7 NIGHT ALASKA GLACIER CRUISE |
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DEPARTS:4:00 PM
EMERALD CITY ADVENTURE
Nicknamed the Emerald City for its verdant forests and parks, Seattle is also all about the water. Explore the Northwest landscape at Discovery Park: Once a military installation called Fort Lawton, the 542-acre park offers serene views of the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges. Cruise from Seattle to stroll along Elliott Bay at the Olympic Sculpture Park, where you can enjoy ocean views alongside modernist artwork.
The Seattle Center was home of the 1962 World's Fair, which portrayed a mid-century view of the Land of Tomorrow. Since the fair, this 74-acre park has remained a cultural hub within the city. Get a good look at Seattle with a 360-degree view from the observation deck of the Space Needle, or check out the Museum of Pop Culture, which has exhibits on popular music as well as science fiction and fantasy in film and television.
The Seattle Center complex encompasses an assortment of impressive attractions. View colorful masterpieces by glassblower Dale Chihuly at the Chihuly Garden and Glass museum. Explore the Pacific Science Center or the Museum of Pop Culture. Then take in sweeping city views from the top of the 605-foot-tall Space Needle.
The Seattle Underground tour takes you under the city to the Gold Rush-era streets of Seattle, before the city was rebuilt on top of itself. Then, head to Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Pioneer Square, where you can get even more info on the Gold Rush and how it shaped the city.
Seafood is king in Seattle. Geoduck clams, Penn Cove mussels and Dungeness crab are some of the most sought-after local specialties. At Pike Place, pick up curried beef bao, a Chinese-style dumpling best eaten by hand. For a snack or breakfast, head to Coyle's Bakeshop and pick up a cretzel, a pretzel-croissant combo that's all the rage among locals.
Shopping in Seattle means a visit to Pike Place Market — first opened in 1907, the historic marketplace is the go-to spot not only for fresh produce but also for artisan crafts ranging from handmade jewelry to ceramics and beauty products. During your Seattle cruise vacation, head to Ballard Avenue NW for hip boutiques, and shop for big brands downtown.
Seattle weather can change quickly. Dress in layers so you can adapt to the changes in temperature.
DAY 2 - AT SEA
North Star®
Stand in a jewel-shaped capsule that reveals breathtaking 360-degree views as you gently ascend 300 feet above sea level.
RipCord® by iFLY®
Experience the sheer thrill and exhilaration of flying in an air machine that lets you soar in a safe, controlled environment.
SeaPlex®
The largest indoor active space at sea is only on Royal Caribbean®. Basketball and bumper cars — it's the first time you'll ever play like this on a cruise.
DAY 3 - CRUISING
Alaska Inside Passage, Alaska
PANORAMIC POWERHOUSE
Once a route plied by Klondike gold rushers, Alaska’s Inside Passage spans 500 miles of shoreline jam-packed with some of the world’s most amazing landscapes and abundant wildlife. From the comfort of your ship, you’ll enjoy 360-degree views of the Alexander Archipelago, a collection of over 1,000 coastal islands that act as a shelter for smooth sailing in calm Alaskan waters.
Things to do in Alaska Inside Passage
Get an up-close view of Alaska’s wild seascapes, no matter which direction you look. Sail through ice-carved fjords flanked by sky-piercing mountains. See coastal towns only accessible by boat or air. Tongass National Park is filled with lofty spruce, hemlock and cedar trees, while giant calving glaciers pack Glacier Bay National Park.
Feel the pioneer spirit of Alaska, from First Nations tribes to early Russian settlers to Gold Rush prospectors. These waters are also home to a huge population of whales, sea lions, seals, porpoises and puffins. Bald eagles and seabirds often fly overhead— and Admiralty Island is the best spot for glimpsing bears.
During the summer, Alaska sees up to 19 hours of daylight— that means around-the-clock sightseeing opportunities. Bring sunglasses for the days and a sleep mask for the nights
DAY 4 - DOCKED
ARRIVES:12:00 PM
DEPARTS:9:00 PM
ADVENTURE?
Juneau is the largest U.S. state capital— and one of the hardest to get to. Flanked by mountains, tundra and rainforests, it’s basically inaccessible except by air or sea. Once you arrive you’ll find adventure in every corner. Go dogsledding over Mendenhall Glacier, or prospecting along centuries-old mining trails. In Juneau, the thrills are as endless as the surrounding wilderness.
