Coastal Alaska & Canada with luxury Seabourn cruise

Today, you'll be exploring Olympic National Park as part of a small group with a professional wilderness guide. The park has been described as one of the quietest places in the United States due to its lack of roads and overhead flight paths. You’ll have the chance to visit some of Olympic National Park’s diverse ecosystems, from temperate rainforests, which are home to the park’s herd of Roosevelt elk, to glaciated mountains and rugged coastline.

You’ll make your own way back to Seattle Airport today for your flight over Canada’s mountainous west coast to Juneau. Located between Mount Juneau and Douglas Island, Alaska’s state capital is only accessible by sea or air. On arrival, you’ll make your own way to your hotel and have the rest of the day at leisure.

This morning, you’ll combine helicopter flightseeing with dog sledding on a guided tour of Mendenhall Glacier. Enjoy the scenery as you fly over the Tongass National Forest, deep blue crevasses, and glacier-carved peaks before landing on the glacier itself. At the dog sled camp, you’ll be met by a professional musher who will explain dog sledding and its importance to Alaska before taking you for a ride with a team of huskies. When you land back in Juneau, it will be time to board your ship, Seabourn Encore, and settle in before you depart that evening.

On the first full day of your cruise, you’ll wake up to the sight of fjord cliffs and floating ice as you sail into Tracey Arm Fjord. Join a Zodiac or kayaking expedition for a chance to get closer to the face of the glacier whilst keeping your eyes peeled for the variety of birds, mountain goats, sea lions, and harbour seals which call the fjord and surrounding wilderness home. In the afternoon, your ship will continue south, sailing down Stephens Passage. Spend some time on deck as the passage is a popular waterway for whale-watching.

Today, you’ll make port in Wrangell, a small frontier town in the Alexander Archipelago. You might like to join a tour of Wrangell to learn about the town’s history and connection to the Tlingit people. You’ll be invited to visit Chief Shakes Historic House and see rock carvings dating back around 8,000 years at the Petroglyph Beach anthropological site. Or you might like to visit the Anan Creek Bear Observatory with a local wilderness guide. Anan Creek has the largest pink salmon run in the area, providing the opportunity to watch both black and brown bears fish side by side in their natural habitat.

From Wrangell, your cruise will travel down Behm Canal into the glass-like waters of Misty Fjords. Enjoy the views as you relax on deck or venture to the narrow far end of the fjord, not accessible by ship, by Zodiac or kayaking expedition. Either way, keep an eye out for the fjord’s diverse marine life, such as otters, seals, sea lions, porpoises, and even orca whales. Be sure to watch the shorelines too for the chance of spotting moose, mountain goats, and even wolves.

As your ship crosses the border into Canada, your next port of call is Prince Rupert on British Columbia’s northwest coast. A unique way to see the area is a tour by vintage trolley. You’ll enjoy a scenic drive through the surrounding landscape while a local guide tells you about Prince Rupert’s history before arriving at Seal Cove. Here you’ll be invited to take part in a mixology masterclass. Try your hand at creating signature cocktails as well as the old classics.

After a busy few days, you might like to use your day of scenic cruising to unwind. Enjoy a restorative salt stone massage at the spa. Have an authentic sushi experience or enjoy Mediterranean cuisine with a twist at one of your ship's many restaurants. In the evening, relax with a cocktail and panoramic views in the Observation Bar as you sail along the rugged coastline of British Columbia.

Today, you’ll be docked just offshore from the tiny island town of Alert Bay, located on a now-dormant volcanic belt. Join Seabourn’s expedition team for a Zodiac exploration of the nearby Cormorant Marine Park. These waters are the core habitat of northern orcas, but humpback whales, sea lions, and white-sided dolphins are also seen in the area. As you travel through the channels, your knowledgeable driver and naturalist will provide a wealth of information.

The final stop on your cruise is Vancouver. You’ll disembark your ship in the morning and make your own way to Vancouver Airport for your next adventure. After a short flight to Port Hardy, you’ll take a half-hour boat transfer to Farewell Harbour Lodge. The lodge is situated on pristine Berry Island, in the heart of the Broughton Archipelago Marine Park, part of the Great Bear Rainforest, and a haven for bears, whales, marine mammals and birds. A friendly welcome awaits you from the team at this locally-owned lodge. Having been shown to your room, and all lodge introductions complete, there is time to take part in one of the many activities on offer.

Wake in the comfort of your beautiful en suite room and admire the spectacular views from your window. Perhaps enjoy a cup of coffee on the wrap-around deck before tucking into a hearty breakfast in the dining room. There are so many activities that you can choose to do today — guided bear-viewing trips, searching for humpback whales, visiting the renowned (and nearby) Johnstone Strait to look for orca, enjoying hiking in the temperate rainforests, or you may prefer to simply relax at the lodge and make use of the kayaks and paddleboards.

After breakfast, you may wish to embark on a guided three-hour trip to view grizzly bears. Your guides know the area intimately and provide excellent viewing possibilities. After lunch, there is an opportunity to visit one of the nearby First Nations villages and learn about their ancient and fascinating culture. After a day of activities, return to the lodge for the 5pm 'swim club' (a quick ocean dip). Enjoy a glass of wine on the terrace before dinner, then afterwards enjoy one of the lodge's fascinating lectures.

After breakfast, it's time to leave this special spot. Say goodbye to the staff and your fellow guests and travel back to Vancouver Airport for your international flight home.

Arrive home today to complete your journey.