Brian Schmidt asked:
To experience the diversity and absolute beauty of Alaska, you must visit the port-of-call on your cruise to Alaska, Sitka. This seaside Alaskan town on Baranof Island has been both Russian and American.
The beauty of Sitka comes in part because of its location. With the Pacific Ocean on the west, and the forested mountains to the east, Sitka is considered by many to be the most beautiful of the seaside Alaska towns. The vistas of the area are a large reason why Alexander Baranof, the first Russian Governor of Alaska chose to build his castle here in the borough of Sitka.
Of course, the wildlife adds to the beauty of the area and is another reason these cruises often make a stop in Sitka. Humpback whales use the waters off the Sitka borough for feeding in early spring and late fall. During the summer, the area around Sitka offers cruise passengers chance sitings of tufted puffins and a myriad of other birds, sea otters, sea lions and many other marine and forest creatures. As a matter of note, Sitka lies in one of the largest temperate rain forests in the world.
Alaskan cruises to Sitka also provide a cultural insight into the development of the Alaskan frontier. As was noted earlier, Sitka played host to the government when Alaska was a Russian territory. Historical sites include the Baranof Castle Hill site.
The Tlingit culture is also quite evident in the Sitka borough. This native culture provides guests on cruises to Alaska yet another insight into Alaska’s development.
Currently, Sitka’s economy is based on lumber and processing, fishing, and of course tourism. Sitka is home to Sheldon Jackson College and the Sitka Branch of the University of Alaska. A Coast Guard air station is located at Sitka as well.
Many Alaska cruise itineraries make stops at Sitka. For example, Holland America Alaska cruises have about 18 itineraries that include Sitka. Norwegian Cruise Lines have 4 Alaska cruise itineraries that include stops in Sitka. Two Princess Alaska cruise itineraries stop in Sitka. Carnival includes stops in Sitka on both their north bound and south bound Alaska cruises. Royal Caribbean includes a stop at Sitka on at least one of its Alaska cruises.
The beauty of Alaska can by far be best seen while on an Alaska cruise itinerary that includes a stop in Sitka, arguably the most beautiful of all Alaskan seaside towns.
