Vancouver to Sitka

Enjoy a wonderful interlude in this cosmopolitan city with a complimentary overnight stay before your cruise embarks. Experience European charm and Canadian warmth.

Vancouver is the third-biggest city in Canada and the largest city in the western province of British Columbia. From the shopping delights of Robson Street to the lively energy of Granville Island Public Market, this city brings a unique European flair to Canada’s western coast. Survey it all from atop the 553-foot Vancouver Lookout – which offers a 360-degree view or Gastown, Coal Harbour, North Vancouver and the downtown Vancouver skyline. Vancouver’s natural and urban highlights start in the West End. From Robson Street work your way through vibrant neighborhoods heading downtown. You’ll pass Canada Place, with its white sail-like roof, built to celebrate Vancouver’s centennial in 1986, en route to Stanley Park at the tip of the peninsula. The largest park in the city, mostly covered in dense forests, boasts a 14-mile seawall. 

The first people to explore these picturesque waters did it in hand-carved cedar dugout canoes. You will enjoy an intimate connection to this place as Ocean Victory takes you through a narrow maze of channels, passages, and reaches from Vancouver Island to the northern edge of British Columbia. Whether you’re in the expansive Observation Lounge, on deck or on the one-of-a-kind viewing platform, keep your eye out for whales and dolphins in Queen Charlotte Sound – and watch for bears as we glide along pristine island shorelines. 

In the spectacular setting of this provincial park, you’ll discover a kayaker’s paradise, with inlets, bays, islands, and fjords that reveal an intricate network of waterfalls and glaciers. Old growth Sitka spruce and dense coastal western hemlock forests shelter black bears and grizzlies along the rugged coastline. This is a day that will stretch all your senses. Granite cliffs over 3,000 feet high drop straight into seemingly bottomless water – and waterfalls cascade from dizzying heights into glacial inlets. You’ll explore unique coastal marine life in an area accessible only by sea. 

The totem poles of Ketchikan and Saxman welcome you this morning to Alaska’s southernmost city. Standing tall and noble, each hand-carved pole tells a silent story. This afternoon in Metlakatla, the first thing you’ll notice are the smiles. They are wide, warm, and genuine – welcoming you to the only settlement of indigenous Tsimshian people in the United States. 

Included Shore Excursions:
Ketchikan City Highlights
Learn the history and culture of Ketchikan as you are entertained by a lively city tour via motorcoach along Ketchikan’s busy waterfront. You’ll pass by some of its most colorful landmarks through downtown Ketchikan and the Ward Cove area while viewing the bustling boat harbors, lush City Park and beautiful Ketchikan Creek. 
Next, you'll have an opportunity to stretch your legs on a brief photo and shopping stop. Photograph majestic totems up close, and shop at the Saxman Village Store to purchase authentic Native-made items as well as curios. 

Finally, it is off to Creek Street – Ketchikan’s Historical “Red Light” District. Those who wish to will have an opportunity to explore Creek Street on your own. Your Trolley driver will offer you a return to the ship at that point or you may leisurely enjoy the many shops and eateries of the downtown area and make your own way back.

Timing Description of Activity
0:00 to 0:55 Scenic coastal drive and city loop from the pier to Totem photo stop at Saxman Village
0:55 to 1:40 Photo stop & gift shop at Saxman Totem Park 
1:40 to 1:50 Scenic drive from Totem Park to Creek Street
1:50 to 2:00 Optional return to ship or explore Creek Street and make own way back to the ship

Walking Town Tour & Totem Pole Journey
Get an up-close, personalized view of these amazing, handcrafted cedar carvings located all around Metlakatla. The Totem Exploration Journey is a path that will guide you to 14 of the standing totem Poles in Metlakatla and featured along the path are several historical & cultural Points of Interest, including the William Duncan Memorial Church, the Metlakatla Indian Community Longhouse, and the Artist Village. End your time ashore at our community Long House where a presentation about the traditional building will take place along with a dance performance by a traditional Tsimshian dance group.

The soaring granite cliffs that greet us this morning are 50 to 70 million years old. Yes, million. Ancient glaciers scrubbed deep troughs through this wilderness, leaving a scenic geological wonder. New Eddystone Rock is a remnant of long ago volcanic activity that left the iconic basalt pillar as a testament to the power of this place. Humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, bears, wolves, moose, and hundreds of species of sea and shorebirds await as we spend most of today exploring the shoreline with our team of marine biologists from Cal Poly. 

Wrangell is the perfect spot for an optional jet boat excursion to explore the dramatic Stikine River – what the Tlingit people call “the Great River.” The picturesque town of Wrangell is the gateway to the river, perched at the very tip of rugged Wrangell Island. You are most welcome here, as native Alaskans whose ancestors have lived on this island for thousands of years open their tribal home, their culture, and their magnificent river for your exploration. Take home your own petroglyph rubbing to remember your time among more than 40 ancient petroglyphs on the 8,000-year-old site of Petroglyph Beach.

 

Today’s challenge is trying to keep track of the number of waterfalls we’ll encounter as we glide along Baranof Island’s beautiful eastern coast, the little known “waterfall coast.” Some trickle, some thunder, some simply splash merrily to the sea. Exploration is the order of the day, and you choose your point of view – from any of Ocean Victory’s observation perspectives, or right at water level by kayak or Zodiac. This almost hidden shoreline is perfect for discovery. Watch for seals, deer, and tidepools ready to reveal their secret treasures. 

We’ll dock right beside Alaska’s largest home-based halibut fleet, who call this shallow, protected harbor home. These abundant waters and an endless supply of ice from nearby LeConte Glacier led Norwegian fisherman Peter Buschmann to build the region’s first cannery and invite his fishing countrymen to join him. Hence the town’s name and its strong Norwegian culture. Large cruise ships cannot come into Petersburg, so you’ll be among a privileged few to be in this charming, authentic Alaskan village.

 

Nature will dictate our route here. Northbound cruises will explore one of these spectacular fjords. Both are deep, narrow, and host to distinct marine environments we’ll explore with experts via a Zodiac or kayak. Southbound voyages will spend two days here, with the opportunity to explore both fjords with equal curiosity and expertise. 

The towering totem pole, the largest ever carved from a single tree, stands sentinel over this ancient village on the tip of Kupreanof Island. The Kake tribe of the Tlingit people still observe a subsistent lifestyle here, the harshness of its demands belied by the warmth of their welcome. In adjacent Frederick Sound, we’ll explore by Zodiac, led by our team of naturalists.

 

As your American Queen Voyages journey concludes, there are other opportunities for you to take in the town -- whether it's an optional premier post-cruise experience or a quick transfer to the airport for your final trip home