Estimated time of departure is 6:00 PM

Vibrant Vancouver boasts waterfront parks, nearby mountains, multitudes of cafes, shops, galleries, museums, and a diversity of cultural neighbourhoods to explore. Enjoy a scenic journey into the Canadian wilderness aboard the Rocky Mountaineer Train with an optional Pre-Programme.  

Sailing north into the open ocean, we make our way towards the narrow channels of Canada’s Inside Passage. Join our Expedition Team in the onboard Science Center for fascinating lectures, spend time getting to know your fellow travellers, or go on deck to look out for dolphins, porpoises, orcas, and whales in the nearby waters.

Misty Fjords National Monument is a realm of thick evergreen rainforests, granite cliffs adorned by strings of waterfalls, mountain rivers and wetlands along the coast, often with milky fog filling the bays and coves. Weather permissible, you will explore the area on our small expedition boats or kayaks. 

One of the oldest island towns in Alaska, Wrangell has been governed by four different nations – Tlingit, Russian, British and the United States. Numerous petroglyphs on the beach and moss-covered totem poles showcase the distant past of this area. Outside of the main cruise ships routes, nowadays it remains a simple fishing town.

True gems of Southeast Alaska, the Tracy and Endicott Arm Fjords feature lush Alaskan greenery on towering cliffsides as well intricate icebergs in the water and rugged, radiant-blue glaciers at the end of the fjords. It is also home to mountain goats and Harbor seals. If sea conditions are right, we’ll explore the area aboard our small expedition boats or kayaks.

Nicknamed `A little Norway´, rarely-visited Petersburg is a thriving fishing village with a strong Norwegian heritage, scenery that will take your breath away and an abundance of marine life all around. Proud of their Scandinavian roots, local residents even celebrate Norwegian holidays, and the heart of the community is the “Sons of Norway Hall”.

Framed by mountains, Haines was the home of the Chilkat Tlingit people for centuries, before Europeans arrived in the late 19^th century, followed by gold rush settlers. Known for its community of artists in modern times, Haines remains at heart a small Alaskan town at the edge of wilderness.

We head ashore with our expedition boats and explore this anchorage with local guides. Nestled against the Chilkat mountain range, the wilderness here features old growth forest, home to brown and black bears, wolves, moose, and Sitka black-tailed deer. In the evening, the ship passes through Point Adolphus, a renowned whale watching area. 

Sitka enjoys views of The Sisters Mountains and of Mount Edgecumbe, a dormant volcano. The former capital of Alaska when it belonged to Russia, this historic town is now a blend of cultures. Wander around the Russian Orthodox St. Michael’s Cathedral, or visit nearby Stika National Historical Park, which has many ornate Tinglit totem poles on display.

Icy Bay lives up to its name. Located in Prince William Sound, the spectacular scenery here formed in the past 100 years with the retreat of three prominent glaciers which still feed ice into the bay. Our aim is to explore Guyot Glacier. The weather and glacier ice conditions on the day will dictate which areas we will be able to visit.

Cordova is an authentic Alaskan salmon fishing town surrounded by a vast forests, and only accessible by boat or plane. Thanks to this remoteness, Cordova has preserved its small-town, old-school vibe more than many other communities here. Sea otters, eagles, and tundra swans are easily seen while moose, beaver, wolf, and bears are rarer sights.

We spend the day in the northern sector of Prince William Sound exploring College Fjord surrounded by the snow-capped Chugach Mountains. The area is home to five magnificent tidewater glaciers and a dozen smaller ones, most named after famous Ivy League East Coast colleges. 

Estimated time of arrival is 6:00 AM

After disembarking the ship drive from the lively fishing town of Seward through amazing scenery to Anchorage for an overnight stay. Along the way stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.  Surrounded by mountains and glaciers, this sanctuary in Portage Valley is dedicated to preserving Alaska´s wildlife and rehabilitate orphaned or insured animals. You can view bears, bison, moose, caribou, elk, eagles, owls, musk oxen and a variety of birds.

Situated between the 5,000-ft peaks of the Chugach Mountains, this city contains more than 40% of the state's population. Locals fish salmon from Ship Creek downtown and 1,500 moose wander free. Extend your stay with a Post-Programme.