1. Alaska’s Coast Two adults on stand up paddle board (SUP) observe hole melted in iceberg on Bear Lake in Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska.
Image zoom Credit: Getty Images
In the midst of the pandemic, Alaska s entire May to September cruise season was cancelled in 2020. That left some 1.3 million travelers unable to board ships to experience thunderously calving glaciers, frolicking humpback whales, lively gold rush towns, and fascinating Alaska Native arts scenes. Tourism providers missed serious income. Cruise lines and local officials express muted optimism about 2021, which may be the best year to see Alaska given that cruise ships are unlikely to sail full and coastal towns won t have their typical crowds even post-vaccine rollout. Or skip the civilization part: Vast national parks such as Glacier Bay, Misty Fjords, and Kenai Fjords are best reached by