Fly Stay Cruise Tour - 17 Day Alaska Rail & Sail: Inside Passage & Denali

Your Alaskan adventure begins today as you depart home on your included flight to Vancouver. Thanks to the international date line, you arrive into Vancouver on the same calendar day you departed. Upon arrival, clear customs and immigration and make your way to your downtown Vancouver hotel where you will check in for the first of three nights. Settle in and rest after your long travel day. Special Information An ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) is required for Australians entering Canada. Please apply via the official Canadian government portal before travel. Airport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed. Hotel check-in time is at 3pm. If arriving prior to this, you will be able to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available. The hotel may grant early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotel's discretion. Inspiring Highlights Vancouver - Arrival and check in

After breakfast, your day is at leisure to explore Vancouver at your own pace. Vancouver is a city where ocean, mountains and forest meet downtown. Walk or cycle the Seawall around Stanley Park, browse the food stalls and artisan shops at Granville Island Public Market, or wander Gastown's historic cobblestone streets and its famous Steam Clock. The Vancouver Aquarium, Vancouver Art Gallery and Museum of Anthropology offer indoor options if the weather closes in. For those seeking an iconic day trip, optional excursions to North Vancouver include the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, the Grouse Mountain Skyride and Lynn Canyon. Local tour operators offer half-day or full-day excursions which can be booked locally or through your hotel concierge. Inspiring Highlights Vancouver - Stanley Park Seawall Vancouver - Granville Island Public Market Vancouver - Gastown historic district Capilano Suspension Bridge Park (optional) Grouse Mountain Skyride (optional)

Another full day at leisure to enjoy Vancouver before embarkation tomorrow. You might explore further afield with a half-day trip to Whistler or the Sea-to-Sky scenic drive, take the SeaBus across Burrard Inlet to Lonsdale Quay Market in North Vancouver, or spend the day on the water with a whale watching cruise from the harbour. Food lovers can join a guided walking tour of Granville Island or Chinatown. For an unforgettable city perspective, optional Vancouver harbour scenic seaplane flights operate from the downtown waterfront, offering low-level tours over Stanley Park, the North Shore mountains and the surrounding coastline. Seaplane operators can be booked locally or through your hotel concierge. This evening, prepare for embarkation tomorrow. Inspiring Highlights Vancouver - Whistler or Sea-to-Sky scenic drive (optional) Vancouver - Whale watching cruise (optional) Vancouver Harbour - Scenic seaplane flight (optional) Vancouver - Chinatown or Granville Island food tour (optional)

This morning after breakfast, check out of your hotel and make your way to Canada Place cruise terminal in downtown Vancouver, where Westerdam awaits. Once on board, settle into your stateroom and begin exploring the ship. Take in the Crow's Nest panoramic lounge, the World Stage theatre, the Lido Market and the open-deck pools. Set sail in the afternoon, taking in views of the Vancouver skyline and the Lions Gate Bridge before turning north into the Inside Passage. Tonight, enjoy your first dinner on board. An optional upgrade to Holland America's Have It All package is available for those who would like to add drinks, Wi-Fi, specialty dining and shore excursion credits. Special Information Westerdam departs from Canada Place cruise terminal, 999 Canada Place, Vancouver. All guests must be on board at least 2 hours prior to the ship's scheduled departure. Port transfers between your Vancouver hotel and Canada Place are not included. Canada Place is in downtown Vancouver and within walking distance or a short taxi ride from most central hotels. On embarkation day, lunch and dinner are included on board. Breakfast is provided at your hotel before checkout. Inspiring Highlights Vancouver - Embark Westerdam for 7-night Inside Passage cruise

Today is a scenic cruising day as Westerdam sails north along the Inside Passage, one of the most spectacular coastal waterways in the world. Forested islands, fjords, snow-capped peaks and small fishing villages slide past on both sides of the ship. Keep an eye out for marine wildlife - humpback whales, orca, sea lions, eagles and dolphins all call these waters home. The Explorations Central enrichment area on board offers talks and presentations about Alaska's wildlife, geology and culture, ideal preparation for the days ahead. Inspiring Highlights Inside Passage - Scenic cruising past forested islands and fjords Inside Passage - Wildlife viewing from the open decks

