Featuring four days of pre-cruise sightseeing in Anchorage, Turnagain Arm, Mt. Alyeska, Talkeetna, and Seward, plus a relaxing Seven-Day Southbound Cruise including Valdez, Hubbard Glacier (cruising), Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Vancouver!
June 10 – 21, 2023 | 12 Day program
Itinerary:
June 11 | Anchorage area sightseeing
This morning is yours to relax and enjoy some free time in downtown Anchorage. Midday, depart for a panoramic city tour including the port of Anchorage, which began as a tent city. You’ll pass by Earthquake Park, Lake Hood, and stop at the scenic overlook in Chugach State Park. Next, visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center for an exclusive private Elder Talk, complete with Agutak-making & sampling. Tonight’s dinner will be served at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Anchorage (B,D)
June 12 | Turnagain Arm | Mt. Alyeska |AK Wildlife Conservation Center |Portage Glacier Cruise
Today’s tour includes a guided tour of the Turnagain Arm including a round trip ticket to the Mt. Alyeska Aerial Tramway. Next you’ll visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. The AWCC is a sanctuary dedicated to preserving Alaska’s wildlife through conservation, education, research, and quality animal care. Today’s lunch will be served at Bison Hall. During your private lunch, learn about the animals that are native to Alaska. This afternoon embark on a one-hour Portage Glacier Cruise. The boat will take you across Portage Lake. Here you stand just 300 yards from a relic of the Ice Age and can watch fractures of ice breaking off the glacier and crashing into the water below. Tonight’s dinner is on your own.
Overnight: Anchorage (B,L)
June 13 | Day Trip to Talkeetna
After an early breakfast this morning, journey to the mountain town of Talkeetna, the supply & aviation base for Denali climbing expeditions. Upon arrival, enjoy a Kennel Tour at Dallas Seavey Racing (a 5-time Iditarod Champion Kennel). An included lunch awaits you at one of the local restaurants in Talkeetna. This afternoon, embark on a two-hour wilderness jetboat excursion. Behold the splendor of Denali and the great Alaska Range from a spectacular vantage point on the Susitna River. The folklore, artifacts, and panoramic views combine to make this unique 20-mile Alaska river adventure unforgettable. (includes 30min land excursion). Return to Anchorage with the remainder of the evening on your own.
Overnight: Anchorage (B,L)
June 14 | Alaska Railroad | Seward AK Sealife Center
Early this morning check out of your hotel and transfer to the Anchorage train depot. Discover for yourself why National Geographic Traveler ranked the Coastal Classic Train among their Top Ten Train Rides in North America. Ride in style in your reserved dome car seats (breakfast included). Departing Anchorage, the train winds along Turnagain Arm, where the steep mountains of the Chugach Range plunge directly into the sea. Following a brief stop in Girdwood, the train continues to the end of Turnagain Arm and veers away from the road system into the backcountry wilderness – and what many consider to be the most scenic stretch of the entire Railbelt. After a late morning arrival into Seward the train comes to a halt on the shores of Resurrection Bay. Here, visit the Alaska Sealife Center, a state-of-the-art marine research, rehabilitation, and education facility located in downtown Seward. Learn about the Alaska SeaLife Center’s significant marine research and rehabilitation efforts for sick and injured marine mammals. Watch marine animals up-close and get immersed in their marine ecosystems through underwater viewing. In time for lunch, check into your floating hotel for the next seven days, the beautiful Norwegian Spirit.
Your ship sails at 8pm. (B/L/D)
June 15 | Valdez
If you’re interested in dramatic landscapes and diverse wildlife, then Valdez is for you. Ideally nestled along Prince William Sound, this picturesque town seems to have it all-towering mountains, wildflower-carpeted meadows, iceberg-dotted waters, and expansive glaciers. Feel free to go a little wild on an exhilarating shore excursion, from fishing and whale watching to glacier hikes and much more. You may choose to explore the town’s Gold Rush history, browse local shops, and savor fresh seafood.
Port time: 8a-7p (B,L,D)
June 16 | Cruise Hubbard Glacier
Get up close and personal with the gigantic Hubbard Glacier, North America’s largest tidewater glacier. It’s 1350 square miles of blue ice and one of the most active in Alaska.
