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Alaska is the largest state of the United States by area; it is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait. Approximately half of Alaska's 698,473 residents live within the Anchorage metropolitan area. As of 2009, Alaska remains the least densely populated state of the U.S
Alaskan whales travel waters surrounded by glaciers, bears roam the land, salmon swim the rivers and eagles soar overhead. Alaska is an ideal area for exploring by ship - forested islands, waterfalls and calving glaciers mainly situated on the narrow coastal strip between mountains and sea. The waters of the Bering Sea contains some of the most remote and spectacular islands on earth.
Seven day cruises to the Inside Passage start and finish in Seattle or Vancouver and explore the twisting and sheltered waterways between the coast and the offshore islands. They go as far north as Skagway and Glacier Bay before returning south calling at ports like Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan on the way.
The Glacier cruises are also 7 days but travel north from Seattle or Vancouver to Seward or Whittier near Anchorage or the reverse southwards. They follow the sheltered Inside Passage calling at panhandle ports and then enter the more exposed Gulf of Alaska and enter Yakutat Bay or Prince William Sound passing some of Alaska's largest and most active glaciers.
The Alaskan cruise season is from mid May to September with July and August the most popular months. Temperatures in May, June and September range from 10C to 18C while in August it can reach the low 20Cs but it can change day by day. It can also rain at any time and often does but May and June are the driest months. In the Bering Sea temperatures will be much lower and the seas more stormy.
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Juneau Overcast
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Juneau Webcam
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