Compare Discoverers Glacier Country by Adventure Smith vs Canadian Rockies and Pacific Coast with Alaska Cruise 2022 Classic Group with Alaska Cruise Verandah Suite by Insight Vacations

Day 1: Embark Juneau, Alaska

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Safari Explorer, Safari Endeavour or Safari Quest

Welcome to Juneau. An airport transfer will bring you to meet fellow guests and your Expedition Leader at the Westmark Baranof Hotel. Depending on flight arrival time, there may be time to explore Juneau before boarding the yacht in the afternoon. The crew greets you with a glass of champagne as you set sail for a week of scenic channels and secluded wilderness.

Days 2 – 3: Glacier Bay National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Safari Explorer, Safari Endeavour or Safari Quest

Glacier Bay National Park is Alaska on a grand scale - the park is larger than the state of Connecticut! Accompanied by a National Park ranger, over the two days in the park you’ll travel nearly 60 miles cruising up-bay to the tidewater glaciers of Grand Pacific and Margerie, which frequently calve huge icebergs into the bay. If conditions permit, the crew will lower the inflatable for you to weave among the icebergs that have fallen from the face of the glaciers. Enjoy evenings at anchor in hidden coves, and mornings paddling your kayak in the quiet of this majestic wilderness. Wildlife is everywhere - puffins and sea lions, mountain goats and bears, moose, eagles - and the scenery is more spectacular than any place on earth.

Day 4: Icy Strait

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Safari Explorer, Safari Endeavour or Safari Quest

During today's ultimate day of exploration, there's no agenda to follow except to experience every moment scouring the nutrient-rich waters in search for humpback, porpoise, sea lions and other wildlife. Join the Captain on the bridge or out on deck in search for marine mammals. Late afternoon have the opportunity to drop the skiffs and kayaks to further explore the shoreline of a remote bay. In the evening, continue to keep watch for the telltale blow of humpback whales as you cruise through Icy Strait. Before retiring for the evening take in the wilderness solitude while relaxing in the upper deck hot tub or enjoy a nightcap with your fellow yachtmates in the salon.

Day 5: Chichagof Island & Baranof Island

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Safari Explorer, Safari Endeavour or Safari Quest

With no binding agenda, today you’ll cruise along the waterfall coast of Chichagof Island. Marvel at the grand scenery of Alaska’s wilderness as the crew expertly guides you through those “not in the guide book” places known only to the locals. This evening, perhaps tucking away in magical Red Bluff Bay, there’ll be time for skiff operations and sea kayaking to look for sea otters and bears before calling it a day near Baranof Island.

Day 6: Frederick Sound & Stephens Passage

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Safari Explorer, Safari Endeavour or Safari Quest

Spend the day cruising the feeding grounds of Frederick Sound and Stephens Passage — another excellent chance for viewing humpback whales and other marine wildlife. Pass by Five Fingers Lighthouse and watch for sea lions' playful antics at a large haulout made from dozens of islets. Later, cruise picturesque bays, where evergreen forests crowd the shores.

Day 7: Ford’s Terror & Endicott Arm

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Safari Explorer, Safari Endeavour or Safari Quest

Cliff-walled fjords sliced into the mountainous mainland are on tap today as you cruise into an area widely acclaimed as the most beautiful in all of Alaska. Snow gleams on mountaintops high overhead, as bears amble on the shoreline and mountain goats cling to impossibly precarious perches. Seemingly every few hundred yards another sparkling waterfall tumbles down the cliffs. Enjoy a skiff ride at Ford’s Terror, a pristine tidal inlet and fjord named after an early mariner who was somewhat taken aback when a waterfall appeared at the turn of the tide where none had been visible at high tide. The ice-filled fjord of Endicott Arm brings more impressive glacial calving. As you anchor overnight, enjoy the Captain’s Farewell Dinner in an utterly lovely setting and take in the Expedition Leaders' photo journal slideshow of your trip.

Day 8: Disembark Juneau, Alaska

Meals: Breakfast

Gather for breakfast before returning to historic Juneau. A transfer to the Juneau airport or the Baranof Hotel is included.

