Roundtrip Vancouver

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.

The native Tlingit people might run the port of Icy Strait Point on Chichagof Island, but this is a place where wildlife reigns supreme. The Spasski River Valley has one of the highest densities of coastal brown bears in the world, while the waters surrounding the island teem with humpback whales as well as sea otters and sea lions. If the abundance of wildlife doesn’t take your breath away, try the six-person zipwire running down from Hoonah Mountain at speeds of up to 60mph, some 300 feet above the rainforest. And don’t leave port without a look at the salmon cannery turned museum.

With its colorful clapperboard and corrugated iron houses overlooked by glacial peaks, Haines looks sleepily scenic. It’s also delightfully quirky. There is the Hammer Museum, with more than 2,000 tools, including some that are musical instruments and others more gruesome, such as one that can prise open a skull in an autopsy. Haines is also home to unusual art installations and the Port Chilkoot Distillery, which uses glacier melt to make its spirits. Add to all this its natural wonders: a short cycle along the deep fjord known as the Lynn Canal is Chilkoot Lake state park, where bears fish for salmon along the streams and bald eagles soar overhead.

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.

Situated at the northwest edge of Wrangell Island in the south of Alaska, Wrangell lies 155 miles south of Juneau and 89 miles northwest of Ketchikan. This charming harbor town, nestled in the Inside Passage, is not only scenically stunning – think snow-capped mountains, lush forests, pristine wilderness, and abundant wildlife – but it is also renowned for its Tlingit heritage, rich wildlife encounters, adventures along the scenic Stikine River, not to mention its 40 petroglyphs that are an estimated 8,000 years old. For millennia, the Tlingit people have inhabited this region, leaving a rich tapestry of their culture and history woven into Wrangell. The town boasts a remarkable array of totems, with over a dozen dispersed throughout, offering visitors a varied and interesting walk through stunning scenery as well as a chance to imbibe local stories and heritage.

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.