Grand Alaskan Cruise & Tour

Grand Alaskan Cruise & Tour - Northbound

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

Vancouver & Embarkation (Departs at 4:30 PM)

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

Day 3

Cruise Inside Passage

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 delightful coastal villages.

Day 4

Ketchikan (7:00 AM - 3:00 PM)

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 leisurely stroll along Creek Street, the former “Red Light” district that is now lined with colorful shops and family-friendly restaurants.

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.

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.

Day 7

Cruise Glacier Bay National Park

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!

Day 8

Cruise Hubbard Glacier

Cruise through the Gulf of Alaska and enjoy a relaxing day at sea. Today the ms Noordam sails through Hubbard Glacier, on of the longest tidewater glaciers in North America, a spectacular site.

Day 9

Disembark in Whittier (Arrives at 7:00 AM) & Anchorage

Disembark in Whittier and begin your guided land tour. The next three days are full of memorable guided activities, starting at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in Portage. You can see wolves, bears, moose, lynx, bald eagles, and prickly porcupines, the world’s third largest rodent. Spend the evening enjoying Anchorage at your leisure.

Crowne Plaza Anchorage - Midtown or similar

Day 10

Denali via Talkeetna

Visit the Iditarod Sled Dog Headquarters to learn about the world's most famous dog sled race, and maybe even meet some puppies! Guests who choose an optional Alaska Railroad Upgrade will board the train in Talkeetna, then rejoin the rest of the group in Denali. Spend the evening at leisure, or join an optional tour.

Denali Park Village or similar

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 $155 p/p. Alaska Railroad upgrade must be prebooked. Please add this option at time of booking. *Train may travel on Day 11.

Day 11

Denali National Park

Spend the morning on a professionally guided tour of the 6-million acre Denali National Park. Along with Denali's awe-inspiring mountain views, it’s not rare to see some combination of Alaska’s Big Five: grizzly bears, caribou, moose, Dall Sheep, and wolves. Depart the park for Anchorage after free time to enjoy the sights.

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. Guests choosing to book their own flights will need to book flights departing after 5pm.

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.

Grand Alaskan Cruise & Tour - Southbound

Tours Starts: Anchorage, Alaska

Tours Ends: Seattle, Washington

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 and travel north toward Talkeetna. En route we visit the Iditarod Sled Dog Headquarters near Wasilla to learn about the “Last Great Race.”
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

OPTION: ALASKA RAILROAD DOME RAIL UPGRADE:

Upgrade to a scenic 4–hour train ride along the famous Alaska Railroad from Talkeetna to Denali Park. Enjoy 360° views in upper-lev-el seats on Deluxe Dome Railcars for $189 p/p. Alaska Railroad upgrade must be prebooked. Please add this option at time of booking. *Train may travel on Day 3.

Day 3

Denali National Park to Anchorage

This morning embark on a Denali National Park Tour. Travel 30 miles into Denali National 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 we depart Denali for Anchorage.

Crowne Plaza Anchorage-Midtown or similar

Day 4

Whittier and Embarkation

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

Day 5

Scenic Hubbard Glacier

Cruise through the Gulf of Alaska and enjoy a relaxing day at sea. Today the ms Noordam sails through Hubbard Glacier, on of the longest tidewater glaciers in North America, a spectacular site.

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

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 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 (Arrives at 7:00 AM)

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

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. (B)

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.

Grand Alaskan Cruise & Tour - Northbound

Tours Starts: Vancouver, Washington

Tours Ends: Fairbanks, Alaska

Day 1

Arrive in Vancouver & Embarkation (Departs at 4:30 PM)

Today your adventure begins upon arrival in Vancouver. If you purchased your airline tickets from YMT, you will be welcomed by a representative. Embark on Holland America’s ms Noordam in the afternoon.

Day 2

Cruise the Inside Passage

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.

Day 3

Ketchikan (7:00 AM - 3:00 PM)

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.