Day 1: Welcome to Vancouver

Arrive in Vancouver, a haven for sports enthusiasts and keen history buffs alike. This unique city offers something for everyone. From its striking mountains to the bustle of the city’s art and music scene, this British Columbia seaport does not disappoint. On arrival, your airport transfer will take you to your luxury hotel before you join your Travel Director at 18:00 for a Welcome Dinner and an opportunity to mingle with fellow guests over wine.

Day 2: Cruise the Gulf Islands to Victoria

Embark on a tour of Vancouver, exploring Gastown and the famous totem poles in Stanley Park followed by a visit to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. You'll have free time to enjoy lunch on your own. This afternoon, board a ferry and sail through the beautiful Gulf Islands to Vancouver Island, an idyllic place known for its fishing and art communities. You'll end your day here, in British Columbia's stunning capital city, Victoria. Your hotel will be the Inn at Laurel Point, a modern waterfront venue with harbour views.

Day 3: Butchart Gardens

Start your day wandering through world renowned Butchart Gardens, a beautiful National Historic Site of Canada featuring groups of floral displays. Enjoy an immersive day exploring Canada's oldest Chinatown, the bustling Inner Harbour and stately Legislative Buildings. At night, choose from a selection of restaurants for your Dine-Around Evening, where you’ll sit down and enjoy a hearty meal with striking views.

Day 4: Victoria to Chase, British Columbia

This morning, cruise back to the mainland and continue on your scenic journey through British Columbia to the Secwepemc Territory at Little Shuswap Lake close to Chase. Upon arrival, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you witness and partake in a Smudging Ceremony, a traditional spiritual ritual conducted by a member of the local Indigenous community. As you settle in at your lakeside lodge this evening, you'll enjoy a Dinner with Wine, featuring authentic regional flavours.

Day 5: The Alpine Wonderland of Jasper National Park

After breakfast this morning, your journey takes you along the legendary Yellowhead Highway towards Jasper National Park, part of the Canadian Rocky Mountains Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. En route, a stop will be made at the Mount Robson Visitor Center in Mount Robson Provincial Park, the second oldest park in British Columbia’s park system and truly one of the world’s crown jewels. Enjoy the best views of Mount Robson, which at 12,972 ft (3,954 metres) is the most prominent mountain in North America's Rocky Mountain range and also the highest point in the Canadian Rockies. Arrive in the wonderland of Jasper National Park with its soothing mineral hot springs, rugged glaciers, colourful meadows, and majestic mountains.

Day 6: Exploring Jasper and the Columbia Icefield

Start the day with an informative walk on the trails of Maligne Canyon, one of the most beautiful gorges in the Canadian Rockies. Then, embark on a narrated cruise across the serene waters of iconic Maligne Lake, one of the jewels of the Canadian Rockies (please note that this activity is seasonal and subject to closure as the lake may be frozen). Stop at Spirit Island, one of the most photographed sites in the Canadian Rockies. Start your journey along the majestic Icefields Parkway, one of the world's most stunning mountain drives. Travel along the majestic Icefields Parkway and arrive at the Columbia Icefield for your stay at the just opened Glacier View Lodge, the first and only glacier-view resort in Canada. After a welcome reception in the Moraine Lounge,venture onto the amazing Glacier Skywalk where you will be treated to an after-hours, private guided tour of the cliff-edged, glass-floored walkway.After enjoying a gourmet dinner with wine, you can step out onto the Viewing Deck, stargaze marveling at the dark night sky, relax with a drink in the library, or hang out inside the Moraine Lounge with games and live entertainment.

Day 7: Icefields, Glaciers and Lakes to Banff National Park

Following a hearty breakfast, your Local Expert will escort you to a special before-hours glacier tour. Venture out onto Athabasca Glacier in a massive Ice Explorer. Then, join your guide for a stroll atop the ice and discover the beauty and immensity of the glacier. Learn about the history and geology of the region, and enjoy a warm beverage out on the glacier itself. After this morning's icy adventure, continue south to Lake Louise and admire it's blue waters and Victoria Glacier. Journey on to the resort town of Banff, your home for the next two nights. This evening, dine in town and unwind in your stunning natural surroundings.

