San Francisco • Juneau • Skagway • Glacier Bay • Ketchikan • Victoria (Canada) • San Francisco
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Embark on an extraordinary journey from San Francisco to the untamed beauty of Alaska, where glaciers, wildlife, and rugged landscapes await. Sail through the majestic Inside Passage, a corridor of fjords and islands where towering snow-capped peaks meet pristine waters, and watch as whales breach, sea lions play, and bald eagles soar overhead.
Your voyage includes stops at iconic Alaskan ports such as Juneau, where you can ride the Mount Roberts Tramway for panoramic views or explore local galleries and cultural centers; Skagway, a historic Gold Rush town perfect for scenic train rides or hiking adventures; and Ketchikan, known as the “Salmon Capital of the World,” where native art and totem poles tell stories of generations past.
Experience the grandeur of Glacier Bay National Park, where massive glaciers calve into the sea, creating a spectacle of ice and sound that will leave you awestruck.
The journey also includes a stop in Victoria, British Columbia, a charming Canadian city with historic architecture, lush gardens, and boutique shops.
Onboard, enjoy days at sea with world-class dining, live entertainment, enrichment programs, and relaxing views from your stateroom or deck. This 8-day cruise blends Alaska’s natural wonders with rich cultural experiences, offering a perfect balance of adventure, relaxation, and once-in-a-lifetime memories.
Trip Highlights
- Round-trip sailing from San Francisco, perfect for West Coast travelers—no flights required.
- Cruise through the breathtaking Inside Passage, where fjords, islands, and coastal forests meet glacial waters.
- Explore Glacier Bay National Park, witnessing colossal glaciers calving into the sea and capturing unforgettable photo opportunities.
- Visit Alaska’s most iconic ports: Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, each offering a unique blend of history, culture, and adventure.
- Stop in Victoria, British Columbia, a charming city known for its historic architecture, lush gardens, and quaint shops.
- Encounter Alaska’s wildlife in its natural habitat—spot whales, sea lions, puffins, and bald eagles along the coast.
- Optional excursions include dog sledding, helicopter tours, gold rush history experiences, and guided hikes in breathtaking landscapes.
- Enjoy full days at sea with luxury amenities, including world-class dining, Broadway-style entertainment, enrichment programs, spa treatments, and scenic deck views.
- Opportunities for photography, stargazing, and quiet moments surrounded by the serene beauty of the northern Pacific.
- Ideal for travelers seeking a mix of adventure, relaxation, and awe-inspiring natural beauty in one unforgettable week.
Itinerary Details
- Afternoon embarkation at the Port of San Francisco.
- Sail away under the Golden Gate Bridge — a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
- Dinner and welcome show onboard.
- Relax with panoramic ocean views.
- Spend your first full day at sea immersing yourself in all the ship has to offer. Start with a leisurely morning on the pool deck, soaking up panoramic ocean views or taking a refreshing dip. Treat yourself to a rejuvenating spa treatment, or join a fitness class, yoga session, or dance workshop to get energized.
- Engage your curiosity with enrichment lectures, cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, or art workshops. Families can enjoy kid-friendly activities and teen programs, while those seeking fun can try their luck in the casino or play games on the sports deck.
- As evening falls, the ship transforms with live entertainment: Broadway-style shows, live music, comedy performances, themed parties, or stargazing from open decks. Dine in elegant restaurants or casual spots, and cap the night with a cocktail while listening to the gentle waves around you.
- Enjoy onboard amenities: spa, pool decks, enrichment lectures, and Broadway-style shows.
- Shore excursion options: helicopter ride to Mendenhall Glacier, whale watching, or dog sledding.
- Explore Alaska’s charming capital city with shops, local breweries, and cultural sites.
- Mendenhall Glacier, Glacier Gardens & Salmon Hatchery Adventure
Explore the natural wonders of Alaska on this half-day excursion combining glaciers, rainforest, and wildlife conservation. Begin at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area, one of the most accessible glaciers in North America. Spend time walking the surrounding trails and taking in breathtaking views of the ice field, waterfalls, and glacial streams during your stay. - Next, venture into the temperate rainforest of Glacier Gardens, where you’ll ride a guided tram up to a scenic platform offering sweeping alpine views of mountains, waterways, and nearby islands. Back at the base, stroll through the gardens pavilion and discover the diverse botanical plants that thrive in Alaska’s unique climate.
- The journey concludes at the Macaulay Salmon Hatchery, where you’ll learn about Alaska’s salmon conservation efforts and the important role ocean ranching plays in sustaining the state’s prized fisheries. This tour offers a perfect mix of outdoor adventure, nature appreciation, and wildlife education for all ages.
- Tips: Dress for the weather and wear comfortable, flat shoes suitable for walking.
- Step back in time in this Gold Rush town.
- Excursion highlight: White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad scenic train journey.
- Hiking, kayaking, or shopping in the historic district available.
- Skagway Adventure & White Pass Summit RailwayDiscover the historic charm and breathtaking scenery of Skagway on this full-day adventure. Board the antique narrow-gauge White Pass Summit Train and wind your way up the mountains, where panoramic views of rugged peaks, waterfalls, and deep gorges unfold. Along the route, your guide shares captivating stories from the days of the Klondike Gold Rush, bringing the history of the region vividly to life.
- At the base of the pass, stop at the lively Liarsville Gold Rush Trail Camp and Salmon Bake, tucked beside a cascading waterfall. Here, a colorful cast of performers — including dance hall girls and cheeky “sourdoughs” — entertain with melodrama, poems, and interactive gold-panning adventures, where you can try your luck discovering a bit of gold yourself. Savor a hearty Alaskan BBQ featuring fresh grilled salmon, baked beans, potatoes, coleslaw, sourdough rolls, and sweet apple strudel, accompanied by coffee or lemonade.
