Canadian Rockies & an Alaskan Cruise

Cruise through Alaska's dramatic Inside Passage

Touring holidays
Holidays by air
Ocean cruise holidays

Accommodation

Accommodation throughout your holiday will be in comfortable, medium grade hotels, such as the Rundlestone Lodge in Banff, Prestige Inn in Golden, the Best Western in Kelowna, and the Best Western Downtown in Vancouver. All bedrooms feature private facilities, TV and telephone. Hotels have a bar and restaurant, and other amenities, such as a swimming pool and shop, are often available. Hotels will be confirmed in your final documents.

Your ship for this marvellous cruise is Holland America Line’s Volendam. On board you’ll find a great choice of restaurants, bars, the Greenhouse Spa & Salon, show lounge and much more. Service and standards are extremely high on board the ship therefore your Travelsphere Tour Manager will not travel on the cruise with you. Holland America staff are on hand to provide assistance and information where required. All meals are included during the cruise.

Itinerary

Day 1: Calgary

Depart on your flight to Calgary. On arrival transfer to Banff for a two-night stay.

Day 2: Banff

This morning we have organised an included tour of Banff. You will see the lovely Bow Falls, the Cave and Basin and Sulphur Mountain, where you will have time to take a gondola ride (fare not included) to the top for wonderful views of the snowcapped mountains and the town of Banff.

Day 3: Lake Louise

Drive to Lake Louise, described by many writers as the most beautiful place in Canada – a glacial, jade-green lake high in the mountains, surrounded on all sides by towering peaks. Following a visit to the lake, transfer to your hotel in Golden or Lake Louise for an overnight stay.

Day 4: Kelowna

Continue through the Rockies, driving via Revelstoke and Vernon to the Kelowna area, situated in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, for an overnight stay.

Day 5: British Columbia

Continue across British Columbia to Vancouver. Enjoy spectacular scenery as you drive to Vancouver, where you will stay at a centrally located hotel for three nights.

Day 6: Vancouver

Vancouver has one of the most beautiful settings of any city in the world. It is surrounded by mountains, forests and beautiful islands. As Canada’s third largest city, it is a busy seaport and important centre for the fishing and timber industries. This morning you will depart on an included introductory half-day tour of the city during which you will visit Chinatown, Gastown, the remarkable 1,000 acre Stanley Park with its famous totem poles, and the magnificent harbour.

There is plenty to see and do in Vancouver. We offer an optional half-day excursion to Vancouver’s Northshore, featuring the spectacular Capilano Suspension Bridge and a cable car ride up Grouse Mountain for breathtaking views of the city, the snowcapped mountains of America’s Washington State and Vancouver Island.

Day 7: Vancouver

Free in Vancouver with an optional tour available. Take the popular excursion to Victoria, capital of British Columbia, where much of Canada’s British Victorian heritage is preserved. Our full-day trip includes a ferry across to the island, and visits the marvellous Butchart Gardens, Parliament building and the impressive Empress Hotel.

Day 8: Vancouver

Transfer to your magnificent Holland America Line cruise ship in Vancouver harbour. The ship will set sail at 5.00pm.

Meals: Dinner

Day 9: Cruising the Inside Passage

Your cruise has begun and ahead lie days of luxurious relaxation – and exploration – as your ship traces the outline of North America’s most scenic coastal landscape.

As you cruise the Inside Passage for the first time, keep a watchful eye open for breaching whales, soaring eagles, shoreline grizzlies and inquisitive seals. This is a natural playground for wildlife.