Panama Canal 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, 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. A map will assist you with your self-guided tour.

Note: Walking time and distance is at each guest’s discretion. This tour is only available for guests on the Norwegian Jewel.

Enjoy the highlights of Victoria and a visit to the spectacular Butchart Gardens on this shore excursion. Departing Ogden Point your guide will point out the highlights, which nclude the Majestic Parliament Buildings, Empress Hotel, Royal BC Museum, Beacon Hill Park, 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. Created over 100 years ago, this once-private garden is spectacular. Enjoy the cascading fountains and footbridges connecting you to the many themed gardens, including the beautiful Sunken Gardens, the Japanese Garden and the Rose Garden. A map will assist you with your self-guided tour.

Note: Order of sights may vary. Walking time and distance is at each guest's discretion. This tour is only available for guests on the Norwegian Jewel.

less

Victoria is the gateway to the Puget Sound, Gulf Islands, and San Juan Islands, and is home to three resident pods of Orca Whales. This tour is designed to take you as up close and personal as permitted with the whales and sea life as they explore their natural feeding grounds along the shores British Columbia’s rugged coastline. You’ll board a motorcoach for a short transfer over to the whale watching vessel departure point. The vessels are equipped with restrooms, and offer covered as well as open viewing locations. As you travel to the viewing location, be sure to enjoy the majesty of the coastline and mountains surrounding you. This area is a playground for many of the world’s wealthiest yacht owners, and multi-million dollar yachts can often be seen cruising through the waters. Note: Orcas are regularly seen, but not guaranteed. This tour is not recommended for pregnant women and people with back problems. less

Don't miss this "golden" opportunity to experience the Klondike's rich past on this historical railway and dredge tour. Board a motor coach and journey up the west side of the White Pass Canyon to Fraser, British Columbia. Your driver/guide will regale you with tales of stampeders who traveled the pass in search of gold. A stop at Tormented Valley and Pitchfork Falls provide picturesque valley views. At Fraser board the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad and from the comfort of your old fashioned parlor car, you'll retrace the original route through rugged terrain beyond the summit of White Pass and Fraser, British Columbia. In Skagway board a motorcoach and get ready to search for gold.

This guided tour complete with colorful characters, provides a unique opportunity to explore a massive gold dredge formerly used in the Klondike Gold Fields. This amazing 350 ton machine is one of over 120 that operated in the north, and today stands as a great monument to the gold rush seekers of the past century. After viewing a gold panning exhibition, you'll have a chance to try your hand at gold panning, with gold guaranteed in every pan! The Gold Shack staff will weigh your gold and fashion a memorable keepsake for purchase. On your return to Skagway, you may either stop for shopping or return directly to the ship.

Note: All guests must carry a valid passport as this tour will be crossing both U.S. and Canadian borders.

If you want to really experience Skagway, this tour will show you the best Skagway has to offer. Ascend the beautiful mountains on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad. From your antique narrow-gauge car view incredible scenery as your tour guide shares stories and the history of the Klondike Gold Rush. Board a motorcoach to travel the spectacular Klondike Highway taking in the sights of Tormented Valley and Pitchfork Falls. At the foot of the pass, nestled next to a waterfall, rests Liarsville Gold Rush Trail Camp and Salmon Bake. Here a cast of sourdoughs and dance hall girls will entertain you with a hilarious melodrama and a poem. You’ll be set free in the Liarsville gold fields, where you are guaranteed to find the precious metal that drove people wild with Gold Fever!

Enjoy a barbeque of freshly grilled Alaskan salmon, baked beans, potatoes, coleslaw, sourdough rolls, coffee, lemonade and hot apple strudel. Wander over to camp to see the waterfall and have your picture taken with one of the dance hall girls or the camp mascot, a lovable husky. The grand finale is a visit to the Red Onion Saloon in historic downtown Skagway. The Red Onions’ madams will throw you a private party in the prestigious Red Onion Brothel. Sip Alaskan Amber beer, wine, or Madam's punch as you’re entertained by tales of the girls who used to work in these historic rooms! You’ll see the priceless nickel silver dress worn by the Onion’s first madam and many other artifacts left behind.

Note: All guests must carry a valid passport as this tour will be crossing both the U.S. and Canadian borders.