The Alaska Edit

The Alaska Edit

“TO

THE LOVER OF PURE WILDERNESS, ALASKA IS

ONE OF THE MOST WONDERFUL

COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD

”

So wrote the 19th-century conservationist and author John Muir, who has a mountain and glacier named after him. It’s a wilderness that can only really be explored by sea or air. There are towns, of course, like the charismatic capital of Juneau, where the Red Dog Saloon displays the pistol left behind by Wyatt Earp, and Skagway, with its Gold Rush ghosts and vintage railway. But these are mainly stepping stones to the great outdoors and its amazing wildlife. From watching brown bears foraging to mushing huskies through the snow; from exploring hiking trails to kayaking down crystal-clear rivers; from whale-spotting to marveling at the awesome sight of Hubbard Glacier – be sure to pack a spirit of adventure.

Roundtrip VANCOUVER

JULY 2 – 9, 2024

Roundtrip VANCOUVER

JULY 23 – 30, 2024

This roundtrip voyage on Crystal Serenity leaves behind Canada’s dynamic city of Vancouver, travels through the pine-forest-flanked Seymour Narrows to the Pacific Ocean where whales breach, before arriving at Sitka, Alaska, a low-key city dotted across a series of islands. Next stop is the Klondike boomtown of Skagway. Then loop around and head south, via the great glacial valleys around Endicott Arm, Tracy Arm, and Ketchikan, via the islands and white peaks of the Inside Passage, and back down to Vancouver

WILDLIFE IMMERSION AND SEAFOOD FEAST

Get up close to Alaska’s wildlife on a trip to Fin Island Lodge in Sitka. Take an optional high-speed boat ride through the pristine waters to witness sea otters, whales, seals, and coastal brown bears at play in their natural habitat. Lunch at Fin Island Lodge, a timber cabin set on the shore surrounded by nature, is a delicious feast of the freshest local seafood cooked on a wood-fired grill.

This roundtrip transports you from Vancouver, Canada to Skagway, Alaska, and back, via the historic town of Wrangell. Sail aboard Crystal Serenity through jaw-dropping scenery of calving glaciers and snowcapped mountains. Highlights include sailing through the powerful waters of the Seymour Narrows, spotting the region’s rich wildlife from whales to bears and sea otters, visiting the Klondike town of Skagway and cruising back down to the ice valleys and fjords of Endicott Arm, Tracy Arm, and Ketchikan

WILDLIFE-SPOTTING BY SPEEDBOAT AND RAFT

This is the most thrilling way to get up close to Alaska’s wildlife and wilderness: ride an optional high-speed catamaran through the deepest fjord in North America, past waterfalls and marine life. Head up to Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve for sightings of these iconic birds; then raft (gently!) down the river through forests populated by bears and wolves, for a riverside picnic.

Endicott Arm

Ketchikan

Seymour Narrows

Seymour Narrows

Endicott Arm

VANCOUVER

Ketchikan

VANCOUVER to SEWARD (ANCHORAGE)

JULY 9 – 16, 2024

Serenity’s northbound route from Vancouver, Canada up to Seward, Alaska takes you via the Icy Strait, a jumping-off point for some of the most exhilarating outdoor adventures in all North America. Highlights include sailing through the breathtaking Seymour Narrows; hopping off in Alaska’s cultural capital of Juneau, then Skagway, its Gold Rush houses surrounded by stunning natural scenery; high-octane thrills at Icy Strait Point, and the awesome sight of the Hubbard Glacier up close.

DOG SLEDDING AND GLACIER FLIGHTSEEING

Enhance your stay in Skagway with an optional unique experience exclusive to Crystal guests. Take an exhilarating helicopter flight over the vast Alaskan wilderness to a dog camp on the Denver Glacier icefield. Here, professional mushers will introduce you to the dogs and give you an insight into the world of dog sledding in this remarkable natural environment.

VANCOUVER to SEWARD (ANCHORAGE)

Crystal Serenity hugs the Pacific Coast of North America as she sails from Vancouver to Seward via Ketchikan. Travel up the Seymour Narrows on a course between mainland Canada and the Haida Gwaii archipelago, up to Alaska through landscapes of forested islands, great glaciers and dramatic fjords including Sawyer Glacier and Tracy Arm fjord. On to Alaska’s capital city of Juneau, gold-rush-era Skagway, and the island city of Sitka. Cruise past the epic Hubbard Glacier before docking in Seward JULY 30 – AUGUST 6, 2024

ON THE TRAIL OF HUMPBACK WHALES WITH FLIP NICKLIN

Embark on an exciting optional experience in Juneau, taking a deep dive into the world of humpback whales. Led by marine biologist and National Geographic photographer Flip Nicklin, who has spent more than 40 years documenting and photographing whales, this is a rare opportunity to get an insight into these beautiful creatures, and capture your own breathtaking photographs.

SEWARD (ANCHORAGE) to VANCOUVER

JULY 16 – 23, 2024

Roundtrip VANCOUVER

AUGUST 13 – 21, 2024

The sleepy town of Seward is the launchpad for this voyage on Crystal Serenity, which travels southwards down the dramatic west coast of Alaska and Canada. Start with a bang at awe-inspiring Hubbard Glacier, where colossal ice chunks calve into the sea. Sail through Glacier Bay National Park, to historic Skagway and Sitka, then set a course for Icy Strait in Hoonah. Hop off at Ketchikan for hiking, kayaking or, a floatplane trip around the Misty Fjords National Monument, ahead of your final stop in Vancouver

A

GLACIER ODYSSEY

BY HELICOPTER

Taking off from Skagway’s waterfront and soar high above the town’s colorful Gold Rush houses on a breathtaking optional helicopter flight over Glacier Bay National Park. The helicopter will land in the midst of the vast icy wilderness, where you will step onto the glacier itself to be led by expedition leaders on a walk across the ice, providing fascinating insights into this natural wonder.

This roundtrip cruise from Vancouver loops around the innumerable islands which lie off the west coast of Alaska and Canada, returning via the buzzy creative city of Victoria. Travel up through the Seymour Narrows and Inside Passage to the fishing hub of Ketchikan. From here, explore the islands, fjords, and waterways of the Alexander Archipelago, including Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm. Discover the charming old settlements of Skagway and Sitka, both set in superb scenery; before heading back down to Vancouver via Victoria

A LOCAL’S GUIDE TO ALASKA’S FIRST CAPITAL

Sitka was Alaska’s original capital city. Yet it’s a low-key kind of place, set in stunning natural surroundings, with a rich history, painted houses scattered across a series of islands, and accessible only by air and sea. Learn more about its intriguing history on optional walking tour around its streets and through its temperate forest where totems prompt stories from your local guide.

VANCOUVER

Ketchikan

Victoria

Skagway

Sitka

Seymour Narrows

Endicott Arm

Hubbard Glacier

VANCOUVER

Ketchikan Skagway

SEWARD

Hoonah

Sitka

Seymour Narrows