- Marvel at Alaska’s natural beauty on a two-night stay in Denali National Park
- 7 nights cruise aboard Holland America Cruise Line’s ms Westerdam (2026 departure) and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Jade (2027 departure)
- Visit Alaska’s most famous locals at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
- Cruise past the glaciers of Glacier Bay and Wrangell St. Elias National Park
- Travel through the legendary Inside Passage
- Learn gold rush lore and legends in Skagway

Grand Alaskan Cruise & Tour
Highlights
Rugged, remote, and utterly beautiful, the wilds of Alaska come alive on this guided tour of the Frontier State. Experience the best that Alaska has to offer, from the wilderness of Denali National Park to the drama of calving glaciers along the Inside Passage.
On this cruise tour, take in the pristine beauty of Glacier Bay National Park, and the majesty of Hubbard Glacier. Spend days in quintessential Alaskan towns like the classic gold rush towns of Skagway and Fairbanks, the state capital of Juneau, and stilt-bound Ketchikan. Explore Denali, one of the world’s greatest wilderness frontiers. Your dedicated naturalist guide will tell you about its landscape, geology, and past. Be on the lookout for Alaska’s Big Five: grizzly bears, caribou, moose, Dall Sheep, and wolves.
Experience nature at its most primal as you sail in the comfort of your cruise liner. This is one experience you’ll cherish for a long time!
What Guests are Saying
Sep 2025
Aug 2025
Jun 2024
Jun 2024
May 2024
Activity level
- Easy Going
- Moderate
- Active
- Very Active
Easy Going
Tour Includes
2 Countries
- USA
- Canada
Locations Visited
- Vancouver
- Inside Passage
- Ketchikan
- Juneau
- Skagway
- Glacier Bay
- Hubbard Glacier
- Whittier
- Anchorage
- Talkeetna
- Denali
- Fairbanks
Cruise Accommodations
- 7 nights
- Cruise aboard Holland America Cruise Line’s ms Westerdam (2026 departure) and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Jade (2027 departure)
Hotel Accommodations
- 4 nights
- Moderate hotels based on twin/double occupancy
Meals
- 4 breakfasts on land portion. All meals and select drinks on the cruise.
Service
- A professionally trained tour director who is knowledgeable about the area will provide you with a wealth of information. Their friendly service will make your trip a memorable experience.
Baggage Handling
- To and from your hotel room and cruise ship cabin throughout your tour for one piece of checked baggage per person.
Today your adventure begins upon arrival in Fairbanks, the largest city in the interior of Alaska. If you purchased your airline tickets from YMT, you will be welcomed by a representative and transferred to your hotel.
Springhill Suites Fairbanks or similar
Today, your adventure begins with a guided tour of Fairbanks. Learn the secrets of the “Golden Heart City,” built as a gold rush boomtown in 1902 after the precious metal was discovered on the banks of the Chena River. See the highlights of the city, and view the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.
Then, take a scenic drive down the George Parks Highway to Denali National Park. At six million acres, Denali is one of the world’s great frontiers for wilderness adventure.
Meals: Breakfast
Denali Park Village or similar
Take a deeper look at this amazing park on a Denali Natural History Tour. With a focus on the rich cultural history of Denali National Park, this memorable tour provides insight into the diverse native and early pioneer influences in and around the park. Your dedicated naturalist will provide a great introduction to Denali’s landscape, geology, and past. Visit Savage Cabin, the original ranger’s cabin that is still used by the Park Service today.
This afternoon you will have free time to spend in the park at your leisure. Along with mountain views, it’s not rare to see some combination of Alaska’s Big Five. Look for grizzly bears, caribou and moose, as well as dall sheep, wolves, and many other animals.
Meals: Breakfast
Denali Park Village or similar
Add-On: Cabin Nite Dinner Theatre
After a final morning in Denali, stop for lunch on your own in the community of Talkeetna. There’s plenty to see and do here. Along with excellent dining, great shopping, and a charming museum, the Talkeetna Historic District is on the register of National Historic Places. Some of its buildings are from the early 1900s, including Nagley’s General Store and the Talkeetna Roadhouse.
If you select our optional Alaska Railroad Upgrade, you’ll board the train in Denali and rejoin the group in Talkeetna. Enjoy a free evening in Anchorage at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Note: Guests who book the Alaska train will have less time in Talkeetna to explore.
Fairfield Inn Anchorage Midtown or similar
Add-On: Alaska Rail Dome Car – Denali to Talkeetna
En route from Anchorage, visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (Tourism Cares Meaningful Travel location). This sanctuary in Portage is home to wolves, bears, moose, lynx, bald eagles and more.
