7-Day Alaska from Whittier to Vancouver: Hubbard Glacier, Skagway & Juneau

Gallery

Itinerary

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   Whittier, Alaska

   Although situated only approximately 60 miles from Anchorage, Whittier feels a world away. This small, secluded town — only accessible by land via the two-mile long Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel — is nestled between soaring mountain peaks and the Passage Canal. Having been originally founded as a military facility during World War II, today, Whittier is your gateway to the famous Prince William Sound. The spectacular rugged coastlines and waterways are home to abundant wildlife, including bears, mountain goats, Dall sheep, whales, sea lions, otters and much more. Unleash your inner explorer on one of the many outdoor activities or enjoy a scenic boat tour along a portion of the sound.
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   Hubbard Glacier, Alaska

   The Hubbard Glacier is the largest tidewater glacier in North America. Its awe-inspiring, turquoise-colored face towers nearly 400 feet tall — 250 feet of which are underwater — while its icebergs are often three or four stories high. At nearly six miles wide where the ice meets the ocean and 76 miles long, viewing this massive glacial mass is an experience not soon forgotten. As you cruise near the glacier, keep an eye out for the region’s rich variety of wildlife, from bald eagles to harbor seals, orcas and humpback whales.
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   Icy Strait Point, Alaska

   Venture “where the north wind doesn’t blow.” Known for this famous saying, Icy Strait Point is the ideal landing spot for adventurers seeking a new experience. Breathtaking and exciting, Icy Strait Point truly takes you where the wild things are. It’s one of the few places in the world where wildlife outnumbers the human population. A trip here certainly satisfies your taste for adventure. Take a cruise from Icy Strait Point and enjoy Alaska's awe-inspiring scenery and the many excursion options that Norwegian Cruise Line has to offer.
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   Juneau, Alaska

   This is why visitors come to Alaska—to see glaciers as magnificent as Dawes—and getting there is half the excitement. From Stephens Passage, your ship will turn into the glacially carved fjord of Endicott Arm, the southern sister fjord to Tracy. However, Endicott is special. It’s the fjord less travelled, and at its head, Dawes Glacier. But first, the 31-mile fjord. Sheer granite walls. Plunging waterfalls. Spruce and hemlock trees clinging to the steep sides. It is the definition of pristine. Look for “bergy bits,” floating chunks of glacial ice, some looking more like sculptures, some with resting seals on top. Keep an eye open for bears, mountain goats and whales, too. As we approach the glacier, listen for thunderous cracks and have your camera ready. Dawes is an active tidewater glacier that recedes daily causing calving, where huge hunks of ice plunge into the sea. At 600 feet tall and a half-mile wide, this blue-hued, powerful glacier may be the highlight of your Alaska cruise.
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   Skagway, Alaska

   In a single year from 1896 to 1897, this remote town along the Inside Passage grew from a few tents to a city of 20,000 gold seekers. Today, travelers come in search of other riches – to experience yesteryear along Skagway's charming boardwalk lined with buildings that replicate those Gold Rush days.
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   Ketchikan (Ward Cove), Alaska

   Thanks to its abundant rainfall, Ketchikan is surrounded by some of the world's most lush wilderness. Its Tlingit Indian name, Kach Khanna, means “spread wings of the eagle.” Chances are you'll see one of these magnificent birds perched atop a Sitka tree during your Alaska cruise to Ketchikan (Ward Cove).
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   Cruise Inside Passage

   Get ready for amazing views and wildlife like nowhere else as you sail through the islands of Alaska's Inside Passage.
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   Vancouver, British Columbia

   Positioned between the snow-dusted North Shore Mountains and the rich, blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver blends big-city sophistication with small-town charm. Don't miss Queen Elizabeth Park – a 130-acre civic arboretum accented with sculptures by modern artist Henry Moore.