SHORE EXCURSIONS

This tour provides an overview of Alaska's capital city and it's scenic attractions, including one of the world's only drive-to glaciers, the Mendenhall. Your guided tour drives through Juneau's picturesque downtown waterfront. Visit Mendenhall Glacier, a moving river of ice with rugged crevasses and distinctive blue hues in the ice. Stroll the walkways to the Visitor Center and take in one of the glaciology exhibits, and interpretative talk with a Forest Ranger, or simply enjoy the panoramic view of the glacier. 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.

At the White Pass & Yukon Route Depot, board a vintage railcar for a ride up the White Pass Summit. View at the incredible scenery as your train ascends dramatic mountains and your guide shares colorful stories and the history of the gold rush. Marvel at the waterfalls, tunnels and historic sites you pass on your journey to the summit of the White Pass and beyond.

In Fraser, disembark the train and board a motorcoach for a dramatic journey past the Tormented Valley and Pitchfork Falls en route to Skagway. Your Driver-Guide will regale with a colorful account of the history of Klondike Gold Rush. Taking views of the surrounding mountains, waterfalls and glaciers may be captured during the many photo stops.

Stop at Alaska 360 where you will learn the art of gold panning and practice your technique in warm-water troughs. Gold is guaranteed in every pan! Haul your treasure into the Gold Shack and have it weighed. Then, browse a collection of gold nugget jewelry and discover unique, souvenirs in the gift shop. Finally returning to your ship with your loot and newly acquired "gold fever."

Explore Misty Fjords, one of nature’s most spectacular creations while cruising in luxury aboard one of the fastest sightseeing vessels in Alaska. The adventure begins as you leave down town and slowly cruise towards Ketchikan’s picturesque harbor, passing by colorful fishing boats and floatplanes, in route to a wilderness experience you’ll never forget. Enjoy first class service and an informative naturalist’s presentation and watch for wildlife as you ‘fly’ at sea level past the rugged coastlines bordering Revillagigedo Channel. Enter the Behm Canal, surrounded by the pristine beauty of Misty Fjords. Admire New Eddystone Rock, an immense volcanic spire rising from the sea. You’ll explore Rudyerd Bay, an ice-carved masterpiece deep within the Monument. Learn the natural history of the fjords while gliding quietly beneath 3,000 foot vertical cliffs, and listen to the call of seabirds nesting on a rock face sculpted by glacial forces. Cruise south from Rudyerd Bay to view a gathering of harbor seals and enjoy a selection of complimentary snacks and beverages while watching for other species of wildlife that thrive here. En route to Ketchikan, you’ll have the opportunity to experience native culture and history presented by a Tlingit storyteller, watch a native artist at work, or enjoy a tour related video presentation.

Cruise into waters teeming with humpback whales and other marine life, and then dine on traditional Alaskan dishes at a seafood feast. Point Adolphus has the highest concentration of humpback whales in the Alaskan panhandle, so be on the lookout for these majestic and intelligent creatures. They will be breaching the water’s surface, waving their flukes up and down as they dive, and feeding voraciously to fatten up for their winter migration south. You might also observe frolicking Dall’s porpoises, Stellar Sea Lions, curious Harbor Seals and Orca whales, which sometimes feed on infirm or wounded humpbacks. Be sure to look skyward for majestic bald eagles, too. Following the whale-watching adventure, you too will have the opportunity to feast. A sumptuous meal of classic Alaskan dishes awaits you back in Hoonah. The menu will include seasonal shrimp and crabs, Andouille sausage and all sorts of sides. Afterwards, you can roast marshmallows around the campfire.

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.

Experience one of the most stunning, scenic train rides in North America aboard an Alaska Railroads railcar from the Seward cruise ship dock to the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.

Just steps from the cruise ship terminal in Seward, you’ll be welcomed aboard your Alaska Railroad Cruise Train bound for the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. You’ll travel along the Coastal Classic Route on this 4 1/2 hour picturesque journey. Your train pulls from Seward, skirting the edge of picturesque Kenai Lake, before rising into a waterfall-laced mountain valley offering a stunning view of Trail Glacier.

The tracks wind through a series of mountain tunnels and past Bartlett and Spencer Glaciers before emerging along the coastline of Turnagain Arm. Here, dramatic views of steep mountains plunging into the sea before the train pulls into the depot at the Anchorage Airport. A short enclosed walkway connects passengers to the departures terminal.