- The day wraps up with a visit to the historic Red Onion Saloon in downtown Skagway. Step inside this famous brothel for a private party hosted by the madams themselves, complete with Alaskan Amber beer, wine, or Madam’s punch.
- Explore artifacts including the priceless nickel silver dress of the first madam and hear stories of life in Skagway at the height of Gold Rush fever. This immersive journey captures the adventure, history, and spirited character of 1898 Alaska, offering memories that last a lifetime.
- Tips: Dress warmly in layers and wear sturdy, supportive shoes suitable for walking.
- A full day of glacier viewing with National Park rangers onboard providing commentary.
- Marvel at calving glaciers and keep an eye out for whales, sea lions, and bald eagles.
- Hubbard Glacier & Wilderness Adventure Experience one of Alaska’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders on a close-up cruise to Hubbard Glacier, North America’s largest tidewater glacier. Board your expedition-style boat directly from the cruise ship in Disenchantment Bay, and settle into a heated cabin with expansive windows for exceptional views of the ice and surrounding wilderness.
- Thanks to the boat’s shallow draft, you can navigate near the towering glacier face, which rises hundreds of feet above the water. Keep your eyes open for dramatic calving events, when massive chunks of ice break away with thunderous splashes. Along the way, a knowledgeable naturalist shares insights about the glacier’s history, geology, and behavior—Hubbard is even nicknamed the “Galloping Glacier” for its sometimes rapid advance.
- Wildlife abounds in these pristine waters: spot harbor seals lounging on icebergs, watch bald eagles soar overhead, and perhaps glimpse orcas or humpback whales in their natural habitat. This intimate encounter with one of Alaska’s most impressive glaciers combines adventure, education, and breathtaking scenery.
- Tips: Dress warmly and in layers to stay comfortable during your glacier encounter.
- Known as the “Salmon Capital of the World.”
- Explore historic Creek Street, watch totem pole carving, or go bear-watching.
- Optional kayaking and zip-lining excursions.
- Saxman Native Village ExperienceStep into the rich traditions of the Tlingit people at Saxman Native Village, a community dedicated to preserving its cultural heritage for generations. Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed in the Tlingit language and treated to a mesmerizing performance by the Cape Fox Dancers inside the Beaver Clan House. Dressed in traditional regalia and accompanied by rhythmic drumming, the dancers bring to life the stories of legendary warriors, tribal ancestors, and ancient customs.
- After the performance, explore the Carving Center, where artisans demonstrate traditional techniques and share insights into the creation of towering totem poles. See the tools, pigments, and methods used to craft these iconic works of art, each imbued with cultural meaning. Your visit continues to Saxman Totem Park, home to the world’s largest collection of authentic totem poles, where detailed plaques reveal the history and stories behind each piece. Before returning to the pier, stop by the Village Store to browse handcrafted Alaskan Native art and take home a meaningful keepsake.
- Tips: Dress for the weather and wear comfortable, flat shoes suitable for walking.
- Evening stop in Victoria.
- Visit Butchart Gardens, tour historic downtown, or enjoy waterfront dining.
- Victoria & Butchart Gardens Evening Experience Discover the charm of Victoria and the enchantment of Butchart Gardens on this delightful evening tour. Departing from Ogden Point, your guide will introduce you to the city’s highlights, including the impressive legislative buildings, the iconic Empress Hotel, Royal British Columbia Museum, and the lush Beacon Hill Park.
- Continue to the world-famous Butchart Gardens, where a former limestone quarry has been transformed into a stunning 55-acre floral paradise over the past century. Stroll along winding paths and footbridges, admire cascading fountains, and explore themed areas such as the vibrant Sunken Garden, serene Japanese Garden, and fragrant Rose Garden. As dusk falls, the gardens are beautifully illuminated by thousands of hidden lights, creating a magical atmosphere perfect for photos and leisurely exploration. Multi-language maps are available to guide your self-paced stroll through this horticultural wonder.
- Morning arrival at the Port of San Francisco.
- Disembarkation and transfer home — or extend your stay in Northern California.
- Alcatraz & Sausalito Escape
Approx. Duration: 5½ hours - Set out on a memorable adventure beginning with a ferry ride across San Francisco Bay. As the boat glides through the water, enjoy sweeping views of the city’s skyline and the Golden Gate Bridge before arriving at the legendary island of Alcatraz. Once inside the former penitentiary, step into the tiny cells and corridors where infamous figures such as Al Capone once lived, with an award-winning audio tour bringing the prison’s dramatic history vividly to life.
- After exploring Alcatraz, return to the city and continue by motorcoach across the Golden Gate Bridge. Pause at Vista Point for breathtaking views back toward San Francisco, then make your way to the waterfront community of Sausalito. With its Mediterranean charm, colorful galleries, and boutique shops, this artistic town invites you to wander, shop, or simply relax by the bay before heading back.
- 7-night accommodations in your choice of stateroom
- All meals in main dining rooms + onboard entertainment
- Port charges and government fees
- Access to pools, fitness center, and daily activities
- Specialty dining & beverage packages
- Shore excursions and optional tours
- Gratuities and personal expenses
- Flights (if not a local traveler) & travel insurance
Inside Stateroom: from $2,950 per person
Balcony Stateroom: from $3,850 per person
Suite: from $5,200 per person
Pricing varies by season. May–September is Alaska’s cruise season; peak summer months sell out quickly.
Useful Materials
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