Day 4

Juneau (10:00 AM - 10:00 PM)

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.

Day 5

Skagway (7:00 AM - 9:00 PM)

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 like no other Alaskan city.

Day 6

Scenic Cruising Glacier Bay National Park

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.

Day 7

College Fjord Scenic Cruising

Cruise through the Gulf of Alaska and enjoy a relaxing day at sea. Today the ms Noordam sails through Prince William Sound to College Fjord, which contains five tidewater and large valley glaciers, a spectacular site. 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 8

Disembark in Whittier (Arrives at 7:00 AM) & Anchorage City Tour

Disembark in Whittier and begin your land tour. Stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in Portage. You can see wolves, bears, moose, lynx, bald eagles, and prickly porcupines, the world’s third largest rodent. Take a deluxe motor coach tour of Alaska’s largest city, home to nearly half of Alaska’s population. See highlights of the city and learn about life in Anchorage from its turbulent past up to the present.

Day 9

Anchorage to Denali via Talkeetna

After a final morning in Anchorage, 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.
Guests who choose an optional Alaska Railroad Upgrade will board the train in Talkeetna, then rejoin the rest of the group in Denali. Enjoy an evening of free time in Denali.

Crowne Plaza Anchorage - Midtown or similar

Day 10

Denali Natural History Tour

Get 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 awe-inspiring mountain views, it’s not rare to see some combination of Alaska’s Big Five. Look for grizzly bears, caribou, moose, Dall Sheep, and wolves, along with other animals such as wolverines and countless songbirds.

Denali Park Village or similar

Day 11

Denali to Fairbanks

Take a scenic drive down the George Parks Highway towards Fairbanks.

Enjoy 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.

Springhill Suites or similar

Day 12

Depart for Home

Note:Arrival flights from Vancouver from some cities are overnight and arrive the following day. Most flights out of Fairbanks require at least two connections.

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.

Grand Alaskan Cruise & Tour - Southbound

Tours Starts: Fairbanks, Alaska

Tours Ends: Vancouver, BC

Day 1

Arrive Fairbanks

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

Day 2

Fairbanks

Today 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 6 million acres, Denali is one of the world's great frontiers for wilderness adventure.

Denali Park Village or similar

Day 3

Denali Natural History Tour

Get 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 aweinspiring mountain views, it’s not rare to see some combination of Alaska’s Big Five. Look for grizzly bears, caribou, moose, Dall Sheep, and wolves, along with other animals such as wolverines and countless songbirds.

Denali Park Village or similar

Day 4

Denali to Anchorage via Talkeetna

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.
Guests who choose an optional Alaska Railroad Upgrade will board the train in Denali, then rejoin the rest of the group in Talkeetna. Enjoy an evening of free time in Anchorage.

Crown Plaza Anchorage Midtown or similar

Day 5

Anchorage to Whittier for Embarkation (Departs at 8:00 AM)

En route from Anchorage, visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. This sanctuary in Portage is home to wolves, bears, moose, lynx, bald eagles and more— including porcupines, the world’s third largest rodent.
Continue to Whittier, the gateway to Prince William Sound. Whittier is nestled between breathtaking mountains, emerald forests, and the sparkling blue sea. Embark on Holland America’s ms Noordam in the afternoon. Get settled into your stateroom and explore the ship’s many available amenities and activities.

Day 6

Hubbard Glacier

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 9 of America’s 16 tallest mountains.

Day 7

Scenic Cruising Glacier Bay National Park

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.

Day 8

Skagway (7:00 AM - 9:00 PM)

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 like no other Alaskan city.

Day 9

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

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.

Day 10

Ketchikan (11:00 AM - 7:00 PM)

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.

Day 11

Cruise the Inside Passage

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.

Day 12

Disembark in Vancouver and Depart for Home

Note: Most flights into Fairbanks require at least two connections. Departure flights from Vancouver to some cities are overnight and arrive the following day.

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.