Westworld Alberta
Issue link: http://westworldmagazine.ama.ab.ca/i/40418
perched high in a tree, it's back on the bus for a ride to the Mendenhall Glacier. Once there, we're told to meet back at our bus in just over an hour, so we hurry through the visitor centre for a crash course on glaciers, then hang out at silt-laden Mendenhall Lake, at the base of the blue- and-brown-ridged glacier. Stretching 21 km from the Juneau Icefield, the glacier has retreated about four km since the mid- 1700s – its annual melt rate continues to outpace its rate of advance. Back onboard, our cozy room makes for a comfy retreat after all that water and ice. It's a bit of a head-shake though, going from nature to Disney-brand fantasy. Following the ship's rotational dining program, tonight we sit down to dinner at Triton's, modelled after the movie The Little Mermaid, with a sweeping under-the-sea mural of mer-princess Ariel and her father, Triton. On the menu? Three- cheese lobster macaroni for me, a Minnie's Mini Burger for Thomas and crispy roasted duck breast for Dan. As on other nights, our regular servers – the joking Cipri from Roma- nia and the sweet Julia from Peru – keep us amused and wanting for nothing. The fantasy continues with tonight's live show, TRACEY ZIPP AMA Travel Specialist | Alaska Cruises Going on an Alaska cruise is a great way to get away from every- thing. Whether you're on the ship or visiting one of the scenic stops, there's always something to do. I went with my family in the summer and the weather was fabulous. There were live comedy shows, wine-tasting and mixology classes, dances under the stars and more. Food was another highlight: everything from pizza and hamburgers to lobster, fi llet mignon and shrimp cocktails. There were also themed restaurants for nights when we were tired of buffets. On our way from Vancouver, we passed Glacier Bay on the southern Alaskan coast and had a chance to view sea otters and humpback whales up close. We stopped in Juneau, the capital of Alaska – a city with a diverse culture and gold-mining roots. Photographers will love it here. You'll see plenty of old-fashioned saloons. The fl oor of the Red Dog Saloon, my favourite, is covered in sawdust and there's a lively piano player who greets people as they enter. The best part of the trip was exploring the Juneau Icefi eld and climbing the glaciers. They're beautiful to look at, but climbing them is even better. Smelling the fresh Alaskan air and walking through the snowdrifts is unforgettable. Board a helicopter and fl y over the snow-capped mountains for an amazing view, or ride a dogsled up and down the slopes. Need help planning or booking a cruise to Alaska? Contact Tracey at 1-888-989-8423 or email: WWTravelSpecialist@ama.ab.ca. 44 WESTWORLD >> SEPTEMBER 201 1