Introduction
Vancouver to Alaska Cruises the final frontier! For generations, this expansive and captivating area has called out to travelers, presenting unspoiled wilderness, awe-inspiring glaciers, and wildlife encounters that are truly unparalleled. Now, picture commencing such an adventure from the cosmopolitan allure of Vancouver, a city embraced by majestic mountains and the serene sea.
Embark on the ultimate voyage of a lifetime with Vancouver to Alaska Cruises!” with its strategic location, serves as a fantastic gateway to the Alaskan seascape. But beyond the geography, the experience of transitioning from its urban skyline to the remote serenity of Alaska is unmatched. Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or a first-time adventurer, we aim to make this guide your trusty companion.
Get ready to embark on an Alaskan voyage from Vancouver cruises, brimming with moments of discovery, excitement, and awe-inspiration. Welcome aboard!
Why Choose Vancouver as a Starting Point?
Ah, Vancouver. Known affectionately as ‘Rain City’ or the ‘Gateway to the Pacific,’ this bustling metropolis is so much more than just a convenient launch point for Alaskan cruises.Opting to commence your Alaskan journey from Vancouver, as opposed to starting in Seattle or San Francisco, provides a multitude of benefits that extend beyond geographical considerations.
Day 1: Departure from Vancouver, Canada
- Board your cruise ship in Vancouver, British Columbia.
- Attend the cruise departure ceremony and explore the ship’s amenities.
Day 2: At Sea
- Enjoy a full day at sea, taking advantage of onboard activities, such as lectures on Alaskan wildlife and culture, spa treatments, and entertainment.
Day 3: Ketchikan, Alaska
- Arrive in Ketchikan, known for its Native American heritage and totem poles.
- Explore the town, visit the Totem Heritage Center, or take a wildlife and wilderness excursion.
Day 4: Juneau, Alaska
- Dock in Juneau, Alaska’s capital.
- Choose from activities like a visit to Mendenhall Glacier, a whale-watching tour, or a hike in the nearby Tongass National Forest.
Day 5: Skagway, Alaska
- Arrive in Skagway, a historic gold rush town.
- Explore the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, take a scenic train ride on the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad, or go hiking in the surrounding mountains.
Day 6: Glacier Bay
- Cruise through Glacier Bay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Witness the breathtaking glaciers and wildlife, including seals, whales, and bald eagles.
Day 7: At Sea
- Another day at sea to relax and enjoy the ship’s amenities.
Day 8: Sitka, Alaska
- Arrive in Sitka, known for its Russian heritage and stunning natural beauty.
- Explore the Russian Bishop’s House, go wildlife watching, or kayak in Sitka Sound.
Day 9: Hubbard Glacier
- Sail to Hubbard Glacier, one of the most active glaciers in Alaska.
- Marvel at the glacier’s calving, where massive chunks of ice break off into the sea.
Day 10: Return to Vancouver, Canada
- Disembark in Vancouver, concluding your unforgettable Alaskan cruise adventure.
This 10-day itinerary offers a comprehensive exploration of Alaska’s natural wonders, cultural heritage, and wildlife. It allows you to experience the diverse landscapes and activities that make an Alaskan cruise a once-in-a-lifetime journey. Be sure to check the cruise line’s specific itinerary and excursions to customize your trip to your preferences.
Day 1: Departure from Vancouver, Canada
Board your cruise ship in Vancouver to Alaska Cruises
The Vancouver, Canada cruise ship calendar is like a schedule that shows when cruise ships are coming and going. It tells you when a ship is supposed to arrive, how busy the port might be, and where the ship is going next.
Attend the cruise departure ceremony and explore the ship’s amenities.
A cruise departure ceremony is like a big party that happens when a cruise ship is about to leave. Here’s what usually happens:
Where: It happens at the place where the ship starts its journey, often a busy port by the water.
When: The ceremony matches when the ship is leaving. People need to come early to get on the ship.
People Gathering: Everyone getting on the ship meets in a special spot near the ship, usually outside.
Welcome: When people get on the ship, the crew says hi and might give them a drink.
Safety Talk: Before the ship goes, there’s a safety talk. They show how to use life jackets and where to go if there’s an emergency.
Party Time: Cruise lines often throw a big party on the ship’s deck with music, dancing, and maybe a speech from the captain.
Sail Away: A big moment is when the ship starts moving away from the port. People on the ship watch this happen and celebrate with music, confetti, and sometimes fireworks.
Flag Ceremony: Some ships raise their country’s flag when they leave.
