11 Night Vancouver to Sitka Cruise and Land Tour from Vancouver

Enjoy your complimentary stay at the pre-cruise hotel. The evening is yours to become acquainted with the city. For your convenience, American Queen Voyages Hospitality Desk will be located in the hotel, and the friendly staff can assist with everything from general questions about your upcoming voyage to reserving premium experiences. Representatives from AQV and a local port/city partner will be available to provide you with dining, entertainment, and sightseeing options to maximize your time here.

Vancouver is the third-biggest city in Canada and the largest city in the western province of British Columbia. From the shopping delights of Robson Street to the lively energy of Granville Island Public Market, this city brings a unique European flair to Canada's western coast. Survey it all from atop the 553-foot Vancouver Lookout - which offers a 360-degree view or Gastown, Coal Harbour, North Vancouver, and the downtown Vancouver skyline. Vancouver's natural and urban highlights start in the West End. From Robson Street work your way through vibrant neighborhoods heading downtown. You'll pass Canada Place, with its white sail-like roof, built to celebrate Vancouver's centennial in 1986, en route to Stanley Park at the tip of the peninsula. The largest park in the city, mostly covered in dense forests, boasts a 14-mile seawall. You likely will not have time to walk it all, but you can discover the Lost Lagoon or tour the Vancouver Aquarium. The aquarium contains over 50,000 creatures, including octopuses, sea urchins, and rockfish. Capilano Suspension Bridge is another local landmark. The bridge became popular with thrill-seeking visitors, dubbed "Capilano Tramps", who "tramped" up the rough trail to Mackay's cabin. After his death, the hemp rope bridge he built across the canyon was replaced by wire cables. If open to the public, it's an exhilarating walk along cliff-hanging footpaths. An optional premium excursion covers Vancouver's most significant landmarks from the comfort of the motorcoach. Chinatown, the Gastown steam clock, Vancouver Public Library, Robson Street, and Stanley Park, among them.

Ah, another day on the ocean - a day to rise with the sun and meet with friends in the restaurant of your choosing over breakfast...or sleep in and order room service. Gather in the Compass Lounge for snacks and games...or take in the view from deck with your favorite cocktail in hand. This day is yours to craft as you desire.

The Inside Passage is one of the world's most beautiful cruising routes. It is formed where the mountains of coastal Alaska and British Columbia meet the Pacific Ocean. Over a thousand-mile chain of islands lie west of the mainland's edge and acts as a buffer against the open ocean swells of the Pacific. Thus, the ocean inside these islands is calm and protected, a sea farers' dream. This incredible stretch of coastline creates a rich marine environment, and the Inside Passage teems with marine life from humpback, fin and killer whales to dolphins, porpoises, sea lions, and all five species of salmon. The salmon rich waters also provide nutrients to the lush coastal rainforest which is habitat for the coastal brown bear, the black bear, and if we are lucky enough to spot one, the spirit or Kermode bear. Onboard naturalists and team of officers on the bridge are on wildlife watch in hopes of catching a glimpse of the blonde fur of one of these elusive bears. Another highlight on our wildlife checklist would be an orca sighting. Johnstone Strait is home to a resident pod of over 200 killer whales and with our provided binoculars and spotting scopes on the outer decks, we hope to catch the black and whites as they hunt for their next salmon meal. The British Columbia portion of the route includes the narrow, protected Strait of Georgia between Vancouver Island and the B.C. mainland, the Johnstone Strait and Discovery Passage between Vancouver Island and the mainland, as well as a short stretch along the wider and more exposed Hecate Strait near Haida Gwaii, formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands. As we sail these narrow protected waters we pass iconic white-and-red Canadian lighthouses, abandoned fishing villages, remote waterfalls, and shorelines full of vibrant green spruce and cedar trees. The views from your balcony or the deck eight observation lounge lend for a relaxing opportunity to watch the world float by under the safe watch of our captain and Canadian pilots. While the Ocean Victory has the latest of navigational equipment to help steer her through the inside passage, the area has a history of over 3,000 shipwrecks that stemmed during the early Gold Rush days as gold seekers from California brought wooden sailing ships through waters known for fast and unpredictable currents and uncertain weather.

