Page 43 - AAA Magazine – AAA Ohio Auto Club – September 2018

AAA Advice for:
ALASKA ADVENTURERS
With the weather being cooler at the beginning and end of the cruise season, the animals will be more active leading to more sightings.
Wear a dark colored shirt/jacket for flightseeing trips. Light colors will reflect off the glass and obstruct your view.
Dress like an onion; layers and layers and layers. The weather is ever-changing and can be hot one minute and cold another. Sudden temperature drops of 30 degrees or more are common and can happen without warning. And always carry a waterproof windbreaker.
Purchase excursions for cruises ahead of time, as they are likely to sell out. In order to fully experience Alaska, cruisers should to do a shore excursion.
If cruising isn’t for you, the Alaska Railroad offers customizable packages with lodging and excursions available all year.
If you choose to tour Alaska by car, car rental agencies are plentiful in south central and interior Alaska, but prices are high. Top off your gas tank as often as possible, as it may be hours until you see another pump. If you are going to drive, be sure to pack a map and a GPS so you know where you’re going. Don’t rely on your cell phone as your only means of directions.
– Robin Amezquita, CTC, sales manager, AAA Sandusky
Most first-timers to Alaska want to see glaciers and wildlife. But why go back? Most people who go the first time hit the highlights. A return trip is usually done for more in-depth, more focused travel to a certain area.
Cruisers shouldn’t forget to spend time in the city they are leaving from. These embarkation cities have a lot to see and do. Go in at least one day early to acclimate to the time difference and to explore the city.
I have never taken anything warmer than a fleece jacket with gloves and earmuffs for glacier sightseeing.
Bug spray is essential for those exploring Alaska’s interior.
– June E Larick, CTA, DS, travel consultant, AAA Marion
I was fortunate enough to visit the beautiful state of Alaska in September 2017. We were on the Ruby Princess roundtrip cruise out of Seattle and enjoyed wonderful weather and clear blue skies. This state has so much to offer, whether you’re a first-timer (like me) or have visited before. I believe each time you go to Alaska you will always have a different experience. Different seasons
will bring different experiences: When we were there,
we saw whales headed south for the winter, baby bald eagles and beautiful fall colors. I look forward to returning in the summer to see the lush colors, whales returning and bears fishing in the streams.
– Alison Mausser, director, AAA Brand Management
Why would first-timers want to go to Alaska? It inspires awe. It’s vast, wild, and magnificent in scale and in beauty. Alaska is called The Great Land for a reason.
Here are some common reasons to visit Alaska: mountains, wildlife (land and water), glaciers, wildflowers, fishing (halibut and salmon), hiking, backpacking, visiting national parks, interesting native cultures, the aurora borealis, flightseeing, glacial exploration and gold panning.
Why would people who have been to Alaska want to go back? Glaciers look white in the sunshine and blue in the rain; experiencing both can be captivating. Different season bring entirely different landscape views, as well as access to different wildlife. Winter brings the Iditarod. Spring brings abundant wildlife and wildflowers. Summer brings fishing seasons for halibut and salmon, as well as warm weather. Autumn brings landscape colors and the aurora borealis.
Spend an extended period of time in a port city or national park that you fell in love with during your first trip. And If you cruised during your first visit, consider
a land tour to see a whole new side of Alaska. If you visited the heart of Alaska but didn’t spend any time on the water, consider a cruise.
– Lynsie M. Stout, CTA, sales manager, AAA Gahanna
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