Moments and Memories of the Quintessential North

Alaska must be one of Mother Nature’s greatest triumphs; a truly wild place where rugged peaks and walls of ice stretch from sea to sky and wildlife habitats of land and ocean are virtually untouched. On the waters of the Inside Passage and the Alaska coast, create memories to treasure for a lifetime. 

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Watch as the sun sets and the mountains behind Vancouver disappear as you sail out of Vancouver Harbour.

5:18 pm – Day 1

Port of Vancouver

Stand on the veranda of your stateroom aboard the cruising vessel that will be your floating home for an unforgettable 11-day journey. The cozy comforts of your room - like a king-size bed, oversize shower and heated bathroom floor – cannot compete with the Vancouver skyline and the deep blue of the Pacific Ocean that beckons to the north. 

8:45 am – Day 2

Inside Passage

Step onto the deck and take a deep breath of sea air so refreshing it’s almost intoxicating. The rugged beauty of the Inside Passage stretches so far that you’ll wonder if it was really only yesterday you left the city behind. It feels a world away from these forested islands that rise steeply out of the ocean, sea lions sunning themselves on rocky shores and eagles circling above.   

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Covering over 930,000 hectares of land, Misty Fjords is the second largest wilderness area in the USA, and lauded for its incredibly steep cliffs, covered in rain forest from the sea all the way to mountain peaks.

11:38 am – Day 3

Misty Fjords National Monument

Disembark in Ketchikan for an exclusive adventure by floatplane. Soar high above pristine boreal forests and tumbling waterfalls towards the glacier-carved valleys of the Misty Fjords. Don’t be surprised to find yourself holding your breath as the floatplane touches down lightly on the waters of a deep granite canyon.

8:06 pm – Day  4

Gulf of Alaska

Dinner is served! As the ship glides up the southern coast of Alaska, a meal of locally-caught wild salmon is paired with delightful conversation with like-minded passengers from all over the world. After dinner, be inspired by a guest lecture, TED talk or classical music performance on board. 

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7:10 am – Day 5

Gastineau Channel

Rise early to see the morning light of alpenglow on the fjords leading into the Gastineau Channel and Alaska’s remote capital city. Keep a sharp eye out for humpback whales and orcas feeding and frolicking in the protected waters. Explore the port city of Juneau – the only US capital that is inaccessible by road. 

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The journey up to White Pass offers utterly breathtaking views. To make the most of them, it's best to try get the early or late afternoon trains, to capture the soft morning or evening light.

11:12 am - Day 6

White Pass

3,290 feet above sea level, the summit of White Pass high up in the St. Elias mountain range holds secrets of the wild history of the 19th century Klondike Gold Rush. From the seaside town of Skagway, drive up to the pass on a road opened only 40 years ago and trace the footsteps of daring prospectors who travelled the route on horseback, by sled-dog team and wagon caravan. 

3:28 pm – Day 7

Native American Tlingit community of Hoonah

The “People of the Tides” have lived on the Alaska shores for thousands of years. The spiritual culture of the Tlingit people is artfully expressed in the colourful songs, dances and vivid storytelling of a Tribal Dance and Cultural Legends performance in the close-knit community of Hoonah. 

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The Hubbard Glacier in Yakutat Bay is the largest tidewater glacier in North America. It's also extremely active, and calving ice is a common sight.

1:52 pm – Day 8

Yakutat Bay

Satiate your senses as you cruise through a wilderness setting that will genuinely take your breath away. Marvel at the extraordinary emerald blue of the massive Hubbard Glacier. Feel the cool breeze blowing down 122 km of ancient ice, and listen carefully for the calving of the glacier as it advances into the bay and fragments tumble into the ocean.  

12:42 pm – Day 9

Valdez

Let your feet guide you along the fishing piers of Valdez at the edge of the Prince William Sound. You might just spot a puffin or sea otter catching its lunch, and choose to do the same at an organic café where hot coffee and local folklore is always available. 

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Seward is know for its wildlife, and it's not uncommon to see otters, puffin and seals in this region.

4:16 pm – Day 10

Seward

From your final port-of-call in the small city of Seward, the roads lead on to incredible sightseeing opportunities and the next adventure. Enjoy the culinary delights of a final Afternoon Tea service on board, with the warmth of new friendships that will hold as strongly as the memories of the trip that forged them.