DAY 1
Set sail at 5.00pm.
DAY 2
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.
DAY 3
Your cruise continues to Tracy Arm, a narrow fjord hemmed in by soaring cliffs of bare rock, adorned with shimmering waterfalls. At the end of the fjord you’ll find the Sawyer Glaciers. Seals bask on ice floes calved from the glaciers, while mountain goats roam the surrounding cliffs.
This afternoon we arrive in Alaska’s capital, Juneau. Amazingly, this city of over 30,000 people cannot be reached by road. Nearby is the mighty Mendenhall Glacier – don’t miss the opportunity to see this incredible ice-field from the skies, with a thrilling helicopter flight. You’ll fly past the soaring Mendenhall Towers, which punch their way almost 3,000 feet into the sky, and even land on the glacier itself to take a walk across the frozen surface.
DAY 4
Skagway is our destination today, offering some wonderful sightseeing opportunities. This tiny town was established at the end of the 19th century, as hordes of gold-seekers joined the Klondike Gold Rush in search of their fortunes. Today it offers an insight into those fascinating times, with quaint shops along the main street, wooden boardwalks, an old-style saloon and the narrow-gauge White Pass & Yukon Railway. You can also take an exciting optional helicopter flight over the Valley of the Glaciers, or even experience the typically Alaskan sport of dog-sledding.
DAY 5
This morning we find ourselves in glorious Glacier Bay. Here you’ll experience one of the most incredible sights in the world. The tidewater glaciers of the Glacier Bay National Park produce more icebergs than anywhere else. Nothing prepares you for the sight of an iceberg calving from the face of one of these mighty walls of ice, plummeting headlong into the sea with a deafening roar. It really is an experience to treasure, and you’ve all day to spend wrapped up on deck, witnessing this marvel of nature.
DAY 6
Arrival in the charming town of Ketchikan, nestling between the sea and dense forest. Take a stroll along Creek Street, which is lined with brightly painted shops and restaurants, or enjoy one of a range of optional excursions. You can pay a fascinating visit to the nearby Saxman Native Village, which will show you the traditions and history of the indigenous Tlingit people. Watch as local craftsmen demonstrate their skills and marvel at the collection of fascinating totem poles.
If it’s even more fabulous scenery you’re after, then there’s no better way to gain the best views than a boat cruise and floatplane ride over the amazing Misty Fjords, where towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls are everywhere. The area is a haven for wildlife too, with bears, mountain goats, timber wolves and whales amongst the many fabulous creatures that may be seen.
DAY 7
Today we cruise the magnificent Inside Passage on our way back to Vancouver. Relax on deck as you pass yet more stunning scenery, and revel in the unparalleled splendour of this astounding coastline.
DAY 8
Morning arrival in Vancouver. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.
DAY 9
Arrival in the UK.