San Diego to Vancouver

Embrace the laidback lifestyle of this coastal Californian city, where the weather is as sunny as the dispositions of its inhabitants. There are 17 miles of pristine coastline, so pick a stretch of sand to lay your towel upon, admire cliffside views on a coastal hike, or take to the waves with a surf lesson – this is, after all, one of the world’s most renowned surfing destinations. In the heart of the city, you’ll find the 1,200-acre Balboa Park, a leafy oasis that houses multiple museums, as well as Japanese gardens and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. Refuel at one of the many local taquerias or independent burger joints.

Pleasure is paramount in Santa Catalina, just off the coast of Los Angeles, which gained cachet when moguls and movie stars started hanging out here – Marilyn Monroe owned a property on the island. Landmarks including the casino remain from early efforts to turn Santa Catalina into a resort, and there’s also a curious legacy of the island's double life as a frequent location for filming – the bison that roam its pastures were brought here as extras for a film that never even made the cutting-room floor. Yet this resolutely American playground feels Mediterranean rather than West Coast, as you’ll see on arrival in the port of Avalon, which is more Monte Carlo than Malibu.

The Port of San Francisco annually hosts more than 80 cruise ships at the James R. Herman Cruise Terminal (Pier 27) and nearby Pier 35. The terminal is in a prime location, with easy access to popular attractions including Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf, the Ferry Building and Union Square.

One of the most spectacular things about cruising from San Francisco is passing under the Golden Gate Bridge. Make sure you are on the lido deck for the sailaway party. It’s certainly a ‘hold your breath’ moment as the ship sails under the bridge.

A day at sea with Crystal can be as relaxed or as engaging as you wish. Begin with breakfast on your veranda, take a walk along the Promenade Deck or spend the morning by the Seahorse Pool before retreating to the Aurōra Spa & Salon for a restorative treatment. Enrichment is always close at hand, with lectures, bridge, creative workshops, dance classes, wellness sessions and opportunities to fine tune skills from photography to golf.

Dining is a highlight throughout the day, from relaxed bites by the pool to elegant dinners at venues such as Umi Uma by Nobu, Beefbar or Waterside. As evening arrives, enjoy live music, theatre entertainment, comedy, social gatherings, cocktails in the lounges or a quiet night in with 24-hour in-suite dining.

Victoria, capital of British Columbia, sits on the southern end of Vancouver Island, framed by an attractive harbour and surrounded by grand buildings.

With abundant parkland, it’s known for outdoor activities. The city's British colonial past shows in its Victorian architecture, including stately Craigdarroch Castle mansion. Butchart Gardens, with 55 acres of vivid floral displays, plus statuary, water features and a carousel, is one of many formal gardens in the city.

A creative community and quirky character underpin the harbor city of Nanaimo on the east coast of Vancouver Island. Weave through its charming downtown streets to discover independent art galleries, boutiques, bars, and distilleries – and stop at a café to sample the city’s signature sweet treat, the creamy and chocolatey Nanaimo Bar. Nanaimo takes pride in its thriving live music scene – catch a free gig at one of its many eclectic venues, or time your visit to coincide with a summer festival or alfresco concert. Opportunities for outdoor adventure are never far off in Canada, and this is certainly true in Nanaimo, where coastal parks, mountains, waterfalls, and beaches are waiting to be explored by foot, bike, or boat.

Flanked by majestic mountain ranges on one side and the sparkling Pacific on the other, the British Columbia capital has natural beauty in spades, making it a dream destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking, swimming, mountain biking, and skiing are all on offer, and easily accessible from within city limits. But it’s not just active types that Vancouver caters for. The sophisticated cosmopolis boasts world-class museums, bustling markets, live music and theatre, and a truly diverse culinary scene that spans everything from casual street food to boundary-pushing fine dining.

