Ship:  Spirit of Columbia

Itinerary:  Gold Rush/ Inside Passage + Denali

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Spirit of Columbia | slide show
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Day 1 : Arrive in Seattle
Day 2 : Cruising the San Juan Islands
Day 3 : Strait of Georgia
Day 4 : Cruising Northern British Columbia
Day 5 : Ketchikan
Day 6 : Petersburg
Day 7 : Frederick Sound and Tracy Arm
Day 8 : Sitka
Day 9 : Glacier Bay Cruising
Day 10 : Skagway and Haines
Day 11 : Arrive in Juneau. Fly to Anchorage
Day 12 : Anchorage to Denali via coach and rail
Day 13 : Tundra Wilderness Tour
Day 14 : Denali to Fairbanks
Day 15 : Transfer to the Fairbanks Airport
 Click for full itinerary
Days Dates Deck + Cabin Type
C B A AA AAA Deluxe
15 May 3, 2009 $6,399 $6,449 $7,149 $7,499 $7,849 $8,499
May 3, 2009 - Book by Dec 12 '08 and save $600
15 Aug 29, 2009 $6,549 $6,599 $7,599 $7,949 $8,299 $9,049
Destinations : Alaska, North America, Pacific Northwest
Activities : Cultural Activities, Nature Viewing, Photography, Whale Watching

Enjoy our value-priced Gold Rush Inside Passage cruises early and late in the Alaska travel season, before the crowds arrive, and when the scenery is often at its dramatic peak. Add on a Denali National Park extension for a true wilderness adventure!

Day 1 : Arrive in Seattle

Transfer to your ship to begin your cruise following the path of the Gold Rush. D

Day 2 : Cruising the San Juan Islands

Explore the charming resort village of Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, once an important whaling center. BLD

Day 3 : Strait of Georgia

Cruise among pristine islands nestled between Vancouver Island and the mountainous mainland of British Columbia, home to harbor seals, bald eagles, and orcas. BLD

Day 4 : Cruising Northern British Columbia

Along this remote coastline, you will enjoy pristine and quiet reaches past ancient glacially carved fjords. Cruise by old growth forests, quiet coves, and nutrient-rich waters that support many mammals and seabirds in the Great Bear Rainforest. BLD

Day 5 : Ketchikan

Cruise into sparkling Alaskan waters and visit Ketchikan, the "salmon capital of Alaska," and home of impressive collections of Tlingit totem poles and Native and local art. BLD

Day 6 : Petersburg

Accept a warm welcome at the Norwegian-heritage fishing village of Petersburg, where no large cruise ships visit. Explore iceberg-filled LeConte Bay or nearby wilderness waterways such as the mysterious Thomas Bay. BLD

Day 7 : Frederick Sound and Tracy Arm

Humpback whales abound in Frederick Sound. Cruise under Tracy Arm’s sheer 1,500-foot-high vertical cliffs to the twin Sawyer Glaciers. BLD

Day 8 : Sitka

Only small ships can negotiate Peril Strait and Sergius Narrows, the “inside” route to beautiful Sitka. A guided walk through Sitka’s National Historic Park offers towering totems and thriving wildlife in the forest. BLD

Day 9 : Glacier Bay Cruising

Glide through this awesome wonderland, closely approaching the “rivers of ice.” A National Park Service Ranger offers insightful narration and helps you spot wildlife such as harbor seals, mountain goats, brown and black bears in one of the rare regions the two share territory. BLD

Day 10 : Skagway and Haines

Relive the Gold Rush of 1898 in the picture-perfect setting of Skagway, the jumping off place for thousands of early gold seekers. Visit charming Haines, renowned for its remote beauty. BLD

Day 11 : Arrive in Juneau. Fly to Anchorage

Transfer to the airport for your included flight to Anchorage. On arrival, transfer to the Sheraton Hotel to continue your Gold Rush Adventure. B

Day 12 : Anchorage to Denali via coach and rail

Meet your Cruise West Exploration Leader who will accompany you by deluxe domed railcar tp Denali National Park. Cross breathtaking Hurricane Gulch and Broad Pass as you ascend into the Alaska range. Overnight at a hotel in Denali. BD

Day 13 : Tundra Wilderness Tour

A guide from the Park helps you search for moose, grizzly bears, caribou, Dall's sheep, and more. B

Day 14 : Denali to Fairbanks

Travel to Fairbanks by motorcoach, for sightseeing that includes a riverboat cruise on an authentic sternwheeler. See the renowned Trans-Alaska Pipeline, and visit the University of Alaska Fairbanks Museum of the North, with locally-produced gold and Ice Age artifacts. A farewell dinner is included, and overnight at Pike's Waterfront Lodge. BLD

Day 15 : Transfer to the Fairbanks Airport

To the Fairbanks Airport, full of fond memories, for your flight home.


Please note an additional fuel surcharge of $15 per person per night on ship.

Ship Description: Spirit of Columbia

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Spirit of Columbia | slide show
Previous Image   Next Image Spirit of Columbia

The Spirit of Columbia is a cozy vessel perfect for shared adventure in Prince William Sound. With her shallow draft and stately pace of cruising, you won't miss a thing as she lingers among the back channels, bays and wilderness islands.

The range of cabin categories is one of the widest in our fleet, ranging from lower-deck inside cabins to Deluxe and AAA categories with picture windows and a TV monitor/VCR. All staterooms offer private facilities and air conditioning.

C
80.5 sq. ft. Two single beds and no windows on lower deck. Category C stateroom is slightly more narrow than a Category B stateroom.
B
80.5 sq. ft Two single beds and no windows on lower deck.
A
110 sq. ft. Two twin beds, TV monitor/VCR
AA
92 sq. ft. Two single beds and large view window.
Spirit of Columbia - Deluxe Cabin AAA
104 sq. ft. Two single beds and large view window.
Deluxe
126 sq. ft. One queen bed (Willamette only) or two twins, writing desk, chair, TV monitor/VCR, refrigerator and large view window.
Spirit of Columbia - Deck Plan

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