Vancouver, British Columbia #134

Fairmont Waterfront, located on Vancouver’s stunning harbour, offers relaxed West Coast luxury. Just steps from the Vancouver Convention Centre, Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal, historic Gastown and the iconic Seawall, it’s the ideal jumping off point for your Vancouver getaway. 

Rooted in a sustainable travel philosophy aboard the Alaskan cruise ships.

Granville Island is a peninsula and shopping district in the Fairview neighborhood of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, across False Creek from Downtown Vancouver, under the south end of the Granville Street Bridge.

Had a fun time in Vancouver touring Granville island for lunch and lots of shopping enjoying our inland passage cruises.

Visited Stanley park to see the totems and then toured around Vancouver and learned about their rich history - very interesting!

The collection of Totem Poles at Brockton Point are the most visited attraction in Vancouver, British Columbia, and possibly all of Canada on our great Alaskan cruise!

Port Vancouver is Canada's "Alaskan" cruise port and homeport for Alaska-based freight liners along with the Alaskan cruise ships.

A pair of longstanding homeless encampments in the City of Vancouver

viewed from the Alaskan cruise ships have cost taxpayers more than $6 million since 2018, data obtained by Global News shows.

And with people still living in tents in two more encampments along Hastings Street and in CRAB Park, the new civic government says reducing ongoing cash flow won’t happen overnight. 

Whether looking for forestry or wildfire support, all of SKY’s industry pilots are highly trained commercial helicopter pilots with extensive Forestry Approved Mountain Training. Our pilots have flown in the BC mountains for their entire careers and are very experienced! 

Have a video on our Movie/Download seen from our alaskan cruise ship.

The Inside Passage is a coastal route for ships and boats along a network of passages which weave through the islands on the Pacific Northwest coast of the North American Fjordland from our inland passage cruises.

  Our weeklong itinerary generally embarked in  Vancouver, British Columbia.

It sticks to the southeastern "panhandle" area of Alaska, an area roughly 500 miles long and 100 miles wide on the inland passage cruises.

Shaped by the staggering force of massive glaciers millions of years ago, Alaska's Inside Passage stretches 500 miles along the Pacific Ocean and boasts wildlife-filled fjords, tidewater glaciers, and lush island scenery seen from our Alaskan cruise ship.

Usually stopping at three or four ports.

The Tongass National Forest — the largest national forest in the United States and the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world — covers the vast majority of the Inside Passage seen from the Alaskan cruise ships.

Alaska Native peoples whose history is reflected in towering totem poles and whose vibrant culture can be seen today through art, song, and dance on our Alaskan cruise.

There’s no shortage of adventures to be had, including kayaking, hiking, fishing, experiencing Alaska Native culture, glacier viewing, and searching for wildlife including whales, bears, and eagles featured on our  Alaskan cruise.

The Inside Passage is a coastal route for ships and boats along a network of passages which weave through the islands on the Pacific Northwest coast of the North American Fjordland taken by many Alaskan cruise ships.

The largest national forest in the country, Tongass National Forest, blankets the entire southeast Alaska portion of the Inside Passage, and many glaciers can still be seen. Many adventurous cruisers join an Inside Passage Alaska cruise visit or view majestic glaciers viewed from the Alaskan cruise ships.

Carved out by glaciers during the last ice age, it's characterized by more than 1,000 islands and islets, coves, fjords and coastal towns, each with its own character can be see on these inland passage cruises.

The average cruise through the Inside Passage takes around seven days, but you can go beyond the cruise with shore excursions featuring an array of outdoor adventures (kayaking, fishing, and bear viewing, to name a few) on the inland passage cruises.

Here's a beautiful place along the way!

How Far Is the Cruise Port From the Town of Sitka? Your cruise ship will dock at the island's Old Dock at Halibut Point, about five miles north of Sitka town on our Alaskan cruise.

This is on the way to Sitka on our Alaskan cruise.

