Grand Alaskan Cruise & Tour

Today your adventure begins upon arrival in Fairbanks, the largest city in the interior of Alaska. If you purchased your airline tickets from YMT, you will be welcomed by a representative and transferred to your hotel.

Today begins with a guided tour of Fairbanks. Learn the secrets of the “Golden Heart City,” built as a gold rush boomtown in 1902 after the precious metal was discovered on the banks of the Chena River. See the highlights of the city, and view the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.

Then, take a scenic drive down the George Parks Highway to Denali National Park. At six million acres, Denali is one of the world’s great frontiers for wilderness adventure. (B)

Take a deeper look at this amazing park on a Denali Natural History Tour. With a focus on the rich cultural history of Denali National Park, this memorable tour provides insight into the diverse native and early pioneer influences in and around the park. Your dedicated naturalist will provide a great introduction to Denali’s landscape, geology, and past. Visit Savage Cabin, the original ranger’s cabin that is still used by the Park Service today.

This afternoon you will have free time to spend in the park at your leisure. Along with mountain views, it’s not rare to see some combination of Alaska’s Big Five. Look for grizzly bears, caribou and moose, as well as dall sheep, wolves, and many other animals. (B)

After a final morning in Denali, stop for lunch on your own in the community of Talkeetna. There’s plenty to see and do here. Along with excellent dining, great shopping, and a charming museum, the Talkeetna Historic District is on the register of National Historic Places. Some of its buildings are from the early 1900s, including Nagley’s General Store and the Talkeetna Roadhouse.

If you select our optional Alaska Railroad Upgrade, you’ll board the train in Denali and rejoin the group in Talkeetna. Enjoy a free evening in Anchorage at your leisure. (B)

En route from Anchorage, visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. This sanctuary in Portage is home to wolves, bears, moose, lynx, bald eagles and more.

Continue to Whittier, the gateway to Prince William Sound. Whittier is nestled between breathtaking mountains, emerald forests, and the sparkling blue sea. Embark on Holland America’s ms Noordam this afternoon. Get settled into your stateroom and explore the ship’s many available amenities and activities. (B, D)

Cruise along the Hubbard Glacier in Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve. America’s largest national park, it covers more land than Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Switzerland combined. This rugged, isolated 13-million-acre wilderness is home to dazzling blue glaciers, spruce forests, and nine of America’s 16 tallest mountains. (B, L, D)

Covering 3.3 million rugged acres, Glacier Bay National Park is one of the most scenic sections of Alaska’s massive 25-million-acre protected World Heritage Site. Spend the day cruising through a 60-mile passage rich with glaciers, exotic wildlife, and pristine nature. Your route is the frequent site of glacier calving, where great chunks of ice fall into the bay with a deafening crash. You’ll never forget the sight or sound. (B, L, D)

Skagway, where the Gold Rush began, was the turbulent staging point for prospectors determined to find riches in the Klondike gold fields. Even today, Skagway’s well-preserved history and atmosphere can transport you back to the 1898 Gold Rush. (B, L, D)

Nestled at the feet of snowcapped Mt. Juneau and Mt. Roberts, Alaska’s state capital is nicknamed “Little San Francisco” because of its narrow streets and multicolored houses built into the hillsides. (B, L, D)

This distinctive frontier town is famous for its bawdy history and wooden boardwalk, which has remained perched on stilts above Ketchikan Creek for over a century. Take a stroll along Creek Street, the former “Red Light” district. (B, L, D)

Cruise along Vancouver Island and Alaska’s spectacular Inside Passage. The Inside Passage is one of the most scenic sea lanes in the world. Look for marine animals while you pass turquoise glaciers, forests in a hundred shades of green, and coastal villages. (B, L, D)

Note: Most flights into Fairbanks require at least two connections. Departure flights from Vancouver to some cities are overnight and arrive the following day. Guests booking their own need to depart no earlier than 12:30 PM out of Vancouver.