Dress Code: What you wear can depend on the cruise line. Fancy clothes are common on luxury cruises, but casual is okay on more relaxed ones.
Photos: There are photographers who take pictures. You can buy these as souvenirs.
Announcements: Someone in charge talks about what’s happening on the ship, like activities and places to eat.
Bon Voyage: People on the ship say “goodbye” and wish each other a good trip.
Remember, each cruise can be a bit different, and it’s a special moment for people as they start their cruise vacation. It’s a time to get excited about the adventure ahead!
Day 2: At Sea
Enjoy a full day at sea, taking advantage of onboard activities, such as lectures on Alaskan wildlife and culture, spa treatments, and entertainment.
When you’re on the cruise ship, you get a whole day to enjoy everything it offers. It’s like a day of adventure on the ship itself.
Learn About Alaska:
While you’re at sea, the cruise ship sets up talks where experts talk about two cool things in Alaska: the animals (like bears, eagles, and whales) and the interesting culture (like their traditions and history). These talks are like school classes that help you know more about the place you’re going to.
Relax at the Spa:
If you want to feel really relaxed and refreshed, you can book spa treatments on the ship. These treatments can include massages (where a pro gives you a soothing body rub), facials (for your face), and more. It’s like treating yourself to a fancy spa day.
Have Fun:
The cruise ship has lots of fun stuff to do. They have live shows (like plays), music (from bands or singers), games (like trivia or bingo), and other things that are really enjoyable. It’s like having a day full of exciting things to watch and do.
So, when you’re on the ship for the day, you can relax, learn cool stuff about Alaska, get pampered, and have a blast with all the fun things to do. It’s a day to unwind, learn new things, and have an amazing time as you sail toward Alaska.
Day 3: Ketchikan, Alaska
Arrive in Ketchikan, known for its Native American heritage and totem poles.
Discover Totem Poles in Ketchikan, Alaska:
Ketchikan is a fantastic place to visit during your Alaska cruise if you want to learn about culture and history. Many people call it the “totem pole capital of the world.”
What Are Totem Poles?:
Totem poles are like big wooden sculptures that tell stories about families and groups in Alaska. People have been making them for a very long time, even before the 1800s. But they were costly to create back then. In the mid-1800s, things changed. Money from the fur trade and better tools made it easier for more people to make totem poles. They even had big parties called potlatches to celebrate when they made and raised these poles.
Places to Visit:
In Ketchikan, you can explore these places to learn about native Alaskan history and see artists creating totem poles:
The Totem Heritage Center: This museum was built in 1976 to protect old totem poles from the 1800s. It’s close to downtown Ketchikan and has some of the most incredible totem poles from Alaska. They also teach native arts and crafts.
Totem Bight State Park: This place used to be a fishing camp. In 1938, the US Forest Service started hiring skilled native totem carvers to teach young people. Now, you can find 14 beautiful totem poles in a natural setting, and people still know how to carve them.
Saxman Native Village and Totem Pole Park: If you’re on an Alaska cruise, you can take a trip to Saxman Native Village. There, you can see traditional Tlingit songs and dances and impressive totem poles. At the Village Carving Center, you can watch craftspeople make totem poles and learn from them.
What You’ll Experience:
When you visit these places and see the totem poles, you’ll get to know about native history and enjoy the stunning Alaskan landscapes. It’s an exciting adventure for your Alaska cruise.
Explore the town, visit the Totem Heritage Center, or take a wildlife and wilderness excursion.
You should definitely visit the Totem Heritage Center, and it’s a good idea to start there before going to the totem pole parks. The museum will help you understand what you’ll see at the parks. The displays in the museum will teach you the basics, like how to tell the difference between a Tlingit pole and a Haida totem (Tlingit poles have figures stacked on top of each other, while Haida totems have spaces between them). It will also show you how to recognize figures like eagles, bears, and killer whales (you might need to see that one to believe it).
Inside the museum, you’ll find 33 poles carved in the 19th century, which is the largest collection of totem poles in the United States. Traditionally, totem poles were meant to rot and return to the earth as part of their life cycle. Before Western contact, nobody thought about preserving old poles. But in the early 20th century, totem carving was fading away quickly, and Tlingit elders agreed that it made sense to save these poles so that future generations of carvers would have examples to learn from. That’s how this museum came to be.
Day 4: Juneau, Alaska
Dock in Juneau, Alaska’s capital.
Juneau is the capital of Alaska. It’s on the Gastineau Channel in southeastern Alaska. Juneau is about 890 miles northwest of Seattle, Washington, and 560 miles southeast of Anchorage. The area of Juneau is almost as big as the states of Delaware and Rhode Island put together.