Watch for humpback whales, orcas, harbor seals, and Steller sea lions as you cruise through the icy Alaskan waters on a charter boat.
Travel to Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier and join a team of professional mushers and their huskies on a sleigh ride over the snow.
Follow in the footsteps of fortune hunters and pan for gold along trails forged by prospectors over a hundred years ago during the Juneau gold rush.
From coffee shops to local pubs, Juneau’s food scene is all about seafood and simple fare, like burgers and sandwiches. If you’re craving a cold one, be sure you try Alaskan Brewing Company’s Alaskan Amber or Smoked Porter— they’re both local favorites.
For some frontier retail therapy, head to downtown Juneau and you’ll find plenty of shops and boutiques selling Native art, locally-crafted goods and designer brands.
Summer temperatures average in the 60’s but can jump into the mid-80s or drop unexpectedly into the 40s or below, so dress in layers.
DAY 5 - DOCKED
ARRIVES:7:00 AM
DEPARTS:8:30 PM
GATEWAY TO THE KLONDIKE
Since its Klondike Gold Rush days, Skagway has served as an outpost for thrilling Alaskan adventure. Take an old-time street car ride along bustling Broadway Street and get lost in riveting historical reenactments. Here you’ll also discover plenty of ways to amp up the adrenaline, from dog-sledding on Laughton Glacier to rafting Lynn Canal, the longest fjord in North America.
Prepare to be blown away by breathtaking Alaskan scenery while riding in a vintage rail car along the White Pass and Yukon Route narrow-gauge railway. See Bridal Veil Falls, Dead Horse Gulch and Glacier Gorge unfold before you while climbing the 2,885-foot incline of White Pass.
Known as “the world’s longest outdoor museum”, Chilkoot Trail encompasses 33 miles of hiking trails. Follow in the footsteps of Klondike stampeders as you trek through dense rainforest, enjoy incredible scenery, and discover the Gold Rush ghost town of Dyea. This is the ultimate Alaskan outdoor challenge.
Step back in time at the museums of Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Relive the good old Gold Rush days through interactive exhibits at its Visitor Center, housed in the restored 19th-century Railroad Depot. You can also watch a captivating documentary film detailing the rush for gold in Alaska.
Skagway is one of the best places to feast on king crab legs. Hit Skagway Brewing Company for sockeye salmon sandwiches paired with a Blonde Ale made from hand picked Sitka spruce tree tips. Enjoy Mendenhall Mudd or Klondike Walnut fudge at the Alaska Fudge Company— and then sip a nightcap at Red Onion Saloon, the oldest watering hole in town.
Skagway’s downtown historic corridor has its fair share of Gold Rush-era facades that now house souvenir shops. Sprinkled among them are galleries selling local artisan paintings, carvings, pottery, woodworks and jewelry. You’ll know it’s authentic if it has the “Made in Skagway” logo.
For $5 you can ride the S.M.A.R.T. Bus around town all day long.
DAY 6 - CRUISING
ARRIVES:7:00 AM
DEPARTS:12:00 PM
Fjords Less Traveled
One of Alaska’s lesser-known gems, Endicott Arm Fjord marks the southern edge of Fords Terror Wilderness area. As you drift through its 30-mile-long stretch, you can’t help but be awed by the surrounding granite cliffs, mountain valleys and dozens of gushing waterfalls. Drifting icebergs, deep blue waters and a spectacular tidewater glacier only add to this natural spectacle’s appeal.
Endicott Arm is one of the largest breeding grounds for harbor seals on the planet. Keep your eyes peeled for these creatures splashing in icy waters near the ship. Along the shore you might also glimpse brown bears, bald eagles, sea ducks, deer, moose and wolves.
Your journey through scenic Endicott Arm Fjord ends with a front-row view of Dawes Glacier. Standing over 600 feet tall and a half-mile wide, this very active icecap is known for its spectacular calving displays which produce huge, chunky icebergs that float in area waters.
Dress in wind-resistant layers when viewing the scenery outside on deck.
