Alaska is an American Safari for those who wish to see bears, whales, eagles, and even more wildlife that call this land home. The Alaska safari is best done by small ship rather than on land. The geography of the region offers amazing viewing opportunities from the shore and on excursions that allow guests to see the animals that spend their time on land, sea and in the air, so a cruise is optimal to see native species. Silversea Cruises is one of my favorites to enjoy this region for those wishing to embark on a luxury safari by sea.
The best time to visit Alaska is in summer when temperatures are moderate and daylight hours are extended. Those that come to Alaska with open hearts, minds and eyes are rewarded with the opportunity to engage with local communities, enjoy amazing vistas, and see the animals that symbolize our country.
I was inspired to write this article because I will be visiting Alaska for the very first time this summer. A few years ago, I published an article that compared a “premium” cruise line to a luxury cruise line. The moral of the story was “It’s not what you pay to get on the ship, it’s what you pay to get off the ship” that matters. That still holds today.
Silversea is a great option because of itineraries that call at smaller ports such as Haines, Wrangell and Elfin Cove, which are not offered on big-ship itineraries. The Virtuoso cruise I’ll be hosting in July is on the 392 passenger Silver Whisper that starts in Vancouver with stops in Ketchikan, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, Icy Bay, Valdez, then ends in Seward – with many included excursions along the way. I’m excited to explore this region with the guests onboard and hope that I see the wildlife that live here and get to know the people and local culture. My Silversea partner and I will share the excitement of this region during a public event in late January.
Alaska is one of the last unspoiled places on Earth and represents adventure and exploration while seeing nature at its most wild. It has the highest mountains, most glaciers, biggest moose, and longest days. The superlatives go on – the number of rivers, lakes and amount of coastline are extensive and here for you to discover.
I recommend taking advantage of the all-inclusive amenities a Silversea Cruise has to offer. The cruise line recently introduced “door to door” pricing that includes black car limousine pick up at your home, economy air, cruise, and black car return to your home. I love the no stress/no fuss option – gratuities included.
And with such volatile and expensive flight prices nowadays, why not enjoy all-inclusive pricing door to door?
For many people, an Alaska vacation is the trip of a lifetime. I believe a small ship cruise experience is one of the best ways to explore this region.
Helen Jordan is the owner of Jordan Luxury Travel, an independent affiliate of Brownell Travel, a member of Virtuoso. She can be reached at 602-692-9379 or [email protected].
