Olivia will offer a host hotel in Seattle so that you can arrive early. Information will be available approximately 9 months prior to the cruise. Enjoy scenic cruising through Puget Sound as you make your way north to Alaska.

Begin the day with scenic cruising through Stephen’s Passage, one of the best whale sighting areas in the state. Look for humpback whales, giant sea lions, guillemots and gulls, and majestic mountain peaks. While in Juneau, the most remote and most beautiful capital in the United States, hike up Mount Roberts to chance upon wild deer and bald eagles. Most sightseeing and whale-watching tours offer the best views of these majestic and surprisingly graceful creatures. If you prefer land mammals, catch a floatplane to a nearby wildlife reserve to spy some bears.

Endicott Arm is a 30-mile fjord that snakes through the Tracy Arm-Fords Wilderness Area. At the head is the majestic Dawes Glacier. Find a good spot on the spacious decks or get cozy on your verandah and take in the views. Glide past waterfalls that spool like silver ribbons from soaring mountain peaks. As you go deeper into the narrow fjord, the water changes color from gray to jade, the temperatures dip and the ice chunks become larger and more plentiful. The 600-foot-tall, mile-wide Dawes Glacier takes center stage just around a bend. The ship will inch up to this brilliant blue giant for a chance to witness calving, when ice breaks off and plunges into the sea. Dawes Glacier regularly rumbles with white thunder, so keep your camera ready! Wildlife sightings are common, so bring your binoculars. Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier are the breeding grounds of harbor seals, one of Alaska’s cutest critters. In spring, you can see chubby pups chilling with mom on floating ice. You might also spot mountain goats balancing on cliffs, humpback whales swimming with their pods or scan the valleys for brown and black bears.

Located on Baranof Island surrounded by the Sitka Sound’s icy blue water and the Tongass National rain forest, nature abounds in Sitka, Alaska.

Ketchikan has long been an important hub for salmon-fishing; visitors can try their luck on sportfishing or savor the fresh seafood at one of the local restaurants. Ketchikan is also one of the best spots to explore the rich cultural sights of Native Alaskan nations like the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian. Don’t forget to leave time to explore the sights in the town itself, where you can shop for souvenirs, smoked salmon and local art.

Spend the evening in this charming British-influenced city. The cruise port is just a walk or cab ride away from the Inner Harbor.