Alaska Cruises: Excursions

This tour offers the very best of Victoria, combining the city’s unique highlights with a visit to the world famous Butchart Gardens. Take in Chinatown and the Gates of Harmonious Interest, along with the Old Town and scenic Marine Drive. At Butchart Gardens, see how the Butchart family transformed a barren rock quarry into what is now one of the world’s best-known horticultural attractions, covering more than 55 acres. The gardens are a lush paradise of flowers, rare trees and winding paths and were created more than 100 years ago. Enjoy the cascading fountains and footbridges connecting the many themed gardens, including the beautiful Sunken Garden, the Japanese Garden and the Rose Garden. Multi-language maps will assist you on your self-guided tour. As an added bonus, guests sailing on Norwegian Pearl visiting on Saturdays from 7/20/13 thru 8/31/13 will be treated to the Butchart Gardens fireworks display, choreographed to music.

Note: Walking time and distance is at each guest’s discretion. The gardens are stunning in the evening when illuminated by thousands of hidden lights. Garden illuminations offered when daylight hours shorten.

Enjoy the highlights of Victoria and visit the spectacular Butchart Gardens. Departing Ogden Point your guide will point out the highlights including Majestic Parliament Buildings, Empress Hotel, Royal BC Museum, Beacon Hill Park and the exclusive residential districts of the Uplands and Oak Bay with their manicured grounds and gardens, Bastion Square, and Chinatown (the oldest in Canada) including the "Gates of Harmonious Interest". At Butchart Gardens, see how the Butchart family transformed a barren rock quarry into what is now one of the world’s best-known horticultural attractions, covering more than 55 acres.

The gardens are a lush paradise of flowers, rare trees and winding paths and were created more than 100 years ago. Enjoy the cascading fountains and footbridges connecting you to the many themed gardens, including the beautiful Sunken Garden, the Japanese Garden and the Rose Garden. When darkness falls, you'll be treated to an evening wonderland of lighting displays illuminating the gardens. Multi-language maps will assist you on your self-guided tour. As an added bonus, guests visiting on Saturdays in July and August will be treated to the Butchart Gardens fireworks display, choreographed to music.

Note: Order of sights may vary. Walking time and distance is at each guest's discretion. The gardens are stunning in the evening when illuminated by thousands of hidden lights. Garden illuminations offered when daylight hours shorten.

View the metropolitan Miami area from the comfort of an air-conditioned motorcoach as your guide points out some of the most popular historic sights. Cruise along the trendy South Beach district, boasting the highest concentration of Art Deco buildings in the world. On nearby Star Island are the homes of Gloria Estefan and other celebrities. Drive along Brickell Avenue, the nation's second-largest banking center. Then, it's on to charming Coconut Grove. Finally, visit Coral Gables and see why this upscale area's diverse architectural styles and lavish landscaping have earned it the title 'The City Beautiful'. Note: This tour is only for guests with flights departing after 2:00 pm from Miami International Airport. Guests are responsible for ensuring their debark tours are compatible with their departure flight times. Guests have the option to book their flights through our Premium Air Department to ensure that flight departure times do not interfere with debark tours. This tour is not available on Norwegian Sky sailings. less

Become absorbed in the rich living culture of Southeast Alaska’s Native Americans and witness a rip-roaring lumberjack competition on this comprehensive tour of Ketchikan. Your first stop will be a visit to Saxman Native Village. For generations, Tlingit villages have maintained a tradition of welcoming visitors in regal style. At Saxman, guests are still afforded this same time-honored welcome. In this Native community, tribal elders and others have worked hard to pass on many of the traditions that have long defined the culture of Southeast Alaska. A visit to Saxman gives the visitor a firsthand opportunity to see the results of these efforts. A short video program introduces the visitor to the culture and history of Saxman. Guests then enter the Beaver Clan House where they are welcomed by song and dance. Visitors are encouraged to participate in the final dance before moving onto the Saxman Totem Park, one of the largest gatherings of totem poles in the world. Your guide will help unravel the mysteries of these towering, majestic poles that stand as sentries over the present generation. The next stop is the Village Carving Center where world famous carvers work and pass on their skills to eager apprentices. A visit to the Village Store provides guests with the opportunity to purchase some of the finest Alaska Native art available or a small memento of your visit. On the return trip, see sights of Creek Street and let the fun begin with a stop at the Great Alaska Lumberjack Show. Hardy lumberjacks bring to life Alaska’s colorful forest history with an action packed competition in the partially covered and heated outdoor arena. Cheer on your team of World Champion lumberjacks in events such as chopping, sawing, tree climbing and much more. You will be kept on the edge of your seats as the entertaining host relives rich logging tales of a bygone era. Note: Please note that there may be a short wait prior to the Lumberjack Show. Time can be spent on your own or in the rustic company store located at the Lumberjack Show. Tour may operate in reverse. less

Explore the natural wonder of the Everglades from the comfort of your specially designed airboat. Informative, fun and exciting, this tour takes you deep into one of America’s largest National Parks - the Everglades. Here you’ll come face to face with alligators, exotic birds and native fish while gliding over an endless river of grass. Throughout the approximately 30-minute journey, your experienced guide will introduce you to the unique eco-system of the park as you experience the vast expanse of this saw grass wilderness passing by lush vegetation, mangrove swamps and hardwood hammocks. Known for its rich bird life, particularly large wading birds, be on the look out for the roseate spoonbill, white ibis, wood stork, great blue heron and a variety of egrets. It's also the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles exist side by side. Following your airboat ride you’ll be able to explore the park on your own. The Reptile Show will provide you with an informative, interactive opportunity to become familiar with the features of the American alligators. You may also choose to take the Jungle Trail, which leads to an area featuring American Alligators, and a crocodile exhibit, including various species from around the world. Note: Participants must be able negotiate one large step to board the airboat. This tour is only for guests with flights departing after 3:30 pm from Miami International Airport. Guests are responsible for ensuring their debark tours are compatible with their departure flight times. Guests have the option to book their flights through our Premium Air Department to ensure that flight departure times do not interfere with debark tours. This tour is not available on Norwegian Sky sailings. less