Alaska's Wilderness Odyssey with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

Day 1 - Vancouver

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: Vancouver is a delicious juxtaposition of urban sophistication and on-your-doorstep wilderness adventure. The mountains and seascape make the city an outdoor playground for hiking, skiing, kayaking, cycling, and sailing—and so much more—while the cuisine and arts scenes are equally diverse, reflecting the makeup of Vancouver's ethnic (predominantly Asian) mosaic. Vancouver is consistently ranked as one of the world's most livable cities, and it's easy for visitors to see why. It's beautiful, it's outdoorsy, and there's a laidback West Coast vibe. On the one hand, there's easy access to a variety of outdoor activities, a fabulous variety of beaches, and amazing parks. At the same time, the city has a multicultural vitality and cosmopolitan flair. The attraction is as much in the range of food choices—the fresh seafood and local produce are some of North America's best—as it is in the museums, shopping, and nightlife. Vancouver's landscaping also adds to the city's walking appeal. In spring, flowerbeds spill over with tulips and daffodils while sea breezes scatter scented cherry blossoms throughout Downtown; in summer office workers take to the beaches, parks, and urban courtyards for picnic lunches and laptop meetings. More than 8 million visitors each year come to Vancouver, Canada's third-largest metropolitan area. Because of its peninsula location, traffic flow is a contentious issue. Thankfully, Vancouver is wonderfully walkable, especially in the downtown core. The North Shore is a scoot across the harbour, and the rapid-transit system to Richmond and the airport means that staying in the more affordable ’burbs doesn't have to be synonymous with sacrificing convenience. The mild climate, exquisite natural scenery, and relaxed outdoor lifestyle keep attracting residents, and the number of visitors is increasing for the same reasons. People often get their first glimpse of Vancouver when catching an Alaskan cruise, and many return at some point to spend more time here.

Day 2 - At Sea

Description: Enjoy a day at sea as you sail through the majestic landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, with opportunities to spot marine wildlife and enjoy onboard activities and amenities.

Day 3 - At Sea

Description: Another day at sea to relax and rejuvenate. Take in the stunning views, participate in engaging onboard programs, or simply unwind as you journey towards your next destination.

Day 4 - Wrangell

Wrangell, Alaska, United States: A small, unassuming timber and fishing community, Wrangell sits on the northern tip of Wrangell Island, near the mouth of the fast-flowing Stikine River—North America's largest undammed river. The Stikine plays a large role in the life of many Wrangell residents, including those who grew up homesteading on the islands that pepper the area. Trips on the river with local guides are highly recommended as they provide, basically, an insider's guide to the Stikine and a very Alaskan way of life. Like much of Southeast, Wrangell has suffered in recent years from a declining resource-based economy. But locals are working to build tourism in the town. Bearfest, which started in 2010, celebrates Wrangell's proximity to Anan Creek, where you can get a close-up view of both brown and black bears. Wrangell has flown three different national flags in its time. Russia established Redoubt St. Dionysius here in 1834. Five years later Great Britain's Hudson's Bay Company leased the southern Alaska coastline, renaming the settlement Ft. Stikine. It was rechristened Wrangell when the Americans took over in 1867; the name came from Baron Ferdinand Petrovich von Wrangell, governor of the Russian-American Company. The rough-around-the-edges town is off the track of the larger cruise ships, so it does not get the same seasonal traffic that Ketchikan and Juneau do. Hence, it is nearly devoid of the souvenir shops that dominate so many other nearby downtown areas. But the gift shops and art galleries that are here do sell locally created work, and the town is very welcoming to visitors; independent travellers would do well to add a stop in Wrangell during their Southeast wanderings.

Day 5 - Petersburg

Petersburg, Alaska, United States: Petersburg lies on the northern end of Mitkof Island, in the Inside Passage, on the banks of Frederick Sound where it joins the Wrangell Narrows. It is halfway between Juneau, 120 miles to the north, and Ketchikan 110 miles to the south. Remnants of fish traps and ancient petroglyphs indicate that this area was used by the Tlingit people as a summer fish camp. For more than 1,000 years, in 1897 Peter Buschmann, a Norwegian immigrant, settled here. The place was named Petersburg after him, and was incorporated as a town in 1910. It flourished as a fishing port, and even today, it remains an island community that makes its living from the sea. It is the largest home-based halibut fleet in Alaska and is ranked the 15th-most lucrative fisheries port in the United States by volume.

