Vancouver & Alaska Explorer Cruise

Arrive in Vancouver, one of the world’s most spectacularly situated cities with the rich Pacific Ocean on one side and the majestic Coast Mountains on the other. Spend the next two days exploring the city at your own pace. Go cycling in Stanley Park, a treasure trove for nature lovers, before browsing the tempting food markets and craft breweries of Granville Island. Taste your way around this colourful market; don’t miss the artisanal delicacies at Oyama Sausage Co. and the iconic Lee's Donuts! Back in town, wander the cobblestone streets of historic Gastown, the city’s oldest neighbourhood, known for its wine bars, beer halls, foodie restaurants and Victorian architecture. Sample a classic cocktail or two at Pourhouse and tuck into some locally sourced seafood at Joe Fortes, in the heart of bustling downtown.

Accommodation at  4* Rosedale on Robson Suite Hotel

It’s time for your Alaskan adventure to begin. Board Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam, an award-winning ship with fabulous dining and entertainment options, a vast art collection and comfortable staterooms. Bid farewell to the city of Vancouver and enjoy a day of cruising through the protected waters of rugged Southeast Alaska’s Inside Passage. Take in the jaw-dropping scenery as you wind your way through majestic fjords and lush rainforests, including the spectacular Misty Fjords National Monument and Glacier Bay National Park. Keep your eyes peeled for humpback whales and orcas playing in the rich waters and brown bears lazing by the shoreline.

Accommodation included aboard your cruise 

Welcome to Juneau, state capital of Alaska and home to a wealth of wildlife, from wild deer and bald eagles to sea lions, orcas and bears! Here you can visit the mighty Mendenhall Glacier, dine on fresh seafood caught by local fishermen, hike up Mount Roberts, or spend a few hours whale watching in Auke Bay Harbour. Reward your efforts with some laid-back downtown dining and a cold brew from the Alaskan Brewing Company – the Alaskan Amber is delicious!

Accommodation included aboard your cruise 

Arrive into the historic port town of Skagway. Take your time exploring the town’s Gold Rush-era facades, now home to inviting art galleries selling local woodworks, paintings and pottery. Ride the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad and get ready for some epic window-watching as the train chugs through the spectacular Alaskan landscapes, including Bridal Veil Falls, Dead Horse Gulch and Glacier Gorge, before reaching the 880-metre White Pass Summit. Don’t leave town without sampling a Skagway delicacy, king crab legs, washed down with a drink or two at the oldest watering hole in town: the Red Onion Saloon.

Accommodation included aboard your cruise 

Get ready for one of the most spectacular settings in Alaska: Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Explore this vast UNESCO World Heritage site, adorned with seven great tidewater glaciers, lofty forested mountains and deep icy fjords. Cruise through Glacier Bay to the mile-wide Margerie Glacier, where you may be lucky enough to witness ice calving. Be sure to have your camera ready! Keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife throughout, this majestic place is home to whales, sea otters, bald eagles, brown bears and much more.

Accommodation included aboard your cruise 

Your voyage continues through Misty Fjords as you arrive into the sleepy town of Ketchikan. Wander through its historic downtown, where you can sample fresh smoked salmon, indulge in a little souvenir shopping and admire the brightly painted wooden boutiques of Creek Street before stopping at gold rush-era Dolly’s House to learn about the town’s lively past! Get your cultural fix at the Totem Heritage Centre and Totem Bight State Park – housing the world’s largest collection of totem poles – before heading to Saxman Village to experience the Tlingit culture in action. Back in town, treat yourself to a steaming bowl of seafood chowder at Annabelle’s Famous Keg and Chowder House before boarding your ship to cruise back to Vancouver.

Accommodation included aboard your cruise 

Your cruise ends at 7am, giving you one final day to explore Vancouver. Spend your final day exploring the city at your own pace. If you haven't already enjoy a spot of hiking, swimming or boating among the beaches and verdant forests of Vancouver Island. Go cycling in Stanley Park, a treasure trove for nature lovers, before browsing the tempting food markets and craft breweries of Granville Island. Taste your way around this colourful market; don’t miss the artisanal delicacies at Oyama Sausage Co. and the iconic Lee's Donuts! Back in town, wander the cobblestone streets of historic Gastown, the city’s oldest neighbourhood, known for its wine bars, beer halls, foodie restaurants and Victorian architecture. Sample a classic cocktail or two at Pourhouse and tuck into some locally sourced seafood at Joe Fortes, in the heart of bustling downtown.

Accommodation at  4* Rosedale on Robson Suite Hotel