Juneau is divided into two parts. District 1 includes Downtown Juneau, Salmon Creek, Lemon Creek, Switzer Creek, Juneau International Airport, and Douglas Island. District 2 includes the Mendenhall Valley, Auke Bay, Fritz Cove, and Lynn Canal.
You can get to Juneau mainly by sea or air. Juneau has the Juneau International Airport with one runway and a place for seaplanes to land. There’s also the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS), which is like a ferry service for places in Southeastern Alaska that don’t have roads. Cruise ships also stop at Juneau’s harbor.
Before people from Europe came here, the land where Juneau is now was home to Tlingit Indians, specifically the Auke and Taku tribes. They liked to fish in this area. In 1880, Joe Juneau and Richard Harris started a mining camp here. At first, the town was called Harrisburg after Richard Harris. Then they changed it to Rockwell. Finally, in 1881, they settled on Juneau. In 1970, Juneau became the City and Borough of Juneau when the City of Juneau joined with the City of Douglas and the area around it to make one big municipality.
Choose from activities like a visit to Mendenhall Glacier, a whale-watching tour, or a hike in the nearby Tongass National Forest.
Mendenhall Glacier
Distance: 6.04 kilometers
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Address: Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
What travelers say:
poohwubear: “Juneau is the capital of Alaska, and it’s a larger city in the southern part of the state. We arrived at the cruise ship terminal and took a short walk to the downtown Transit Center bus station, where we caught a bus to Mendenhall Glacier. The glaciers are always changing and moving, and now it’s happening even faster because of climate change. The park around Mendenhall has a waterfall called Nugget Falls and hiking trails. Afterward, we took the same bus back downtown and explored the city, enjoying some food to warm up from the cold rain.
Day 5: Skagway, Alaska
Arrive in Skagway, a historic gold rush town.
Explore the charming Alaskan town of Skagway, where you’ll find old-timey gold rush buildings and stunning glacial lakes surrounded by snowy mountains. Skagway is in a special place in Alaska, nestled between big, protected areas and the amazing Inside Passage. Lots of cruise ships visit here because it’s a neat town with a mix of cool history and beautiful nature.
To start your adventure, go to the Visitor Center downtown and get a map for a walking trail. When you stroll along Broadway Avenue, which is the main old-timey street, it feels like you’re back in the past. This street is protected because it’s part of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park.
You’ll see restored shops, cute restaurants, and wooden sidewalks. Sometimes, you might even meet locals dressed in old-fashioned clothes, like they’re from the late 1800s when people rushed to find gold in the Yukon. Don’t forget to join the free walking tours they offer in the summer. These tours will take you to important old buildings, like the Mascot Saloon Museum, an early brothel, and the town’s first cabin.
For a real adventure in this amazing place, hop on the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway. This old train goes up a steep route from the gold rush days, and you’ll see incredible mountain views along the way. Keep an eye out for cool spots like Glacier Gorge, Dead Horse Gulch, and the Bridal Veil Falls.
Skagway also has a bunch of hiking trails that connect the downtown to awesome views and historic places. You can hike to mountain lakes, loud waterfalls, and old graves of important Skagway people. If you’re really up for it, try the tough but super rewarding Chilkoot Trail. It’s a 4-day hike that follows the path of the gold rush folks to the Klondike Gold Fields in Canada.
Getting to Skagway is pretty easy. You can come by boat, either on a fancy cruise ship or the handy Alaska Marine Highway ferry. Or, you can fly in from Alaska’s capital, Juneau, or drive along the Canadian South Klondike Highway. When you step off your ship or arrive here, you’ll find a place that’s been kept beautiful and ready for you to explore all the cool things Skagway has to offer.
Explore the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, take a scenic train ride on the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad, or go hiking in the surrounding mountains.
Klondike National Historical Park
The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park covers 13,191 acres and consists of four units, including three in Alaska and one in Seattle. At the heart of the park lies the Skagway Historic District, a popular destination for cruise ships that welcomes around one million visitors each summer. Consequently, the Klondike Gold Rush park ranks as the most frequently visited national park site in Alaska, and several popular shore cruise excursions are centered around it.
Park History:
The gold rush began with the discovery of gold in a tributary of the Klondike River, sparking a massive migration of people in 1897-1898, with an estimated 100,000 individuals heading to the Klondike region in northwestern Canada in search of riches. Skagway and Dyea, both located 600 miles to the south, served as the nearest saltwater ports and quickly transformed into booming towns as miners raced to reach them, hoping to stake their claims and strike it rich. The national historical park was officially authorized in 1976.
