What things do I absolutely want to experience on my Alaskan Vacation?
It can be hard to narrow down your list when it comes to a dream Alaska family vacation. Helicopter ride to land on a glacier? Glimpsing a bear? Panning for gold and reliving the gold rush? Kayaking amongst the salmon run? Trying your hand at dog sledding? Or, riding a train through the wild Alaskan frontier on a historic train? It’s important to explore and balance to fit in all your Alaskan fun. Some experiences are only available at specific Alaskan destinations or times of the year. So, you want to have a plan to make sure you don’t miss the best Alaska has to offer.
Who else wants to go to Alaska with us?
A very popular way to experience Alaska is TOGETHER.
Alaska is a great destination for grandparents, parents, and children alike. It really offers something for everyone. It’s easy to customize the trip for different energy levels and interests while still experiencing a dream Alaskan vacation together. Alaska is a particularly excellent trip for extended families wanting to try a first-time group travel experience.
What time of year should I go to Alaska?
Alaska has a relatively short season for visitors. For most families, this means traveling over summer break in June or July. It’s best to plan ahead as Alaska’s short season means opportunities book up. The earlier you go in the season, the more sunlight there is.
What’s the best way for my family to see Alaska?
Alaska, vacations can be done by air, land, or cruise…or a combination. Each shows a different side of Alaska. The most popular way for families to see Alaska is by cruise. Cruising has a ton of benefits for families (see our article on family cruising) that especially apply in Alaska. Alaska has many ports that give access to incredible Alaskan experiences. Cruises can even take you past glaciers to see one of the most iconic Alaskan views: glaciers falling into the ocean. Smaller boats allow you to explore the Alaskan coastline and have close encounters with whales and other majestic sea animals.
Land options in Alaska take you deep into the frontier to experience some of the most breath-taking national parks in the United States. For transportation fans, this also means a chance to ride the legendary Alaskan train routes. On land is where you’ll find the famous wildlife of Alaska like bears and moose.
Planes give a totally different view of Alaska. Seaplanes take you deep into the forests and lakes. Helicopters let you see the true vastness of a glacier before landing on it for a hike.
But you don’t have to choose just one. We can design a blended itinerary where you can see the best of Alaska by water and experience things only seen on land.
What route to I want to take for my Alaskan vacation?
Many cruises offer different starting and ending points. Some are roundtrip from Seattle or Vancouver. Some go one-way. Each itinerary has its advantages. If you want to combine an interior Alaskan land package, you’ll be looking at a 1-way cruise. If you’re going to add on a trip through the Canadian Rockies, you’ll want to make sure you start or end in Vancouver/Seattle. Each trip to Alaska is unique, so you’ll want the one that fits your family best.
About The Traveling Compass:
The Traveling Compass is a full-service luxury travel agency. Our success is built on a foundation of unmatched expertise and outstanding customer service. Our travel agents specialize in international travel, corporate incentive trips, destination weddings & honeymoons, multigenerational travel, luxury leisure, and family travel. We are also Authorized Disney Vacation Planners with experience assisting families that have children with special needs or large families or groups with complicated dining reservations for over 20 guests. Our personalized travel itineraries are designed to help discerning, time-pressed travelers plan the most elaborate vacations, down to the smallest detail. As luxury travel agents, we are dedicated to creating and facilitating travel experiences that expand awareness and give each person a real sense of the country and culture they are visiting. It is our mission to make sure you have the travel experience of a lifetime, every time.