The adventure begins in Alaska's "first city" of Ketchikan. Savor the beauty of Ketchikan, Alaska, as you board a shuttle bus in Ward Cove, a historic timber mill that has recently been repurposed as Ketchikan's newest and most unique cruise ship dock. Visit the historic totem village of Saxman where you will have a chance to stroll amongst towering totem poles learning of the unique story behind each pole. You can experience the southernmost city of Alaska by visiting its quaint downtown boardwalk section of Creek Street which is suspended over a salmon stream that boasts all five species of spawning Pacific salmon. Indulge in fresh and native Dungeness crab at a crab brunch feast complete with smoked salmon dip, fresh fruit, cheese, and delicious mimosas.

Bigger isn't always better. The large cruise ships that visit Alaska typically offer this as an extra-cost Tongass National Forest excursion from the port of Ketchikan, two hours each way by small boat. Your experience will be markedly different as Ocean Victory can deftly navigate the Revillagigedo Channel, transporting you directly to Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness in great comfort. Thank you, Mr. President; in 1978, President Jimmy Carter proclaimed over 2,200,000 acres as the Misty Fjords National Monument. In 1980, this acreage got reduced slightly to 2,142,243 acres but was now congressionally designated as Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness and still remains the largest wilderness area of the Tongass National Forest. Misty Fjords National Monument takes its name from the precipitation characteristic of the area. The soaring granite cliffs that greet you are 50 to 70 million years old. Yes, million. Ancient glaciers scrubbed deep troughs through this wilderness, leaving a scenic geological wonder. Today you will also see New Eddystone Rock - a basalt pillar rising from the sea - which is a remnant of long-ago volcanic activity that left the immense spire as a testament to the power of this place. Be on deck to experience the glistening waterfalls while gliding quietly beneath the glacier-sculpted granite fjords of Rudyerd Bay that jut 3,000 feet out of the ocean. You'll learn what a "deglaciated" fjord is from the team of dedicated naturalists who will accompany you ashore along the shoreline in Zodiacs and kayaks while in search of humpback whales, orcas, harbor seals, bears, and other species of sea and shore birds.

Spend a full day in picturesque Wrangell as you are welcomed by Alaskans whose ancestors have lived on this island for thousands of years. On your included tour, discover the history and how the Tlingit culture continues to thrive here. Enter the Chief Shakes Tribal House, where you are invited guests. Here, each wooden plank was carved by traditional Tlingit methods. Then, at the Wrangell Museum, learn the events that led to the late 19th-century boom at the onset of the Gold Rush. Uncover mysteries at the 8,000-year-old site of Petroglyph Beach, home to more than 40 ancient petroglyphs (rock carvings). Take home your own petroglyph rubbing to remember your time combing through the sand. American Queen Voyages guests can choose from five premium excursions. 1) Travel via jetboat on the Stikine River through the Tongass National Rainforest to Shakes Glacier. Take a seat in the heated cabin or enjoy the open-air aft deck. 2) Experience the rich ecosystem of Tongass by walking the nature trail. From whales, salmon, and other aquatic animals to brown bears and eagles, the forest has allowed diverse wildlife to flourish for centuries. 3) Combine a trek through the rainforest with the Wrangell Museum and Petroglyph Beach. 4) When it is open for the season, venture by boat, then a "moderately difficult" hike to reach the Anan Bear and Wildlife Observatory. Watch as they soar through the skies, climb trees, and search for food in the creek. 5) Embark on a jet boat to travel to LeConte Bay, known for its bright blue icebergs, and abundant wildlife.