Day 6 - Kupreanof Island

Kupreanof Island, Alaska, United States: Nestled in the heart of the Alexander Archipelago in southeastern Alaska, Kupreanof Island is a haven of natural beauty and tranquillity. While it is largely uninhabited, the island offers pristine wilderness, dense forests, and opportunities for wildlife observation, particularly of the local deer and bears. It's a perfect stop for those seeking a genuinely off-the-beaten-track Alaskan experience.

Day 7 - At Sea

Description: Journey further into the Alaskan wilderness, soaking in the scenic vistas as you enjoy another peaceful day at sea.

Day 8 - Chichagof Island

Chichagof Island, Alaska, United States: Known for its lush forests and abundant wildlife, Chichagof Island is a captivating destination in Alaska. Part of the ABC islands, its rugged coastline, and deep fjords offer unparalleled views and excellent opportunities for outdoor activities. Whether it's hiking, bird watching, or exploring hidden inlets, Chichagof Island promises a day of adventure and discovery.

Day 9 - At Sea

Description: Spend another relaxing day sailing, taking pleasure in the comforts of the ship and the vastness of the ocean as you continue towards Kodiak.

Day 10 - Kodiak

Kodiak, Alaska, United States: Today, commercial fishing is king in Kodiak. Despite its small population—about 6,475 people scattered among the several islands in the Kodiak group—the city is among the busiest fishing ports in the United States. The harbour is also an important supply point for small communities on the Aleutian Islands and the Alaska Peninsula. Visitors to the island tend to follow one of two agendas: either immediately fly out to a remote lodge for fishing, kayaking, or bear viewing; or stay in town and access whatever pursuits they can reach from the limited road system. If the former is too pricey an option, consider combining the two: drive the road system to see what can be seen inexpensively, then add a fly-out or charter-boat excursion to a remote lodge or wilderness access point. Floatplane and boat charters are available from Kodiak to many remote attractions, chief among them the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, which covers four islands in the Gulf of Alaska: Kodiak, Afognak, Ban, and Uganik.

Day 11 - Homer

Homer, Alaska, United States: At the southern end of the Sterling Highway lies the city of Homer, at the base of a narrow spit that juts 4 miles into beautiful Kachemak Bay. Glaciers and snow-capped mountains form a dramatic backdrop across the water. Founded in the late 1800s as a gold-prospecting camp, this community was later used as coal-mining headquarters. Chunks of coal are still common along local beaches; they wash into the bay from nearby slopes where the coal seams are exposed. Today, the town of Homer is an eclectic community with most of the tacky tourist paraphernalia relegated to the Spit (though do note the Spit has plenty else to recommend it, not the least of which is the 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains); the rest of the town is full of local merchants and artisans. The community is an interesting mix of fishermen, actors, artists, and writers. Much of the commercial fishing centres on halibut, and the popular Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby is often won by enormous fish weighing more than 300 pounds. The local architecture includes everything from dwellings that are little more than assemblages of driftwood to steel commercial buildings and magnificent homes on the hillside overlooking the surrounding bay, mountains, forests, and glaciers.

Day 12 - Katmai National Park and Preserve

Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska, United States: Known for its wild terrain and abundant wildlife, Katmai National Park is a vast wilderness area on the Alaska Peninsula. It's particularly famous for its population of grizzly bears that gather in large numbers to fish for salmon at Brooks Falls, offering incredible wildlife viewing opportunities. The park also features the dramatic Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, with its impressive volcanic landscapes formed by the eruption of Novarupta in 1912.

Day 13 - Seward

Seward, Alaska, United States: It is hard to believe that a place as beautiful as Seward exists. Surrounded on all sides by Kenai Fjords National Park, Chugach National Forest, and Resurrection Bay, Seward offers all the quaint realities of a small railroad town with the bonus of jaw-dropping scenery. This little town of about 2,750 citizens was founded in 1903, when survey crews arrived at the ice-free port and began planning a railroad to the Interior. Since its inception, Seward has relied heavily on tourism and commercial fishing. It is also the launching point for excursions into Kenai Fjords National Park, where it is quite common to see marine life and calving glaciers.