(B,L,D)
June 17 | Skagway
In a single year from 1896 to 1897, this remote town along the Inside Passage grew from a few tents to a city of 20,000 gold seekers. Today, travelers come in search of other riches – to experience yesteryear along Skagway’s charming boardwalk lined with buildings that replicate those Gold Rush days. Port Time: 7a-8p (B,L,D)
June 18| Juneau
Juneau has been called “Alaska’s Peak Experience,” certainly due in part to its unparalleled glacier viewing from such places as Tracy Arm Fjord, the Juneau Icefields, and Glacier Bay National Park. You may opt in for one of the many optional excursions and tour historic downtown, or try your hand at panning for gold, kayak up one of the area’s many protected waterways, or embark on a flightseeing excursion. The majestic Mendenhall Glacier lies nearly 12 miles outside Juneau, a track worthwhile.
Port time: 7a-5p (B,L,D)
June 19 | Ketchikan (Ward Cove).
Its Tlingit Indian name, Kach Khanna, means “spread wings of the eagle.” Chances are you’ll see one of these magnificent birds perched atop a Sitka tree. Thanks to its abundant rainfall, Ketchikan is surrounded by some of the world’s most lush wilderness.
Port Time: 1p-8p (B,L,D)
June 20 | Day at Sea.
Today relax and enjoy all of the ships amenities on your day at sea.
(B,L,D)
June 21 | Vancouver, British Columbia – Home.
This morning after disembarkation you will be transferred to the Vancouver airport for your flight home. Memories of your Alaska Land & Cruise tour will last forever.
Your ship docks at 7a (B)
*Itinerary is subject to change
Inclusions:
- Airfare to Anchorage & from Vancouver (BC) back home
- Four nights in Anchorage
- Panoramic City tour Anchorage area (including Turnagain Arm)
- Welcome to Alaska dinner in Anchorage (Day 2)
- Two lunches (one in Anchorage, one in Talkeetna)
- Admissions to AK Native Heritage Center (including private Elder Talk & Agutak food making/sampling), Round trip Mt. Alyeska Arial Tram ticket, AK Wild Life & Conservation Center
- One hour Portage Lake Glacier Cruise
- Talkeetna Kennel Tour (5-time Iditarod Champion)
- Two hour wilderness Jetboat ride on the Susitna River
- Four hour Alaska Railroad Train Ride (upgraded Dome-Car seating & breakfast onboard included)
- Six nights onboard the Norwegian Spirit in your selected stateroom category
- All meals while onboard with unlimited beverage package (exclusions apply), incl. gratuities
- Two night dining package in specialty restaurants, including gratuities
- One Water-Package for each stateroom
- Ship service fee included
- 250 min. per cabin WiFi package, in a balcony category or higher
- $50.00 per cabin shore excursion credit, in a balcony category or higher
- All driver and guide gratuities prior to your cruise in Alaska, as well as your ship to airport transfer in Vancouver
- All cruise, port charges and government taxes
- Service of a Universal Travel representative throughout the itinerary
Payments
$750.00 deposit is due at the time of making the reservation.
Final payment due Jan 31, 2023
Cancellation
50% non-refundable Feb 4, 2023
100% non-refundable April 6, 2023
Cash or Check Payment
Single cabins are available upon request.
Additional stateroom categories & suites are available upon request.
With sufficient numbers, Universal Travel will offer Optional and Private Shore Excursions on all Ports of Call on this Itinerary.
Norwegian reserves the right to charge a fuel supplement without prior notice should the closing price of West Texas Intermediate Fuel increase above $65.00 USD per barrel on the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange Index). In the event a fuel supplement is charged, Norwegian will have sole discretion to apply the supplementary charge to both existing and new bookings, regardless of whether such bookings have been paid in full. Such supplementary charges are not included in the cruise fare. The fuel supplement charge will not exceed $10.00 USD per passenger per day.
An optional Travel Protection plan is available with coverage for trip cancellation/interruption, see enclosed product flyer for more information.
A valid passport is required on this itinerary and must be valid for at least 6 month after returning back to the USA.