BC Canada Cruise from Vancouver to Whittier — 11 Days

Vancouver, BC Canada

Vancouver puts mountains, ocean and a working harbour within easy reach of the city centre. From the cruise terminal at Canada Place, walk to Gastown’s brick lanes, the waterfront and the shops of Robson Street. Stanley Park offers seawall views and towering cedars, while Granville Island brings a lively public market and artisan studios. Beyond downtown, ferries cross to North Vancouver, where the Capilano Suspension Bridge and mountain trails reveal the region’s wilder side.

At Sea (At Sea)

Klawock AK, Alaska, Prince of Wales Island

On Prince of Wales Island, Klawock offers a close look at Alaska’s Tlingit culture and island life. At Totem Park, carved poles recall clan histories and the community’s deep roots. Beyond town, forested roads lead through the Tongass to fishing coves, quiet beaches, and views across the Inside Passage. Come ashore ready to slow down, meet a small island community, and see Southeast Alaska beyond its best-known ports.

Ketchikan, Revillagigedo Island Alaska

Set on Revillagigedo Island in southeast Alaska, Ketchikan is a working fishing town framed by the Tongass National Forest. Its waterfront rises steeply above the Inside Passage, where fishing boats and floatplanes share the harbor. Walk Creek Street, a former red-light district built over Ketchikan Creek. At the Totem Heritage Center, see Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian art. For wilderness, boat or fly to Misty Fjords National Monument.

Sitka, Baranof Island Alaska

Set between forested mountains and the Pacific, Sitka occupies the west coast of Baranof Island in Southeast Alaska. Here, Tlingit history and Russian influence meet in a compact town reached chiefly by air or sea. Walk Sitka National Historical Park’s coastal trail among carved totem poles. The park interprets the 1804 conflict between Tlingit people and Russian forces. St. Michael’s Cathedral and the Sheldon Jackson Museum add depth, while nearby waters invite wildlife watching.

Icy Strait Point, Hoonah, Alaska

Icy Strait Point sits beside Hoonah on Chichagof Island, Alaska. A restored salmon cannery anchors the waterfront, with exhibits, local shops and Tlingit cultural experiences. Whale-watching boats venture into Icy Strait, where humpbacks feed in summer and sea lions and eagles are often seen. Ashore, forest trails, a gondola and a long zipline offer a change of pace. Hoonah brings an authentic community within easy reach of the cruise dock.

Haines, Alaska

Haines occupies a striking position on Lynn Canal, where forested mountains rise straight from the water. Its compact streets lead to Fort William H. Seward, a restored military post with galleries, shops, and local history. Beyond town, the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve protects a major winter gathering place for bald eagles. Explore by road, river, or trail, with wildlife, Tlingit heritage, and expansive Alaskan scenery close at hand.

Hubbard Glacier, Alaska

At Hubbard Glacier, your ship becomes a front-row seat to one of Alaska’s great natural spectacles. More than six miles wide at its face, this tidewater glacier descends from the Saint Elias Mountains into Disenchantment Bay. Listen for ice cracking, then watch bergs drift across the water. Unlike many glaciers, Hubbard has advanced in recent decades, at times constricting the entrance to Russell Fiord. Bring binoculars and a warm layer; the open deck offers the clearest views.

At Sea (At Sea)

Valdez, Alaska

Valdez sits at the head of Prince William Sound, where steep Chugach peaks rise above sheltered water. From the harbor, boat tours reach tidewater glaciers and wildlife-rich coves; on land, waterfalls line the Richardson Highway. The town is also near the southern terminus of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, a striking feature of Alaska’s modern history. Explore by sea or road, then return to a working harbor framed by mountains.

Whittier, Alaska

Whittier sits between the steep Chugach Mountains and the sheltered waters of Prince William Sound. Most visitors arrive through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, a 2.5-mile passage shared by cars and trains. From the harbor, boats venture among tidewater glaciers, forested islands and waters frequented by sea otters, whales and seabirds. Spend time on the water, and Alaska’s scale becomes unmistakable.