As a glacier ‘calves’ and thousands of tons of ice crash into the mirror-calm water, so a thunderous sound echoes in the bay. A humpback whale arcs its massive tail fluke into the air and a brown bear retreats into the verdant green forest in search of food for its young. Picturesque, historic townships hug the shoreline and Gold Rush history lingers in the air. This is the staggering beauty of Alaska and the only way to fully appreciate the natural wonders of this stunning region is by ship. Join a luxurious Holland America Line cruise and experience the holiday of a lifetime.

• Travelling - 1
  

  Fly to Vancouver. A local representative will be on hand to tell you about the city and advise you on the best local restaurants to visit this evening. They will ensure you get the best out of your brief stay. Overnight Vancouver.

• Embark Upon The Cruise Of A Lifetime - 2
  

  A short orientation tour of Vancouver this morning. Surrounded by mountains, forests and beautiful islands the city has one of the most beautiful settings in the world. Drive through Chinatown, Gastown and the remarkable 1,000 acre Stanley Park with its famous totem poles. Join your ship for the perfect combination of exploration, luxury and relaxation on a seven night cruise. As the MS Volendam makes a graceful departure from spectacular Vancouver harbour you cannot fail to be excited at the anticipation of the natural wonders that lie ahead. Overnight Vancouver.

• An Introduction To The Inside Passage - 3
  

  Stretching from Port Hardy on Vancouver Island to Prince Rupert in Northern British Columbia the Inside Passage leads through a narrow maze of channels and passes tracing the outline of North America’s most scenic coastal landscape. Snow and ice coat mountain peaks, rugged cliffs rise majestically from the placid waters and fascinating townships line the shore. Keep a watchful eye out for breaching whales, soaring eagles, shoreline grizzlies and inquisitive seals. This is a natural playground for a wealth of wildlife and you will have plenty of opportunity to enjoy many awe inspiring moments on this most memorable of cruises. Take time to explore the ship. Meet the charming crew, relax in the spa, take a dip in the pool, catch the latest movie and take your chances in the casino. You can always spend your winnings in the duty-free shops and boutiques on board.

• Watch Magnificent Humpback Whales - 4
  

  The quaint weathered town of Ketchikan clings to the mountainside. Home to three indigenous native Alaskan tribes, it is no surprise that art and local tradition flourish here. The town also boasts the largest collection of totem poles in the world. Another day of natural splendour starts with a visit to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Centre. See the ‘river of ice’ and learn about the awesome force of glaciers through interactive exhibits and presentations from the Forest Service Interpreters.

  Now experience the majestic glaciers from another vantage point. Take the spectacular drive to Auke Bay and then board a water-jet powered catamaran specifically designed for wildlife viewing. Take a seat by the large windows and relax in the warm comfortable cabin as you ply through the island-studded waters of Stephen’s Passage. This area is renowned as a favoured summer feeding ground for humpback whales. Once the captain has made a sighting the vessel will be gently manoeuvred to allow the most exceptional viewing. Have your camera ready to capture these graceful ocean giants. Make sure you have a warm jacket and spend some time on the topside observation deck. The whales are often so close you can actually hear them breathing. The on-board naturalist will give a fascinating insight into the behaviour and habitat of all the marine and birdlife that share these waters. Keep an eye out for killer whales, Steller sea lions, Dall’s porpoise, harbour seals, bald eagles and Sitka blacktail deer. After such an exciting morning in the wilderness an Alaskan salmon bake is the perfect lunch. Enjoy traditional dishes and share all the best wildlife stories of the day with travelling companions.

• Discover Bygone Days Of The Gold Rush - 5
  

  Cries of “gold in the Yukon” still echo from steep canyon walls and the sounds of bar room pianos and boomtown crowds ring out in the night. The romance and excitement of yesteryear lingers around every street corner. This is the gold town of Skagway. The two most popular routes to the Klondike began here and tens of thousands of gold seekers poured through during the famous Gold Rush of 1898. Take a stroll along the wooden sidewalks and past turn-of-the-century buildings that recall the riotous living of those bygone days.

• The Splendours Of Glacier Bay National Park - 6
  

  Witness the spectacular birth of icebergs, crashing from the face of shimmering tide-water glaciers. Marvel at this ice-age wonder as you cruise past towering mountains, some of the tallest in Alaska, and freshwater rivers. This vast Y-shaped fjord on the Southeast coast of the state is bursting with mammals of both the marine and land variety. Humpback, minke and killer whales, porpoises, seals and river otters inhabit the waters. Yukon moose, black and brown bears, wolves and black-tail deer all dwell on the shore and beyond. Sea lions frolic in the glacial tides and puffins happily drift and bob in the constant movement of the blue-green waters.

• Seek Out Brown Bears In The Their Natural Habitat - 7
  

  Cruise Tracy Arm and see the spectacular Sawyer Glacier (weather permitting). Then onto the lush terrain of Juneau, capital city of Alaska, also known for spectacular displays of vibrant wildflowers. The wilds of Southeast Alaska are the destination this afternoon. A breathtaking flight by floatplane will transport you to a natural habitat that is home to 1,500 brown bears. Step off the plane into an unforgettable adventure. An expert local guide will share their knowledge and choose the best bear viewing option available. Keep your camera ready to capture that perfect shot. This amazing experience allows a rare look into the world of one of the grand and majestic animals of the great Alaskan wilderness and the memory of a sighting will stay with you forever.

• Cruise The British Columbia Coastline - 8
  

  A wonderland of ice and rock, dense green forest, crystal clear rivers and charming towns, the scenic splendours of the British Columbia coastline continue to unroll as you cruise the Inside Passage back to Vancouver. Soak up every last moment of the spectacular scenery and take the time to enjoy all the facilities and entertainment on board.

• Explore Vancouver - 9 to 10
  

  Wake up in Vancouver this morning. After disembarkation there will be free time to enjoy the city before an evening flight for London.

• Travelling - 10
  

  Arrival in the UK on Day 10.

Accommodation

• Best Western Downtown Hotel, Vancouver (4-Star) - 1 Night
• Ms Volendam - 7 Nights

• Flights are scheduled services of
• Flights depart at 12:00 am and return at 11:25 am

Includes

Not Included