10-night Alaska and the Inside Passage Cruise

Arrive in Seward today, a modest seaport named after Abraham Lincoln's secretary of state, who defied public opinion to pursue the purchase of Alaska from Russia. Take in the picturesque mountain setting as you settle into your veranda stateroom.,

You have today to explore Seward, renowned as the starting point of the world-famous Iditarod dogsled race. Explore the Alaska SeaLife Center, where you will learn about the marine world that thrives right off the coast. If you wish, venture farther afield to Katmai National Park to visit Exit Glacier or capture breathtaking aerial views from an optional helicopter excursion.,

Call in Valdez today, named after a Spanish secretary of the navy. Explorers and gold seekers flocked to Valdez before it became Alaska's northernmost ice-free port. Today, it is the southern terminus of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline that carries oil south from Prudhoe Bay on the Arctic coast. Learn about the town's history during a walking tour. Or opt for an excursion to the magnificent tidal Columbia Glacier in Prince William Sound, and perhaps try your luck catching some of Alaska's famous salmon.,

Yakutat Bay: Today you will witness some of Alaska's most breathtaking and pristine scenery. Cruise into majestic Yakutat Bay to the point where it narrows to become Disenchantment Bay, so named by its Spanish discoverer who was hoping to find the fabled Northwest Passage and instead faced the imposing icy wall of Hubbard Glacier. Today, the spectacular glacier steadily advances into the water, blocking tributary fjords and slowly pushing ice and debris down from the St. Elias Mountains.,

Yakutat is a small village located on beautiful Monti Bay, the only sheltered deep water port in the gulf of Alaska. Miles of untouched sandy beaches abound with driftwood and occasional glass balls for the beachcomber. Beyond these beaches lie a surfers dream. The Yakutat Forelands is teaming with wildlife for viewing pleasure. Jump on a charter boat and head up to Disenchantment Bay to marvel at the exciting sites and sounds of the largest tidewater glacier in North America, the ever moving Hubbard glacier. Or rent a car and drive to Harlequin Lake to view and photograph the wildflowers, the awesome freshwater glacier and the iceberg strewn lake. Beautiful hiking trails in the area include the short hike into Russell Fjord or the more taxing walk to Situk Lake. Saltwater kayaks are available for rent. There are numerous Hunting Guides which can put the avid hunter on rare wildlife. A drive to lower Situk River to observe the gillnetter's in action is worth the trip. Grab a license and tackle. Then try your hand at a world class fishery.

Discover the old canning station at Icy Strait Point today. Fully restored by the Native American Tlingit community from nearby Hoonah, it is an exquisite time capsule revealing how locals once earned a living from the rich fishing grounds. Celebrate the Tlingit culture during a cultural presentation by locals in traditional ceremonial dress. You might also join a whale-watching excursion to spot some of the many creatures that flock to these food-rich waters. Or hop a floatplane to soar over the breathtaking expanse of Glacier Bay National Park, just across the strait.,

Visit Skagway, named for a mythical woman who turned herself to stone at Skagway's bay. Gateway for prospectors arriving to reap the benefits of the Klondike gold rush in the Canadian Yukon, the town today evokes an Old West spirit. Enjoy a brief tour before taking a scenic drive up to White Pass like the gold diggers of old, pausing at the Canadian border for photos. You may choose instead to make the journey aboard the fabled White Pass Railroad, or visit a sled dog camp to learn about a generations-old tradition.,

Call on Alaska's capital of Juneau on the Gastineau Channel. Named for an early prospector, it is the only US capital inaccessible by road, and so all goods and visitors must arrive via sea or air. Marvel at its fjord-like dramatic setting between mountains and sea as you take a drive to pan for gold in the spirit of the city's early days. If you wish, enjoy spectacular views of the Alaskan state capital from the Mount Roberts Tramway or embark a small boat to the Mendenhall Glacier, spotting porpoises and whales along the way.,

Glimpse the Russian influence in Sitka, once the capital of Russian Alaska. Enjoy an enlightening walking tour to learn more about the fur trade that brought the Russians here. See the Russian Orthodox Cathedral and the Russian Bishop's House, built by the Tlingit with guidance from Finnish carpenters in the 1840s. As you explore, you will see many art galleries displaying the work of artists who have been inspired by the region's natural beauty for decades. If you'd like, board a plane or boat for inspiring views of Mt. Edgecumbe, an extinct volcano on a nearby island.,

Discover Alaska's "first city", as it is known to travelers coming by ship from the south. Ketchikan was home to the Tlingit long before the arrival of white settlers, as you'll see in the many old and new totem poles that grace the town. During a tour, walk in the footsteps of lumberjacks, fishermen, con artists, and ladies of the night in this once lawless frontier town, and embark an amphibious vehicle for a unique "Duck Boat" tour. If you'd like to venture beyond the town, visit Tongass National Forest and Misty Fjords National Monument, where seaplanes and 4x4 vehicles take you beyond the beaten path.,

The Inside Passage: Take in the natural splendor of one of Alaska's most scenic waterways, the famed Inside Passage. You will navigate the Strait of Georgia, the Seymour Narrows, and the Grenville Channel, reveling in an endless canvas of beauty. Sail past rainforests spilling down steep cliffs to the shore. Keep a watchful eye for orcas, dolphins, and whales. Overhead, a wide array of birds take wing, from bald eagles and cormorants to several species of gulls, all feeding on the plentiful bounty of fish in the waters below.,

Arrive in Vancouver today, British Columbia's cultural capital, in a scenic setting between mountains and sea. You will disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight home, or extend your stay in Vancouver to explore this vibrant city.,