Day 8: The Unspoiled Wilderness of Banff National Park Relaxed Start

Today is yours to spend exploring the rugged charms of the park. Choose from several optional experiences, including a once in a lifetime helicopter flight over the magnificent Canadian Rockies, or a ride onboard the Banff Gondola, a scenic cableway that can take you to the summit of Sulphur Mountain.

Day 9: Buffalo and Glacier National Park

Prepare for a day of culture and history as you join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, one of the world’s oldest and largest buffalo jumps. Once here you’ll discover how the indigenous people used this 36-foot-high (11 metres) cliff to hunt stampeding herds of bison. You’ll also get a unique chance to join a local Blackfoot elder and hear fascinating stories about the Plains people of today and long ago. From craggy plains to mountainous landscapes, you’ll cross the U.S. border into Montana and end your day at Many Glacier Hotel, a charming property situated in the heart of Glacier National Park.

Day 10: Going-to-the-Sun and Glacier National Park

Today, board a private Red Jammer bus to cruise along the Going-to-the-Sun Road in style. During your narrated trip you'll witness stunning views from Logan Pass and the marvels of the park's wild interior. Disembark and end your day at Lake McDonald, the largest lake in Glacier National Park. Rest up in a classic Swiss-chalet-style lodge with spectacular mountain views.

Day 11: Lake Coeur d'Alene and Spokane

Today you'll continue on to the beautiful shores of Lake Coeur d'Alene, one of America's most beautiful lakes, and arrive in Spokane to stay at The Historic Davenport, Autograph Collection hotel.This is Washington State's grandest hotel, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It has welcomed a number of famous faces including Amelia Earhart and Clark Gable.

Day 12: Wonderful Wines en route to Seattle

Wine connoisseurs rejoice. Today you'll head through the wide, endless horizons of the wine-producing area of Washington State. This afternoon, enjoy a tasting of local wines at your Highlight Lunch, focusing on fresh, local and artisanal ingredients. Then it's on to Seattle for an evening at leisure at your hotel.

Day 13: The Soaring Sights of Seattle

Enjoy an Insight Choice today. Either head to the Space Needle, with its jaw-dropping panoramic views of the unique skyline or the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit. You'll also see Puget Sound, Pioneer Square and Pike Place Market, where you should watch out for flying fish. The afternoon is yours at leisure and you'll find activities, restaurants and shops aplenty. In the evening, join your Travel Director and fellow guests for a Celebration Dinner with wine at Ivar's Acres of Clams. Here you'll find the Northwest's best dining, as you take in the views on Seattle's waterfront.

Day 14: Depart Seattle for Anchorage

Today take a flight (not included) from Seattle to Anchorage, Alaska Enjoy your afternoon and evening at leisure. Anchorage offers an incongruous contrast to the wild wonders of Alaska. A place where deep-sea fishermen bump shoulders with businesspeople on the 9 to 5, it's a fascinating, remote city. Home to almost half of the Alaskan population, Anchorage and its humble skyline is dwarfed by the snowy peaks of the wilderness beyond. Don’t miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in the unique culture, traditions and heritage of the First Nation people of these lands too.

Day 15: Anchorage - Seward - Embarkation

Start your Alaska Cruise adventure and transfer from Anchorage to Seward. Monumental scenery surrounds you in this remote corner of the world, where glaciers calve and whales cruise through inky waters, before an immense mountain backdrop. Almost totally submerged by the colossal landscapes around it, Seward - and the wonders of Kenai Fjords National Park - offer some of astonishing Alaska's most thrilling scenery. Located in a deep gash in the Kenai Peninsula, Seward is a place to immerse yourself in nature's majesty. Fjords carve into the landscape, while the Harding Icefield - which caps Kenai Fjords National Park - reaches out its icy fingers, with glaciers spilling down between mountain peaks.

