Take to the waters on an Alaskan cruise

Alaska cruising is major business and one of the most popular ways to experience the state. Every summer, dozens of megaships travel through Alaska's Inside Passage, visiting villages only accessible by boat (and plane) such as Sitka, Ketchikan, and Juneau, the state capital.

Hike across this immense wilderness, where pine and spruce taiga forests stretch beneath towering peaks. Excursions vary per port, and include flightseeing tours over enormous ice fields, fishing excursions to the region's deep rivers, and cultural tours that bring the rich communities of Alaska's Native people to life. Many individuals take their first trip to Alaska on a cruise since it's a convenient way to see the state without having to deal with complicated travel procedures. Sail past the ice splendor of some of the world's most impressive glaciers on an Alaska cruise, or hire a bike and peddle along Anchorage's Coastal Trail for sweeping vistas of the rough forests and the vast ocean.

When it comes to choosing an Alaska cruise, your primary limits are your vacation style and budget. Consider a small-ship cruise to reduce your environmental impact and better support local economies. Several companies, like Alaskan Dream Cruises, UnCruise Adventures, and John Hall's Alaska, offer itineraries similar to the huge ships but may travel further into southern Alaska's rivers and visit smaller villages that also rely on tourism support.

Ticket price: between $600 and $5,000 per person