Jackie Matthews
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Alaska Cruise and Denali National Park
John and I have cruised to Alaska and visited Denali National Park 3 times. Alaska truly is one of the most beautiful and untouched regions in the world. We have visited the Alps and yes, they are lovely, but Mt Denali is every bit as spectacular. Vancouver, Canada is a gorgeous port city to begin your cruise. Come up a couple of days early and enjoy the parks, the waterfront, the cute shops and restaurants that Vancouver has to offer. We have sailed the inside passage and visited all the major ports of call several times- Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau, Seward, Icy Straight Point, Whittier., finding something new to do every single time. Sailing through Glacier Bay National park, College Fjord and the inside Passage gives you amazing views of the wildlife and the glaciers. it is thrilling to hear, and then see, the glaciers "calving" - first you hear something that sounds like a low rumbling and someone on deck starts pointing to an certain area on the glacier and then you see the huge chunks (some the size of buildings) fall off and make a huge splash on the water. If you have the time, make sure to visit Denali National park . The glass domed railroad out to the park is amazing and you will see wildlife and mountains, valleys and rivers you simply can't see from the deck of the cruise ship. My advice is to spend at least 3-4 days in Denali, touring the park, hiking, getting great pictures of Mt Denali and, if you are brave, taking a fixed winged plane ride to circle the mountain. We got so close- if there had been hikers up there that day- we would have seen them. Alaska is like no other place we have ever visited- the quiet and peaceful beauty is the perfect vacation for a couple, a family, a family reunion or a club.