- Alaska: Captain must avoid hitting playful porpoises and whales.
Cuba: Captain must avoid hitting rafts jammed with people escaping.
- Alaska: Even from miles off shore, you can hear the call of a wolf or an eagle.
Cuba: Even from miles off shore, you can hear the firing squad.
- Docking in Anchorage means fine meals, a selection of newspapers and the ability to load up on ammo.
Docking in Havana means military rations, a party-controlled “newspaper, “ and ammo for secret police only.
- Alaska: As you disembark in port, you might spot singer Jewel or former governor Sarah Palin.
Cuba: As you disembark in port, you might spot former dictator Fidel Castro in his limousine, or fugitive New Jersey cop killer Joanne Chesimard relaxing on a beach.
- Alaska: Hunters’ rifles pointed inland at big game trophies like grizzlies and moose.
Cuba: Army rifles pointed offshore at your cruise ship, “just to show you who’s boss.”
- Alaska: On some nights, you can see the Northern Lights.
Cuba: On many nights, electricity is rationed.
- Across the Bering Strait, you can actually see Russia from Alaska.
In Cuba, you can see actual Russians on naval maneuvers.
- Iconic TV shows available in your ship stateroom:
Nearing Alaska: “Dangerous Catch” and “Alaska State Troopers”
Nearing Cuba: “You Bet Your Life” (…and not the Groucho version)
- Docking in Alaskan cities, you can receive the most advanced medical care in the world.
In Cuba, “do you happen to know supreme leader Fidel or Raul?”
…AND THE #1 DIFFERENCE between CRUISING ALASKAN WATERS vs. CRUISING CUBAN WATERS IS:
- Alaskan journalist overheard in Anchorage: “I live in a great country. I can denounce President Reagan or President Obama any time I like.”
Cuban “journalist” overheard in Havana: “I live in a great country. I can denounce President Reagan or President Obama any time I like.”
