Although I live far away, I have been to Alaska half a dozen times, including once in the winter (because my middle son wanted to experience COLD -- and dark, too!). I've flown, driven, taken trains, and a cruise. Here are my views:

1. Anchorage is a nice city, but there's much more to see in Alaska, and you can't get hardly anywhere by car. (You CAN drive to Fairbanks, however, or take a train.)

2. Cruises go all through the panhandle, but they miss the vast bulk of "northern" Alaska. Still, they get to places you couldn't possibly see otherwise.

3. If you want 24-hour daylight in the summer, you must get north of Fairbanks, which basically requires a plane flight. I have been to Barrow, which is worth a visit.

Bruce

[This message has been edited by bdschobel (edited 01-26-2002).]