Washington Cruise from Seattle to Juneau — 13 Days

Seattle, USA

Seattle welcomes you with salt air, a working waterfront and mountain views. Downtown sights include Pike Place Market, the Seattle Art Museum and historic Pioneer Square. On clear days, the Space Needle offers views of Elliott Bay, Mount Rainier and the Cascades. Make time for fresh seafood and independent shops; Seattle’s neighborhoods reveal a city shaped by water, trade and innovation.

San Juan Islands WA, USA

Between Washington’s mainland and Vancouver Island, the San Juan Islands reward travelers who value open water, wildlife, and unhurried days. From Friday Harbor, ferries and boats connect you with forested shorelines, quiet coves, and small island communities. Watch for orcas, especially in summer, though sightings are never guaranteed. Explore by car, bicycle, or foot; finish with local seafood as evening light settles across the Salish Sea.

Victoria BC, Canada

Victoria, British Columbia, sits at the southern end of Vancouver Island, with a harbour at its heart. From the cruise terminal, reach the Inner Harbour by shuttle, taxi, or a pleasant waterfront walk. Here, the Parliament Buildings and Fairmont Empress frame the water. The compact centre is easy to explore on foot. Browse Government Street, visit the Royal BC Museum, or head north to Butchart Gardens, about 23 kilometres away.

Gulf Islands Canada (Scenic Area)

Alert Bay BC, Canada

Alert Bay sits on Cormorant Island, off northern Vancouver Island, where forested shores meet the sheltered waters of Johnstone Strait. Here, Kwakwaka’wakw culture is more than history: it shapes the community’s art, ceremony and public life. At the U’Mista Cultural Centre, see ceremonial regalia confiscated during Canada’s potlatch ban and later reclaimed. Around town, carved poles and the Big House offer a striking introduction to Indigenous traditions. In summer, boat trips may reveal orcas and other wildlife in the strait.

• Johnstone Strait Canada (Scenic Area)

Inside Passage

Alaska’s Inside Passage is not a single port, but a sheltered coastal route threading southeastern Alaska’s islands, channels and fjords. From the ship, watch for bald eagles, whales and mountains rising straight from the water. Calls may include Juneau, Ketchikan or Skagway, each with a distinct story, from Tlingit heritage to Gold Rush history. Bring binoculars; here, the finest moments often unfold between destinations.

Prince Rupert BC, Canada

Prince Rupert sits on Kaien Island, where British Columbia’s Inside Passage meets the Pacific. Its working harbour, rain-dark forests and mountain-framed shoreline give this northern port a distinctly maritime character. The Museum of Northern BC presents the art and history of the Tsimshian peoples. Their presence here spans millennia. In Cow Bay, browse waterfront shops and taste local seafood, including the region’s celebrated wild salmon.

Misty Fjords (Ask Travel Agent)

Coastal Cruising (Coastal Cruising)

Tracy Arm Fjord, USA

Tracy Arm is a 30-mile glacial fjord in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, about 45 miles south of Juneau. Its steep granite walls rise above teal water, while waterfalls stream down the cliffs in summer. At the fjord’s head, the twin Sawyer Glaciers calve ice into the water, often sending small bergs drifting past. Ships move slowly here; the best views are from deck, where wildlife may include seals and eagles.

Juneau, USA

Juneau is Alaska’s capital, yet no road connects it to the rest of Alaska. Most visitors arrive by sea or air. Set between the Gastineau Channel and steep, forested mountains, the city makes an unusually compact base for exploring Southeast Alaska. From downtown, visit the Alaska State Museum, ride the Mount Roberts Tramway, or travel about 12 miles to Mendenhall Glacier. Whale-watching trips can reveal humpbacks feeding in nearby waters.