Are you thinking about how to provide yourself, or someone you love, with the trip of a lifetime? Consider a cruise that will leave a lasting impression: a cruise to Alaska.

The scenery of the Alaskan coast is absolutely spectacular: fjords, calving glaciers, waterfalls, humpback and orca whales and other wildlife. However, Alaska offers much more than scenery. Shore excursions provide the opportunity to enjoy activities that range from shopping for native handicrafts to kayaking, glacier walking and even dog sledding.

Here’s an idea of the activities available in some of Alaska’s popular ports of call:

• Skagway was made famous by the Klondike gold rush, and the main street still has many buildings dating from gold rush days. In-port activities include helicopter "flightseeing" combined with glacier walks or dog sledding; and scenic rides along the Yukon Route Railway to the summit of White Pass.
• Juneau is Alaska’s capital, with a great variety of attractions. The Mt. Roberts tramway glides 1,800 feet up a steep slope right next to the cruise ship pier. Mendenhall Glacier, which has a visitor center and excellent hiking trails, is just a 20-minute ride from the pier. Juneau is also an excellent launching point for whale watching, kayaking and river rafting.
• Ketchikan is noted for its native cultural centers: one of them, Saxman Native Village, has the world’s largest collection of totem poles. This is also the sport fishing capital of Alaska: five types of salmon can be caught right in the town’s marina. If your cruise itinerary doesn’t include Misty Fjords National Monument, flight tours are available from Ketchikan.
• Sitka is characterized by a blend of Russian and native cultures: walking tours of the picturesque town include St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral and Totem Square. Situated on Baranof Island, Sitka is a good place for fishing and kayaking. Humpback whales are often spotted in the water and puffins inhabit some nearby islands.

With so many things to do and see in Alaska, it may be difficult to choose shore excursions. Let me help you consider all the options and select those you’ll enjoy most. Remember, you can take in more of the Alaskan interior on a pre- or post-cruise land vacation, too.

A growing number of cruise lines, including Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Silversea Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines are including ports of call in Australia and New Zealand on their cruise itineraries. Some cruises call on ports "Down Under" as part of a longer South Pacific voyage or world cruise, but some focus specifically on these fascinating Southern Hemisphere destinations.

Australia, an island and a continent unto itself, offers stunning scenery that ranges from the vast inland wilderness of the Outback to world-famous beaches. New Zealand, while much smaller, offers everything from exotic black sand beaches – a result remnant of the nation’s volcanic origins – to rugged mountains swathed in glaciers.

Major ports in Australia and New Zealand include:

• Sydney, a world-class, multicultural city with outstanding shopping, nightlife and attractions. Landmarks include the Sydney Opera House, which watches over the harbor, and the 1,000-foot-tall AMP Tower in the central city, which offers breathtaking views.
• Cairns, a resort town that serves as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, the largest living coral formation in the world. Many excursions to the Outback also depart from Cairns. Local artists sell their works at the Pier Marketplace adjacent to Trinity Warf.
• Auckland, a center of yacht racing. The National Maritime Museum exhibits the nautical history of the city, including triumphs in the prestigious America’s Cup competition. Inland, the city of Rotorua is the county’s geothermal capital, complete with bubbling mud pools, geysers and steam vents. Visitors can also learn about the lifestyle of the native people, the Maori.

To start planning a cruise to Australia and New Zealand (winter is a terrific time to go), call Marilyn at 1-800-720-7245.