Summary

Discover the best of Alaska on an unforgettable land and sea adventure, beginning in beautiful Vancouver and ending in the heart of the Last Frontier.

Start with a night in vibrant Vancouver, where ocean views and city charm set the stage for your journey. Then board your Princess cruise and sail through Alaska’s breathtaking Inside Passage, visiting Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway—each offering a unique glimpse into Alaska’s rich culture, gold rush history, and stunning wilderness.

After your cruise, continue inland from Whittier to experience Alaska’s untamed beauty up close. Spend two unforgettable nights near Denali National Park, where towering peaks, wildlife, and wide-open landscapes create a true bucket-list experience. Conclude your journey with a final evening in Anchorage before heading home.

From glacier-carved coastlines to the majestic interior, this journey showcases Alaska at its most spectacular—by land and by sea.

Itinerary

Friday, July 9, 2027

Bloomington to Vancouver

We will meet at The Chateau Hotel & Conference Center and ride the motor coach together to a Chicago O'Hare Airport Hotel for our flight to Vancouver.

Saturday, July 10, 2027

Vancouver

Enjoy your morning at leisure before transferring to the ship to begin your adventure.

Vancouver is one of the world’s most stunning cities, where scenic beauty meets vibrant city life. Nestled between the mountains and the sea, this dynamic destination offers a unique blend of cultures, flavors, and experiences. From the historic charm of Gastown—with its cobblestone streets, heritage architecture, and cozy cafés—to the bustling waterfront of the Port of Vancouver, the city invites exploration at every turn. Named after British explorer Captain George Vancouver, who charted the region’s coastline in 1792, the city carries a legacy of discovery and connection. As Canada’s third-largest city, Vancouver boasts a rich cultural tapestry, including the second-largest Chinatown in North America, world-class parks, and a distinctly European feel. Whether you're strolling through Stanley Park, enjoying fresh seafood by the harbor, biking along the coastline, or exploring the city's diverse neighborhoods, this beautiful waterfront city delivers unforgettable moments for every traveler.

Sunday, July 11, 2027

Day at Sea

Enjoy the ships amenities.

Monday, July 12, 2027

Ketchikan

Ketchikan is known as Alaska's "First City" because it's the first major community travelers come to as they journey north. Located on an island, Ketchikan began life as an Indian fishing camp. The name Ketchikan comes from a Tlingit phrase that means "eagle with spread-out wings," a reference to a waterfall near town. In the early 1900s, when gold was Alaska's claim to fame, fishing and timber industries were established in Ketchikan. The growth of these industries helped make this Inside Passage port Alaska's fourth-largest city. Visitors to Ketchikan will be intrigued by its rich Native heritage, which includes the world's oldest collection of totem poles at Totem Heritage Center. The Haida, Tlingit and Tsimshian are all a part of the city's colorful history. Ketchikan, with its abundance of salmon, is also a sport-fishing paradise. Sightseers will be impressed with both the scenic town and its surroundings, especially Misty Fjords National Monument.

Tuesday, July 13, 2027

Juneau

In 1880, it was slow going for Joe Juneau and Richard Harris as they searched for gold with the help of Native guides. After climbing mountains, forging streams and facing countless difficulties, they found nuggets "as large as beans." From their discovery came three of the largest gold mines in the world. By the end of World War II, more than $150 million in gold had been mined. Eventually the mines closed, but the town Joe Juneau founded became the capital of Alaska and the business of gold was replaced by the business of government. Some 30,000 people live in Juneau. Its total area makes it one of the biggest towns, in size, in the world. Only Kiruna, Sweden, and Sitka, Alaska, exceed Juneau's 3,248 square miles. Today Juneau is famous not only for gold and government but also for its breathtakingly beautiful glaciers and stunning views of both water and mountains.

Wednesday, July 14, 2027

Skagway

Skagway was the gateway to the gold fields for the thousands who flocked to Alaska and the Yukon with the hope of striking it rich. Skagway may have boasted the shortest route to the Klondike, but it wasn't the easiest. Over 100 years ago, the White Pass route through the Coast Mountains and the shorter but steeper Chilkoot Trail were used by countless stampeders. Many a would-be miner perished on the treacherous Chilkoot Trail. The gold rush was a boon and by 1898, Skagway was Alaska's largest town with a population of about 20,000. Hotels, saloons, dance halls and gambling houses prospered. But when the gold yield dwindled in 1900, so did the population as miners quickly shifted to new finds in Nome. Today, Skagway has less than 1,000 residents. It still retains the flavor of the gold rush era.