Welcome to Ketchikan, the salmon capital of the world and Alaska's southernmost port city. Built on stilts at the edge of Tongass National Forest, Ketchikan boasts the world's largest collection of standing totem poles. Visit the Totem Heritage Center, home to original totem poles dating back to the late 1800s. Walk along historic Creek Street, a wooden boardwalk built over Ketchikan Creek and once the heart of the town's frontier era. Optional excursions include floatplane flights over the Misty Fjords, lumberjack shows and dog cart rides through the rainforest. Return to the ship in the early afternoon. Inspiring Highlights Ketchikan - Totem Heritage Center Ketchikan - Historic Creek Street boardwalk Ketchikan - Tongass National Forest scenery Ketchikan - Misty Fjords floatplane (optional)

Welcome to Juneau, Alaska's state capital, accessible only by sea or air. Set between Mt Juneau and the Gastineau Channel, the city offers easy access to one of Alaska's most photographed glaciers. The Mendenhall Glacier sits just 20 minutes from downtown, with a visitor centre, hiking trails and viewpoints to take in its blue-tinged ice. The Mt Roberts Tramway carries you above the city for sweeping views. Optional excursions include whale watching on Auke Bay, dog sledding on the Mendenhall Glacier and helicopter tours over the ice field. Return to the ship in the evening. Inspiring Highlights Juneau - Mendenhall Glacier and visitor centre Juneau - Mt Roberts Tramway Juneau - Downtown and historic State Capitol Juneau - Whale watching or dog sledding (optional)

Welcome to Skagway, the frontier town that served as the gateway to the Klondike Gold Rush in the late 1890s. Hemmed in by mountains at the head of the Lynn Canal, Skagway preserves its boardwalks, false-fronted timber buildings and gold rush stories like nowhere else in Alaska. Walk Broadway through the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, with restored saloons, trading posts and the Mascot Saloon museum. The White Pass & Yukon Route narrow-gauge railway is one of the most spectacular train rides in North America, climbing into Yukon territory through the mountains. Other optional experiences include dog sledding on the Denver Glacier, jeep tours through the Yukon and helicopter tours over the ice fields. Return to the ship in the evening. Inspiring Highlights Skagway - Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Skagway - Broadway boardwalk and frontier town Skagway - White Pass & Yukon Route Railway (optional) Skagway - Yukon jeep or dog sled tours (optional)

Today is one of the highlights of the cruise. Westerdam enters Glacier Bay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world's most spectacular wildernesses, for a morning of scenic cruising. National Park Service rangers come on board to share the history, geology and wildlife of the park. The ship moves slowly past Margerie Glacier, the Grand Pacific Glacier and the towering Johns Hopkins Glacier, where blue ice meets the sea and calving events can send thunderous waves rolling out across the bay. Watch for harbour seals on icebergs, brown bears on the shoreline and bald eagles soaring overhead. Special Information Glacier Bay scenic cruising is weather and ice dependent. The captain may adjust the route within the park based on conditions on the day. Inspiring Highlights Glacier Bay - Scenic cruising past tidewater glaciers Glacier Bay - Margerie Glacier and Johns Hopkins Glacier Glacier Bay - National Park ranger commentary Glacier Bay - Wildlife viewing

Today Westerdam continues across the Gulf of Alaska toward Prince William Sound. This afternoon, the ship enters College Fjord, a remote glacier-fed inlet at the far northern end of the Sound. The fjord is named for the Ivy League and Seven Sisters colleges, with each tidewater glacier carrying the name of an east coast US university. Spend the afternoon and evening on the open decks taking in views of more than a dozen glaciers, including the impressive Harvard and Yale Glaciers at the head of the fjord. The clear water, snow-capped peaks and silence broken only by calving ice create a memorable final evening of cruising before disembarkation. Inspiring Highlights College Fjord - Scenic cruising past multiple tidewater glaciers College Fjord - Harvard and Yale Glaciers

