot to see from giant kelp forests to lush eel grass beds. The “Mountain Point Dry-Suit Snorkeling Adventure” is three hours and includes the dry-suit and gear.
Go Cruising
2010 Roundtrip Alaska Cruises
departing from Seattle:
Celebrity Cruises
1-800-647-2251
www.celebritycruises.com
Holland America Line (HAL)
(877) 932-4259
www.hollandamerica.com
Princess Cruises
(800) 774-6237
www.princess.com
Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL)
(866) 234-7350
www.ncl.com
Royal Caribbean (RCCL)
(866) 562-7624
www.royalcaribbean.com
Gigi Ragland is an outdoors enthusiast living in Colorado.
http://GigiRagland.com
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