Chatham Strait is a narrow passage of the Alexander Archipelago in the southeastern region of Alaska. It is 150 miles long and extends southward from the junction of Icy Strait and Lynn Canal to the open sea. The strait is deep and only 3 to 10 miles wide, making humpback whale spotting from the outer decks a fun activity. It separates Baranof and Kuiu Islands, both wildly beautiful and remote wilderness areas. If the conditions allow, our cruising area might be along Baranof Island's eastern coast which is also known as the "Waterfall Coast" due to the large number of waterfalls cascading down from the high mountain peaks. Or, it could be along Kuiu Island's remote shoreline where sea otters and black bears are abundant. Expedition is the order of the day. You can select from both indoor and on-deck observation perspectives aboard Ocean Victory, or if you prefer to be up-close, at the water level, you can jump in a kayak or aboard a Zodiac. We will find a well sheltered bay where its waters are fed by freshwater streams. In all instances, you will never be far from the learned narration of the Expedition Team. Keep your eyes trained along the lush temperate rainforest of the coast as it could reveal its secret treasures at any moment. Potential wildlife on our expedition day could include river and sea otters, deer, moose mink, and bald eagles.

The shallow, protected harbor of Petersburg is home to Alaska's largest home-based halibut fleet. American Queen Voyages guests are among the privileged few to be in this authentic Alaskan village for a full day of exploration. The charming town was incorporated April 20, 1910. These abundant waters and an endless supply of ice from nearby LeConte Glacier led Norwegian fisherman Peter Buschmann to build the region's first cannery and invite his fishing countrymen to join him. Hence the town's name and strong Norwegian culture. Aspects of both Norwegian and Tlingit cultures still figure prominently in community activities. The population has remained stable with fishing still the main source of income. About 3,100 people live here year-round, with seasonal variation due to summertime cannery workers, deckhands, and fishermen. The commercial fishing industry is the largest employer, with others in retail business, borough, state and federal agencies, visitor industry, and logging. Our included tour offers a taste of the local Norwegian culture and delicacies at Sons of Norway Hall, on National Register of Historic Places.

Tracy Arm is situated approximately 45 miles south of Juneau and is only accessed via boat or float plane, making "getting there" part of the adventure. But it's well worth the effort as Tracy is oft-considered the most majestic of all of the Alaskan fjords. The term "fjord" means a long, narrow deep-water inlet surrounded by towering cliffs and the Tracy Arm fjord is a stunning example. You'll also be privy to one-of-kind, 1,000-foot waterfalls, marine and terrestrial wildlife, snow-topped mountains, and floating glaciers. A glacier is a body of dense ice that is constantly moving under its own weight. Currently, this part of Alaska is experiencing a 10-year warming cycle. Since ship emissions contribute pollutants to the warming, take comfort in knowing that Ocean Victory is powered by the most environmentally friendly diesel engines that exist today and an innovative X-bow design, proven to increase fuel economy as the hull slices through the waves to help reduce slamming and vibration. Nature will dictate our route as we explore this spectacular fjord via a Zodiac or kayak led by our team of expert marine biologists. While the Mendenhall Glacier might be recognized as the more popular tourist attraction near Juneau, Tracy Arm is by far the superior hidden gem. Its narrow, deep passages with steep cliffs carved by glaciers are said to be breathtaking. When it comes to extreme tourism, a visit to Tracy Arm checks off all the boxes due to its size, remote location, and undisturbed scenery.

Immerse yourself in the Last Frontier with a journey to the Tlingit village of Kake and Frederick Sound. These two remote destinations offer the raw and hard-to-reach Alaska that those on an expedition voyage are yearning for. In Kake, Alaska, begin the visit with an onboard presentation by a local cultural ambassador to help orient you to the Tlingit cultural traditions before you step onto land to a warm welcome in the form of carved structures and totem poles, each representing a piece of Alaskan history and culture. When the salmon are running, keep your eyes open for bears as you head to the small town's Community Hall, where cultural demonstrations take place. Hear about authentic Alaska and the personal experiences of those indigenous to the Kake and Frederick Sound area. Learn from the perspective of local clan leaders as they offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear their stories.

As your American Queen Voyages journey concludes, there are other opportunities for you to take in the town - whether it's an optional premier post-cruise experience or a quick transfer to the airport for your final trip home - your AQV team can pre-arrange everything for you.