(As part of my quest to visit every state, I will be spending some time throughout the year highlighting each of our 50 states.)

Today is Admission Day for Alaska.  On January 3rd, 1959, Alaska (purchased from Russia in 1867) became the 49th state.

Although Alaska is the largest state in geographical area, it is one of the least populated, ranking 47th of 50.  Due in large part to its connection with the oil industry, it is one of the wealthiest states. 

Alaska is a rugged state, with lots of outdoor adventure opportunities:  fishing, hunting, hiking, snowshoeing, dog sledding, etc.  During the summer, the coastal cities in Alaska are popular ports of call for many cruise lines, and cruising the Inside Passage is an opportunity to see nature in all its glory.  Other popular sites:  train rides through the interior, Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau (in photo), and Mt. McKinley National Park.

I first visited Alaska in 1967.  It was a trip to Fairbanks to visit with extended family, and to take advantage of A-67, the centennial celebration.  I don’t remember a lot about that trip — except the continual daylight.  At home we were always told to come in before it got dark.  That didn’t work in Fairbanks.

Since that time, I have visited Alaska many, many times.  Cities I’ve visited:  Anchorage (the state’s largest city), Juneau (the capital and my favorite Alaska city), Fairbanks, Ketchikan, Sitka, Bethel, Gustavus, Barrow, Nome, Petersburg, Kotzebue, Cordova, North Pole, Prudhoe Bay, and probably a few others that I’ve forgotten.

Anyone else out there been to Alaska?  What’s your favorite place?

Photo credit:  Henry Hartley

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Details:

It’s a series of locks, and ships of all sizes line up to go through. Once you start going through the locks it takes several hours to complete the transit process.

If you’ve ever considered a cruise, this is a trip that I’d heartily recommend!

Photo credit: wikimedia

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Days at sea can be spent lying on deck in the sun (lots of sunscreen applied), wandering around the ship, enjoying the great food and drink available, relaxing with a book, participating in any number of shipboard activities, or simply doing nothing at all.

Friends have frequently asked if it’s boring being on a ship.  The short answer is no.

Evidently, lots of people must have these types of questions, because I’m noticing more and more theme cruises, with time at sea dedicated to the pursuit of a particular niche interest.

Princess Cruise Lines has started a Scrapbooking@Sea program, which offers the conviviality of group scrapping as well as classes and guidance in the craft.  Princess offers a series of classes, the first of which is a complimentary basic class to introduce participants to the basic tools of the class.  You’ll finish one page in the basic class. Additional classes are available for participants who purchase a scrapbook kit ($24.95).  All supplies (acid-free and archival safe products) are provided, so you don’t need to worry about getting your scissors through security or toting around paper, pens, stickers, and other supplies.  Plus, there’s lots of time provided to mingle with other scrappers, finish your pages, as well as to have a great time.

Princess is the first cruise line to offer an onboard scrap booking option, and with the rising popularity in the craft, I’d bet it’s going to be a big hit. 

Photo credit:  Princess Cruise Llne

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Titanic:  The Artifact Exhibition will open at the Atlanta Civic Center, Atlanta, Georgia, on November 11th.   The website also lists other cities where the exhibit is on display.

The exhibition consists of more than 300 artifacts rescued from the sunken wreck by the RMS Titanic, Inc., the only company permitted by law to recover objects from the Titanic.  To date, the company has recovered over 5,000 artifacts presented in traveling exhibits around the world.  Another dive is planned for summer 2007.

This exhibition allows visitors to participate in a chronological journey of life onboard the Titanic, told through personal stories, recovered artifacts, and recreations of the ship.  You start as the passengers started, enthusiastic about the crossing, and end with the iceberg and the sinking. 

As you walk through the exhibit, you’ll experience the excitement of being a passenger on this most modern and luxurious of ships as you step into authentically recreated First Class and Third Class accommodations.  You’ll see the ship’s cargo hold, and stand on the Captain’s Bridge.  The attention to detail in each of the ship’s rooms gives you the vivid feeling of actually being on the ship.  Visitors will also get to touch an iceberg, and learn the details of the sinking, along with the various theories surrounding the drama of the sunken Titanic.  And finally, in the Memorial Room, you will learn about post disaster efforts, including discovering who actually survived and the relief efforts.

