| Cruise travel from ports close to home is what | | | | Many cruise reviews have mentioned this city as one |
| passengers want now. In almost all of the cruise | | | | of the favorites from which to start a cruise. You may |
| reviews, cruise travelers have expressed concern with | | | | opt to take a side trip to the vineyards of Napa and |
| long airline trips to distant lands. Now they want to | | | | Sonoma Valleys for a day. While in San Francisco |
| cruise from ports that are close to home to enjoy a | | | | check out Fisherman's Wharf, or take a cable car ride |
| less stressful cruise vacation. The cruise lines have | | | | through the city. In this city there are numerous |
| caught on to this trend and are now positioning their | | | | excellent restaurants. There is a ferry that will take |
| ships up and down the United States East and West | | | | you over to Alcatraz Island for a glimpse into the life of |
| Coasts and along the Gulf of Mexico. Let's explore the | | | | the prisoners. |
| ports of embarkation on the West Coast starting in | | | | Perhaps you have chosen Seattle, Washington as |
| Southern California at the port of San Diego and go | | | | your embarkation port. The lovely Puget Sound area is |
| northward. | | | | rich with history of the maritime industries. The Olympic |
| If you can take the time before or after your cruise | | | | Mountains will leave you feeling awed when viewed |
| travel, spend some extra time in San Diego. The city | | | | from the Space Needle that is 607 feet high. For fun |
| of San Diego is blessed with year round warm | | | | don't miss the Pike Street Market for fresh seafood |
| weather and seventy miles of Pacific Coastline. There | | | | and produce. There are many fleets of sport fishing |
| are many activities to enjoy while in the city. They | | | | boats for fishing or for whale watching. |
| have a first class, world famous zoo in Balboa Park. | | | | Even further up the coast you are now in Alaskan |
| At Old Town State Historic Park learn about the | | | | territory. Fairbanks, which was once a booming mining |
| History of California. Near the downtown area there | | | | town, is the entrance to Alaska's interior. If you stay |
| are 15 excellent museums and gorgeous gardens. | | | | here for a day or two try a really Alaskan adventure |
| A little further up north is Long Beach just 20 miles | | | | and go dog sledding. Maybe you would like to pan for |
| south of Los Angeles. Here is where the Queen Mary | | | | gold, another part of Alaska's history. If you want to |
| retired to in 1967 and is permanently docked serving | | | | see the Northern Lights plan your cruise vacation for |
| as a Hotel. With more 12,000 sea creatures the | | | | late August or early September. |
| aquarium is a delightful spot to spend a couple of | | | | Choosing a cruise vacation out of Whitter, Alaska will |
| hours. | | | | allow you to go whale watching, and look for sea lions |
| If you plan to take your cruise vacation out of Los | | | | and bald eagles. This is a small quaint town that really |
| Angeles there are plenty of sights to see. A pre or | | | | lets you feel what Alaska is all about. |
| post cruise package from the cruise lines will allow you | | | | You will fly into Anchorage for departure from |
| to see the many cultural centers or drive by the star | | | | Seward, Alaska. Try to stay a few days to explore |
| studded neighborhoods of Malibu, Bel Air and | | | | the riches Anchorage has to offer. There is the |
| Hollywood. Be sure to see Grauman's Chinese | | | | beautiful Denali National Park, where Mt. McKinney |
| Theatre, Chinatown and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. | | | | offers spectacular scenery. In Seward you can take a |
| Visit funky Venice Beach and dine in the many | | | | cruise to the Kenai Fjords as a day trip. |
| excellent restaurants. And don't forget to at least | | | | Any of these cruise ports will make a great start for |
| window shop on Rodeo Drive. | | | | your cruise vacation. So when planning any cruise |
| The dazzling Golden Gate Bridge will be what you sail | | | | travel pick a port that's close to home and leave some |
| under on you cruise vacation from San Francisco. | | | | time for exploring the town of embarkation. |