Itinerary
Day 1 : Vancouver
In Vancouver, you're never out of sight of towering peaks--or of the sea. It is a prosperous city adorned with flowers lining the streets and lush greenery like Stanley Park. Museums offer fine collections of the dramatic Northwest native arts. Vancouver's Chinatown is the second-largest in the world. The waterfront Gastown district recalls the city's colorful past as a premier Pacific port since the days of the Clipper ships.
Day 1 : At Sea
Day 2 : At Sea
Day 3 : Ketchikan
Ketchikan is the salmon capital of the world. The canneries are busy, and the stream below Creek Street's rustic boardwalk bustles with life. Visit the ancient grove of Totem Bight, the largest collection of authentic totem poles anywhere. Make a flight to nearby Misty Fjords--a breathtaking vista of Alaska's unspoiled wilderness and America's newest national monument, or, try a little salmon fishing.
Day 3 : At Sea
Day 3 : At Sea
Day 4 : Sitka
When Alaska belonged to Russia, Sitka was the capital and center for its fur trading empire. Today, Sitka's Russian heritage and magnificent setting make it an enchanting destination. The city features a harbor studded with islands, a backdrop of mountains, and spectacular Mt. Edgecumbe, a volcano often compared to Japan's Mt. Fuji. Sitka displays its past in such attractions as St. Michael's Cathedral with its striking onion-shaped dome, the Russian Blockhouse, and world famous New Archangel Dancers. Visit the Historic Park, with a ruined Indian fort where Tlingit Indians battled Russian settlers in 1804.
Day 5 : Glacier Bay
Preserved as a National Monument, Glacier Bay is an extraordinary collection of glaciers in a contained region. Only two ships per day are permitted to enter the bay during the summer months, when whales come here to feed. The ice in Glacier Bay fell as snow, hundreds of years ago, on the icefields in the mountains above. Compressed by its own tremendous weight, it slowly flows through valleys to the sea, where in some cases, it breaks off in great chunks called calves, to float free as icebergs and "bergy bits."
Day 6 : Icy Strait Point
Day 6 : At Sea
Day 7 : Haines
Alaska's heritage comes alive in the handcrafted artistry of the Tlingit (pronounced "Klink-it") Indians and in the lively performances of the Chilkat Dancers, with their brightly painted tribal masks. Take a walking tour of Haines and get a glimpse of the town's gold-rush history in local museums. You can visit the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve-Haines boasts the world's largest concentration of the magnificent birds, drawn to the area by the salmon-rich waters. Other shore excursions include a boat trip on Lake Chilkoot and a glacier country flightseeing trip.
Day 7 : At Sea
Day 8 : Juneau
Alaska's capital can't be reached by road. You fly or sail here to enjoy its greeting of dockside flags and flowers. It is surprisingly urban and cultured for being so remote. Visit the museum for insights into Inuit culture and crafts. Drive up to Mendenhall, the only glacier inside city limits! Or get an aerial view from a helicopter. Fish for silver salmon, or just enjoy some off the grill--then kick back at the Red Dog Saloon.
Day 9 : Glacier Bay
Preserved as a National Monument, Glacier Bay is an extraordinary collection of glaciers in a contained region. Only two ships per day are permitted to enter the bay during the summer months, when whales come here to feed. The ice in Glacier Bay fell as snow, hundreds of years ago, on the icefields in the mountains above. Compressed by its own tremendous weight, it slowly flows through valleys to the sea, where in some cases, it breaks off in great chunks called calves, to float free as icebergs and "bergy bits."
Day 9 : At Sea
Day 10 : At Sea
Day 10 : Wrangell
The city of Wrangell is located at the most southeastern point of Alaska surrounded by the Eastern Passage, Sumner Strait, Zimovia Strait, and the Stikine Strait. The city has had an elaborate history since the beginning of its days. Wrangell is the only city in the U.S. to be governed by both Russians and British. The city has maintained its rough atmosphere from being a fur-trading point for the Russians and now the city acquires an old-fashioned look with saloons and salmon and shrimp processing plants.
Day 10 : At Sea
Day 11 : At Sea
Day 11 : Rudyerd Bay
Day 11 : At Sea
Day 12 : Prince Rupert
Day 13 : At Sea
Day 13 : At Sea
Day 13 : At Sea
Day 14 : Alert Bay
Day 14 : At Sea
Day 14 : At Sea
Day 15 : Vancouver
In Vancouver, you're never out of sight of towering peaks--or of the sea. It is a prosperous city adorned with flowers lining the streets and lush greenery like Stanley Park. Museums offer fine collections of the dramatic Northwest native arts. Vancouver's Chinatown is the second-largest in the world. The waterfront Gastown district recalls the city's colorful past as a premier Pacific port since the days of the Clipper ships.