Voyage of the Glaciers Cruise - Itinerary
There’s only one way to truly experience the rugged expanse of Alaska’s coastline. A cruise will take you where roads and rails can’t – through the glorious Inside Passage with its historic towns and deep blue fjords to the glacier-filled Gulf of Alaska where you’ll experience days of unforgettable whale sightings and witness the thunderous power of calving glaciers.
Begin from Vancouver and relax in luxurious surroundings as you cruise through the 1,000-mile-long inland waterway of the magnificent Inside Passage. In Ketchikan, view the excellent display of native Alaskan art and artifacts at the Tongass Historical Society Museum. In Juneau, Alaska’s capital, take an optional tour to the U.S. Forest Service Observatory for a close-up look at the mighty Mendenhall Glacier. At Skagway, gateway to Gold Rush Country, travel back over a century to a town of worn boardwalks, false-fronted buildings, and old-time saloons. Keep your camera handy as you sail through Glacier Bay National Park and into College Fjord. Like an Ice Age showroom, here sit 16 gleaming glaciers cascading down to the sea, with names such as Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, and Radcliffe – all named for the colleges that supported the Harriman Expedition leading to their discovery in 1889.
The sequence of touring and days may be altered to adjust to religious holidays, special closings of sites, air schedule changes, etc. Hotels listed subject to availability. Meal inclusions may vary by departure.
1st Day - Vancouver
Travel to Vancouver and transfer to the Dawn Princess for our departure later in the evening. (D)
2nd Day - Inside Passage
Relax in the luxurious surroundings of our Princess ship as we cruise through the 1,000-mile-long inland waterway of the Inside Passage. Be sure to keep watch for wildlife and native fishing villages as you enjoy the views of this magnificent waterway. There's plenty to do on a Princess ship; check the daily newsletter for scheduled activities. (B,L,D)
3rd Day - Ketchikan
Established in 1887 as an Indian fishing camp, Ketchikan is now an important mining, logging and fishing town, known as the Salmon Capital of the World. Be sure to go ashore, maybe inspect the excellent display of native Alaskan art and artifacts at the Tongass Historical Society Museum or take an optional tour to Saxman Village to watch native carvers at work. (B,L,D)
4th Day - Juneau
We make a stop at Alaska's capital, the first city founded in Alaska after the American purchase in 1867. Explore on your own, or shop for native crafts and gold nuggets. Take an optional tour to the U.S. Forest Service Observatory and Visitor Center for a close-up look at the mighty Mendenhall Glacier. On the way back to town visit the Chapel by the Lake, a little log church with a truly inspirational view of Auke Lake and Mendenhall Glacier. (B,L,D)
5th Day - Skagway
Skagway, at the north end of the Lynn Canal, is the gateway to Gold Rush Country and the heart of the Klondike National Park. It was a mighty lively place in the Days of '98 and still is -- and it looks much the same, with worn boardwalks, false-fronted buildings, old-time saloons. A good way to catch the flavor is to drop in on the hilarious "Days of '98" show. (This is an optional activity.) Or, you may want to take a ride on the narrow-gauge White Pass & Yukon Route railroad. (B,L,D)
6th Day - Glacier Bay
Today we'll enjoy more spectacular glacial views as we cruise through pristine Glacier Bay National Park. Keep your camera handy! (B,L,D)
7th Day - College Fjord Cruising
Sailing into College Fjord is like entering nature's own Ice Age showroom, with 16 gleaming glaciers cascading down to the sea. Here we can see up to six glaciers at once - with names such as Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, and Radcliffe - all names for the colleges that supported the Harriman Expedition leading to their discovery in 1889. (B,L,D)
8th Day - Whittier/Hometown
We disembark in the small town of Whittier and transfer to the Anchorage airport for our flight home. (B)
