Alaska Cruise

Seeing Alaska from the water is an experience in itself. You’ll sail past densely forested coastlines and deep fjords, watch mountains appear on the horizon and get ever closer to immense glaciers. It’s not just the next port of call that’s something to look forward to: the hours spent on the water are also among the most beautiful moments of the journey. During voyages through the Inside Passage, Glacier Bay and College Fjord, there’s really only one thing you need to do: look out of the window.

This sample itinerary takes you from Vancouver to Whittier in eight days and showcases different facets of Alaska. You’ll go ashore in Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, discovering the region’s history and culture along the way, whilst also enjoying days when the fjords, glaciers and rugged coastline take centre stage. Once you arrive in Whittier, you can also continue the adventure and explore Alaska by land.

Sail to places
you’d never otherwise get to.

Day 1 – Vancouver
Your journey begins amidst the mountains and waters of Vancouver. Feel free to arrive a little early to explore Stanley Park, Granville Island and Gastown before you board. As soon as the ship leaves Vancouver behind, the journey begins northwards towards Alaska.

Day 2 – Inside Passage
The very first full day proves straight away that you don’t need to go ashore to experience something special on an Alaska cruise. The ship follows the sheltered waterways of the Inside Passage, past islands, fjords and coastal rainforests. Keep an eye on the water and the coastline too: humpback whales, orcas, bald eagles and brown bears are just some of the wildlife found in this region.

Day 3 – Ketchikan
Time for your first taste of Alaska on land. In Ketchikan, you’ll discover historic totem poles and indigenous art, amongst other things. It’s a lovely first stop to learn more about the culture and history of South-East Alaska before setting sail again.

Day 4 – Juneau
Surrounded by mountains and water lies Juneau, the capital of Alaska. Its location makes the city an excellent base for excursions into the surrounding natural landscape. With plenty of time ashore, you’ll have ample opportunity to choose how you’d like to spend the day.

Day 5 – Skagway
In Skagway, the journey takes on a touch of Gold Rush history. At the end of the 19th century, thousands of gold prospectors passed through this region on their way to the Klondike. Today, you can learn about that past and discover why this little town played such a special role in the history of Alaska.

Day 6 – Glacier Bay
This is one of those days when you don’t have to go anywhere. The ship sails into Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, and the views do the rest. Fjords, mountains and glaciers follow one after the other as you sail ever further into the protected area from the ship. The exact route is determined by the weather and ice conditions.

Day 7 – College Fjord
Once more, the scenery takes centre stage as you pass through College Fjord. Enjoy the fjords and glacial landscapes from the ship as the cruise begins its final leg towards Whittier.

Day 8 – Whittier
The cruise ends in Whittier, but that doesn’t have to be the end of your Alaska journey. From here, you can continue on to Anchorage and explore Alaska by land. This makes the cruise the perfect first part of a more extensive tour.

An Alaska cruise doesn’t have to be a stand-alone trip. Extend your stay in Vancouver before you set sail, or continue your journey through Alaska after arriving in Whittier. That way, you can first experience the coastline and glaciers from the water and then explore the interior too. We’d be happy to find a cruise itinerary that suits your travel dates and combine it with the rest of your trip.

The itinerary above is an example. The exact route, ports of call, duration of the voyage, cruise line and ship may vary depending on the departure date.

Do you dream of a cruise to Alaska? Please feel free to get in touch with us.
We’ll listen to your wishes and work with you to plan a trip that’s perfectly tailored to you.