Anchorage (Whittier)

See the best of Southcentral Alaska! From small ship cruising on the hunt for marine life, scenic views, and up-close animal encounters, this short program has it all.

Please note: This program is wheelchair accessible however coaches with lifts are not available so guests will need to be able to get on and off the tour bus with little to no assistance. ADA equipped rooms are subject to availability and as such need to be requested at least 120 days before sailing.

DAY 1

Eat a hearty breakfast before disembarking the ship in Whittier. Gather your luggage and meet your driver before departing from the coastal town of Whittier. Leaving the quaint town through the engineering marvel that is the Anton Anderson memorial town. This 2.6-mile-long tunnel was built during World War II to connect the port of Whittier to Southcentral Alaska. Exiting the tunnel and entering the Portage Valley keep your eyes on the mountain sides for hanging glaciers as they pass by.

Then it is onto the Seward Highway a scenic hour and a half drive along the Kenai Peninsula and through the stunning Turnagain Pass while along the way, your driver-guide will provide you the history of the Peninsula and Turnagain Pass from the Indigenous people who first lived there, to Russian fur traders to the discovery of gold, coal, and oil.

Arriving in Seward your driver will take you on a quick tour of the city before letting you have free time to get a bite to eat at a local eatery, visit the Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center, or shop for local arts and crafts. After you explore Seward meet back up with your driver for a transfer to the pier to check-in for your day cruise.

On this four-hour Kenai Fjords cruise, you may see whales, sea otters, Steller sea lions, Dall’s porpoises, harbor seals, bald eagles, puffins, and many other types of marine birds as you cruise the protected waters of Resurrection Bay. The cruise is fully narrated by your knowledgeable captain. Depending on weather, you may see alpine glaciers tucked in the surrounding Chugach and Kenai Mountain Ranges and cruise by Bear Glacier, a piedmont glacier and the largest glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park.

Upon returning to the dock, you will be taken to your hotel for the night which is located within close walking distance of the Seward Small Boat Harbor and a variety of restaurants and shops. Less than a mile away is downtown Seward, home to additional restaurants, shops, and the Alaska Sea Life Center. Across the street is the start of the beautiful waterfront walking path, featuring views of Resurrection Bay and possible sightings of sea otters, harbor seals, bald eagles, and even whales. Dinner is on your own this evening.

Note: There is complimentary coffee, tea, and water on the cruise vessel and other beverages, snacks, beer and wine available for purchase.

DAY 2

After breakfast at the hotel and check out, meet your driver-guide for the next leg of your program. Departing from the coastal town of Seward you will enjoy a scenic two-hour drive along the Kenai Peninsula and through the stunning Turnagain Pass. Your driver-guide will provide the history of the Peninsula and Turnagain Pass from the Indigenous people who first lived there, to Russian fur traders to the discovery of gold, coal, and oil. Coming down out of Turnagain Pass you will have a spectacular view of Cook Inlet as you enter Turnagain Arm and travel to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.

Founded in 1993 the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is a nonprofit sanctuary that is dedicated to preservation, education, research, and animal care. The center takes in injured and orphaned animals to rehabilitate and provide permanent homes at the center. The center is home to a variety of Alaskan animals including Lynx, Foxes, Coyotes, Wood Bison, Musk Ox, Brown and Black Bears, Deer, Elk, Caribou, Reindeer, and a Bald Eagle.

Your driver will take you on a guided loop of the facility, giving you information about the animals at the center. From there you will have free time to explore the grounds for up close views of the animals and time to explore the gift shop. Note: From May through September the Forget-Me-Not Foods food truck or similar is on site and open daily serving hot/cold beverages, grab-n-go snacks, and lunch items for anyone looking for a snack before arriving in Anchorage.

After exploring the Center, on the one-hour trip to Anchorage, keep an eye out for Bore Tides, Beluga Whales and the effects of the 1964 earthquake. As you approach Anchorage learn about Moose eating habits, the boreal forest, and the Alaska Railroad.