Long before Russian and American settlers came to Sitka, the area was home to the Tlingit people. 

The transfer of Alaska from Russia took place in Sitka atop Castle Hill on October 17, 1867-an occasion that is commemorated as "Alaska Day" told on our Alaskan cruise.

Brown bears live throughout Alaska and are the only bear species found in Sitka. Brown bears use the full range of habitat in the area- forest, alpine, estuary, and intertidal. The bears generally avoid encounters with people - told to us on our Alaskan cruise.

We walked over the arched bridge for views of four salmon species and other fish.

Four of the five species of Pacific salmon return to the river in the park to spawn - chinook, coho, pink and chum salmon witnessed on the inland passage cruises.

Sitka National Historical Park is the site of Russia’s defeat of the indigenous Tlingit people and has a trail dotted with totem poles on these inland passage cruises.

We have over 750 stickers, a growing selection of in-house screen printed t-shirts, and other small gift items.  Everything in our shop is designed by artists that are either current permanent residents of Alaska or are of Alaska Native heritage witnessed on our excursion with the Alaskan cruise ship.

We trolled the grounds to see 18 restored totem poles nestled along a trail in the Sitka spruce forest and learn the significance of eagles, ravens, and other hand-carved symbols. Then meander down the coastal trails to further explore the park’s history and wildlife witnessed from our Alaskan cruise tour from the Alaskan cruise ships.

The Fortress of the Bear is a non-profit bear refuge and education center in Sitka, Alaska. It was established in 2003 by Les and Evy Kinnear at the Gary Paxton Industrial Park, which previously housed the Sitka Pulp Mill, seen on our tour from our Alaskan cruise.

The goal is to work with the Alaska Department of Fish & Game to someday release rehabbed bears back into the wild. 

A non-profit bear sanctuary and educational center, dedicated to rescuing orphaned Alaskan bear cubs in need from our tour off the Alaskan cruise.

The rescue center opened in 2007, and now houses 8 bears. More than 89,000 visitors per year come to experience the majesty of these amazing creatures. 

We enjoyed viewing the bears as they play, explore and forage for food, while a team of naturalists tell their stories about their histories, personalities and seasonally changing diets and environments. Witnessed from our Alaskan cruise tour.

The Alaska Raptor Center is a raptor rehabilitation center in Sitka in the U.S. state of Alaska. Located on a 17–acre campus bordering the Tongass National Forest and the Indian River.

The center provides medical treatment to approximately 200 injured birds each year.  Although they specialize in raptors,  will aid any wild bird in need.

A pioneering wildlife project, the Alaska Raptor Center has for years proven that dedicated volunteer effort and innovative veterinary medicine can make a life-or-death difference on Alaska’s raptors (birds of prey). Witnessed from our Alaskan cruise tour.

Which type of owl is most commonly found in Alaska and other Arctic regions?The snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus), also known as the polar owl, the white owl and the Arctic owl, is a large, white owl of the true owl family. Snowy owls are native to the Arctic regions of both North America and the Palearctic, breeding mostly on the tundra. Witnessed from our Alaskan cruise tour.

This Eagle did extremely well in her training and can now take the stage and help teach visitors about Bald Eagles and our mission at the Alaska Raptor Center.

A few never fully recover and remain housed at the center’s outdoor sanctuary. One of Sitka’s most popular attractions, visitors are welcome at the Alaska Raptor Center’s facility that includes an impressive flight training enclosure. Witnessed from our Alaskan cruise tour.

Sitka is an Alaskan city and borough near Juneau, the state capital. It's spread over Baranof Island, part of Chichagof Island and others. It was part of Russia until 1867 and St. Michael’s Orthodox Cathedral is topped with an onion dome. Witnessed from our Alaskan cruise tour.

Sitka gold miner statue image - Monument to the first gold miner in Sitka in Alaska. 

On our inland passage cruises and witnessed from our Alaskan cruise tour.

