Pacific Coastal Cruises: Excursions

This trip combines a train ride aboard the Historic White Pass & Yukon Route Railway with a wilderness trek to the magnificent Laughton Glacier. You’ll board the train for a one hour scenic journey filled with spectacular waterfalls, rushing rivers and jagged mountain peaks. At Glacier Station begin your fully guided round-trip hike of up to 8 miles, in the wilds of Alaska. The magnificent sub-Alpine rainforest valley is home to moose, bear, mountain goats and other wildlife.

The spectacular trail winds along the raging Skagway River to the majestic Laughton Glacier. The terrain changes dramatically as you leave the rocky riverbed and climb over a boulder field and onto the glacier. Enjoy the breathtaking views and exposed crevasses of the frozen river of ice. Upon your return to the trailhead, you’ll be greeted with a traditional “Bush Buffet”. Relax and enjoy the ride back to town on 'The Scenic Railway of the World.

Note: Participants must be at least 9 years of age, in good physical condition and able to walk over uneven and sometimes difficult terrain. Dress in layers and wear sturdy walking shoes. Train returns from Canada, all participants are required to carry a valid passport.

Take a journey into the heart of rural Chiapas for a deeper understanding of the local people and landscapes. Discover the culture that blends ancient traditions with modern necessity. Board your air-conditioned bus and travel through the Chiapas countryside to the Ejido Miguel Aleman banana farm. Your guide will acquaint you with the history of the region, its people and traditions, as well as the growing and collection process of the bananas. Then, travel into the town that owns and runs the banana co-op and visit the local community center or school; here, you’ll meet and mingle with the local children and the dedicated teachers and social workers. You’ll be able to donate a kit pack to one of the kids at the community center or local school. The kit pack contains some of their basic day to day needs. Continue to the Banana Packing Plant, where you’ll discover how the whole community works together to pack the bananas they all produce. On the way back, you will get a last glimpse of life in rural Chiapas before returning to the pier. Note: Guests should wear a hat and comfortable shoes. Bring eco-friendly sunscreen and bug repellent. Part of the proceeds of this tour will go to the community center learning program. Most areas are not wheelchair accessible. less

This fully guided wilderness hike begins with a brief 20 minute train ride aboard the Historic White Pass and Yukon Route Railway. You’ll ride through the wilderness to the Denver Valley trailhead located in the Tongass National Forest. Your hiking guide will accompany you through the dense coastal rainforest filled with old-growth trees, moss beds, and other flora. On your 3 to 5 mile hike, the trail occasionally intersects with the raging Skagway River and lookout points provide spectacular views of the Sawtooth Mountain Range.

The hike can be done as a casual stroll through the forest or as a more aggressive hike, depending on your preference. There’s plenty of opportunity for photography and there is potential for wildlife sightings. Bear, moose, and mountain goats all call this valley home. Guides will provide information about the region’s natural and gold rush history. Enjoy a refreshment before boarding the train for your return trip to town.

Note: Participants must be at least 9 years of age and in good physical condition. Dress in layers and wear sturdy walking shoes. The train returns from Canada, all participants are required to carry a valid passport. Tour duration includes approximately three hours (3 to 5 miles) on the trail.

Sea Trek St Maarten is the most incredible Helmet diving experience you’ll ever have. It’s as simple as walking and breathing. Your hair stays dry and you can wear your prescription glasses. On your adventure you’ll see shipwrecks, historical canons, a sunken Odyssey submarine and an abundant variety of fish, corals and sea life. Get your picture taken in the pirate jail, see a real helicopter and have a toast at our King Neptune Cafe. You’ll be met at your ship by the friendly Sea Trek staff who will escort you to the water shuttle. It is an approximate 10-15 minute ride to the underwater park. After your dive, you can enjoy looking at your underwater photos and you’ll be able to purchase a photo USB of your Sea Trek adventure. At the end of the tour, the water shuttle will take you back to the cruise ship pier to enjoy the rest of your time on St Maarten. Note: Participants must be at least 8 years of age and weigh between 80 and 300 lbs., must be able to walk and climb a ladder, in good physical condition and sign a waiver. This tour is not recommended for guests with physical disabilities or claustrophobia. Activities may be reversed to avoid congestion at the dive site. Maximum depth is 20 feet. There are tee shirts, sodas and bottled water available for purchase after the tour- cash only please. Due to restrictions by the Dive Provider, any Scuba participants currently taking any medication or with a previous medical condition should bring a note from their primary physician stating that they are medically cleared to participate on a Scuba excursion. less

A winding nature trail - through lush jungle in the heart of the spectacular Cranbrook Flower Forest - leads to the start of this unforgettable Canopy Tour adventure. After instruction from extensively trained guides, you’ll take a short nature walk to the first platform nestled on the hillside overlooking the treetops and jungle ‘canopy’. You begin your tour by soaring through the trees using an intricate system of harnesses, pulleys and carabineers on horizontal traverses, while gazing at the surrounding jungle until you arrive at the next cliffside platform, 45 feet above the ground. A series of traverses ranging from 105 feet to 660 feet in length will have you swinging through the Laughlands River Gorge, a giant valley carved from the surrounding mountain by ancient waters (a sparkling river still flows through it). From your bird’s eye view, you’ll survey the flora and fauna of this magnificent landscape, all while listening to the gentle sounds of nature. At different points in the tour, you’ll even get a glimpse of the miles-away Caribbean Sea and learn interesting facts about the surrounding tree and plant life from our well-informed guides. After leaving the valley, you really fly, embarking on a series of long throws - with the last traverse being 600 feet long. Here, after removing your equipment, you unwind from your exhilarating adventure with a walk through the flowering trees of Cranbrook before being transferred back to the cruise ship pier via Chukka Cove Farm. Note: Participants must be at least 8 years of age and no older than 70, and weigh no more than 264 lbs. Anything you take must be carried by you throughout the entire tour, at all times leaving both hands free. This tour is not recommended for guests with heart, neck/ back problems, mobility/balance problems or pregnant women. Tour participation is limited. less

Relax during your short drive to the world-famous Dunn’s River Falls where you’ll climb 600 feet of cool refreshing water as it cascades over natural limestone terraces. Guides are provided to assist you when ascending the rushing waters as they plunge directly into the pristine Caribbean Sea. After this invigorating experience, you’re transported to Dolphin Cove where you are met by friendly hostesses and given a complimentary fruit drink. This unique cove surrounded by lush tropical jungle, is home to our beautiful family of bottlenose dolphins, exotic birds, snakes and iguanas. There you’ll participate in a brief orientation and then enter the world of nature’s most fascinating creatures - the dolphins. Get to know the animals as you interact with them in deep water. Experience the thrill of 'riding' the dolphin belly to belly. Dance, sing, play and even enjoy a kiss or two. After enjoying this unique experience, spend the rest of the day at Dolphin Cove and all that it has to offer. At the conclusion of your tour you’ll have the option of being dropped-off at a local shopping plaza for shopping time at your leisure and then make your own way back to your ship. Note: Participants must be at least 8 years of age. Participants must weigh no more than 250 lbs. Shuttle buses are available at 10-minute intervals to return you to your ship. This tour is not recommended for guests with heart, neck/ back problems, mobility/balance problems or pregnant women. The Dunn’s River Falls are the highlight of Jamaica and tend to be very congested. All guests participating in a tour that visits the falls should wear foot protection that can get wet. River socks are available for rent at the falls. The rocks at the falls are slippery. Climbing the falls is optional and at your own risk. Participants who do not wish to climb the falls may enjoy the small beach at the base. The walk to the beach is on a slope with many stairs, therefore participants should be in reasonably good health. less