OVERVIEW

Your journey begins with a narrated tour of downtown Juneau and the city's highlights as you make your way to Mendenhall Valley. The first stop is at the Brotherhood Bridge. Here is where you will be able to take in the amazing views of the Mendenhall Valley. The bridge was and is of great historic and symbolic importance, representing a bridging of the gap between Native and Non-Native people and overcoming racial tensions. The bridge features 10 bronze medallions with the ANB crest and imagery, sculpted by Roy Peratrovich Jr. In honor of the ANB’s 50th anniversary. The crew on the medallions depicts the two great Tlingit moieties, Eagle and Raven. The ANB is the solid rock on which these moieties rest. Afterward your drive takes you to Juneau's Macaulay Salmon Hatchery and Visitor Center. There you will learn the value of ocean ranching to Juneau's commercial and sport fishing industries and the hatchery's role in keeping the area salmon population at sustainable levels.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

This unique Alaska excursion explores the historical highlights of this former "Russian" capital city and includes a wildlife tour through the Alaska Raptor Center. The Raptor Center operates with bird care professionals assisted by volunteers to rescue birds, provide them with rehabilitative care and hopefully release them back into the wild. After your introduction to the center, a presentation with one of the Center's educational birds will take place. Time will be available to view the flight center, clinic window, outside deck habitat areas and gift shop.

Next, you'll visit the Sitka National Historical Park, where the 1804 "Battle of Alaska", was fought. The park hosts totem lined trails, cultural exhibits and carving rooms where native Alaskan artisans demonstrate their totemic art form. Walk the nature trail, view cultural exhibits and video presentation, or talk with local native artists about their cultural art form.

The final stop is visiting the Fortress of the Bears, which allows you to get within 25 feet of Alaska’s brown and black bears in a naturalized setting. You will enjoy observing 3 populations of bears from a covered viewing platform and interact with an experienced naturalist.

Enjoy the highlights of Victoria and visit the spectacular Butchart Gardens. Departing Ogden Point your guide will point out the highlights including the majestic legislative buildings, Empress Hotel, Royal British Columbia Museum, and Beacon Hill Park.

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, that 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. Multi-language maps will assist you on your self-guided tour.

The gardens are illuminated by thousands of hidden lights in the evening.

OVERVIEW

Cruise through the pristine waters off Juneau and on to a remote speck of an island in Stephens Passage for a classic Alaskan-style brunch. The sights along the way will be spectacular as you will sail through picturesque Fitz Cove and past forested Douglas Island before reaching Orca Point Lodge, a private retreat in an idyllic setting on Colt Island. The views from there will be equally dramatic, as you will gaze out over the Funter Bay State Marine Park, a completely undeveloped wilderness. After settling in, you will be served a hearty brunch prepared with locally sourced ingredients. The entrées will likely include a fluffy omelet stuffed with your favorite ingredients and salmon cakes Benedict. Refreshing mimosas or another beverage of your choice will complement the meal. A bit of free time follows, during which you might explore the island. Keep an eye out for humpback whales and other marine animals while cruising.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Look for humpback whales and other marine life while cruising to remote Colt Island.
• Enjoy brunch at the seaside Orca Point Lodge on the heavily wooded island.
• Admire the serenity of the setting and the panoramic views of the wilderness.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Your journey begins with a narrated tour of downtown Juneau and the city's highlights as you make your way to Mendenhall Valley. The first stop is at the Brotherhood Bridge. Here is where you will be able to take in the amazing views of the Mendenhall Valley. The bridge was and is of great historic and symbolic importance, representing a bridging of the gap between Native and Non-Native people and overcoming racial tensions. The bridge features 10 bronze medallions with the ANB crest and imagery, sculpted by Roy Peratrovich Jr. In honor of the ANB’s 50th anniversary. The crew on the medallions depicts the two great Tlingit moieties, Eagle and Raven. The ANB is the solid rock on which these moieties rest. Next you're off to Glacier Gardens where you'll board a guided tram vehicle and climb up through the temperate rainforest to a scenic viewing platform that offers alpine views of the surrounding mountains, waterways and islands. Upon your return to the base area, you'll have time to visit the Gardens pavilion and view the variety of botanical plants that thrive in the local climate. From the Gardens, it's a short drive back to your ship along Juneau's waterfront

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

This tour combines the splendor of visiting Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area with a comfortable trip into the rainforest at Glacier Gardens. Your journey begins with a visit to Alaska's most accessible glacier, the Mendenhall. There you will be able to view the glacier, tour the adjacent visitor center, and explore the outlying trails and viewpoints during your 75 minute stay. Next you're off to Glacier Gardens where you'll board a guided tram vehicle and climb up through the temperate rainforest to a scenic viewing platform that offers alpine views of the surrounding mountains, waterways and islands. Upon your return to the base area, you'll have time to visit the Gardens pavilion and view the variety of botanical plants that thrive in the local climate. Finally, you'll visit the Macaulay Salmon Hatchery and learn about the facility's positive impact on Alaska's prized fishing industry through the implementation of ocean ranching.

Trace Russia’s influence on Sitka in the 19th century and tour a raptor center that rescues injured birds in hopes of returning them to the wild. The Russians first gained a foothold in Alaska in 1804 by overpowering the indigenous Tlingits. That battlefield is now part of the Sitka National Historical Park, where you will browse exhibits explaining the conflict. Here you can walk the forest trail lined with totems, view cultural exhibits or talk with local native artists. This tour also presents the chance to see Alaskan wildlife up close at the Alaska Raptor Center, a rehabilitation facility for birds of prey. This Bald Eagle Center operates with bird care professionals assisted by volunteers to rescue birds, provide them with rehabilitative care and hopefully release them back into the wild. Time will be available to view the flight center, clinic window, outside deck habitat areas and gift shop.