Thursday, July 15, 2027

Glacier Bay National Park (Scenic Cruising)

Princess is one of a select few cruise lines permitted to cruise the pristine waters of Glacier Bay, the highlight of our 7-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruise. Just west of Juneau, this breathtaking national park and preserve boasts some of the world's most spectacular tidewater glaciers, such as Margerie Glacier, which often drops colossal chunks of ice into the sea. Not surprisingly, Glacier Bay National Park and its epic ice giants are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising Alaska's magnificent park system. During your scenic cruise, friendly Park Rangers will join the ship to share their knowledge of this amazing place and host a fun Junior Ranger program for kids. They may even be able to help you identify Glacier Bay's abundant wildlife, including humpback whales, sea otters, porpoises, harbor seals, black bears, mountain goats, bald eagles and large colonies of seabirds. Take in the awe-inspiring scenery as you enjoy an unforgettable day of sailing through this dazzling park, where you'll glide along emerald waters and past calving icebergs, and can breathe in the crisp, fresh air to your heart's content.

Friday, July 16, 2027

College Fjords (Scenic Cruising)

Discovered in the northwest corner of Prince William Sound during an 1899 research expedition, spectacular College Fjord and its glaciers were named after prestigious east coast schools by the college professors who first laid eyes upon their majesty. Stretching for miles, these massive rivers of ice tumble down from mountains and through valleys, dipping into the pristine waters of the fjord. There you'll have a chance to watch the awe-inspiring process of glaciers calving, or dropping enormous pillars of ice into the sea, as they crack and land with a thunderous splash – a once-in-a-lifetime experience not to be missed. College Fjord not only boasts the world's largest collection of tidewater glaciers, but it features magnificent snowcapped mountains as far as the eyes can see. Plus, during the summer, it's not unheard of to catch a glimpse of one of the area's 40-ton humpback whales feeding in the waters of the fjord. It's a magical wonderland of epic proportions, so breathtaking you won't want to blink.

Saturday, July 17, 2027

Anchorage (Whittier) & Denali

Step off your ship into a waiting railcar for our exclusive Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail service to the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge. Get settled, and perhaps enjoy an optional afternoon excursion. The King Salmon Restaurant is the perfect place for a relaxed dinner to end your first day in the Denali area.

Sunday, July 18, 2027

Denali National Park

Explore Denali National Park on a Natural History Tour watching for glimpses of North America’s tallest peak and Denali's "Big Five"; moose, bears, caribou, Dall sheep and wolves. Later today, you may want to simply relax with a glass of wine on the deck overlooking the Nenana River. Visit the Grizzly Burger or grab a slice at Lynx Creek Pizza. Be sure to check out Fannie Q's Saloon, named after a famed local homesteader, or sit outside at a fireside patio.

Monday, July 19, 2027

Anchorage

Arrive in Anchorage by motorcoach and get settled in your hotel for an overnight stay. You might enjoy getting out to see the shops, restaurants and cultural attractions of Alaska’s largest city.

Tuesday, July 20, 2027

Anchorage

This morning we will make our way back to the airport to start our journey back to Central Illinois.

Included with the tour package

  • Round trip transfers to Chicago O’Hare Airport from Bloomington, IL
  • Round trip Air from Chicago
  • In destination Airport & Ship Transfers
  • 7 Night Cruise on the Princess Discovery
  • Meals On Ship 
  • Beverage Package on board ship
  • Wi-Fi
  • Crew Appreciation (onboard gratuities)
  • Group Excursion - Whale Watching in Juneau
  • 4 Night Land Program
  • Deluxe Rail Car transfer to Denali
  • Natural History tour in Denali
  • All Taxes and Port Fees
  • Direct Travel Host's, Randy & Brenda Rundle will accompany the group with 30 or more guests
     

 

Not Included In the Package:

  • Travel Insurance
  • Excursions other than those listed above
  • Optional Extensions
  • Airline Seat Selection & Baggage Fees 
  • Gratiuities to Tour Guides & Drivers
  • Passport Fees
  • Personal Items
  • Meals and Beverages on Land
  • Any item not listed under inclusions

 

 

Payment Information

A non-refundable deposit of $1,000.00 per person is required to confirm your booking. Final payment is due on or before March 1, 2027. Any monies paid to Direct Travel for this trip are non-refundable.