You will have time to explore downtown Anchorage on your own. Get a bite to eat at a local eatery, visit the ceremonial start of the Iditarod, or shop for a last-minute Alaskan gift.

Departing downtown, the next stop is a local fish hatchery. Walk through the hatchery and learn about how fish are raised and released into the wild or stroll along ship creek and watch the wild salmon swim and use a fish ladder.

After the stop at the hatchery, you will head to the Alaska Native Heritage Center. The center was created by a unanimous vote of the Alaska Federation of Natives in 1987, which called for the establishment of a statewide Alaska Native culture center. It offers a unique experience for you to learn and explore the traditional and contemporary ways of Alaska’s Indigenous cultures. More than a museum, the Center is a place to engage through interact guided tours, dance performances, and Alaska Native Games demonstrations. Your driver will give you free time to explore the exhibits and gallery.

End the day at your newly renovated hotel located in Downtown Anchorage.

DAY 3

Following breakfast and check out, you will be transferred to the Anchorage Airport for your flight home. Transfers will be arranged based on your flight time. For guests with late flights, luggage storage will be available at the hotel until your transfer.

Land Program Details Step by Step:

•Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program details including timings and any flights indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Direct flights are never guaranteed.

•Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.

•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.

•A departure transfer is not included if guests leave before the last day of the program.

DAY 1

8:00am Guests disembark in Whittier locate luggage and are met at the pier

9:00am Proceed to Seward

10:30am Seward city tour and time on own, lunch on own

12:30pm Four-hour Kenai Fjord cruise – rain or shine

4:30pm Check-in at the hotel, dinner on own

Overnight at the Gateway Hotel or similar hotel

DAY 2

Included breakfast at the hotel

8:00am Depart hotel

10:30am Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center tour and some time on own

12:30pm Time on own Downtown Anchorage, lunch on own

2:00pm Anchorage Hatchery

3:30pm Alaska Native Heritage Center

5:00pm Check-in at the hotel, dinner on own

Overnight at the Aviator Hotel or similar hotel

DAY 3

Included breakfast

11:00am Check out time at the hotel

TBA Transfer to the Anchorage Airport based on your flight time

Please Note:

•Other than at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, animal sightings are not guaranteed

•Particular room views cannot be guaranteed at either hotel

•The Aviator Hotel in Anchorage is newly refurbished (2024) however it is not a luxury hotel. Expect clean and modern comforts and newly renovated rooms. There is no elevator however there is a bellman who will deliver luggage to your room

•ADA equipped rooms are limited, must be specifically requested and are subject to availability

•Tour coaches with a lift are not available for this program

Extra Nights:

•All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the same hotel used on the LAST NIGHT of your program.

•When you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport per the flight details provided. Check-out time is 11:00am (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 3 of your program.

Transfers:

•All guests booking their flights independently are required to ensure the cruise line has their most up to date flight details so that transfers to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, transfers will not be arranged.

•Should you book any extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers are not included.

•Should you have a late departing flight you may wish to book an extra night so that you have occupation of your room until your departure. You will be asked to vacate your room by 11:00am. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel.

Expected Weather:

60°F to 65°F and 15°C to 18°C

What to Bring:

Dress in layers, waterproof clothing, closed toed shoes, cameras, medicines, binoculars

Local Currency:

USD

Electricity

120 Volt type A plug.

Luggage information

All luggage with travel with guests in the transportation vehicle.

Documents and Visa Requirements:

A passport that is valid at least 6 months after travel is required.

Hotel addresses:

Seward Gateway Hotel

Address: 1115 4th Ave, Seward, AK 99664

Phone: (844) 207-8629

Aviator Hotel

Address: 239 W 4th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501

Phone: (907) 793-5555

*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards, and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotels listed in this program.

