Make the Most of Your Alaska Cruise with a Tour Package in Vancouver

During a Holland America Line cruise to Alaska, the sights and sounds of the Last Frontier are front and center during the seven-day voyage. From interesting ports like Haines, Juneau and Ketchikan to the spectacular scenery of Glacier Bay, the Inside Passage and Tracy Arm Fjord, guests marvels at the beauty of the region.

In 2016, Nieuw Amsterdam makes its Alaska debut on the popular seven-day Inside Passage itinerary roundtrip from Vancouver. The ship will offer 22 Saturday departures from April through September, while Volendam sails 21 Wednesday departures from May through September. Noordam and Zaandam also feature four Inside Passage itineraries in May and September, so there are plenty of opportunities to sail roundtrip from Vancouver on four Holland America Line ships.

Gorgeous Glacier Bay is a highlight of the Alaska cruises.

Gorgeous Glacier Bay is a highlight of the Alaska cruises.

One of the most popular cities on the roundtrip Vancouver cruises is … Vancouver! Many travelers on these cruises to Alaska head directly to the ship upon arrival, but did you know that Holland America Line offers pre- and post-cruise packages in Vancouver?

If you have the time, a hotel stay or vacation package is a definite must-do! These sailings feature variety of vacation packages ranging from two to five nights. The longest at five nights is the Canadian Rockies Experience. This vacation package allows visitors to get the most out of their stay and see Calgary, the Canadian Rockies, Banff and Sun Peaks.

Here is a breakdown of the pre-cruise package so you can see the full experience. The post-cruise package operates in reverse.

Day 1, Calgary: Transfer to a downtown hotel in Calgary and can enjoy the day at leisure. Overnight at Fairmont Palliser Hotel in Calgary.

Day 2, Calgary/Canadian Rockies/Banff: Follow the Trans-Canada Highway through the Canadian Rockies. Pass by the Three Sisters, Fairholme and Rundle mountain ranges en route to the charming mountain resort town of Banff. Enjoy a guided tour including Bow Falls, Surprise Corner and the Hoodoos Lookout. Stand on the shores of Lake Minnewanka and view the Banff Springs Hotel from Surprise Corner. Take a gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for enchanting views of the Bow Valley far below. Overnight.

A ride on the Banff Gondola provides spectacular views. Photos courtesy Brewster Travel Canada.

A ride on the Banff Gondola provides spectacular views. Photos courtesy Brewster Travel Canada.

Day 3, Columbia Icefield/Lake Louise: Travel north along the famous Icefields Parkway, discovering waterfalls, mountain lakes and awesome glaciers along the way. The Columbia Icefield, located in Jasper National Park, is one of the largest accumulations of ice south of the Arctic Circle. You will travel in a specially designed Ice Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier as your driver/guide explains glacier formation and geological features of the landscape. Step out onto a glass platform high above Sunwapta Valley at the Glacier Skywalk. Your tour concludes in the spectacular wilderness setting of Lake Louise. Overnight.

Athabasca Glacier on the Columbia Icefield. Photo courtesy of Brewster Travel Canada.

Athabasca Glacier on the Columbia Icefield. Photo courtesy of Brewster Travel Canada.

The unique Skywalk. Photo courtesy of Brewster Travel Canada.

The unique Skywalk. Photo courtesy of Brewster Travel Canada.

Day 4, Lake Louise/Sun Peaks: Enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour to Sun Peaks, passing through the Kicking Horse Pass, the untouched wilderness of Roger’s Pass and the Shuswap Highlands. Select stops are included throughout the day, including lunch in Revelstoke. Overnight.

Day 5, Sun Peaks/Vancouver: Enjoy a full day sightseeing tour to Vancouver, passing through the lush pastoral landscapes of interior B.C. and into the Coast Mountain Range and beautiful Pacific Coastline. Lunch is included at Hell’s Gate where you can view power of nature, with an air tram ride over thundering waters spilling through a deep, narrow gorge. Overnight in Vancouver.

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Day 6 Vancouver/Bon Voyage: Transfer to the ship for embarkation.

If a simple stay is all that’s desire, Holland America Line is able to offer the Pan Pacific Vancouver Hotel at Canada Place. In the heart of the city and overlooking the magnificent waterfront, the Pan Pacific is surrounded by panoramic vistas of the harbor, mountains, Stanley Park and the city skyline. With top shopping and entertainment nearby, enjoy the best of the city in luxurious comfort.

The Pan Pacific Vancouver hotel is conveniently located at the cruise terminal.

The Pan Pacific Vancouver hotel is conveniently located at the cruise terminal.

Making it even more convenient is the hotel’s location at the cruise terminal so no transfer to the ship is needed. For embarking guests, Holland America Line takes the luggage from the hotel room and brings it to the ship. The next time guests see their luggage is in their stateroom onboard.

On select dates, the hotel may be another property in the shopping district of downtown Vancouver, a short distance from the waterfront.

Included in each hotel stay are the hotel overnight (including taxes and gratuities), an airport meet and greet, airport to hotel transfer (or reverse), hotel to ship transfer (or reverse), luggage handling and HAL hospitality representation. And guests can rest assured that all of the hotels are hand-picked based on location and quality, making any package an inclusive, seamless experience.

Have you extended your Alaska cruise in Vancouver with a vacation package or hotel stay? Tell us about it in the comments below.

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5 Comments

  1. David England February 1, 2019 at 8:18 am - Reply

    As a UK citizen , holidaying in Vancouver, wishing to join MS Volendam for a return cruise from Vancouver to Alaska I need to know if my eta document (Canadian temporary visa ) is sufficient for this trip into Alaska. Must I apply for a ESTA just for this one weeks trip?
    David England

  2. Bruce sansone August 22, 2017 at 10:16 am - Reply

    Interested in Alaska/Canada boat/rail tours

  3. P. Chandarana March 4, 2016 at 7:12 am - Reply

    Please give Tour Details of Cruise commencing on 18th June, 2016. Further , please advise if your 7/10 days Alaska Cruise cover Denali National Park? Regrds,

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