Narrow by name, narrow by nature: this three-mile waterway between Vancouver Island and Quadra Island in British Columbia makes up a small sliver of the larger Inside Passage, but is one of its most defining features. Named after Royal Navy officer Sir George Francis Seymour, the strait is known for its intense – and once treacherous – tidal currents, which became significantly more navigable with the 1958 planned explosion of Ripple Rock, an underwater twin-peaked mountain. Cruising the Seymour Narrows offers front-row access to the raw and rugged natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

Celebrated as the ‘salmon capital of the world’, the small Alaskan town of Ketchikan is an angler’s dream and the ultimate destination for nature lovers. Hiking trails abound and the surrounding waters offer some of the best kayaking in the Inside Passage. Don’t miss a visit to Misty Fjords National Monument, a breathtaking seascape of steep fjords, dramatic waterfalls, and dense coastal forest. And get a sense of the region’s rich Tlingit culture at the Totem Heritage Center, which houses the world’s largest collection of unrestored 19th-century totem poles.

Off the coast of Yakutat - 200 miles North West of Juneau - Hubbard is certainly gigantic: it's more than 9km/6mi wide where it meets the ocean. The face is over 100m/350ft tall, and icebergs 3 to 4 stories in height aren’t uncommon.

Granted, most of that ice is below water, but the ice can be so thick that cruise ships can’t get too close. In the right conditions, however, your ship might be able to get within 1km/0.5mi of the face. The strong currents and riptides that flow between Gilbert Point and the face of the glacier cause calving to occur on a daily basis, sending massive chunks of ice crashing into Disenchantment Bay.

But don't be fooled, Hubbard Glacier stands strong and is advancing so fast its earned the title "The Galloping Glacier".

The scenic city of Sitka, Alaska’s former capital, lies on the east coast of Baranof Island. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, green-tufted landscapes, and glassy waters, it’s a haven for nature lovers and offers plenty in the way of outdoor activities, including salmon fishing, cycling, hiking, kayaking, and whale watching. Its unique cultural fabric is richly woven with Russian, Tlingit, and American influences. Pay a visit to the onion-domed St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral, admire impressive totem poles in Sitka National Historical Park, and stop by the Sitka Public Market for locally made souvenirs.

This tiny hamlet (population: 710) on rugged Prince of Wales Island was first settled by the Tlingit people, who used the site as a summer fishing camp. The impressive totem park, set on a hill overlooking the harbor, houses one of the largest collections in Alaska. Gaze skywards at skilfully carved replicas of the original poles that marked the village of Tukekan, as well as poles chiselled in recent decades. The heritage center, longhouse, and carving shed on the edge of town are well worth a visit to see the masterful craftsmen at work.

A day at sea with Crystal can be as relaxed or as engaging as you wish. Begin with breakfast on your veranda, take a walk along the Promenade Deck or spend the morning by the Seahorse Pool before retreating to the Aurōra Spa & Salon for a restorative treatment. Enrichment is always close at hand, with lectures, bridge, creative workshops, dance classes, wellness sessions and opportunities to fine tune skills from photography to golf.

Dining is a highlight throughout the day, from relaxed bites by the pool to elegant dinners at venues such as Umi Uma by Nobu, Beefbar or Waterside. As evening arrives, enjoy live music, theatre entertainment, comedy, social gatherings, cocktails in the lounges or a quiet night in with 24-hour in-suite dining.

Victoria, capital of British Columbia, sits on the southern end of Vancouver Island, framed by an attractive harbour and surrounded by grand buildings.

With abundant parkland, it’s known for outdoor activities. The city's British colonial past shows in its Victorian architecture, including stately Craigdarroch Castle mansion. Butchart Gardens, with 55 acres of vivid floral displays, plus statuary, water features and a carousel, is one of many formal gardens in the city.

Vancouver is the ideal home port to begin or end an Alaskan adventure. Blessed with stunning vistas and exciting activities, Vancouver offers the perfect blend of urban and natural experiences. Vancouver is a must for any cruise itinerary, and because it's a compact, walkable city right on the edge of nature, adding on just a couple of extra days to explore will give you an authentic taste of what makes this place so attractive to visitors.

Located in the heart of Vancouver’s waterfront, 'Canada Place' (cruise terminal) can service up to three luxury cruise ships at any given time.