Alaskan Explorations & Denali Cruise Tour

Vancouver’s location at the mouth of the Fraser River and on the waterways of the Strait of Georgia, Howe Sound, Burrard Inlet and all their tributaries makes this busy seaport an easy place for meeting. It is one of Canada’s most populated, most ethnically diverse cities that is a popular filming location. Visit the interesting neighborhoods of Gastown, Granville Island and Chinatown. Walk across the Capilano Suspension Bridge and stroll through Stanley Park. See the Vancouver Art Gallery and the Museum of Anthropology. There is an amazing variety of things to see and do here.

Transiting Seymour Narrows is a memorable highlight of any Inside Passage journey. This narrow channel in British Columbia is known for its strong tidal currents, which can reach up to 15 knots. Because of the fast-moving water, ships can only transit during <i>slack water</i>&mdash;a short period when the tide shifts and currents are at their weakest. Since slack water times vary daily with the tides, each transit is carefully timed for safety and comfort. Before and after navigating the Narrows, the ship cruises through the Canadian Inside Passage for several hours, passing serene channels lined with dense forests and dotted with small, remote islands. This stretch is an underappreciated and unexpected favorite for many guests&mdash;offering peaceful, scenic views and a true sense of the wild Pacific Northwest.

Cruising Misty Fjords/Rudyerd Bay in Alaska offers an awe-inspiring adventure through one of nature&rsquo;s most pristine landscapes. Towering granite cliffs rise dramatically from mirror-like waters. The mist-shrouded environment evokes a sense of ancient mystery and tranquility, while diverse wildlife, including seals and eagles, adds to the experience. Navigating these majestic fjords provides an unforgettable glimpse into Alaska&rsquo;s raw, untouched beauty, where every turn reveals a new, breathtaking vista

One of the oldest towns in Alaska, Wrangell is located near the mouth of the Stikine River. Much of its history can be seen in the impressive collection of totems scattered throughout the town. Highlights here are the amazing Petroglyph Beach State Historic Park where you can find primitive rock carvings and just 30 miles away is the Anan Wildlife Observatory with the largest pink salmon runs in the Inside Passage, and a platform from which you can look for eagles, harbor seals and black bears.<br />

The island community of Petersburg with its strong Norwegian influence continues to thrive by fishing and living from the sea. The three beautiful harbors there are perfect for smaller cruise ships. Located on Frederick Sound, it boasts an abundant marine life and is near the summer feeding ground of hundreds of humpback whales and the spectacular LeConte Glacier.

Sitka is one of the oldest and most culturally significant communities in Alaska, filled with rich Tlingit, Russian, and early American settler history. Sitka is famous for its spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife, the copper-domed St. Michael&rsquo;s Cathedral, the Pioneer Home and the Russian Bishop&rsquo;s House. It contains 22 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is where the contract of sale was signed transferring Alaska from Russia to the United States.

Depending on the day&rsquo;s conditions, you will cruise Tracy Arm or Endicott Arm. Both glacial fjords feature icebergs drifting serenely by and towering granite cliffs, carved by millennia of glacial activity. Here, you can witness impressive calving events as icebergs thunder into the water. The surrounding wilderness, with its rugged terrain, offers a pristine backdrop for spotting wildlife like seals and mountain goats.

Haines is one of the most popular Alaska cruise ports and one of the best places for hiking, fishing and wildlife viewing, especially bald eagles.&nbsp; Within the Haines city limits Fort William H. Seward is a nationally recognized historic landmark, with some of its structures open to the public. Other cultural offerings in Haines include the Alaska Indian Arts Center where traditional craftsmen offer demonstrations of their work, the Sheldon Museum &amp; Cultural Center where local Tlingit people are featured, the Hammer Museum, dedicated to the history of the hammer and the Tsirku Canning Company Museum with memories of Haines&rsquo; salmon canneries.

Privately owned Icy Strait Point is a tourist destination and the only privately owned cruise destination in Alaska. It is the property of 1,350 Alaskan natives with aboriginal ties to Hoonah and the Glacier Bay area. Visitors here enjoy an educational experience learning about Alaska&#39;s native cultures, and the natural history of the region. There is much to do here including a brown bear search, tram excursion, flightseeing over Glacier Bay and the biggest zipline in the United States.

Hubbard Glacier is one of Alaska&rsquo;s most awe-inspiring natural wonders. Stretching over 76 miles long and towering 600 feet above the water in places, it is the largest tidewater glacier in North America. Known for its dramatic displays of calving&mdash;when massive chunks of ice break off and crash into the sea&mdash;Hubbard offers a powerful and unforgettable spectacle. As your yacht approaches, you&#39;ll sail through icy waters filled with floating blue icebergs and be surrounded by the pristine wilderness of Disenchantment Bay. Whether shrouded in mist or glittering in the sun, Hubbard Glacier leaves a lasting impression with its sheer scale, deep blue hues, and the thunderous sound of ice meeting ocean.

As you navigate through the park&#39;s pristine waters, you&#39;ll sail by majestic glaciers, where stunning ice formations and calving events captivate the eye. Towering cliffs frame the fjords, creating a dramatic contrast with the glacial blues. Wildlife enthusiasts will delight in spotting marine life against this stunning backdrop.

Seward, (Anchorage&rsquo;s gateway) is sandwiched between the Kenai Mountains and the Kenai Fjords National Park. It is one of Alaska&rsquo;s oldest and most scenic communities, with Mount Marathon rising majestically behind the town. Even though Anchorage is Alaska&rsquo;s largest city, it is also home to 1,500 moose, surrounded by national parks full of wildlife.

Incredible views of Turnagain Arm and the Kenai Mountains help soothe your sadness over leaving your small ship. Explore native cultures at the Anchorage Museum before proceeding to tiny Talkeetna for a Welcome Reception and informative talk about the town&rsquo;s colorful past.<br />
<br />
(Includes overnight at Talkeetna Hotel and Welcome Reception)

Stretch your legs and enjoy the scenery from your deluxe domed railcar as your train makes its way to Denali. Tonight, get your bearings with a Welcome to Denali Talk, followed by an all-you-can-eat salmon and barbecue ribs dinner and a show at Alaska Cabin Nite Dinner Theater.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
(Includes overnight at Denali Lodge, Breakfast, Cabin Nite Dinner)

Your 5-hour Tundra Wilderness Tour takes you deep into the park for the best opportunities to see both Denali&rsquo;s famous wildlife and the iconic mountain. Back at the lodge, there&rsquo;s time for an optional tour, or just relax and enjoy the lodge and scenery.<br />
<br />
(Includes overnight at Denali Lodge, Breakfast, Bag Lunch and Snack)

Head north to the Golden Heart City of Fairbanks, a city shaped by gold and oil. Board the Riverboat Discovery for a cruise on the Chena River, sampling frontier life at an Athabascan village and meeting some powerful Iditarod huskies. Recount your favorite experiences with friends over a delicious Farewell Dinner.<br />
<br />
(Includes overnight at Fairbanks Hotel, Breakfast and Dinner)