Continue to Whittier, the gateway to Prince William Sound. Whittier is nestled between breathtaking mountains, emerald forests, and the sparkling blue sea. Embark on your cruise this afternoon. Get settled into your stateroom and explore the ship’s many available amenities and activities.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Add-On: Have It All
Cruise along the Hubbard Glacier in Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve. America’s largest national park, it covers more land than Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Switzerland combined. This rugged, isolated 13-million-acre wilderness is home to dazzling blue glaciers, spruce forests, and nine of America’s 16 tallest mountains.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Covering 3.3 million rugged acres, Glacier Bay National Park is one of the most scenic sections of Alaska’s massive 25-million-acre protected World Heritage Site. Spend the day cruising through a 60-mile passage rich with glaciers, exotic wildlife, and pristine nature. Your route is the frequent site of glacier calving, where great chunks of ice fall into the bay with a deafening crash. You’ll never forget the sight or sound.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Note: Those departing on September 2, 2026, will sail Endicott Arm instead of Glacier Bay.
Skagway, where the Gold Rush began, was the turbulent staging point for prospectors determined to find riches in the Klondike gold fields. Even today, Skagway’s well-preserved history and atmosphere can transport you back to the 1898 Gold Rush.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Nestled at the feet of snowcapped Mt. Juneau and Mt. Roberts, Alaska’s state capital is nicknamed “Little San Francisco” because of its narrow streets and multicolored houses built into the hillsides.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This distinctive frontier town is famous for its bawdy history and wooden boardwalk, which has remained perched on stilts above Ketchikan Creek for over a century. Take a stroll along Creek Street, the former “Red Light” district.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cruise along Vancouver Island and Alaska’s spectacular Inside Passage. The Inside Passage is one of the most scenic sea lanes in the world. Look for marine animals while you pass turquoise glaciers, forests in a hundred shades of green, and coastal villages.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Meals: Breakfast
Note: Most flights into Fairbanks require at least two connections. Departure flights from Vancouver to some cities are overnight and arrive the following day. Guests booking their own need to depart no earlier than 12:30 PM out of Vancouver.
Add-on: Vancouver Highlights Tour & Airport Transfer
Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. Hotels may differ depending on date. Because our tour arrangements are often made a year or more in advance, YMT Vacations reserves the right to alter the itinerary. Itinerary changes are made to improve your vacation experience, as well as respond to any unforeseen circumstances that mandate alterations. By their nature, all tour vacations involve a certain level of physical activity. While YMT tours have been designed with our guests in mind and are not physically demanding, this tour does include walking and periods of standing during the sightseeing visits. You will also encounter steps and some uneven ground along the way, particularly at older, historical sights. Please ask your Travel Consultant for more information.
YMT Vacations itineraries may contain suggestions for activities for your leisure time; these suggestions do not constitute a recommendation nor an endorsement of any specific service provider and the decision to participate in any such activities should be made independently.
All tour prices include taxes and fees.
FREE ONBOARD CREDIT
Inside Cabin
The Inside Cabin rooms at ms Westerdam come with two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed. The room also includes the liner’s signature Mariner’s Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, premium massage shower heads and a host of amenities.
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Ocean View
These expansive rooms include two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed. The room also includes the liner’s signature Mariner’s Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, premium massage shower heads and a host of amenities, plus a view of the ocean.
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Verandah
Filled with light from floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a private verandah, these rooms include a sitting area with two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed. Other amenities include the liner’s signature Mariner’s Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, and bath tub with premium massage shower heads.
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Holland America Line's ms Westerdam Deck Plans
Inside Cabin
Cabin Category: IA
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Balcony Cabin
Cabin Category: BA
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Ocean View Cabin
With clear ocean views, these rooms come with two single beds that convert to a queen-size bed, and can accommodate two persons. Some of these rooms come with a picture window and additional bedding. Total Approx. Size: Starts at around 150 sq. ft.. Actual accommodations may vary.
Cabin Category: OA
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Norwegian Cruise Line's Jade Deck Plans
Reviews
This was about my 4th trip with YMT
Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and showed us a lot of Alaska
My first cruise loved it.
Always went extra to be sure we saw everything.
Very friendly and concerned for our enjoyment
FAQs
Yes, pre and post tour accommodations are available. Please speak to your YMT sales consultant for more details.
Yes, triples are permitted (depending on availability) in 2 beds.
Most flights into Fairbanks are non-direct with at least one or two connections. Departure flights from Vancouver to most cities are overnight and arrive the following day. Guests booking their own flights need to depart no earlier than 12:30 PM out of Vancouver.
No, none are required.
Yes. Holland America Cruise Line has an obligation to collect certain cruise guest information before embarkation. This is a Department of Homeland Security requirement and should only take a few minutes.
To check in online please:
1. Access the Holland America website at www.hollandamerica.com
2. Click “Register”
3. Select “Yes” to Do you have a cruise booked with Holland America?
4. Enter Holland America Booking Number
5. Enter Sailing Date
6. Enter First Name & Last Name
7. Continue
8. Follow the instructions to continue with registration.
If you require further assistance, please call the Holland America support desk at 1-800-426-0327.
