Alaska Northbound Glacier 7 Nights • Vancouver, British Columbia to Seward, Alaska • CELEBRITY SOLSTICE

Vancouver cruises.

Among the world's most liveable cities - diverse, cultural, beautiful - this culinary capital treats you to fresh local seafood, farm-to-table produce, and authentic Asian flavors. West Coast architecture - modernism with a woodsy bent - emerged here. But while downtown shines with steel and glass, its epicenter is green Stanley Park, a 1,000-acre oasis of spectacular beaches, trails, and views. North of town, ride scenic Sea to Sky Highway along the coast and through the forest toward Whistler, 2,200 feet above sea level. On your way, behold lofty Shannon Falls and brave the heart-pounding Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge.

Your ship departs promptly at 4:00 pm, so we recommend arriving at least 2-3 hours early to smoothly navigate check-in and boarding. All ship amenities are open and ready, so kickstart your vacation with a refreshing drink or a delicious snack.

Inside Passage, Alaska: You'll sail beyond the Inside Passage into the more protected Alaska Inside Passage in southeastern Alaska. This complex labyrinth of fjords, bays, and lush green islands is home to an abundance of wildlife, including orca, mountain goats, bald eagles, bears, puffins, sea otters and much more. During the summer months, the long hours of daylight allow for ample opportunities for nature photos on your Inside Passage Cruise. You'll never forget the sight of 40-ton whales hurling themselves into the air, almost completely escaping the water. If you're especially lucky, you could see them swimming together to create a bubble net, trapping and eating fish by the giant mouthful.

Sitka, Alaska: A Russian settlement until the Alaska Purchase of 1867, Sitka’s Russian heritage is still very much rooted in the city. Visit St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral for a pristine example of period architecture. Nestled on the coast of the Gulf of Alaska, there’s much natural beauty to explore on a Sitka cruise. A walk along the promenade in Whale Park offers a chance to view breaching humpback whales while a trek into Sitka Historical Park reveals stunning coastal trails and hundred-year-old totem poles. Venture to Tongass National Forest for up close views of wildlife, including Alaska Coastal Brown Bears, American Bald Eagles and Sitka Blacktail Deer. Or head to the Sheldon Jackson Museum, the oldest standing structure in all of Alaska which is home to a small, yet impressive collection of artifacts from all of Alaska’s indigenous groups.

Alaska’s Endicott Arm Fjord marks the southern edge of the 653,179-acre Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness area. As you sail through its 30-mile-long stretch, you can’t help but be amazed by the untouched beauty of the surrounding granite mountains, verdant valleys and numerous waterfalls. Drifting icebergs, deep blue waters and a spectacular tidewater glacier only add to this natural spectacle’s appeal. Endicott Arm is one of the largest breeding grounds for harbor seals on the planet. Keep your eyes open for these creatures splashing in icy waters near the ship or floating with their pups on giant chunks of ice. Along the shore you might also glimpse brown bears, bald eagles, sea ducks, deer, moose and wolves. Your journey through scenic Endicott Arm Fjord ends with a front-row view of the striking Dawes Glacier. Standing over 600 feet tall and a half-mile wide, this very active icecap is known for its spectacular calving displays which noisily produce huge, chunky icebergs that float in area waters. Remember to dress in wind-resistant layers for viewing scenery outside on deck.

For thousands of years, the Tlingit Indians have called this place home. Located near the city of Hoonah, and home to a historic cannery, Icy Strait Point also offers travelers the chance to view wildlife like humpback whales, orcas, seals, eagles, and brown bears, or to explore monuments to the region's fishing heritage.

Here's your chance to take a glacial dogsled adventure in Alaska's capital, where cultured sophistication meets the ruggedness of the Last Frontier.

Hubbard Glacier, Alaska: The Hubbard Glacier is located about 30 miles north off the coast of Yakutat and is by far one of Alaska’s most exciting natural treasures. On your cruise to Hubbard Glacier, enjoy incredible picture-perfect views of this glorious mount of ice from about every angle on your ship. Named after Gardiner Hubbard, the founder and president of the National Geographic Society, Hubbard Glacier is the longest tidewater glacier in the world. Dramatically massive at about 7-miles wide, 76-miles long and as tall as a 30-story building above the waterline, it’s the largest river of ice in North America. How this magnificent block came to form begins about 400 years ago from the snowfalls on the slopes of Mount Logan. While most of the world’s glaciers are retreating, the Hubbard Glacier has continued to thicken over the years and on rare occasion will partially block Russell Fjord, temporarily damming its passage.

Cruise Hubbard Glacier and experience the wilds of Alaska as your ship makes its way through icy waters turning from Yakutat Bay into the narrow Disenchantment Bay to come face-to-face with the towering Hubbard Glacier. The strong currents and riptides that flow between Gilbert Point and the face of the glacier cause calving to occur on daily basis, sending massive chunks of ice crashing into Disenchantment Bay. Witness this awe-inspiring phenomenon onboard a Hubbard Glacier cruise through the misty, chilled air of the Gulf of Alaska. Our dedicated onboard naturalist narrates the experience and keeps an eye out for the whales, harbor seals, and otters that hunt and play in the waters of Yakutat Bay. It’s an adventure of a lifetime.

Seward, Alaska: Edging the Kenai Peninsula and framed by the glacier-covered Kenai Mountains that run along its southeastern spine, Seward is a rustic port town whose grand terrain will leave you breathless. Discover the wonder of the Kenai Peninsula on a Seward cruise. The pristine wilderness is home to nesting seabirds, countless islands, wetlands, and breathtaking views. And, as the gateway to the Kenai Fjords National Park, the Harding Icefield — an expanse of ice and snow created over 23,000 years ago — is easily within reach and culminates in 40 glaciers that dramatically calve into the sea. The throngs of wildlife that course below, and glide above the glacial waters, are legion. Pods of humpback whales are known to breach when hunting, seals and sea lions lounge on rocky outcroppings and bald eagles hover overhead. The rugged landscape suits Seward’s hardy locals well. Every July 4th, Seward’s runners race 1.5 miles up and down Mount Marathon. Starting at sea level, the race rises 3,000 feet in elevation over very steep terrain. Runners race over gullies, ice, and snow, using their hands to haul themselves to the finish line. And, when not racing up mountains, you can find stalwart locals at city watering holes and dining spots, where you can savor fresh Alaskan seafood, filleted and flayed straight from the ocean to your plate. Situated at a grand natural intersection where bays and fjords stretching south to the Pacific meet the crested wilderness — and connected to communities extending northwards via the famously scenic Seward Highway — Seward is emblematic of the wildly beautiful state that is Alaska.

Your cruise may have ended, but the adventure continues. Take advantage of the fantastic activities in the area. If you're flying out, please keep your departure flight time in mind and plan accordingly.