Once a trading post and a rough-and-tumble sawmilling settlement, today, modern Vancouver is many things. It’s a bustling seaport, a hub for outdoor enthusiasts, an ethnically diverse metropolis and the ‘Hollywood of the North’. Framed by towering mountains and the sparkling Pacific Ocean, Vancouver seduces visitors with its combination of urban sophistication and laid-back attitude against a backdrop of glass towers, modern sights and plentiful green spaces.

Rosedale on Robson or similar

Enjoy a six hour sightseeing tour of Vancouver’s magnificent North Shore. Travel across the Lions Gate Bridge and into the mountains to visit the original Vancouver tourist attraction, Capilano Suspension Bridge. Spend time exploring the temperate rainforest and learn all about salmon at the Fish Hatchery. Your tour coach continues its climb up Grouse Mountain where you’ll take the Skyride to the Peak of Vancouver with breathtaking views over the Lower Mainland and Coast Mountain Range. After time well spent in Vancouver’s backyard, your guide will drive you back to downtown and your hotel.

Rosedale on Robson or similar

Your Alaska cruise departs from Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal, in downtown Vancouver, this afternoon, giving you time for a leisurely breakfast or a little more sightseeing – the Museum of Vancouver coming recommended.

After settling into your cabin, make sure you’re up on deck to as your Holland America cruise passes under Lions Gate Bridge into Burrard Inlet. Then enjoy the coastal scenery as you sail between Vancouver Island and the British Columbia mainland towards Alaskan waters.

Your choice of cabin

Dinner

Alaska’s Inside Passage is a renowned cruising route through a protected network of waterways, featuring glacier-cut fjords and lush rainforests.

Enjoy a whole day at sea, soaking in the scenery and keeping an eye out for passing whales and other marine life.

If you’re cruising during the summer, it stays light until late. Inside, there is a choice of restaurants and onboard entertainment to enjoy.

Your choice of cabin

All meals on board

The coastal scenery between Hobart Bay and Juneau is simply stunning; the mountains clad by old-growth temperate rainforest.

Your cruise will briefly moor at around 09:00 for those who wish to take an optional excursion to Tracy Arm Inlet (additional cost). This 48 kilometre fjord has glaciers clinging to its cliff faces, and summer waterfalls that plunge into the sea. Exploring in a high speed catamaran, the tour is also a great opportunity to see wildlife, with guests often spotting pigeon guillemots, bald eagles, harbour seals, mountain goats and bears.

The Tracy Arm Inlet excursion concludes in Juneau, re-joining the cruise ship. You can spend a leisurely afternoon in the Alaskan capital, or join one of several other excursions on offer including whale watching, sea kayaking, a tour to Mendenhall Glacier and Juneau’s Glacier Gardens, a helicopter flight and the ever-popular all-you-can-eat salmon bake!

You choice of cabin

All meals on board

At the height of the Klondike Gold Rush, the port town of Skagway quickly grew to become Alaska’s largest, albeit somewhat raucous,  settlement. Much of the town has been preserved as part of a National Historical Park, with rangers offering free walking tours.

You have a full day in Skagway, with another wide range of optional activities available. Highly recommended is the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, an incredible feat of engineering built to facilitate the gold rush. The journey to the summit of White Pass passes towering glaciers and cascading waterfalls, and crosses and sky-high trestles. You can stay on the train to come back down again, or for an adrenaline kick descend by mountain bike!

Other optional excursions include gold panning, dog sledding, and a wilderness safari to Glacier Point.

Your choice of cabin

All meals on board

Have your binoculars and camera ready as you cruise through Glacier Bay to the mile-wide Margerie Glacier, where you may have a chance to witness ice calving.

This area is also known for its abundant wildlife, with humpback whales frequenting the icy waters and  brown bear patrolling the wind-swept beaches.

Whilst you’ll probably want to spend most of the day on deck, do make sure to join the onboard presentation from a local Huna Tlingit guide about the ecology and geology of Glacier Bay, and why it’s critical that wild lands remain forever wild.

Your choice of cabin

All meals on board

Your next port of call is Ketchikan, a colourful town that appears to cling to the banks of the Tongass Narrows, surrounded by forest.

Rich in resources, this area has been the home to the Tlingit people since time immemorial, and the Haida and Tsimshians who moved to what is now South East Alaska from Canadamuch later. You can learn about their history and traditions at the Totem Heritage Centre and Totem Bight State Park, and in nearby Saxman Village.

A number of optional excursions are also available including sea kayaking, salmon fishing, an e-bike ride through the rainforest, and bear spotting by floatplane!

Lastly, for souvenirs (or locally smoked salmon), take a stroll along historic Creek Street, a boardwalk built over the Ketchikan Creek.

Your choice of cabin

All meals on board

Enjoy a final day cruising Alaska’s Inside Passage.

Keep an eye out for whales and other wildlife as your Holland America cruise heads back south towards Vancouver.

Your choice of cabin

All meals on board

Having sailed through the night, arrive into Vancouver early this morning.

It’s the end of your Rocky Mountaineer and Alaska cruise holiday today, though if you would like to add extra nights in the city, or in nearby Seattle, just let your Travel Consultant know.

Vancouver International Airport is around a 30 minute drive from Downtown / Canada Place Cruise Terminal.

Breakfast

Holland America Inside Cabins offer:

• Two lower beds that can be converted to one queen-size bed, with a plush Euro-Top mattresses
• Small seating area with a TV
• Generous wardrobes and storage space
• En-suite with a premium massage shower head and Elemis Aromapure soap and shampoo
• Luxurious bathrobes

Daily housekeeping and 24-hour room service come as standard.

Holland America Ocean View Cabins offer:

• Two lower beds that can be converted to one queen-size bed, with a plush Euro-Top mattresses
• Seating area with a window overlooking the ocean, and a TV
• Generous wardrobes and storage space
• En-suite with a bath/shower and Elemis Aromapure soap and shampoo
• Hair dryer and luxurious bathrobes

Daily housekeeping and 24-hour room service come as standard.

Holland America’s Verandah Staterooms offer:

• Two lower beds that can be converted to one queen-size bed, with a plush Euro-Top mattresses
• Floor-to-ceiling windows opening onto a private verandah
• Inside seating area with a TV
• Generous wardrobes and storage space
• En-suite with a bath/shower and Elemis Aromapure soap and shampoo
• Hairdryer and luxurious bathrobes

Daily housekeeping and 24-hour room service come as standard.

Holland America’s Vista Suites offer:

• Two lower beds that can be converted to one queen-size bed, with a plush Euro-Top mattresses
• Floor-to-ceiling windows opening onto a private verandah
• Inside seating area with a TV
• Mini-bar and refrigerator
• Generous wardrobes and storage space
• En-suite with a bath/shower and Elemis Aromapure soap and shampoo
• Hairdryer and luxurious bathrobes
• Binoculars

Daily housekeeping and 24-hour room service come as standard.

Holland America’s Signature Suites offer:

• Two lower beds that can be converted to one king-size bed, with a plush Euro-Top mattresses
• A single Murphy (wall) bed
• Floor-to-ceiling windows opening onto a private verandah
• Inside seating area with a TV
• Generous wardrobes and storage space
• En-suite with duel sinks, a bath with a shower, and Elemis Aromapure soap and shampoo
• Hair dryer, luxurious bathrobes and slippers

Daily housekeeping and 24-hour room service come as standard.