DAY 7 - DOCKED
ARRIVES:8:00 AM
DEPARTS:6:00 PM
ADVENTURE IN BLOOM
As one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest, Victoria delivers a delightful blend of romantic British pomp and outdoor Canadian pursuits. Culture seekers and adventure junkies alike get their fill at the southern end of Vancouver Island. Here you can admire traditional Victorian architecture at Craigdarroch Castle and eat your way around Canada’s oldest Chinatown. Explore the vivid floral displays that earned its “Garden City” nickname, or bike the Galloping Goose Regional Trail in the “Cycling Capital of Canada”.
Step out for a stroll along the boat-lined Inner Harbour, home to Victoria’s most notable landmarks. Check out First Nations tribal artifacts at the Royal British Museum. Admire the neo-baroque stylings of Parliament Buildings where the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia gathers. Then marvel at Thunderbird Park’s ornate totem poles.
Enter the colorful and aromatic world of Butchart Gardens to wander its 55 acres of flower-lined paths. This National Historic Site bursts with bright blooming tulips, daffodils, roses and hyacinths. Explore its manicured themed gardens— and don’t miss a ride on the hand-carved Rose Carousel.
Indulge in the city’s time-honored British heritage with classic Victorian afternoon tea at the world-renowned Empress hotel. A beloved tradition for over a century, this quintessential Victoria experience includes a fabulous menu of fine loose-leaf teas served with house-made finger sandwiches, scones and clotted Empress cream.
Victoria’s West Coast cuisine showcases local ingredients from the Saanich Peninsula and Cowichan Valley. Savor shellfish fresh from Pacific waters and shepherd’s pie in an English-style pub. Eat Asian noodles in Chinatown and hit Victoria Public Market for handmade cheese and smoked salmon. With over a dozen craft breweries, cider houses, artisanal distilleries and wineries, you certainly won’t go thirsty.
Waterfront Wharf Street satisfies all your souvenir needs, while Government Street is known for funky boutiques, First Nations art galleries and famous hand-knit Cowichan sweaters. Lower Johnson Street, nicknamed “Lo-Jo”, houses local designer boutiques and indie stores galore. Check out Victoria Public Market for epicurean goods.
It’s mandatory in British Columbia to wear a helmet when bicycling.
DAY 8 - Arrival Day
ARRIVES:6:00 AM
EMERALD CITY ADVENTURE
Explore Seattle from a multitude of perspectives. Head to Lake Union, where you can go on a flightseeing tour and take in views of the city by plane. Climb to the top of the iconic Space Needle — the views of the Cascade Mountains and Elliott Bay can't be beat. Immerse yourself in Pike Place Market, the city's buzzing heartbeat: Grab an espresso and stroll among the produce-filled farm stands and artisan selling their crafts.
The Seattle Center was home of the 1962 World's Fair, which portrayed a mid-century view of the Land of Tomorrow. Since the fair, this 74-acre park has remained a cultural hub within the city. Get a good look at Seattle with a 360-degree view from the observation deck of the Space Needle, or check out the Museum of Pop Culture, which has exhibits on popular music as well as science fiction and fantasy in film and television.
The Seattle Center complex encompasses an assortment of impressive attractions. View colorful masterpieces by glassblower Dale Chihuly at the Chihuly Garden and Glass museum. Explore the Pacific Science Center or the Museum of Pop Culture. Then take in sweeping city views from the top of the 605-foot-tall Space Needle.
The Seattle Underground tour takes you under the city to the Gold Rush-era streets of Seattle, before the city was rebuilt on top of itself. Then, head to Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Pioneer Square, where you can get even more info on the Gold Rush and how it shaped the city.
Seafood is king in Seattle. Geoduck clams, Penn Cove mussels and Dungeness crab are some of the most sought-after local specialties. At Pike Place, pick up curried beef bao, a Chinese-style dumpling best eaten by hand. For a snack or breakfast, head to Coyle's Bakeshop and pick up a cretzel, a pretzel-croissant combo that's all the rage among locals.
Shopping in Seattle means a visit to Pike Place Market — first opened in 1907, the historic marketplace is the go-to spot not only for fresh produce but also for artisan crafts ranging from handmade jewelry to ceramics and beauty products. During your Seattle cruise vacation, head to Ballard Avenue NW for hip boutiques, and shop for big brands downtown.
There are many hills in Seattle, including the downtown area. Take this into consideration when planning your day and allow extra time for walking up hills.