OVERVIEW

Create your own metal sculpture of a halibut or salmon in a hands-on art class at the Salty Sitkan workshop. The fun will begin with the instructor demonstrating how to use the computer-controlled plasma cutter to precisely cut through metal – with sparks flying – so that the finished product looks just like the pre-programed fish design. Then, it will be your turn to get creative. You will learn to use a die grinder to smooth and texture the raw steel. The next step will be to hammer away with a tear-drop mallet to shape the metal fish into a 3D form with a flapping tail, if you like. To make your fish sculpture more lifelike, you can use a propane torch to draw out deep hues of bronze, purple and blue. By the end of the class, you will have created a beautiful fish sculpture as a souvenir to take home.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Watch a computer-controlled plasma cutter create a basic metal fish as a starting point.
• Learn to grind, shine and hammer the raw metal into a beautiful fish sculpture.
• Highlight certain colors in the metal with a propane torch.
• Take your finished fish sculpture home as a souvenir.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Cruise through the island-dotted waters off Sitka in an expedition-style vessel while looking for iconic Alaskan wildlife. The vessel is open-air to offer maximum viewing opportunities and has a shallow draft so it can easily navigate waters that other boats can’t reach. There is no better way to observe animals in their natural habitats without disturbing Alaska’s delicate ecosystems. Although the sightings vary from day to day, you can hope to see harbor seals, sea lions and playful sea otters, the smallest of all marine mammals. Sea otters don’t have blubber; instead they are covered with two layers of exceptionally thick fur, which keep them warm. You may also spot brown bears along the shore and eagles overhead.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Look for a variety of wildlife while cruising through Sitka’s barrier Islands in an open-air vessel.
• Keep an eye out for marine mammals such as seals, sea lions and sea otters.
• Be sure to look overhead for bald eagles and on land for bears.
• Cruise into waters off limits to other boats that typically have deeper drafts.

OVERVIEW

Cruise to the Channel Islands State Marine Park and then ease into a tandem kayak to observe the abundant wildlife, whose star attractions are humpback whales. To reach the uninhabited islands within the marine park, you will cruise through Lynn Canal in a small boat that will offer panoramic views of the snow-capped Coastal and Chugach Mountain Ranges. Although the natural beauty will be undeniably breathtaking, few sights can compare to watching massive humpback whales feeding on krill and small fish to fatten up for their migration south. Observing the spectacle in an open kayak from a close but safe distance will make the experience even more special. These waters are among the richest feeding grounds in Alaska, so the chance of spotting whales, orcas, porpoises and Stellar sea lions is excellent. Be sure to keep an eye out for bald eagles overhead and Sitka black-tail deer along the shore.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise through the incredibly scenic Lynn Canal to the Channel Islands State Marine Park.
• Paddle a tandem kayak around the uninhabited islands within the marine park.
• Look for humpback whales, porpoises, Stellar sea lions and harbor seals.
• Scan the sky for majestic bald eagles and other avian species.
• Hear fascinating facts about the wildlife and the history of the area

HELPFUL HINTS

• Guests will be entering the temperate rainforest and ocean environment, dress accordingly Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Spend a delightful evening enjoying the quintessential Victorian tradition of tea and savory treats – but with an alluring twist – at the Fairmont Empress, an iconic hotel that has graced the shores of the Inner Harbor since 1908. Over the years, a Who’s Who of royalty, dignitaries and celebrities have enjoyed afternoon tea at the Empress. But this after-hours affair is quite different as their signature Empress tea will be served iced, not hot, noting special alcoholic cocktails are available for purchase. The culinary offerings will be equally memorable as they will likely include a warm white cheddar & chive biscuit, Vegan Mushroom pate, gluten free tapioca violet mousse. Afterwards, you will have free-time to enjoy the inner harbor, including the domed Parliament Buildings, which dominates the skyline, especially in the evening when it is beautifully illuminated.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Savor a special after-hours tea at the Empress Fairmont hotel, an icon since 1908.
• Sip special seasonal iced teas, rather than hot teas.
• Enjoy a driving tour around the Inner Harbor, which will be dramatically illuminated at night.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Sample a remarkable variety of seafood at iconic downtown destinations and learn about the sustainable practices that protect Alaska’s fishing grounds. Fittingly, you will begin at a memorial dedicated to the commercial fishermen and women who lost their lives at sea. A short walk will bring you to Taku Smokeries for a tasting of smoked king salmon, the largest of the Pacific salmon. More succulent seafood awaits you at Tracy’s King Crab Shack, where you will enjoy king crab bisque and a crab cake. At nearby Taste Alaska! you will snack on smoked salmon dip, smoked salmon caviar and kelp salsa with chips. There is simply no end to the ways that the local seafood can be prepared as you will discover at Deckhand Dave’s, where you will be served tacos made with rockfish, a mild slightly sweet-tasting species. You will also sample halibut ceviche and a blueberry mojito at the Crystal Saloon.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a generous sampling of Alaskan seafood at places that the locals love.
• Sample smoked salmon by itself, in a dip and even as caviar.
• Taste a king crab cake and a bisque made with king crab.
• Dine on other innovative seafood dishes, including halibut ceviche and rockfish tacos.
• Hear about Alaska’s strict sustainable fishing practices while walking between restaurants.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.