In the very early hours of the morning, Westerdam arrives into Whittier on Prince William Sound. After breakfast on board, disembark the ship and meet your Holland America land tour representative. Board your coach for the scenic drive to Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, around 90 minutes from Whittier. The route takes you alongside Turnagain Arm with sweeping views of the Chugach Mountains and a good chance of spotting Dall sheep on the cliffs and beluga whales in the water below. Arrive into Anchorage in the afternoon and check in to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Anchorage offers the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Anchorage Museum, the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail with views of Cook Inlet, and downtown's breweries and salmon spots. Special Information On disembarkation day, breakfast is included on board. Lunch and dinner on Day 11 are at your own arrangement. All Holland America cruisetour transfers and accommodation are included on the land segment. Westerdam arrives into Whittier in the very early hours. Holland America manages a staged disembarkation to coordinate with the included coach transfer to Anchorage. Inspiring Highlights Whittier - Disembark Westerdam Turnagain Arm - Scenic coastal drive Anchorage - Arrival and city at leisure Anchorage - Alaska Native Heritage Center (optional)

This morning after breakfast, transfer to the Anchorage rail depot to board the McKinley Explorer, Holland America's glass-domed rail car, for the scenic journey north to Denali. The two-storey domed carriages offer 360 degree views as you travel through forested wilderness, alongside rivers and past mountain peaks. Lunch is served on board the train. On clear days, the massive bulk of Denali itself comes into view long before you arrive at the park. Arrive into the Denali area in the afternoon and transfer the short distance to your lodge for a one night stay. Set on the doorstep of Denali National Park, your lodge offers easy access to the park entrance and visitor centre. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to walk the nature trails around the lodge or enjoy the wilderness surroundings. Special Information All Holland America cruisetour transfers, rail and accommodation are included on the land segment. Inspiring Highlights McKinley Explorer Rail - Glass-domed scenic journey Denali National Park - Arrival at the park gateway

This morning after breakfast, head out for your Denali Natural History Tour, the included excursion into Denali National Park. Board a narrated coach for a journey to the Teklanika area near the park entrance. Your driver and guide bring the tundra, taiga and boreal forest to life, sharing the stories of Denali, Native Alaskan culture and the natural history of the region. You will visit cultural and interpretive stops, learn about the Athabascan people who have lived here for thousands of years, and on a clear day catch glimpses of the massive bulk of Denali itself (6,190 metres / 20,310 feet). After the tour, board your coach for the drive north to Fairbanks. The route takes you through the rolling hills and river valleys of Alaska's interior. Arrive into Fairbanks in the evening and check in to your hotel for one night. Special Information The Denali Natural History Tour is approximately 4 to 5 hours in duration and operates on a coach within the front section of Denali National Park. Wildlife sightings are possible but not the primary focus of this tour. Wildlife enthusiasts may wish to upgrade to the Tundra Wilderness Tour at an additional cost (subject to park road access and availability). Bring binoculars, layered clothing and a camera with zoom lens for either tour. Inspiring Highlights Denali - Natural History Tour with naturalist guide Denali - Native Alaskan culture and interpretive stops Denali - North America's highest peak (on a clear day) Drive to Fairbanks - Alaska interior scenery

Today marks the official end of your Holland America Classic Denali Cruisetour. After breakfast, you have an additional night in Fairbanks included with your package, giving you a full day to explore Alaska's gateway to the interior at a relaxed pace. Fairbanks offers a relaxed final stop. You might visit the Museum of the North at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, walk the Fairbanks Riverwalk along the Chena River, take a ride on the Riverboat Discovery sternwheeler, or visit the Pioneer Park outdoor museum showcasing Alaska's frontier era. Local restaurants serve fresh Alaskan king crab and salmon. This evening, prepare for your flight home tomorrow. Inspiring Highlights Fairbanks - Museum of the North (optional) Fairbanks - Chena River Riverwalk Fairbanks - Riverboat Discovery sternwheeler (optional) Fairbanks - Pioneer Park outdoor museum (optional)

Your Alaskan adventure draws to a close today. After breakfast, check out of your hotel and make your way to Fairbanks airport for your flight home, routing via a US west coast hub before continuing home.Settle in for your flight as you reflect on glaciers, totem poles and the immense wilderness of Alaska.Special InformationAirport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed.

Crossing over the date-line.

Welcome home. Your flight lands today, completing your Alaskan journey. Crossing back over the international date line, the calendar moves forward two days from your Fairbanks departure. We hope you return with memories of glaciers, totem poles, wildlife and the wilderness of Denali, and that you will think of us for your next adventure.