Program Includes for guests:

•1 night at the Seward Gateway Hotel (subject to change) – Standard double room

•1 night at the Aviator Hotel Anchorage

•Admission to Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

•Four-hour small boat cruise

•Admission to Alaska Native Heritage Center

•Transfer to the Anchorage airport on Day 3 based on your flight time

Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated departure information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, a departure transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.

Program Excludes for guests:

•Any meals not listed above (lunches and dinners)

•Gratuities for drivers and guides

•Hotel incidentals including laundry, mini bar and room service

•Excess or overweight luggage fees on flights

Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.

Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program.

See big, bold and genuine Alaska! Follow its scenic highways and famed Alaska Railway into rustic towns and through majestic Denali National Park, visit an Iditarod dog kennel, and view breathtaking, snow-mantled mountains.

DAY 1

After flying into the Anchorage airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Anchorage for the evening. Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure. Meals are on your own.

Day 2

After breakfast at the hotel, you will drive north from Anchorage on the George Parks Highway, which winds through the kind of scenery that defines the Alaskan interior: tundra, soaring mountain peaks, glaciers, forests, wild rivers, and vast expanses primarily inhabited by animals such as moose, grizzlies, foxes and birds.

Upon reaching Talkeetna, whose downtown is a National Historic Site, you will have a short time to explore before boarding an Alaska Railroad train. As you travel by rail the 4.5 hours to Denali, seating is upstairs in the Dome where you will enjoy views from all sides of the railcar and lunch is included downstairs in the dining room. Once you reach Denali, you will be transferred to the Grande Denali Lodge or similar, which perches on the edge of a bluff less than a mile from the entrance to Denali National Park.

Following an enlightening private lecture on Denali, your evening is open for dinner on own.

Day 3

The day starts with an early breakfast at the lodge and then a 4.5-hour Denali Natural History Tour. Focusing on the rich natural and cultural history of the park, this program includes several interpretive stops and an hour off-bus experience. Begin with a stop to learn about the creation of the Denali Park Road with the film “Across Time and Tundra.”

Next visit Savage Cabin, the original ranger’s cabin, provides a living history into how the cabin was once used and how it continues to be used today.

Finally, you will make a stop at Primrose Ridge to experience a memorable Alaska Native presentation that will enlighten you with how the land has been used for nearly 10,000 years. All along the way your naturalist driver-guide will provide a great introduction to the landscape, geology, and history of Denali National Park and Preserve. Note: Tours are conducted Denali National Park busses.

NOTE: Depending on time and availability, there may be time to upgrade to the Tundra Wilderness Tour. Your Tour Director will be able to provide more information on cost and availability during your program.

Upon returning to the lodge, enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure, before overnighting at the lodge.

Day 4

After breakfast at the lodge, you will drive from Denali on the Parks Highway, which (weather permitting) affords magnificent views of Mt. Denali, the tallest mountain in North America. In time, you will visit an Iditarod Sled Dog Kennel and learn about this truly Alaskan competition. NOTE: this is not a ride with the dogs.

Traveling from Anchorage to Nome on the Bering Sea coast, each Iditarod team of 12 to 16 dogs and their musher cover 1,150 miles of Alaska’s most rugged terrain in 10 to 17 days. Add temperatures well below zero, scouring winds, and long hours of darkness, and it is no wonder that the Iditarod is called the last Great Race on Earth.

Continuing on from the kennel, you will journey along the shoreline between the Chugach Mountains and the waters of Turnagain Arm to Girdwood. A box lunch will be provided for the journey.

Upon arriving and checking in to the beautiful Alyeska Resort, the remainder of the day is at your leisure with any meals on your own. You may wish to enjoy a ride to the top of Mt. Alyeska on the aerial tramway for a spectacular view of the surrounding area with its seven glaciers. Or perhaps make an appointment at the outdoor Nordic Spa where you can soak in multiple hot and cool pools, make use of their steam rooms or book a massage (costs not included for tram or Nordic Spa). The resort also has an indoor heated pool and hot tub free of charge and several restaurants on site along with a shuttle that will take you to a small array of eateries off site.

