Take An Alaska Cruise on the Cheap

[hausdok]

For those of you who've always wanted to see Alaska but thought you couldn't afford the price of one of the cruise lines that are based out of Seattle (The first cruise ship of the season just arrived in Seattle the other day), you might want to investigate the Alaska Marine Highway System. It's a series of ferries that travel from as far south as Bellingham, WA all the way to Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Islands.

There are four travel routes. According to the website, the Inside Passage/Southeast route

"treats you to spectacular natural beauty, an unmatched variety of wildlife, and a rich mixture of Native, Early Russian, and Gold Rush history. For those coming from the "Lower 48" or Canada, the trip north to Alaska on AMHS most often begins at Bellingham, Washington, or Prince Rupert, British Columbia. At the northern end of the route, Haines and Skagway link visitors and residents to the Alaskan Highway.

The inter-port ferry routes connect the smaller communities of Southeast Alaska with each other, with the regional centers of commerce and government, and with connections to other transportation systems." id="maroon">

According to the website, the cross gulf route:

"From June through September the M/V Kennicott makes bi-monthly trips from Prince Rupert, Ketchikan and Juneau to Whittier, with stops in Yakutat. This is the trip of a lifetime for those who like comfortable adventure.

This route connects the Inside Passage/Southeast and Southcentral routes."id="maroon">

According to the website, the South-Central Alaska route:

"The coastal communities of Southcentral Alaska are the outdoor playgrounds for more than half of the state's population. The Southcentral ferry service takes you through beautiful Prince William Sound and into the Gulf of Alaska and Lower Cook Inlet. Ferry travelers thrill to spectacular views of ice-blue glaciers, tranquil fjords, lush forests, and unbelievable concentrations of seabirds and marine wildlife.

The Southcentral route connects to the Southwest route through scheduled services from Homer and Whittier to Kodiak."id="maroon">

According to the website, the Southwest Alaska route:

"Remote, beautiful, and mysterious best describes Alaska's Southwest. See it for yourself on the Alaska Marine Highway. The Southwest route provides ferry service from Kodiak to Unalaska/Dutch Harbor, with stops at several communities along the Alaska Peninsula.

From gentle coastal grasslands to rumbling, snow-capped volcanoes, Southwest Alaska has a character and charm all its own. This land of mystery is home to numerous national wildlife refuges, hundred of species of sea birds, fur seal colonies, walrus and other wildlife."id="maroon">

Folks who are using the system can book cabins on board or they can even bring a tent and sleeping bag and set up their tent on board the ferries and do the trip on the ultra cheap at a price that's a fraction of what it would cost to go being pampered in a rolling living room/casino where everything costs a fortune.

No, there aren't any spas, indoor swimming pools, no rock-climbing walls or driving ranges, no plush suites, and you don't get your selection of 4-star restaurants, but they do pick up the trash from cabins in the morning and will provide clean linen upon request, some of the boats have movie theaters on board, there are showers on some ships, and there are telephones. Besides, It's the sightseeing - whale watching, and scenery - that most folks take these cruises for, and passengers generally have a pretty good time.

Think of it as going camping or renting a camping cabin where the campsite is constantly moving. There are lots of options, and, with airfare being so cheap right now (I saw a fare from Miami to Seattle the other day for $166), it's a good deal for those who prefer the everyman's cruise.

Check it out!

ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!!

Mike

[Brandon Chew]

My wife and I traveled by bicycle in two weeks from Anchorage to Homer during one summer before we had kids. We carried everything we needed with us: food, clothing, & camping gear. Alaska is awe inspiring! I've traveled around a bit but I never had a sense of how big the world really is, and how small of a part of it I really am, until I went there.

[Scottpat]

Alaska is great! I have toured parts of it and have always had a great experience. Only place I know of with 2lb mosquitoes! Yes, they have mosquitoes in Alaska! They only have a few months to make the best of it so they are always hungry! DEET is a must!

[Mike H]

When we lived in Alaska as kids everyone referred to them as moose-squito's.

We took a cruise to Alaska a few years ago. We went up a couple of days early to see eveything we could see in a couple of days (Its a very big place). It was the best vacation we've ever had. If you have a chance to go, GO!

Mike H.

www.rqahomeinspections.com

[Jim Baird]

Mike O' you gotta get a new avatar. The current one is plain Bud Tuggly!