For most ocean cruises, consider three different types of clothing: casual attire for days aboard, layered outfits for time in port, and smart or formal eveningwear. Contact your respective cruise line for their dress code and guidelines for evening attire. Typically, a larger amount of nights is reserved for more casual clothing while some evenings are set aside for formalwear. Some recommendations for daywear include slacks or pants, blouses or shirts, knit tops or polo shirts. Bring a pair of sneakers or rubber-soled shoes for deck sports and a swimsuit cover-up for cool areas on the ship. As port wear for women consider a casual dress, skirt and blouse, or pants outfit; for men, casual pants or walking shorts, and polo-type shirts. Comfortable walking shoes are a must. Also, remember to bring extra bathing suits, as well as sun block, sun visors and other types of sun protection. Formal attire can include cocktail dress, gown, or dressy pantsuit for women and a tuxedo, suit, or dinner jacket with slacks for men. Note that T-shirts, swimsuits, robes, bare feet, tank tops, baseball caps and pool wear are often not allowed in certain areas of the ship, for example restaurants.
On Tour
For more information, check out our How To Pack for Your Alaskan Vacation article.
Experience the joy of diverse dining options on your tour! For meals not included in the itinerary, you’ll have the chance to explore a variety of eateries, from charming mini-mall restaurants to convenient grocery stores, catering to all dietary preferences. While some hotels outside city centers may not have on-site dining, this opens up opportunities for delightful evening strolls, quick rides, or the convenience of ordering in. Enjoy the flexibility and adventure of discovering new places to dine.
The YMT luggage allowance is one suitcase and one small bag per person, in addition to a small handbag or personal item. Due to capacity limits on vehicles, the standard maximum weight per suitcase is 50 pounds. The maximum size for a suitcase is 62 linear inches (sum of length, width, and depth). For example, suitcase cannot be larger than 30 inches by 20 inches by 12 inches. Luggage that is larger or heavier may attract extra fees, might not fit on the motor coach and may need to be shipped home.
The small bag cannot be larger than 12 inches by 11 inches by 6 inches and must fit in the overhead compartment or under the seat in front of you. To comply with safety regulations for motor coaches, mid-size buses, and vans, wheeled carry-on bags are not accepted as your small bag. View our helpful packing guide here!
Add-Ons
Make your vacation extra special by adding optional excursions to your tour. It’s a great opportunity to enhance your trip, these experiences slot seamlessly into your package, and we’ll take care of all the logistics for you. Remember that adding an optional experience might increase the overall activity level of the tour, so always keep that in mind when planning your trip.
Experience panoramic views of the Alaskan wilderness from the comfort of your deluxe dome seat aboard the famous Alaska Railroad. This train offers passage year round for travelers between Denali and Talkeetna. With a curved glass dome atop the car, you’ll get a spectacular 360 degree view of the landscape. Listen to insightful commentary from the tour guides onboard as you take in the scenery around you. This is sure to be an immersive experience!
Inclusions
- Ticket to the famous Alaska Railroad
- Deluxe dome seating aboard the Alaska Railroad
Note: Guests who book the Alaska Train will have less time in Talkeetna to explore.
Activity Level: Easy
Duration: Approx. 4 Hours
Price: $209 USD
Step into the heart of Alaska’s history at a lively, authentic roadhouse hosted by local legend Fannie Quigley and her husband, Joe. Together, they’ll treat you to an unforgettable evening filled with delicious food, lively entertainment, and captivating stories.
As you settle in, enjoy the company of colorful characters from early 1900s Alaska who bring the past to life through spirited service, live music, and performances of timeless Robert W. Service poetry. Indulge in a hearty, all-you-can-eat, family-style feast featuring fresh, wild-caught Alaskan salmon, slow-roasted BBQ pork ribs, garlic mashed potatoes, wilderness baked beans, summer corn, buttermilk biscuits, and Fannie’s famous mixed berry cobbler.
At this one-of-a-kind dinner theater experience, savor the food and immerse yourself in the rugged, untamed spirit of Alaska. It’s more than just a meal—it’s a celebration of history, hospitality, and the soul of the Last Frontier.
Inclusions
- Live Theater show
- All-you-can eat family style dinner
Duration: Approx. 2 Hrs (Evening)
Activity Level: Easy
Price: $119 USD
Book Holland America Line’s Have It All package and experience the best of amenities on board your cruise! The package includes shore excursion credits (starting at $100 USD), signature beverage package (up to 15 alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages per day priced up to $11 USD a day), specialty dining for 1 to 3 nights, and free wi-fi throughout your cruise. Enjoy all these amazing features on cruises that are at least 6 days long! Please note that this is in addition to the free onboard credit. Reach out to our travel consultants for more details.
Activity Level: Easy
Price: $60 USD per person per day
Enjoy a panoramic drive into the heart of downtown Vancouver, and take in its rich cosmopolitan culture. Surrounded by scenic beauty, this bustling urban area has a diverse mix of people from around the world. Explore the second largest Chinatown in North America, and cross the popular Gastown District before proceeding to Stanley Park. Filled with huge trees and a display of First Nation totems, this park is a green oasis and is perfect for relaxation. Spend time unwinding at the park and take some pictures against the backdrop of the towering mountains that envelop the city. You will be transferred to the airport at the end of the tour.
Inclusions
- Airport transfer
- Panoramic tour of Vancouver’s highlights including Chinatown, Gastown District and a stop at Stanley Park.
Note: Only available to guests whose flights are departing after 2pm. This activity is only available with 2026 tours.
Duration: Approx. 3 Hrs
Activity Level: Easy
Price: $129 USD