Day 5

After breakfast at the resort, the morning is at leisure.

After lunch (on own), check out and board your motorcoach for the drive to Whittier. Along the way enjoy a stop at an organization dedicated to preserving Alaska’s wildlife. The center is a home and refuge for many animals; bear, moose, elk, and other wildlife that call Alaska home.

Finally, depart for Whittier on the road that passes through some of America’s most spectacular scenery and holds three scenic designations: USDA Forest Service Scenic Byway, Alaska Scenic Byway, and All-American Road.

Upon arriving in Whittier, you will embark your ship.

Land Program Details Step by Step

•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.

•Itineraries with the up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.

•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.

•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.

Extra Nights

•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until day 2 of the program.

•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.

•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.

Day 1

Fly into Anchorage’s Ted Stevens International Airport. You will be met after luggage claim and transferred to the Marriott Hotel in Anchorage or similar. Check in is 3:00pm. If you prefer an early check-in, you may purchase an extra night so that your room is available when you arrive.

This day is at leisure and meals are on own.

Meet and Greet and transfers

•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.

•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.

•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.

•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.

DAY 2

6:00am Buffet breakfast at the hotel

8:00am Depart Anchorage for Talkeetna

11:05am Board a deluxe dome railcar for Denali National Park (lunch included on train)

3:45pm Arrive at your hotel near to the entrance of Denali National Park

5:30pm Reception with private lecture

PM Open evening for dinner on-own or optional activities

Overnight at the Grande Denali Lodge or similar hotel

DAY 3

6:00am Buffet breakfast at the lodge

7:00am Approximate departure for Denali Natural History tour

12:00pm Approximate return from Denali Natural History tour

Lunch on own

PM Open for optional activities, dinner on own

Overnight at the Grande Denali Lodge or similar hotel

DAY 4

6:00am Buffet breakfast at the lodge

8:00am Depart Denali

12:00pm Arrive at Happy Trails Kennels for presentation

Box lunch provided with sandwich, pasta salad, cookie and bottle of water

2:00pm Depart for Anchorage

3:30pm Arrive in Anchorage for brief city tour

5:30pm Arrive in Girdwood, check in to your hotel

PM Open evening for optional activities and dinner on own

Overnight at the Alyeska Resort or similar hotel

DAY 5

6:00am Breakfast at the resort

AM Open for optional activities

Lunch on own

12:15pm Depart for Whittier

12:45pm Visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

3:30pm Arrive in Whittier and embark the ship

Accessibility:

This program is wheelchair accessible. Please notify RSSC if a tour coach with lift or accessible rooms are required as rooms are limited, and vehicles need to be secured in advance.

Expected Weather:

The average temperature is 55° to 65° Fahrenheit; however, summer temperatures can rise into the 70’s and 80’s.

What to Bring:

Warm clothing, rain jacket, binoculars, comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots, hat, sunscreen, camera, chargers, mosquito repellent

Local Currency:

US Dollar

Electricity:

The electric current in the United States is 110 volts. You may need a converter if you have 220-volt devices. We recommend bringing a universal travel adaptor for guests who are not from North America.

Documents and Visa Requirements:

A valid passport is required

Hotel addresses:

Marriott Anchorage Hotel – 820 W 7th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501

Grande Denali Lodge - George Parks Hwy, AK 99755

Alyeska Resort – 1000 Arlberg Ave, Girdwood, AK 99587

*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards, and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotels listed in this program.

HOTELS AND LODGES

The best available hotels and lodges in Alaska are used throughout the land program. They are comfortable and rustic. Guests accustomed to the level of services at an international five-star hotel will find that the same services are not available in Alaska. Due to peak season in Alaska from May through September, it may be difficult to change rooms during the hotel stay as all hotels have very high occupancy. Hotels are subject to change.

