Cruise from one scenic port to another on your 12 day voyage along the Alaskan coastline. Pair stunning seascapes with the wilderness of Denali National Park.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 - Anchorage
Fly to Anchorage, a thriving city set amid spectacular natural wonders. A Go Ahead representative greets you at the airport. After hotel check-in, enjoy an included welcome dinner with your fellow travelers. (D)
Day 2 - Denali National Park
After breakfast, transfer to the Alaska Railroad via Talkeetna, a small community that is said to have inspired the television series Northern Exposure. Admire the stunning views from aboard your train as you pass through Denali National Park, over Hurricane Gulch and into the majestic Alaska Range. Lunch is included onboard. (B, L, D)
Day 3 - Wasilla
A full day of sightseeing will immerse you in the scenery, flora and fauna of Denali National Park. Encompassing 6 million acres, the park dwarfs the entire state of Massachusetts. Mount McKinley, North America’s tallest mountain, is known as “The Mountain.” McKinley is so big that it even has its own weather system. Reach Wasilla tonight in time for an included dinner. (B, D)
Day 4 - Alaskan Cruise
Today’s explorations of the Kenai Peninsula begin in Portage for views of the Explorer and Portage Glaciers. You might witness the “calving” of the icebergs into Portage Lake. At the nearby visitors’ center, you’ll also view the award-winning documentary Voices from the Ice, the story of the Chugach Mountain glaciers. Continue on to Big Game Alaska Wildlife Center, where you can spot bison, caribou, eagles and elk in a natural habitat. Reach the Turnagain Arm of the Cook Inlet. The Turnagain is known for its dramatic tidal “turns” (hence the name), creating 10-foot walls of water. Cross the peninsula to Tern Lake and Summit Lake and into the small town of Moose Pass. Then travel along the Kenai Mountain Range into Seward, where you’ll board your ship for the cruise portion of your Alaskan adventure. (B, D)
Day 5 - Alaskan Cruise
Enjoy a morning at sea, reveling in your ship’s luxurious accommodations or simply watching the spectacular scenery from the deck. In the afternoon, cruise past North Hubbard Glacier, North America’s largest tidewater glacier. The Hubbard is an anomaly. While almost all current glaciers have retreated and thinned during the last century, the Hubbard has advanced, earning it the name “Galloping Glacier.” In 2002, its overflow created the second-largest glacial flood in modern times. (B, L, D)
Day 6 - Alaskan Cruise
A blend of cosmopolitan city and frontier town, Juneau is often referred to as “little San Francisco.” The Alaskan capital is impossible to reach by land, making your one-day stay here a unique experience. During your free time, take a journey to the stunning Mendenhall Glacier or take part in an authentic Alaskan clambake. (B, L, D)
Day 7 - Alaskan Cruise
Arrive in Skagway, the northernmost point of Alaska’s Inside Passage. Skagway was the starting point for prospectors during the Klondike Gold Rush of the 1890s. On your free day, you might relive early American history with a trip to the saloon or a vintage streetcar ride through town. Choose from a variety of excursions, including a helicopter ride over the surrounding glaciers. (B, L, D)
Day 8 - Alaskan Cruise
Cruise the Icy Straits as your journey becomes a whale watch for a day. These waterways run to and from the Gulf of Alaska, providing an ideal environment and feeding space for several important whale species, from humpbacks to minks to orcas. You’ll also have the opportunity to take adventurous excursions. Search for the elusive Alaskan brown bear in the bordering forests, take a “flightseeing” (floatplane tour) of Glacier Bay or ride a historic tram through the Southeast Alaska rainforest. (B, L, D)
Day 9 - Alaskan Cruise
Your next port of call is Ketchikan, gateway to some of the state’s most sublime scenery and wildlife. The city is the ancestral home of the Tlingit natives, and Ketchikan contains the world’s largest collection of totem poles. Explore the city at your leisure or choose from a variety of excursions, including a trip to nearby Misty Fjords National Monument, a wildlife refuge with towering waterfalls. (B, L, D)
Day 10 - Alaskan Cruise
Sail the southern section of Alaska’s Inside Passage, a collection of waterways, inlets, fjords and bays that make up Southeastern Alaska’s Panhandle. In total, 60 glaciers span this region along with several mountain ranges and secluded isles. Look out for bald eagles as you cruise. (B, L, D)
Day 11 - Vancouver
Disembark in Vancouver, British Columbia, Western Canada’s largest city. After hotel check-in, the rest of your day is free to explore Vancouver. Take in the charm of the Gastown district, where old lamps line the brick-paved streets and historic 19th-century office buildings, house boutiques, art galleries and restaurants. If you’re hungry, Vancouver offers a range of dining options from trendy restaurants and tapas bars to Chinatown and Little Italy. This evening, gather with your fellow travelers for tonight’s Farewell Dinner. (B, D)
Day 12 - Vancouver
Extend your stay with two more nights in Vancouver, or transfer to the airport for your return flight home. (B)
Extend Your Stay
Add 2 nights in Vancouver for only $349 USD (Single room: add $189 USD)
Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountain Range, the multicultural, cosmopolitan city of Vancouver is a truly majestic sight. Frequently ranked as one of the best cities to live in, thanks to its mild climate and abundance of natural attractions, Vancouver is also a city on the forefront of architecture, cuisine and art, not to mention sports. Home to the famous Canucks hockey team and site of the 2010 Winter Olympics, Vancouver has something to offer everyone.