Grand Alaskan Cruise & Tour

Grand Alaskan Cruise & Tour - Northbound Direction

Tours Starts: Seattle, Washington

Tours Ends: Anchorage, Alaska

Day 1

Arrive in Seattle

Today your Alaskan Cruise Tour adventure begins in Seattle. If you booked your flight with YMT, a representative will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.

Crowne Plaza Seattle Airport or similar

Day 2

Seattle to Vancouver and Embarkation (4:30 PM)

We drive north and across the Canadian border to Vancouver, Canada’s third largest metropolitan area. After a brief city tour and lunch on your own, you will board the ms Westerdam, your floating hotel for the next week, with time to settle into your stateroom before dinner.

Day 3

Scenic Inside Passage Cruising

Cruise along the Alaska Inside Passage and the west coast of Vancouver Island. The famous Inside Passage is one of the most scenic sea lanes in the world. The scenery is breathtaking with forests in a hundred shades of green, turquoise glaciers, and evocative towns.

Day 4

Ketchikan (7:00 AM–3:00 PM)

This distinctive and eye-catching city is built on stilts over the water, with a boardwalk and weathered stairways that cling to the granite cliffs. Stroll Creek Street, the former “Red Light” district with its gold shops, gift boutiques, and restaurants, or visit the Totem Pole Park at Saxman Native Village.

Day 5

Juneau (10:00 AM–10:00 PM)

Today’s port of call is Alaska’s state capital city, nicknamed “Little San Francisco” because of its narrow streets and multicolored houses that hug the hillside. Sitting at the foot of snowcapped Mt. Juneau and next to the massive Mendenhall Glacier and Juneau Icefields, this remote yet developed city offers a variety of activities like the Mt. Roberts Tramway, ascending 1800 feet for incredible panoramic views.

Day 6

Skagway (7:00 AM–9:00 PM)

Where the Gold Rush began, Skagway was the turbulent staging point for prospectors hell-bent on getting to the Klondike gold fields; even in modern day, Skagway’s well-preserved history and culture brings to life the 1898 gold rush atmosphere like no other Alaskan port of call. Go ashore to stroll the weathered boardwalks, drop in at old-time saloons or shop for gold nuggets.

Day 7

Scenic Cruising Glacier Bay National Park

The overwhelming grandeur of glaciers, exotic wildlife, and pristine environment combine to offer a breathtaking view of raw nature. Spend the entire day cruising a 60-mile passage, passing glaciers galore, abundant wildlife and scenic beauty unique in all the world. Experience the spectacle of glacier calving, where great chunks of ice are continually falling into the bay with a deafening roar, which enhances the fascinating scene.

Day 8

At Sea

Cruise through the Gulf of Alaska and enjoy a relaxing day at sea as the ms Westerdam sails from the Alaska Panhandle to South Central Alaska and Seward. Take full advantage of your last night aboard the ship; the daily newsletter outlines a variety of shipboard activities and the experienced crew will be happy to help with suggestions.

Day 9

Seward to Anchorage (Arrive 7:00 AM)

We disembark this morning in Seward where the land portion of your Alaskan cruise tour begins. Meet your Tour Director for a brief tour of this popular fishing village surrounded by the unrivaled beauty of the Kenai Fjords National Park. Then, travel north on your comfortable motor coach to Anchorage. Visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center en route to see Alaska’s wildlife up close.

Crowne Plaza Anchorage - Midtown or similar

Day 10

Denali via Talkeetna and Wasilla

We leave Anchorage in the morning, traveling north toward Talkeetna. We'll visit the Iditarod Sled Dog Headquarters near Wasilla where you can learn about the “Last Great Race.”

"OPTION: ALASKA RAILROAD UPGRADE:

Upgrade to a scenic 4-hour train ride along the famous Alaska Railroad from Talkeetna to Denali Park. Enjoy 360° views in upper-level seats on Deluxe Dome Railcars for $189 p/p. Alaska Railroad upgrade must be prebooked. Please add this option at time of booking.

Rail and coach travelers meet up in Denali and transfer to the hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure or participate in an optional tour.

Denali Grizzly Bear Resort or similar

Day 11

Denali National Park to Anchorage

This morning embark on a Denali National Park Tour. Travel 30 miles into the park aboard a park bus to explore one of the world’s largest frontiers for wilderness adventure. Your dedicated naturalist will provide a great introduction to the conservation efforts and history of the park. In the afternoon depart for Anchorage

Crowne Plaza Anchorage - Midtown or similar

Day 12

Depart Anchorage for Home

Note: Most flights from Anchorage are non-direct with at least one or two connections. Departure flights from Anchorage to most cities are overnight and arrive the following day; some flights depart Anchorage after midnight.

Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. 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.

Grand Alaskan Cruise & Tour - Southbound Direction

Tours Starts: Anchorage

Tours Ends: Seattle

Day 1

Arrive in Anchorage

Today your Alaskan adventure begins upon arrival in Anchorage. If you booked your flight with YMT you will meet a YMT representative at the airport for transfer to your hotel.

Crowne Plaza Anchorage-Midtown or similar

Note: Most flights to Anchorage are non-direct with at least one or two connections.

Day 2

Denali via Talkeetna and Wasilla

We leave Anchorage in the morning, traveling north toward Talkeetna. We'll visit the Iditarod Sled Dog Headquarters near Wasilla where you can learn about the “Last Great Race.”

OPTION: ALASKA RAILROAD UPGRADE:

Upgrade to a scenic 4-hour train ride along the famous Alaska Railroad from Talkeetna to Denali Park. Enjoy 360° views in upper-level seats on Deluxe Dome Railcars for $189 p/p. Alaska Railroad upgrade must be prebooked.

Rail and coach travelers meet up in Denali and transfer to the hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure or participate in an optional tour.

Denali Grizzly Bear Resort or similar

Day 3

Denali National Park to Anchorage

This morning embark on a Denali National Park Tour. Travel 30 miles into Denali National Park aboard an exclusive park bus to explore one of the world’s largest frontiers for wilderness adventure. Your dedicated naturalist will provide a great introduction to the conservation efforts and history of the park. In the afternoon we depart Denali for Anchorage.

Crowne Plaza Anchorage-Midtown or similar

Day 4

Seward and Embarkation

Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Anchorage. This afternoon we travel south along the scenic Seward Highway. En route we visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to see Alaska’s wildlife up close. The land portion of your Alaska cruise-tour ends in the port community of Seward with a brief city tour. Board your cruise ship ms Westerdam with time to settle into your stateroom before dinner.

Day 5

At Sea

Enjoy a relaxing day at sea to reflect on all the exciting things you have seen during your Alaska land tour as you sail across the Gulf of Alaska. The daily newsletter outlines various shipboard activities and the ship’s experienced crew is at your disposal to help with suggestions.

Day 6

Scenic Cruising Glacier Bay National Park

The overwhelming grandeur of glaciers, exotic wildlife, and pristine environment combine to offer a breathtaking view of raw nature. One of Alaska’s noblest and most impressive natural beauties awaits you today. Witness large chunks of glacier ice “calve” (break off) and fall into the bay with a deafening roar as you spend the entire day cruising a 60-mile passage.

Day 7

Haines (6:30 AM-9:00 PM)

Nestled on the shores of America’s longest fjord, Haines sits in a spectacular setting and is home to an incredible array of more than 100 indigenous Alaskan animals, most notably the American Bald Eagle. Site of Fort William Seward, the first permanent US Army post in Alaska, Haines played an important role in US expansion north. You have the day to explore the town, with its native art galleries, local shops, and the historic Sheldon Museum and Cultural Center.

Day 8

Juneau (8:00 AM-6:00 PM)

Nicknamed “Little San Francisco” because of its narrow streets and multicolored houses that hug the hillside, Juneau is Alaska’s state capital. Inaccessible by roads from the rest of North America, visitors and goods are brought to Juneau by either sea or air. A Mendenhall Glacier tour and the Mt. Roberts Tramway are amongst the most popular activities here.

Day 9

Ketchikan (11:00 AM–7:00 PM)

This distinctive and eye-catching city is built on stilts over the water, with a boardwalk and weathered stairways that cling to the granite cliffs. Stroll Creek Street, the former “Red Light” district with its gold shops, gift boutiques, and restaurants or visit the Totem Pole Park at Saxman Native Village.

Day 10

Scenic Inside Passage Cruising

Cruise along the Alaska Inside Passage and the west coast of Vancouver Island. The famous Inside Passage is one of the most scenic sea lanes in the world. The scenery is breathtaking with forests in a hundred shades of green, turquoise glaciers, and evocative towns.

Day 11

Disembarkation in Vancouver and Seattle

After disembarking, your driver-guide will take you on a brief city tour before you’ll continue south across the U.S. border to Seattle.

Crowne Plaza Seattle Airport or similar

Day 12

Depart for Home

Bid farewell to Seattle, taking home a suitcase full of memories and stories to share from your Alaska vacation. Transfers to Seattle Tacoma airport are included for guests who have booked their air with YMT.

---

Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. 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 tours 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.