Suddenly, you see something moving down below and you pan over to see something oddly shaped walking lazily out of the woods at the edge of the field. You've never seen anything like it before, but you immediately recognize it by its furry antlers and wrinkled neck. It's a moose! A huge smile forms on your face when you realize that this is the Alaska you've always dreamed of seeing. It's where the wildlife easily outnumbers humanity; where animals of all shapes and sizes freely move about the rainforests, glacier-covered tundra and even the waters. And the best way to see it all is on an cruise to Alaska. Catch a glimpse of nature's most unique creatures from aboard a ship or on a shore excursion. Remember all of those whale tales you heard during your childhood, like the fictional Moby Dick? These fantastic tales make these aquatic mammals seem like mythological heroes. Even if those stories struck the slightest amount of fear in you, chances are that you wouldn't miss the opportunity to see one of these magnificent whales, up close and personal. Truth be told, there is something undeniably mystical about these animals. And as much as the moose is Alaska's animal representative on land, the whale is its ambassador at sea. Countless cruisers have lined the rails of excursion boats, setting out in search of these underwater goliaths and hoping to spot one or two breaching the surface. It's a magical experience, seeing a whale rise up from the depths. And who knows? You may even spot one (or two) from the deck of one of cruise ships. In fact, Alaska has several species of whales that make their home here, at least for part of the year, that you're likely to spot during your visit. Most notable is the humpback whale, one of the world's most endangered species of whale. Shaped like a missile and covered with bumps, the humpback can stay underwater for as long as half an hour, eats anywhere from 2,000 to 9,000 pounds of fish and krill each day, and can live up to 95 years. Another Alaska native is the killer whale, or Orca, which is, in fact, not even a whale, It's actually just a big porpoise. And the name is misleading, since they're not the "killers" movies make them out to be. They're extremely social mammals. They travel together in pods as large as 30 - and are always led by the females. To get an even better view of them, most cruise lines offer whale watching shore excursions in Juneau, Ketchikan, Prince Rupert and Victoria. during the summer months, which is thought to give them a lot of their energy. In fact, half of their summer weight is stored fat that helps them prepare for the winter months. Still, Alaska's brown bears don't technically hibernate like some other bears might. They just get very, very lethargic during the winter, and just lay around in their dens. Another interesting fact is that brown bears aren't necessarily brown. Some have coats in shades of blonde, black or even a combination of these colors. When it comes to bears, most people also don't know that the large hump over their shoulders is actually pure muscle, giving their forelimbs strength for digging. Their powerful claws can be up to 6 inches in length and, unlike the claws of lions or tigers, aren't retractable. Sure, you're not likely to see any bears while you're peering out over the deck of your ship, but there's always a chance you might see one when you go exploring on a wildlife adventure. Experience it all. On a cruise to Alaska, you get a front-row seat to one of the most wondrous natural showplaces on the planet. Interested? Call us at 800-677-0110 for your choice of Alaska Cruises!

Alaska cruises are a once in a lifetime experience. If you are like most people, you'll probably only do an Alaska cruise once. Call us today to talk to knowledgeable experts who have actually BEEN on these cruises! We will guide you down the right path of choices-Should it be a 7 day Alaska cruise or an 11day Alaska cruisetour? We KNOW Alaska cruises! Call us today at 800-677-0110 and let us help you find the Alaska cruise of your dreams!