Day 16: Cruise Hubbard Glacier, Alaska

Hubbard Glacier, off the coast of Yakutat, Alaska, is the largest glacier in North America, with a calving front that is more than six miles wide. One of the main sources for Hubbard Glacier originates 76 mi inland. It has been a very active glacier, experiencing two major surges in the past 30 years. This glacier was named after Gardiner Greene Hubbard, a U.S. lawyer, financier, and philanthropist. He was the first president of the National Geographic Society.

Day 17: Juneau, Alaska

Extraordinary adventures amid nature's wildest staging await at Juneau - there is a selection of 11 included shore excursions and 15 selected shore excursions (require surcharge). The majestic Mendenhall Glacier sprawls down from Juneau Icefield, which provides an icy cap to the area's rip-roaring scenery. State capitals simply don't get more dramatic than this isolated, remote city lost amid the Alaskan wilds. Even the roads eventually peter out, absorbed by forests and viewpoints, firmly underlining the isolated location, hidden behind an impenetrable wall of rigid mountains. Rise up to Mount Roberts Tramway's viewpoint, to see the city swallowed by this most colossal backdrop. This is glacier country, and no fewer than 38 ice flows branch off from the main Juneau Icefield, slowly carving out valleys in their wakes. Taku Glacier cuts deep into the mountain, forming a colossal sculpture that is one of the world's thickest - almost a mile deep. Mendenhall Glacier cascades down, just 12 miles away from downtown, terminating in its own lake and visitor centre. With 1,500 square miles of ice field to explore, one of the best ways to take in the magnitude and majesty of this epic ice sculpture is to hold on tight on as the propeller whirs, and you soar into the skies on an exhilarating sightseeing flight. Cruising up above the icy world that fills in these serrated mountain peaks is a once in a lifetime experience. The animals that inhabit the Southeast Alaskan wilds are just as inspiring as the landscapes – families of bears patrol the riverbanks, bald eagles survey the surroundings watchfully, and Pacific humpbacks migrate from Hawaii's waters to feast on the krill rich, icy waters. Fish for huge catches, power across the ice in a snow-sledge, or kayak just below glaciers. However, you choose to immerse yourself in it, Juneau's incredible outdoor adventures never disappoint.

Day 18: Skagway, Alaska

Feel the same rush of excitement as the gold rush chasers did, when they first arrived in Skagway, intent on finding their fortune. While the gold may now be gone, a treasure trove of natural glory waits to be discovered here. The adrenaline of America’s legendary gold rush still pulses along Skagway's streets, especially in Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park and the historic downtown area - which sprang up during the heady heights of the 1890’s goldrush. The jagged mountain ridges - with peaks of white snow above a treeline of soaring pine forests - provide a reward for the ages. Recapture the evocative sense of adventure, as you ride one of the world’s most spectacular railroads. Your engine will puff steam below the precipitous, colossal scenery, while the vintage carriages curve around the White Pass & Yukon Route, alongside tumbling waterfalls and spanning deeply-etched gorges. Wander historic trails like the Chilkoot Trail Hike, to walk in the well-trodden footsteps of the gold seekers. Set on the northern tip of the Inside Passage, Skagway luxuriates in a remarkably beautiful and dramatic landscape. Explore mighty rivers teeming with thick salmon leaping over rapids and see brown bears edging from the shelter of the trees. Endless forests spread as far as the eye can see, while bald eagles perch on treetops, surveying the surroundings from above. Whales roam offshore, and glaciers creak and calve nearby, in this magical natural kingdom. Choose from 8 included Shore Excursions and 16 Selected Shore Excursions that are offered for a surcharge.

