Alaska

Seattle is a dynamic, urban city, located in the Northwest region of the United States on Puget Sound. Being surrounded by water and unmatched natural beauty, outdoor activities have become a popular aspect of this area. This city is also home to modern architecture, captivating art, and their famously prominent coffee culture.

Top Things to Do in Seattle:

• shop at the longest-running farmers markets in the US, the Pike Place Market
• visit ‘The Seattle Spheres’, an indoor rainforest
• explore the Starbucks Reserve and Tasting Room
• visit the iconic ‘Space Needle’

Queen Elizabeth's two-deck library is a guest favourite. While away some time here with a new holiday read, or meet new friends through our on board book club. If you're feeling inspired, why not pen some stories of your very own? Warm wood panelling, golden lighting, and plush seating give this space a cosy feel, perfect for literary exploration by day and by night.

Ketchikan sits at the southern end of Alaska’s Inside Passage -  the canned salmon capital of the world, it’s a hub for fishing and outdoor sports. It’s also home to three tribes of Northwest Coast Indians, making it a great place to get a taste for the local culture.

Top Things to Do in Ketchikan:

• visit Totem Bight State Park
• venture past the town limits into Tongass National Forest
• visit Ketchikan's own Saxman Native Village
• a myriad of outdoor adventures from fishing to zip-lining!
  

Sitka is nestled on the west side of Baranof Island. As the east is covered with snowcapped mountains and the west is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, recreational fishing and hiking have become what Sitka is most famous for. As well as their historical landmarks, picturesque views and authentic dining experiences.

Top Things to Do in Sitka:

• visit Sitka Totem Park, home to authentic Tlingit and Haida totem poles nestled in a rainforest of giant Sitka spruce trees 
• hike through the Starrigavan with plenty of bird and wildlife viewing opportunities
• explore Sitka via kayak 

With snow-capped peaks, abundant wildlife and shimmering glaciers, it’s no wonder Glacier Bay National Park is the crowning jewel of Alaska’s Inside Passage. Spanning 3.3 million acres, as part of a 25-million-acre World Heritage Site, a Glacier Bay National Park cruise reveals some of the planet’s most remarkable tidewater glaciers. The park is home to over 1,000 glaciers, the majority of which nestle in the surrounding mountains, connecting land to sky like nature’s skyscrapers. Soaring to 15,000 feet, Glacier Bay’s ranges are the highest coastal peaks in all the world; their abundant snowfall offering the perfect breeding ground for glaciers to take shape.

One of the highlights of visiting Glacier Bay National Park is watching the prolific calving of these shimmering ice giants. Towering hundreds of feet above the water, as well as stretching a hundred feet below, huge jagged pinnacles routinely break off in thunderous explosions, resulting in flotillas of icebergs. It’s an awe-inspiring spectacle.

Besides the tidal glaciers, for which Glacier Bay National Park is renowned, the area is also a vibrant habitat for a rich variety of wildlife. Huge humpback whales are often spotted breaching and slapping their tails, as pods of orcas silently glide by and sea lions bask in the sun on rocky outcrops. As you sail along the endless miles of pristine coastline, you may see brown bears, mountain goats, and moose, while looking up reveals hundreds of bird species, including rare puffins and majestic bald eagles.

Juno, commonly known as Juneau, is the capital city of Alaska. Only accessible by sea or air, Juneau's history, culture, and topography have resulted in many interesting activities for visitors to enjoy, all in the heart of Alaska's majestic mountains, rivers, glaciers, and forests.

Top Things to Do in and around Juneau:

• dog sledding
  
• explore the gorgeous Mendenhall Glacier
  
• whale watching
• Alaskan Halibut fishing
  

Skagway was Alaska's largest town with a population of about 20,000 during the gold rush in 1898. Hotels, saloons, dance halls and gambling houses prospered. But when the gold dwindled, so did the population.

Today, Skagway has less than 1,000 residents and it still retains the flavor of the gold rush era.

Top Things to Do in and around Skagway:

• steam train from Skagway aboard the "Scenic Railway of the World"
  
• excursion to the Klondike Summit
  
• gold panning & dog sledding

Tracy Arm Fjord, nestled in Alaska's wilderness, offers a serene escape into nature, where glaciers and granite cliffs dominate the landscape. This fjord presents a quiet spectacle of ice and rock, inviting travelers to witness the calm yet powerful beauty of the natural world. Here, visitors can observe the subtle drama of icebergs calving and wildlife, such as eagles and seals, in their natural habitat, against a backdrop of waterfalls and icy waters.

Cruising through Tracy Arm Fjord provides an opportunity to explore Alaska's less-trodden paths, where the majesty of untouched landscapes unfolds with each turn. The journey through this fjord is an immersive experience, offering a glimpse into the tranquil yet dynamic environment that shapes Alaska's wilderness.

Indulge in some self-care at Mareel Wellness & Beauty on Queen Elizabeth. Here, you can choose from a wide array of spa treatments and therapies designed to restore balance and harmony to your body, mind, and spirit. Or you could simply rest and relax, making the most of the hydrotherapy pool, sauna, and steam room. Perhaps bring a book and find a comfortable lounger to call yours for an hour or so. Taking time out in the Mareel spa is sure to leave you feeling rejuvenated and ready for the days ahead.

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.

Seattle is a dynamic, urban city, located in the Northwest region of the United States on Puget Sound. Being surrounded by water and unmatched natural beauty, outdoor activities have become a popular aspect of this area. This city is also home to modern architecture, captivating art, and their famously prominent coffee culture.

Top Things to Do in Seattle:

• shop at the longest-running farmers markets in the US, the Pike Place Market
• visit ‘The Seattle Spheres’, an indoor rainforest
• explore the Starbucks Reserve and Tasting Room
• visit the iconic ‘Space Needle’