Program includes:

•One night at the Marriott Hotel in Anchorage or similar (Standard double room)

•Two nights at the Grande Denali Lodge or similar (Standard double room)

•One night at the Alyeska Resort in Girdwood or similar (Standard double room)

•Denali Natural History Tour in Denali National Park

•Full breakfast daily

•One lunch and one box lunch

•One reception and lecture on Denali

•Deluxe Dome Rail tour

•Tours and sightseeing as per the program

•Fully escorted

•Luggage handling and all associated gratuities

•Airport transfers as applicable

Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.

Program Excludes for guests:

•Gratuities for tour director and motor coach driver

•Personal expenses

•Any meals not listed above

•Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service

ADDITIONAL TOURING

While you are in the Denali area at the beginning of the tour program, your guide will present additional touring programs for sale. These tour options vary from week to week and therefore can’t be pre-purchased. However, your guide will do everything possible to help you secure space. Optional tours cannot be pre-reserved through RSSC.

BAGGAGE

As your baggage will travel on many different modes of transportation, please choose sturdy cases that have been properly tagged with personal identifications, both inside and out. It is important to keep all valuables and documents on your person. As amenities such as elevators and baggage handling are limited at some locations, we suggest you only carry one bag per person while on the land tour. Alternately, your tour director will collect any pieces that you do not want to take on and off the bus each day and it will be stored on the motor coach in a locked bay. Please pack accordingly and bring any medications and documents with you.

Alternatively, you may wish to contact Luggage Forward to make your own luggage transfer arrangements (at own cost) from your home to the ship - www.luggageforward.com

Phone: 877-231-5131

CLOTHING AND CLIMATE

With a broad variety of weather possibilities, we encourage you to bring clothes that are suited to layering. Daytime attire in Alaska is strictly casual. Comfortable, supportive walking shoes are a must. The following items should be included: water-repellant coat or jacket, collapsible umbrella, rain hat, lightweight windbreaker, and sweaters. It could be warmer inland with summer temperatures in Denali reaching 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

ALTITUDE

Travel in Alaska is generally at lower elevations. The maximum altitude is 2,800 feet in Denali National Park.

WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather conditions are unpredictable. While the cruise line and its appointed ground operators will do everything possible to assist with alternative arrangements, we cannot be held responsible for any costs incurred if a land program, tour or private arrangement made through the cruise line is disrupted due to adverse weather.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The published itinerary is based on component suppliers expected to be operating for the land program. Changes to the availability of flights, flight and tour schedules or other itinerary components out of the cruise line’s control may require an adjustment to the final itinerary. The local ground operator will handle meal vouchers, train tickets, or tour tickets included in the program. The cruise line reserves the right to substitute hotels, if necessary.

Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.

Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released. Arrangements for accommodation and transfers will be at the expense of guests.

Enjoy a coastal adventure with scenic views, up close animal encounters at an animal rescue, an aerial tram ride, and a fun salmon bake on this three-night post cruise soft adventure.

Please note: This program is wheelchair accessible however coaches with lifts are not available so guests will need to be able to get on and off the tour bus with little to no assistance. ADA equipped rooms are subject to availability and as such need to be requested at least 120 days before sailing.

DAY 1

Eat a hearty breakfast before disembarking the ship in Whittier. Gather your luggage and meet your driver before departing from the coastal town of Whittier. Leaving the quaint town through the engineering marvel that is the Anton Anderson memorial town. This 2.6-mile-long tunnel was built during World War II to connect the port of Whittier to Southcentral Alaska.

Exiting the tunnel and entering the Portage Valley you will make a stop at the Begich Boggs Visitor Center where you will learn the history of the valley and the glaciers that surround it. After visiting the center, you will have time to go next door to the Portage Glacier Lodge to shop for local gifts and locally made food. Then you will continue through the Portage Valley to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.