Day 19: Sitka, Alaska

A distant land of bears, wild landscapes and icy adventures, sail between glorious islands and witness the diverse wildlife of the Inside Passage. Eagles watch over the scenery overhead, while whales and sea lions add glorious weight to the animal life that thrives and thrashes in these icy seas. With a quintet of Pacific salmon species filling the rich rivers and waterways with life, settle back to enjoy the show, as Sitka's immense setpieces play out before you. You might notice the onion-shaped dome atop St. Michael’s Church – a relic of the area's Russian history. Sitka formed a part of the Russian Empire until a deal was struck in 1867, and the territory was sold to the United States, with the handover ceremony taking place here in Sitka. The native Tlingit culture is an important presence, and elaborate totem poles rocket up in Sitka National Historical Park. They mark the battleground of 1804, when the indigenous people clashed fiercely with the Russians. The snow-capped peak of the dormant volcano, Mount Edgecumbe, draws understandable comparisons with Mount Fuji's symmetrical cone. Climb to thrilling heights, as you arrive on Kruzof Island, and enjoy richly spellbinding views of the scattered Pacific islands, while hiking. Whether you want to spend your time flying above snow-dusted mountain ridges, fishing for colossal King salmon, or savouring Northwest frontier cuisine in waterfront restaurants, there's no shortage of ways to experience Sitka's natural wonders. Choose from 9 included Shore Excursions and 10 Selected Shore Excursions that are available for a surcharge.

Day 20: Ketchikan, Alaska

The Salmon Capital of the World is a thrilling introduction to wild and wonderful Alaska, sitting at the southern gateway to the Inside Passage's famed route of larger-than-life scenery. Cruise through the waters, or soar just above in a sightseeing plane, to take in the full majesty of the magnificent Misty Fjords National Monument. Home to grizzly and black bears - as well as cruising whales and swimming seals - the wildlife spotting opportunities in this majestic corner of the world are nothing short of spectacular. Towered over by steep banks and valley walls, Ketchikan's ocean inlet is peppered with granite stacks, looming from the waters. Surrounded by glorious landscapes, head to the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary, which is alive with bald eagles, black bears and remarkable, thick, yellow banana slugs - the squeamish are advised to keep well clear. Visit Ketchikan's Heritage Centre, where a collection of intricately carved totem poles rise up, preserving the heritage of the indigenous Tlingit and Haida people of these lands. Ketchikan has the world's largest collection, and some of the oldest and most precious totems in existence. This frontier city hasn’t always been so wholesome, however. See the colourful historic street that is built on crooked stilts over Ketchikan Creek, which has a crude history as the main red-light district in the city. The brothels closed in the 1950s, but you can explore this legendarily seedy past at Dolly’s House - a brothel turned museum. See the Married Man trail, a historical route used to enter Creek Street away from prying eyes. Choose from 13 included Shore Excursions and 14 Selected Shore Excursions that are available for a surcharge.

Day 21: Cruise the Inside Passage

Navigate through the intricate outlays of some of Alaska’s most staggering winter scenery, threading a needle between craggy, snow-dusted islands, and slipping glacial giants. To cruise this 500-mile stretch of Alaskan beauty is to sail through a living work of natural art - with perfectly sculpted mountains soaring from the shoreline, and clutches of islands scattered across the dark waters with delicate attention to detail. A common sailing route due to its calm sheltered waters, gorgeous natural set pieces constantly play out here - whether it’s killer whales accompanying you through the breathtaking icy passages, harbour seals catching a break on floating hunks of ice, or wisps of cloud clinging to distant mountain peaks. Witness Mother Nature at her most dramatic and elaborate along this Alaskan coastline, where glaciers groan and creak melodramatically, before finally releasing colossal shelves of ice, allowing them to free fall into the waters below, and explode with angry booms and thunderous splashes. While fundamental displays of nature’s power always awe and amaze, it’s the tranquil beauty of this passage - amid still waters, splitting only to reveal the smooth backs of breaching humpback whales – that is relentlessly moving. A journey of glaciers, remote hidden villages, and carved fjords - the Inside Passage is a breathtaking voyage through the intricate mesh of Alaska’s fractured, raw and spectacular coastal landscapes.

Day 22: Disembark and Depart Vancouver

Boasting mountains, sea, culture, art and so much more, many cities claim to have it all, but few can back it up like Vancouver. Famously livable, just visiting this high-rise city - surrounded by staggering natural beauty - is a thrill. Transfer to the airport where you will arrive at approximately 10:30am or choose to extend your stay with additional nights.