If you arrive in Seattle early enough in the day, try to visit the Space Needle. Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, it offers a breathtaking 360-degree view of Seattle, Elliot Bay and Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges, including Mt. Rainier. IMPORTANT NOTICE: YOU MUST BOARD THE SHIP AT LEAST 2-3 HOURS BEFORE EMBARKATION.

At Sea

Ketchikan sits at the southern end of Alaska’s Inside Passage— a gateway to the wild landscapes and seascapes of Misty Fjords National Monument. The canned salmon capital of the world, it’s a hub for fishing and outdoor sports. It’s also home to three tribes of Northwest Coast Native Americans, making it a great place to get a taste for the local culture. You’ll see it in the colorful, hand-carved totems that line the city’s streets and parks, and in the unique stilted homes that cling to Deer Mountain’s slopes. If you want to get up close and personal with nature, venture into the Tongass National Forest, the largest in the United States. Or head to Ketchikan Creek Waterfall for amazing views of downtown Ketchikan and a glimpse at the yearly salmon runs.

Sitka truly offers the best of Alaska. Its small-town appeal stems from a unique blend of Russian, Tlingit and American history. Its snow-capped peaks and volcanic Mount Edgecumbe pose among the state’s most postcard-worthy scenes. And its rare wildlife astounds, from Saint Lazaria Island’s orange-beaked puffins to Alaska Maritime Refuge’s 40 million seabirds. This is off-the-path Alaska, where you can kayak Sitka Sound alongside swimming sea otters or fly-fish for the world’s biggest halibut. Whether it’s hiking Baranof Island trails or listening to tribal stories passed down for generations, in Sitka the midnight sun never sets on adventure.

Marked by majestic waterfalls, plunging valleys and rugged mountains, Endicott Arm offers a perfect snapshot of Alaska’s wild beauty. This long, narrow fjord in the Tongass National Forest culminates at the monumental Dawes Glacier, an active tidewater glacier towering hundreds of feet high and half a mile across. It’s a spot that hardly ever sees cruise ships, making it the ultimate off-the-beaten-path adventure. You cannot get to Juneau easily without a sprint by air or by sea. But once you arrive, you will find majestic views and rich culture in every corner. With its snowcapped mountains, misty rainforests, massive glaciers and bounty of wildlife, Alaska’s remote state capital is the perfect place to dive into nature. Framed by Mount Juneau and Mount Roberts, the city’s picturesque downtown area offers centuries-old bars, boutique shops and historic landmarks. For a taste of the local culture, visit the historic district and the Alaska State Museum. And for outdoor thrills, you can take your pick of activities ranging from whale watching in Auke Bay Harbor to tundra trekking over Mendenhall Glacier, and even try your hand at gold panning in Last Chance Basin.

At Sea

Victoria delivers a delightful blend of British pomp and outdoor adventure. Here you can admire Victorian architecture at Craigdarroch Castle and eat your way around Canada’s oldest Chinatown. Explore “Garden City” floral displays or go biking in the “Cycling Capital of Canada”. From orcas whistling in the harbor to glow-in-the-dark scorpions at the Bug Zoo, Victoria has every adventure covered.

Return home with memories of God’s beauty in Alaska!