Day 6: Glacier Bay
Cruise through Glacier Bay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve in Alaska, a designated World Heritage Site in the United States, is a vast expanse spanning 3.3 million acres of awe-inspiring natural wonders and wildlife, located near Juneau. Here, you’ll encounter magnificent glaciers, towering snow-capped mountains, an abundance of birds and wildlife, and mile upon mile of unspoiled coastline. Whether you’re visiting for just a day or planning an extended stay, you’ll discover endless opportunities for exploration and adventure in this remarkable place. If you’re seeking accommodations within the park, Glacier Bay Lodge is nestled among the spruce trees along Bartlett Cove and is the sole hotel option available.
.Witness the breathtaking glaciers and wildlife, including seals, whales, and bald eagles.
Day 7: At Sea
.Another day at sea to relax and enjoy the ship’s amenities.
Day 8: Sitka, Alaska
Arrive in Sitka, known for its Russian heritage and stunning natural beauty.
Sitka is a unique community within the Inside Passage as it faces the Pacific Ocean and is nestled along the western shore of Baranof Island, set against the impressive backdrop of Mount Edgecumbe. With a population of approximately 8,500 residents, Sitka is renowned for its vibrant Tlingit culture and the charming remnants of its Russian heritage, including the iconic Saint Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral adorned with onion-shaped domes and gold-colored crosses. The city’s jurisdiction encompasses most of Baranof Island, where Sitka is situated, as well as the southern part of Chichagof Island and numerous small, forested islands along the coastline.
History of Sitka:
Originally, Sitka was inhabited by the Tlingit people, who referred to the area as Sheet’Ká, meaning “people on the outside of Shee’,” with Shee’ being the Tlingit name for Baranof Island. Upon the arrival of Russian settlers, the area was renamed New Archangel and became the capital of Russian Alaska in 1808. It remained under Russian control until the United States acquired Alaska from Russia on October 18, 1867, with a historic transfer ceremony taking place in Sitka at the Baranof Castle State Historic Site.
Here are some of the best things to do in Sitka:
1.Visit Sitka National Historical Park to learn about history.
2.Explore the Sheldon Jackson Museum.
3.See St. Michael’s Orthodox Cathedral to know about local heritage.
4.Check out Baranof Castle State Historical Site.
5.Go to the Alaska Raptor Center to see wildlife.
6.Enjoy dance performances.
7.Visit The Sitka History Museum.
8.Don’t miss the annual events and festivals.
9.Go shopping and see art in downtown Sitka.
.Explore the Russian Bishop’s House, go wildlife watching, or kayak in Sitka Sound.
Day 9: Hubbard Glacier
Sail to Hubbard Glacier, one of the most active glaciers in Alaska.
Hubbard Glacier is the largest tidewater glacier in North America, and unlike many glaciers in Alaska and northwestern Canada, it has been thickening and advancing throughout the 20th century. This behavior is a notable example of how a glacier can become less sensitive to climate variations during certain stages of its calving cycle. As Hubbard Glacier continues to advance, it will eventually block the seaward entrance to Russell Fjord, a fjord that stretches for 50 kilometers, creating a glacier-dammed lake with brackish water.
This paper presents findings on various aspects of Hubbard Glacier, including changes in ice thickness, ice speed, terminus advancement, and the bathymetry (underwater topography) of the surrounding fjord. These findings are based on data collected through airborne laser altimetry, aerial photogrammetry, satellite imagery, and bathymetric measurements.
The data reveals that the lower sections of the glacier have thickened by up to 83 meters over the past 41 years, resulting in an overall volume increase of 14.1 cubic kilometers. Ice speeds near the calving face have generally decreased, transitioning from a high of 16.5 meters per day in 1948 to 11.5 meters per day in 2001. The terminus of the glacier, where it calves into the ocean, has advanced at an average rate of approximately 16 meters per year between 1895 and 1948, and this rate accelerated to 32 meters per year since 1948. However, after 1986, the advance of the part of the terminus facing Disenchantment Bay has slowed to 28 meters per year.
Additionally, bathymetric data obtained from the lee slope (the side sheltered from prevailing winds) of the underwater terminal moraine (a mound of glacial debris) demonstrates that between 1978 and 1999, this moraine advanced at an average rate of 32 meters per year, which matches the rate of advancement observed at the calving face.
.Marvel at the glacier’s calving, where massive chunks of ice break off into the sea.
Day 10: Return to Vancouver, Canada
.Disembark in Vancouver, concluding your unforgettable Alaskan cruise adventure.