Founded in 1993 the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is a nonprofit sanctuary that is dedicated to preservation, education, research, and animal care. The center takes in injured and orphaned animals to rehabilitate and provide permanent homes at the center. The center is home to a variety of Alaskan animals including Lynx, Foxes, Coyotes, Wood Bison, Musk Ox, Brown and Black Bears, Deer, Elk, Caribou, Reindeer, and a Bald Eagle.

Your driver will take you on a guided loop of the facility, giving you information about the animals at the center. From there you will have free time to explore the grounds for up close views of the animals and time to explore the gift shop. Note: From May through September the Forget-Me-Not Foods food truck or similar is on site and open daily serving hot/cold beverages, grab-n-go snacks, and lunch items for anyone looking for a snack before arriving in Alyeska.

After exploring the Center, you will continue down the Turnagain Arm to the former Gold Mining town turned ski resort of Girdwood. Arriving at the Alyeska Resort you will be given tickets to the Aerial Tram which heads up Mt Alyeska. At the top of the tram, you will have a gorgeous view of the Turnagain Arm and the valley including several glaciers. Sit back and relax and with the included $25 per person meal voucher you can enjoy some food or a drink on the deck or in the Boar Tide lounge.

When you are ready head back down the mountain to the resort and check in for the night. The evening is at your leisure and dinner is on your own.

Note: your driver-guide will drop off the luggage at the hotel while the group is enjoying the views from Mt. Alyeska. Guests can return to the hotel at leisure. Luggage will be delivered to the rooms by the bellman.

DAY 2

Enjoy a morning at leisure at the Resort. From the resort some of the options available are a helicopter tour to a glacier, a ride with sled dogs on the original Iditarod trail, you can rent eBikes, or simply relax in their world class Nordic Spa. Optional activities are at own cost and subject to availability through the resort. Reservations cannot be made via RSSC.

In the evening, enjoy a breathtaking scenic float down Portage Creek. View Hanging Glaciers, wildlife, and relax on this mellow scenic float. After your float enjoy a delicious salmon bake meal under the midnight sun before returning to your hotel.

Note: the float trip takes place rain or shine. The river is Class 1 therefore no rapids. Guests should bring appropriate clothing for the weather. If travelling with children note that smaller children will be provided with a child seat for the float trip. Minimum age to raft is 2 years. Guests not wishing to raft can join the dinner without doing so. Portable restrooms available at the site.

DAY 3

Today you will head to Anchorage to end your Alaska adventure. On the one-hour drive, keep an eye out for Bore Tides, Beluga Whales and the effects of the 1964 earthquake. As you approach Anchorage learn about Moose eating habits, the boreal forest, and the Alaska Railroad.

You will have time to explore downtown Anchorage on your own. Get a bite to eat at a local eatery, visit the ceremonial start of the Iditarod, or shop for a last-minute Alaskan gift.

Departing downtown, the next stop is a local fish hatchery. Walk through the hatchery and learn about how fish are raised and released into the wild or along ship creek and watch the wild salmon swim and use a fish ladder.

After the stop at the hatchery, you will head to the Alaska Native Heritage Center. The center was created by a unanimous vote of the Alaska Federation of Natives in 1987, which called for the establishment of a statewide Alaska Native culture center. It offers a unique experience for you to learn and explore the traditional and contemporary ways of Alaska’s Indigenous cultures. More than a museum, the Center is a place to engage through interact guided tours, dance performances, and Alaska Native Games demonstrations. Your driver will give you free time to explore the exhibits and gallery.

End the day at your newly renovated hotel located in downtown Anchorage. Dinner is on your own.

DAY 4

Following breakfast and check out, you will be transferred to the Anchorage Airport for your flight home. Transfers will be arranged based on your flight time. For guests with late flights, luggage storage will be available at the hotel until your transfer.

Land Program Details Step by Step:

•Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program details including timings and any flights indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Direct flights are never guaranteed.

•Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.

•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.

•A departure transfer is not included if guests leave before the last day of the program.

