ULS CME at Sea Cruise

Vancouver, British Columbia - Your voyage begins in one of the world's most breathtaking urban settings. Vancouver is more than a departure point; it is the essential first chapter of your well-deserved escape. We strongly encourage you to arrive one or two days prior to embarkation. This is not merely a logistical buffer against travel delays, but a strategic decision to decompress, acclimate, and immerse yourself in a city where stunning natural beauty and sophisticated urban culture exist in perfect harmony. Doing so ensures you step aboard your vessel relaxed, refreshed, and ready for the journey ahead. **Getting Your Bearings: From Airport to City Center** Upon arrival at Vancouver International Airport (YVR), the city is remarkably accessible. The most efficient and scenic option is the Canada Line SkyTrain, which whisks you from the airport to the downtown waterfront in under 30 minutes, offering glimpses of the city and mountains along the way. Taxis and ride-sharing services are also readily available, providing a seamless transition to your pre-cruise accommodations. **A Suggested Two-Day Vancouver Immersion** **Day 1: Arrival and Historic Charm** After settling into your hotel, begin your exploration with a leisurely stroll along the Coal Harbour seawall. The path offers magnificent, unobstructed views of the North Shore mountains, the floatplanes gliding into the harbor, and the iconic white sails of Canada Place—the very terminal from which your cruise will depart. It’s the perfect, low-key activity to stretch your legs and breathe in the fresh Pacific air. As evening approaches, step back in time in the historically renovated Gastown district. Vancouver's oldest neighborhood, with its cobblestone streets, Victorian architecture, and the world-famous Steam Clock, is now a hub of creativity and culinary excellence. Peruse independent boutiques and Indigenous art galleries before settling in for dinner. Gastown’s dining scene is a microcosm of Vancouver itself, offering everything from intimate, farm-to-table restaurants showcasing Pacific Northwest ingredients to innovative cocktail bars perfect for a pre-dinner aperitif. It’s a sophisticated, yet unpretentious, introduction to the city’s character. **Day 2: Natural Wonders and a Feast for the Senses** Dedicate your morning to a true urban oasis: Stanley Park. This 1,000-acre temperate rainforest, nestled near the city center, is a perfect recipe for rejuvenation. Rent a bicycle and join the locals on the famous Seawall, a paved path that encircles the park, offering stunning vistas at every turn. Be sure to stop at Brockton Point to admire the collection of intricately carved First Nations totem poles, a powerful and beautiful cultural landmark. For a different perspective, venture into the park’s deep forest trails for a quiet walk among towering cedars and Douglas firs. In the afternoon, take a short ferry ride or drive to Granville Island. This is not a typical tourist trap, but a vibrant, thriving arts and food hub beloved by Vancouverites. The main attraction is the Public Market, a sensory delight brimming with local artisans, bakers, fishmongers, and produce stalls. Graze your way through lunch, sampling everything from candied salmon to artisanal cheeses and fresh-baked pastries. Beyond the market, explore the island’s many artist studios, craft breweries, and theaters. It’s an authentic slice of Vancouver life. Depending on your interests, your late afternoon could include a visit to the Vancouver Art Gallery, a walk through the serene Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden in exotic Chinatown, or some retail therapy along the bustling Robson Street. From Vancouver's cosmopolitan downtown to its distinct neighborhoods, the city displays varied and engaging urban scenes. **A Culinary Destination** Vancouver’s culinary reputation is world-class, built on a foundation of fresh, local ingredients and its multicultural population. You cannot leave without sampling the local salmon, whether grilled to perfection or in world-class sushi. The city’s Asian culinary scene is arguably the best in North America, offering unparalleled dim sum, ramen, and a vast array of regional Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese cuisines. This is a city that rewards the curious palate. By arriving early, you transform your embarkation day from a rush into a relaxed transition. You will have already experienced a destination in its own right, setting a tone of discovery and enjoyment for the voyage ahead.

Non-US/Canadian individuals, please Click here to determine if you will need a visa to board this cruise which visits Canada.

Alaska Inside Passage - Winding along the breathtaking coast of Alaska, the Inside Passage offers magnificent views of forested islands, rock-walled fjords and snowcapped mountains. Richly diverse flora and fauna are also on display.

Ketchikan, Alaska - Ketchikan sits at the southern end of Alaska’s Inside Passage— a gateway to the wild landscapes and seascapes of Misty Fjords National Monument. 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 Native Americans, making it a great place to get a taste for the local culture. You’ll see it in the colorful, hand-carved totems that line the city’s streets and parks, and in the unique stilted homes that cling to Deer Mountain’s slopes. If you want to get up close and personal with nature, venture into the Tongass National Forest, the largest in the United States. Or head to Ketchikan Creek Waterfall for amazing views of downtown Ketchikan and a glimpse at the yearly salmon runs.

Juneau, Alaska - You can’t get to Juneau easily without a sprint by air or by sea. But once you arrive you’ll find majestic views and rich culture in every corner. With its snowcapped mountains, misty rainforests, massive glaciers and bounty of wildlife, Alaska’s remote state capital is the perfect place to dive into nature. Framed by Mount Juneau and Mount Roberts, the city’s picturesque downtown area offers centuries-old bars, boutique shops and historic landmarks. For a taste of the local culture, visit the historic district and the Alaska State Museum. And for outdoor thrills, you can take your pick of activities ranging from whale watching in Auke Bay Harbor to tundra trekking over Mendenhall Glacier, and even try your hand at gold panning in Last Chance Basin.

Skagway, Alaska - The tiny town of Skagway still looks like it did during the Klondike Gold Rush over 100 years ago— and today it remains an outpost for thrilling Alaskan adventure. An old-time street car ride along bustling Broadway Street reveals well-preserved buildings, including the state’s oldest hotel. You can see engraved walrus tusks at the Corrington Museum, or get lost in riveting historical reenactments around town. If outdoor adventure is more your thing, there are plenty of ways to amp up the adrenaline, from sledding with Alaskan Huskies on Laughton Glacier to rafting Lynn Canal, the longest fjord in North America.

Glacier Bay - Glacier Bay is Alaska’s cathedral of ice: a 65-mile fjord flanked by snow-capped peaks, emerald forests and seven active tidewater glaciers that thunder into slate-blue water. From your ship’s deck, listen for the crack and roar of “calving” ice, the keening of gulls and eagles overhead, and the sudden splash of humpback whales or harbor seals below. Clouds and light shift by the minute, making every passage through this UNESCO World Heritage Site a one-of-a-kind symphony of wilderness, wildlife and living ice.

College Fjord - Scenic Cruising in College Fjord will bring you close to many glaciers—there’s even a spot where you can see eight at once. Your chances of watching ice thunder into the water is high, as the Prince William Sound is one of the most active areas for calving. Out of all Alaska fjords, College Fjord is the most storied. The Harriman Expedition of 1899 with John Muir and other notable scientists traversed the College Fjord aboard the George W. Elder, funded by Ivy League colleges. All of the glaciers were named for various schools. As you travel into College Fjord, the glaciers on the left are named for women's colleges and those on the right are named for men's colleges. The names are Amherst, Barnard, Bryn Mawr, Harvard, Smith, Vassar, and Yale).

Harvard Glacier is the biggest – its face is a mile and a half across. In case you’re wondering, it is rumored that the scientists snubbed Princeton.

Whittier, Alaska - Disembarkation port: Whittier, Alaska. AI enhancement pending.

Whittier, Alaska - Disembarkation port: Whittier, Alaska. AI enhancement pending.