Alaska

Alaska is the last great American wilderness — a state twice the size of Texas where glaciers calve into icy fjords, grizzly bears fish for salmon in rushing rivers, and humpback whales breach against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains. An Alaskan cruise is among the most spectacular voyages on earth, combining the grandeur of untouched natural scenery with the rich cultural heritage of indigenous peoples who have called this land home for thousands of years.

Glacier Bay National Park is the crown jewel of any Alaskan itinerary — a UNESCO World Heritage site where sixteen tidewater glaciers descend to the sea, calving with thunderous crashes into the frigid waters below. Hubbard Glacier, the largest tidewater glacier in North America, advances towards the sea at a remarkable rate, while Tracy Arm Fjord offers sheer granite walls and twin glaciers in a setting of pure wilderness.

Beyond the glaciers, Alaska's Inside Passage offers encounters with wildlife at every turn: pods of orca and humpback whales, Steller sea lions, and bald eagles perching in the spruce trees. The gold-rush town of Skagway, Ketchikan's totem poles, and state capital Juneau — accessible only by sea or air — complete one of cruising's most memorable experiences.