Grand Alaskan Adventure with Alaska Cruise (84252027)

Day 1:
ANCHORAGE Welcome to Anchorage! Your Tour Director is on hand from 3-6:00 p.m. to answer any questions.

Settle into your downtown hotel and perhaps venture out and start exploring the shops and restaurants or stroll on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail along the waterfront.



Day 2:
ANCHORAGE-ALASKA RAILROAD TALKEETNA-DENALI NATIONAL PARK This morning, board the world-famous Alaska Railroad for a memorable train journey to Talkeetna, the jumping-off point for climbers attempting to summit Denali. Formerly known as Mount McKinley, Denali is the highest peak in North America at 20,310 feet. Enjoy browsing the shops in downtown or take a walk to the river. An early afternoon departure takes you to Denali National Park and Preserve for a two-night stay.



Day 3:
DENALI NATIONAL PARK Denali National Park and Preserve majestically dominates the park 's six million acres. Enjoy a free day for independent activities like a hike along the many wilderness trails or choose any of several exciting optional excursions, including a wildlife tour to spot grizzly bears, caribou, moose, and Dall sheep; a Denali photography excursion; a raft trip down the Nenana River; or an exhilarating flightseeing tour over the park. Your Tour Director will have plenty of suggestions.



Day 4:
DENALI NATIONAL PARK-THOMPSON PASS-VALDEZ Relish one last look at the outstanding scenery and wildlife of Denali before traveling across the Denali Highway—the first road built for access to the park—passing through true wilderness for the opportunity to spot wildlife and amazing views of the Alaska Range. Cross the top of Thompson Pass, well-known for its annual winter snowfall which averages 46 feet and its spectacular summertime views. Arrive in Valdez, nicknamed 'Alaska 's Little Switzerland, ' nestled between the waterfront and mountainous peaks.



Day 5:
VALDEZ-PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND-WHITTIER-ANCHORAGE Embark on a cruise across magnificent Prince William Sound to explore the three-mile face of the mighty Meares Glacier and hear tales of the region as told by the Alaskan crew. Keep your eyes open with photo opportunities to capture marine wildlife such as otters, seals, and whales amid spectacular glaciers and grand panoramas. Return to Anchorage, Alaska 's largest city.



Day 6:
ANCHORAGE-WHITTIER (EMBARKATION) This morning, enjoy a city sightseeing tour of Anchorage with a visit to the Anchorage Museum to see a fascinating display of artifacts of the native people of Alaska. Next, say goodbye to your Tour Director and return to Whittier to board Holland America 's MS Westerdam for an unforgettable Inside Passage cruise. Nestled along breathtaking Prince William Sound, the remote village of Whittier is home to a stunning array of wildlife, including bald eagles, sea otters and killer whales—providing perfect photo opportunities. (D)



Day 7:
CRUISING: HUBBARD GLACIER Hubbard is the longest tidewater glacier (ending at the ocean) in North America. However, unlike nearly every other tidewater glacier on the continent, Hubbard is advancing, not retreating as it endlessly creeps further into the bay—with breaking ice providing a floating haven for resident seals. (B,L,D)



Day 8:
SCENIC CRUISING: GLACIER BAY With the serene majesty of snow-flecked and forested mountains defining its shores, Glacier Bay National Park offers some of the most dramatic scenery in the world. Keep your binoculars and camera on hand as you cruise Glacier Bay to the mile-wide Margerie Glacier, where you may have a chance to witness the thrilling spectacle of ice calving. Wildlife abounds in Glacier Bay, so keep a watchful eye to catch the fluke of a humpback rise breaking the surface or a lone grizzly bear wandering a wind-swept beach. (B,L,D)



Day 9:
SKAGWAY Skagway is historically considered the gateway to the Gold Rush of 1898 when thousands of men with dreams of striking it rich poured into the city and withstood treacherous winter conditions en route to the Yukon Territory. Explore gold rush lore at the Trail of '98 Museum or at the Red Onion Saloon, with its treasure trove of memorabilia featuring pictures of Klondike Kate, Peahull Annie, and other historic characters. Or simply walk on the boardwalks along the dirt streets and enjoy perusing the shops. (B,L,D)



Day 10:
JUNEAU Located at the foot of grand mountain peaks on Gastineau Channel, Alaska 's capital city of Juneau has massive Mendenhall Glacier and the Juneau Icefield at its back door. Visit the rustic shops in town or take advantage of optional outdoor excursions to kayak, raft, hike, whale watch, flightsee, or fish. With long daylight hours, opportunity for adventure is endless. (B,L,D)



Day 11:
KETCHIKAN Named Alaska 's “First City,” Ketchikan is so named as the first major landfall for most cruisers entering the picturesque fjords of the Inside Passage. Here, the town clings to the banks of the Tongass Narrows, flanked by green forests nurtured by abundant rain. An important hub of the salmon-fishing-and-packing industries, Ketchikan offers the opportunity to try your luck on a sport-fishing excursion, savor fresh seafood at a local restaurant, or explore the rich cultural sights of Native Alaskan nations like the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian. (B,L,D)



Day 12:
SCENIC CRUISING: INSIDE PASSAGE One of the greatest cruising routes in the world, the Inside Passage stretches through stunning landscapes, from Misty Fjords National Monument to famed Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Sailing the Inside Passage offers opportunities to spot some of Alaska 's most iconic wildlife, with humpback whales and orcas plying the bountiful waters alongside the ships, bald eagles soaring overhead and brown bears lumbering on the shoreline. (B,L,D)



Day 13:
VANCOUVER (DISEMBARKATION) Your vacation ends this morning. Please schedule homebound flights after noon. (B)