DAY 1

9:00AM Guests disembark in Whittier, locate luggage and are met at the pier

10:00am Depart for the Whittier for Begich Boggs Visitor Center

10:30am Begich Boggs Visitor Center & Portage Glacier Lodge

12:00pm Rejoin the coach and drive to Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

12:30pm Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center tour and time on own

Snack options available at the Center if needed

2:30pm Rejoin the coach and drive to Girdwood

3:00pm Aerial Tram up Mt Alyeska, meal voucher provided

4:00pm Check-in at the hotel, receive breakfast vouchers for next two days

Overnight at the Alyeska Resort or similar hotel

DAY 2

Vouchered breakfast on own

Morning on own, lunch on own

5:00pm Transfer to Portage Rail station

5:30pm Portage Creek Float and Salmon Bake dinner

9:00pm Return Transfer to Alyeska Resort

Overnight at the Alyeska Resort or similar hotel

DAY 3

Vouchered breakfast

11:00am Depart for Anchorage

12:00pm Time on own downtown Anchorage, lunch on own

1:30pm Anchorage Hatchery

3:00pm Alaska Native Heritage Center

5:00pm Check-in at your hotel (no elevator)

Overnight at the Aviator Hotel or similar hotel

DAY 4

Included breakfast

11:00am Check out time at the hotel

TBA Transfer to Anchorage Airport

Please Note:

•Alyeska Resort is in Girdwood Alaska. Girdwood is a small town and has very limited availability of ride share drivers

•Particular room views cannot be guaranteed at either hotel

•Other than at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, animal sightings are not guaranteed

•The Aviator Hotel in Anchorage is newly refurbished (2024) however it is not a luxury hotel. Expect clean and modern comforts and newly renovated rooms. There is no elevator however there is a bellman who will deliver luggage to your room

•ADA equipped rooms are limited, must be specifically requested and are subject to availability

•Tour coaches with a lift are not available for this program

Extra Nights:

•All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the same hotel used on the LAST NIGHT of your program.

•When you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport per the flight details provided. Check-out time is 11:00am (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 3 of your program.

Transfers:

•All guests booking their flights independently are required to ensure the cruise line has their most up to date flight details so that transfers to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, transfers will not be arranged.

•Should you book any extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers are not included.

•Should you have a late departing flight you may wish to book an extra night so that you have occupation of your room until your departure. You will be asked to vacate your room by 11:00am. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel.

Expected Weather:

60°F to 65°F and 15°C to 18°C

What to Bring:

Dress in layers, waterproof clothing, closed toed shoes, cameras, medicines,

Local Currency:

USD

Electricity

120 Volt type A plug.

Luggage information

All luggage with travel with guests in the transportation vehicle.

Documents and Visa Requirements:

A passport that is valid at least 6 months after travel is required.

Hotel addresses:

Alyeska Resort

Address: 1000 Arlberg Ave, Girdwood, AK 99587

Phone: (800) 880-3880

Aviator Hotel

Address: 239 W 4th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501

Phone: (907) 793-5555

*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards, and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotels listed in this program.

Program Includes for guests:

•2 nights at the Alyeska Resort (subject to change) – Deluxe room

•1 night at the Aviator Hotel including breakfast (Standard King or Double Queen room)

•Admission to Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

•Aerial Tram and $25 per person Food and Beverage card for Boar Tide Deli & Bar

•Access to Alyeska Resort pool and exercise areas

•Portage Creek Float and Salmon bake dinner

•Voucher breakfasts at Alyeska Resort (Forté Restaurant, Tramway Café or for Room Service. Additional room service fees may apply.)

•Admission to Alaska Native Heritage Center

•Transfer to the Anchorage airport on Day 4

Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated departure information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, a departure transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.

Program Excludes for guests:

•Any meals not listed above (lunches and dinners)

•Gratuities for drivers and guides

•Hotel incidentals including laundry, mini bar and room service

•Excess or overweight luggage fees on flights

Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.

Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program.