Canada & Alaska Cruise and Tour

Written by: Chris O'Loughlin, August 08

No ‘bucket list’ is complete without a cruise and/or tour of Canada & Alaska.  Choosing a one-way cruise from Vancouver to Whittier (Anchorage) means no double backing so you can add on a land tour either in Canada or Alaska to make the most of your time.  Prior to the cruise, we drove from Calgary to Vancouver through the Banff National Park, Lake Louise and Jasper (which I can only describe as ‘gob-smackingly beautiful’). Alternatively you can take a Cruise-Tour including coach and Rocky Mountaineer train. The Alaskan Adventure including 7 night cruise and 4 night tour on board the Denali Express and Sternwheeler Riverboat cruise in Fairbanks is also extremely popular.

Beginning in Vancouver
Make sure you allow at least a couple of days in Vancouver before your cruise as there is plenty to see and do. We spent an afternoon just walking in Stanley Park, and hopping on and off the free shuttle bus which circles the park every 12-15 minutes. We found the drivers very entertaining and knowledgeable. The efficient ferry service across to Vancouver’s north shore connects with a bus to the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain. Take the cable car up to the top for an amazing view across to the city or if you are reasonably fit, take the 2 hour hike (aptly named Grouse Grinds!) to the top. You can cable car down for around CAN$5.00 which is well worth the money

North to Alaska
Cruising to Alaska allows you to see parts of the State that you wouldn’t normally see. Stops at Ketchikan, (land locked) Juneau, and Skagway, provide an opportunity to do local shopping (which is cheap) and sightseeing. Shore excursions can be pre booked prior to leaving New Zealand, but even spending some time wandering at leisure provides plenty of opportunity to talk to locals and view wildlife such as salmon, bald eagles and even black bears.

Life on board
I couldn’t fault anything on Sapphire Princess, other than the vast quantity and quality of the food making intake moderation difficult! We chose ‘anytime’ dining which meant we could dine at any of the restaurants at a time that was convenient to us, and depending on our mood, could sit with others or on our own.  Thank goodness for the ship’s well equipped gym and walking/running track! Our balcony cabin was extremely comfortable with wardrobe and drawers a welcome respite from living out of a suitcase.

Alaska cruising is very affordable, based on twin share of an inside cabin. However if there is one time to throw the budget out the window (or should I say ‘off the balcony’) is with an Alaska cruise. The ship follows land much of the way so being able to follow this in the comfort of your own balcony cabin is magic. Our balcony really came in handy as we sailed out of College Fjiord into the sunset, enabling us to enjoy the magnificent glaciers in peace and quiet – as if we were the only ones there.

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