Gain an understanding of the Big Island’s history through attractions that highlight the life of the early Hawaiians and the influence of Catholic missionaries. Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park will offer a glimpse into the early culture, as it was a place of refuge for those that had violated the sacred laws known as kapu. There, you will see a temple where criminals could be absolved of their transgressions and safely return to society. To complement the experience, you will visit the 19th-century Painted Church. Its interior features frescoes and murals of biblical scenes that a Belgian priest painted to teach the islanders Catholicism. The missionaries were also instrumental in dismantling the harsh kapu laws. You will also learn how coffee was introduced to Hawaii in the 1820s and how it is processed today at the Royal Kona Coffee Center. It is an excellent setting to enjoy a cup of fresh-brewed Kona coffee.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit one Hawaii’s most sacred sites, where criminals could find safe refuge.
• View the biblical murals and frescoes that adorn the Painted Church.
• Enjoy a cup of Kona coffee and learn about its production at a coffee mill.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Acquire an enlightening overview of Vancouver by viewing its most alluring attractions and then exploring on your own. Although large and metropolitan, Vancouver has still retained much of its natural beauty in urban oases such as Stanley Park. After pausing there to admire a display of First Nation totem poles and take in the serenity, you will enjoy an entirely different ambiance in bustling Chinatown. Exotic open-air markets, heritage buildings and pagoda-topped telephone booths are staples in this ethnic neighborhood, which dates back to 1890 when Chinese immigrants settled in what was then known as Shanghai Alley. Another historical perspective awaits you in Gastown, an area that developed in the early 1870s. The neighborhood is named for settler "Gassy" Jack Deighton, a saloon owner who was considered full of hot air because he spun tall tales. The cobbled streets of Gastown are now lined with upscale boutiques, galleries and restaurants.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Gain an overall understanding of Vancouver by driving around its downtown.
• Enjoy the tranquility of Stanley Park, North America's third-largest urban park.
• Visit vibrant Chinatown, Vancouver's most established ethnic community.
• Walk through Gastown, Vancouver's oldest neighborhood and one of the trendiest.

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

Raft down the gently flowing Chilkat River through a bald eagle preserve known for its virgin wilderness and abundant wildlife. To reach the launch site, you will travel along a stretch of road so beautiful that it has been designated a National Scenic Highway. You will then board an 18-foot raft with a naturalist guide and begin slowly floating down the river, which the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve borders. The waters are teeming with salmon that come to spawn, and their sheer numbers provide an endless supply of food for the eagles. You will have a front-row seat to observe this annual rite of nature, which ensures a healthy and abundant eagle population. The Chilkat Valley is home to as many as 400 bald eagles, and dozens of nests have been spotted in the preserve alone. You may also see bears feasting on salmon along the riverbank and enormous moose, some weighing up to 1,600 pounds.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Float down the meandering Chilkat River in an 18-foot raft.
• Pass through a natural preserve with the world’s largest concentration of bald eagles.
• Watch for bald eagles and bears feasting on salmon by the riverside.
• Travel a National Scenic Highway on the way to and from the preserve.

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

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.

Enjoy a comprehensive tour of the Aomori Prefecture, taking in landmarks that include a castle, a museum of parade floats, a district devoted to Zen temples and a beloved garden.

Settle in for a scenic drive to Hirosaki Castle, a fortification that Lord Tsugaru built when he governed this region in the early 17th century. It is a magnificent seemingly impenetrable structure, as it sits atop a sloped stone wall surrounded by fortified moats. The original castle grounds are now a sprawling park dotted with thousands of cherry trees that bloom in the spring.

Nearby, you will find Tsugara Nebuta Village, a museum devoted to the Nebuta summer festival in Hirosaki, during which enormous floats depicting Japanese gods, historical figures and mythological beings are paraded through the streets. The museum also includes exhibits of cultural items such as three-string shamisen musical instruments, local handicrafts and antique toys. Browsing the museum will be a visually delightful experience that you will not soon forget.

Following lunch, you visit Zenringai, a district of Soto Zen temples. Incredibly, nearly three dozen of them line one street. The region’s 17th-century lord ordered the bulk of them to be moved here to help fortify the area.

Another stop during your day is Siebien, a garden created in 1902 in the Bugaku style that combines formal and semi-formal plantings. Don’t miss the yew tree pruned in the shape of a revered god.

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 Summit Train. From your antique narrow-gauge car view incredible scenery, as your tour guide shares stories and the history of the Klondike Gold Rush. 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. 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. Enjoy 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. Embrace the true spirit of 1898 and sign on for an experience of a lifetime.