The mystique of the Titanic lives in The Artifact Exhibition.

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.  $20 adults, $18 seniors, $16 children.

Photo credit:  flickr

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Canada, Mexico, and parts of the Caribbean have long been excluded from the requirement of a passport, but all that changes effective the end of the year. 

Travelers to and from these destinations will now be required to have a passport to enter the United States if traveling by common carrier — plane, cruise ship, train.  A year later, the passport requirement will be extended to ALL border crossings, including automobile and pedestrian crossings.

Travel to and from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are not included in these changes, and they are considered part of the U.S.

You can read my previous article on the “hows” and “wheres” of getting your passport, but don’t put it off any longer.  This change in policy means that the State Departments is going to get backed up with requests, and people waiting until the very last minute.

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On cruises under a week, there is usually one formal night.  On weeklong cruises, usually two.  And on those over a week, usually three.  You will find a full itinerary listing meal events with your documents, in the cruise line brochure, or online.

The definition of formal varies from ship to ship, and person to person.  For the ladies, you will see floor length gowns, cocktail dresses, party outfits, or a simple long skirt and blouse.  For the gentlemen, you will see tuxedoes, suits, sport coats, and occasionally a rebel wearing a t-shirt printed with a tuxedo motif.

Most ships have tuxedo rentals onboard, or bring your own tuxedo or suit.  Some ships have party wear available for women to rent as well.  There is also a pressing service onboard, so you don’t need to worry about how your clothing travels. 

While it may be a stereotype, I think there’s a bit of truth to the notion that women will want to dress up for the evening, and men will resist it.  Don’t put up a fuss about it, just go with the theme and have a good time.  It’s a fun time to break away from the norm and enjoy a bit of adult night at the prom. 

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If your mail is delivered directly to a box at your home, have it held if you are not going to be able to pick it up within 24 hours.

An overflowing mailbox says “I’m gone,” and marks you a target for thieves looking to steal your mail, your identity or burglarize or vandalize your home.

Your mail can usually be held for as few as three days and for as long as 30.  A form is available through your local post office, or use the online hold service.  (The online service is not available in all locations.)

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The Art Deco themed bridge, one of the most widely recognized San Francisco landmarks, opened for vehicle traffic at noon on May 28th, 1937. 

The Golden Gate refers not to the color of the bridge (it has always been painted orange), but to the Golden Gate Straight.

The bridge’s main suspension span is 1.7 miles long, and for 27 years held the world record for the longest suspension span.  It can be crossed by vehicle, bicycle or on foot, and links San Francisco with Marin County.

When the bridge initially opened, the toll was 50 cents.  Today it is $5.

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One of the considerations in booking a cruise, is the category of cabin you choose.

The type of cabins available have a variety of names, but basically fall somewhere along these lines:

Suites

Junior suites

Outside cabins with a balcony

Outside cabin with unobstructed view

Outside cabin with partially obstructed view

Inside cabin

Pricing depends on both the type of cabin and its location on the ship, and is referred to as the category.

On the cruise last week, I had an outside cabin with a balcony, one of the nicest cabins without being in a suite.  It was a floor to ceiling sliding door, which opened onto a balcony large enough to contain two chairs and a small table.  There were screens on each side to separate it from the cabin next door, and although I probably wouldn’t be comfortable out there sunbathing nude, it did ensure a fair amount of privacy.

Even though it was chilly out, and the balcony got minimal use, it was worth the price of the upgrade.  It added a great deal of light to the cabin, and for anyone who has a problem with claustrophobia or motion sickness, this will make the trip far more enjoyable.  It was also nice to be able to step outside for a little fresh air, without having to walk up a deck or two.  On a sunny voyage, I can see the balcony getting far more use.

How do you select a cabin?  I’d advise you to go with the best you can that still fits into your budget.  That said, I’ve been in virtually all the cabin types (except for those deluxe suites), and I wouldn’t stay home just because a category wasn’t available.

What are you waiting for?  Check out the deck plans (available at all the cruise line websites) and start saving for a cruise vacation.

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Remember — it’s important to pay attention!

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