Chapter to cruise Alaska's Inside Passage this May

and Donna Specht

'Go,' said John Muir after two cruises to Alaska, to readers of the San Francisco Chronicle, 'Go and see! Alaska is marvelous.'

Muir's century-old accounts can be used as a guide for modern ship-borne tourists. He was no ordinary tourist, and if some fellow travelers thought his wild enthusiasm for Alaska crazy, others grasped his sense of gratified amazement. For it was here that Muir found confirmation of his theories regarding glaciation and plant progression in the Sierra Nevada.

In his footsteps, the Angeles Chapter will lead a seventh cruise to Alaska's Inside Passage and on north to Anchorage. This seven-day cruise departs Vancouver, British Columbia, on May 16 aboard the Dawn Princess. Here's an opportunity to view orca whales, seals, sea otters, eagles, and glaciers from the decks of a luxury cruise ship with an onboard naturalist.

If you've never been on a cruise, this is the one you should take. You will have one week of luxury living while viewing some of the most awesome and incredible scenery on earth.

The itinerary includes a full day cruising the scenic Inside Passage and all-day visits in Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway, where optional tours will be offered to view historic, scenic, and geological points of interest. These ports are famous for the Gold Rush of 1898, Mendenhall Glacier (fed by a 1500-square-mile ice field), salmon hatcheries, and totem poles Additionally, the ship will cruise the length of Glacier Bay National Park and College Fjord with over 30 gleaming glaciers, where tidewater glaciers and calving-ice masses breaking off-can be seen up close. As in the past, the Sierra Club will provide free walking-tour guidance in ports, vigorous hikes, onboard get-togethers, and information about the native cultures and John Muir's Alaska travels.

At the conclusion of the cruise, an optional extension to Denali National Park, Fairbanks, and Anchorage will be led by Steve Feld and the leaders.

Stateroom categories start at $499 double occupancy, plus airfare, port charges, taxes, and transfers. Your cruise fare includes: ship stateroom, ocean transport, meals, some non-alcoholic beverages, and most entertainment. Imagine your favorite restaurants; now imagine dining in them aboard the Dawn Princess. Each evening you will receive a four-page newsletter of the next day's agenda. There is so much to do, you cannot do it all.

Move fast on this one; there are limited spaces in each category. Our agent will assist singles with names and numbers of other singles. Contact Cheryl Wada, Montrose Travel Group Division, 800-301-9673, and ask for a brochure and the best cabin choices. Or go online at www.montrosetravel.com/sierraclub. Montrose Travel accepts credit cards and installment payments. For further information contact cruise coordinator Donna Specht, 714-963-6345 or donnaspecht-at-juno.com.