Imagine sailing along the coastline of Alaska, with towering glaciers and mountains of ice shooting skyward from each coastal enclave. As you sip your hot chocolate and peer out from the deck, you see a chunk of ice the size of a Buick slide into the frozen waters.

While the climate may at first glance seem harsh and unforgiving, travelers experience a certain serenity when they visit this frigid wilderness. Alaska cruises come in many varieties. Read on for some tips to plan the perfect vacation getaway on an Alaskan cruise.

Schedule Extensive Shore Excursions During Your Alaska Cruise

Some cruise vacationers love to stay on the ship and enjoy all the activities, events and amenities that the cruise liner has to offer. While the cruise ship certainly provides a cornucopia of entertainment options, no Alaska vacation cruise would be complete without a full schedule of rewarding shore excursions. Imagine stepping off your cruise ship and trekking through the gorgeous terrain of Denali National Park. You can visit different ports of call, interact with locals and observe wildlife in their natural habitat.

If you enjoy fishing, Alaska fishing is its own adventure -- so schedule an ice fishing tour during your cruise. Adventure vacationers can try kayaking, rafting and cave exploration. History buffs can venture inland to see frontier towns and historic railroad systems. No matter what your interests, exploring the Alaskan mainland should be a top priority during your cruise vacation.

Bookend Your Cruise Vacation With Land Tours of Alaska

Shore excursions give you a limited amount of time to experience the inland coast of Alaska. If you bookend your cruise vacation with a land tour, you will enjoy more of what this frozen expanse has to offer. Travelers who begin their vacations with a land tour can visit some of the more popular inland cities in Alaska, like Anchorage and Fairbanks.

After enjoying a landlocked vacation experience, board your cruise ship and wind your way up (or down) the Alaskan coastline. Ending your cruise vacation with a land tour is also an option. This is a great way to soak up the wonder of the place before you head home from your Alaska travel.

Planning the Perfect Alaska Cruise Vacation

Whether you're looking for an intimate, small yachting experience or a large cruise tour that travels through multiple glaciers, there are a wide range of Alaska cruises from which you can choose. From scenic fjords to frozen passages, unique shore excursions and all-inclusive packages that focus on whale-watching, hiking, fishing and wildlife exploration, a cruise trip to Alaska is sure to be a travel experience that you won't soon forget.

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