Example Itinerary
Day 1 – Monday – London to Seattle
Depart from London Heathrow with British Airways – a direct flight into the city of Seattle, Washington. We suggest including a night in Seattle at an airport hotel, before continuing on to Juneau.
Alternative: Seattle is a delightful city, and well worth a day or two’s exploration. If time allows, add in two nights in the city, giving time to visit the city before continuing on to Juneau. A trip to the top of the Space Needle for a birds-eye view of the city, and enjoy lunch in one of the many cafes at Pikes Market.
Day 2 – Tuesday – Seattle to Juneau
Return to the airport and take an internal flight from Seattle to Juneau for an overnight stay prior to joining your ship. Juneau is the State Capital, and the only one in the USA to be inaccessible by road! The city itself is compact, and once settled into your overnight hotel, take a ride to the top of the Mount Roberts Tramway, or visit the Mendenhall Glacier.
Day 3 – Wednesday – Cruise West
Spend the day exploring Juneau before boarding your vessel. Many exciting excursions and activities are available including Cruise West operated excursions. A Cruise West concierge service is available for your use
Day 4 – Thursday - Tracy Arm and Frederick Sound
Cruise under Tracy Arm’s sheer 1,500-foot vertical cliffs toward the twin Sawyer Glaciers. Due to the high terminal moraine of this glacial valley, larger ships are unable to enter these waters. Humpback whales abound in Frederick Sound
Day 5 – Friday - Wrangell / Wrangell Narrows / Petersburg
Wrangell is the only Alaskan town to have existed under four nations: Tlingit, Russian, British and American. You’ll see this rich history reflected in your tour of the Wrangell Museum. A passage through picturesque Wrangell Narrows -- known as “Christmas Tree Lane” for its many lights and buoys — takes you to the village of Petersburg, a true Alaska fishing town. Watch as the Leikarring Dancers perform in the Sons of Norway Hall. Explore wilderness waterways around Petersburg
Day 6 – Saturday - Wilderness Cruising
Your Captain will determine the best spots to cruise to today based on the local conditions. Weather permitting, explore by inflatable excursion craft.
Day 7 – Sunday - Sitka
Only small ships can negotiate Peril Strait and Sergius Narrows, the “inside” route to Sitka on Baranof Island. Keep an eye out for playful otters, Sitka black-tailed deer and bald eagles. A walk through Sitka’s National Historic Park reveals towering totems keeping watch over the temperate rainforest. Enjoy a private Tlingit Native dance performance
Day 8 – Monday - Icy Strait
Watch for gentle humpbacks as they feast on small fish and tiny krill churned by upwelling currents from the Pacific Ocean. Watch for behaviours such as spouting, sounding, breaching, lobtailing, flipper-slapping and lunge feeding. You may see rare bubble feeding if you’re very lucky. The coves and inlets offer enticing opportunities to get out and explore by inflatable craft. Be sure to keep watch for Steller’s sea lions, orcas, harbour seals and porpoise
Day 9 – Tuesday - Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
Glacier Bay enjoys the honoured and highly protected status of National Park, Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site. Glide past “rivers of ice” in this glacial wonderland. A National Park Service Ranger and a Native Cultural Interpreter will be onboard helping you spot the abundant wildlife such as mountain goats, whales and brown and black bears
Some of the highlights of our full day of exploration may include:
• Guided nature walk at the Bartlet Cove Park Ranger station
• Overnight stay in Glacier Bay
• Wake up in front of a spectacular glacier
• Presentations and narrations by the Park Service Rangers
• We will take the time to explore the islands and secluded inlets of the Park, searching for Stellar Sea Lions, Harbour Seals, Sea Otters, numerous species of birds (including Puffins), Mountain Goats, Brown and Black Bear, and much more, in a manner that is uniquely "up-close, casual, and personal"
• Cruise West is the only cruise line offering this deep an immersion into one of America's most spectacular National Parks
• This is a great opportunity to take advantage of the Ken Burns documentary series about America's National Parks (which included Glacier Bay and Denali).
Day 10 – Wednesday - Juneau to Anchorage
Disembark in Juneau this morning, and transfer to the airport for your onward flight to Anchorage. On arrival in Anchorage, transfer to your overnight hotel.
Alternative: Whilst Juneau is the State Capital, Anchorage is the commercial centre. There are several museums that make interesting visits, and you may choose to spend a second night before continuing with your itinerary.
Day 11 – Thursday – Anchorage to………..
Interior Alaska is vast, and has so much to offer, from the tallest mountains, the largest national parklands, the highest concentration of glaciers and the longest stretch of coastline in the United States. Add to this abundant wildlife, pristine lakes, remote and dramatic wilderness lodges, and one begins to see just what a holiday paradise this State is. From a starting point in Anchorage, one is well placed to visit in all directions, and the choice is yours
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