The bishop designed and built a wrought-iron clock for the cathedral’s tower, where bells, cast in a local foundry, were rung.  Its old-world architecture transports travelers back in time. 

North America’s first Russian Orthodox church. Today, it’s a national historic landmark. Witnessed from our Alaskan cruise tour.

 Tongass National Forest is the world’s largest intact temperate rainforest. Pay this natural wonder a visit for an abundance of thriving flora, vibrant wildlife, hiking trails, and campgrounds. The 700 miles of trails are suitable for everything from leisurely walks to vigorous hiking and include many accessible boardwalks, like the Estuary Life Boardwalk Trail. On one of our inland passage cruises, witnessed from our Alaskan cruise tour.

 Here's a beautiful waterway where the fish is fresh, culture is celebrated and wilderness beckons steps from your door.

National Historical Park is the site of Russia’s defeat of the indigenous Tlingit people and has a trail dotted with totem poles. Witnessed from our Alaskan cruise tour.

Sitka is an island community boldly living between the mountains and sea, where the arts flourish and an ancient native culture still thrives. Surrounded by rainforest,  sharing our home with brown bears, bald eagles and all five species of Pacific salmon. In Sitka, we are deeply connected to the natural world around us. Witnessed from our Alaskan cruise tour.

The biggest glacier visited by cruise ships, the Hubbard is truly impressive. With a 6-mile wide, 400-foot tall face, the blue ice will seem to envelop your boat, especially if you can get up close. On good days, you'll get to within 1/2 mile of the face. On one of the inland passage cruises, and witnessed from our Alaskan cruise tour.

Hubbard Glacier is a glacier located in Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve in eastern Alaska and Kluane National Park and Reserve in Yukon, Canada, and named after Gardiner Hubbard. Witnessed from our Alaskan cruise tour.

Hubbard is one of the largest glaciers to be seen on an Alaska cruise. It sits over 300 feet above the water and is 6 miles wide. However, cruise ships are limited by the sea ice on how close they can get and you only get to see half the glacier. Witnessed from our Alaskan cruise tour.

A one-of-a-kind experience. Near the glacier, a lot of icebergs and growlers are seen everywhere, so cruise ships tend to stray away from the glacier. However, small boats actually come towards the face of the glacier. Witnessed from our Alaskan cruise tour.

The strong currents and riptides that flow between Gilbert Point and the face of the glacier cause calving to occur on a daily basis, sending massive chunks of ice crashing into Disenchantment Bay. Witnessed from our Alaskan cruise tour.

Hubbard Glacier is by far one of Alaska’s most exciting natural treasures. On a Hubbard Glacier cruise, you’ll experience picture-perfect views of this glorious mount of ice from every angle on board one of our luxury cruise ships. Witnessed from our Alaskan cruise tour.

Juneau was founded as a mining camp in 1880 and named after a gold prospector and the town’s co-founder, Joe Juneau. Witnessed from our Alaskan cruise tour.

Juneau Crew Store is located in Juneau, Alaska.

It's is estimated to generate $25,094 in annual revenues, and employs approximately 6 people at this single location. Witnessed from our Alaskan cruise tour.

It started as a mining camp in 1880, become the capital of the 49th state in 1959 and now is the host to over one million cruise ship passengers a year. Witnessed from our Alaskan cruise tour.

Cruise ships dock right in downtown (at Egan Drive) and you can explore on foot popular among tourists places like Red Dog Saloon, State Capitol, Governor's Mansion, Cultural Arts Park, Mount Roberts Goldbelt Tramway. Witnessed from our Alaskan cruise tour. 

Juneau is a very walkable city. Most cruise ships dock right in downtown, and visitors can leave the ship and walk all throughout downtown, shopping and exploring. Witnessed from our Alaskan cruise tour.

An interesting fact about Juneau: there are no roads connecting it to the rest of Alaska. The only way to visit is by plane, ferry, or cruise ship. Witnessed from our Alaskan cruise tour.