Alaskan Cruise and Land Adventure

August 12-23, 2013

This is an absolutely fantastic trip and one you will be talking about for years to come. It isn’t just a land tour nor is it just a cruise, but a combination of both. It truly encompasses the best of the Alaska Wilderness, wildlife and rustic beauty and concludes with a simply “can’t miss” inside passage cruise on the Royal Caribbean Cruise line. You will witness some of the most breathtaking scenery that you can imagine. On the cruise you won’t pay for a single meal as My-Time Dining is included as are all gratuities and tips. Whether or not you’ve taken a cruise before, get set to be wined and dined for your entire stay on the ship.

More information and details will be found on this web site once airline ticket prices for 2013 are released. You can send Valerie & Wayne an email at somedaytravel@charter.net and we’ll place you on our Alaska contact list so you will be kept informed as this trip is being finalized.

Look at the itinerary below for our 12-day Alaskan Land Adventure and Inside Passage Cruise.

ITINERARY DRAFT Effective September 7, 2012

August 12, 2013: Flight

Take a flight from Chicago to Anchorage. Enjoy a tour of the city and then dinner at Sourdough Mining Company. Overnight in Anchorage. Meals: Dinner

August 13, 2013: Denali

This morning we leave Anchorage and travel north by bus to Denali National Park. Just outside of Anchorage, heavy birch forests lead to the Knik River. Keep an eye out for wildlife, such as moose and bear along the Susitna River. We’ll stop in Wasilla to see the Iditarod Trail and historic sites recognizing the now famous dog sled race of over 1000 miles in length. We then continue to Denali. There will be time this afternoon for optional tours such as flightseeing, rafting (mild to wild), jet boat and much more. Overnight in Denali. Meals: Breakfast

August 14, 2013: Denali

Today we travel deep into Denali National Park on the Tundra Wilderness Tour and search the pristine wilderness for bear, moose, caribou, and Dall sheep. This six to eight hour journey is narrated allowing for insight into the animals, flora and fauna of this spectacular region. A snack box meal is provided while on the tour. Overnight in Denali. Meals: Snack

August 15, 2013: Alaskan Train ride to Anchorage

Your morning is open for optional tours. Later this morning, we’ll transfer to the rail depot where you the world famous Alaska Railroad (Adventure Class) for your journey south back to Anchorage where we’ll arrive around 8 PM. Meals: May be purchased in the dining car.

August 16, 2013: To Seward to Board Cruise Ship

This morning we check out of the Anchorage hotel later in the morning and travel by bus along the scenic Seward Highway. When we arrive in Seward we’ll enjoy a brief city tour of this coastal community including a visit to the Alaska Sealife Center, the only cold water research facility in North America. We then travel to the dock area and embark on your Alaska adventure cruise. Once aboard begin to enjoy the first of many great meals with My-Time Dining. Go on line to Royal Caribbean Cruise lines and become familiar with all of the ships amenities such as mini-golf, two swimming pools, a ¼ mile jogging track, basketball court, full casino and entertainment every night.

August 17, 2013: Hubbard Glacier (cruising)

The longest river of ice in North America, the Hubbard Glacier is also one of the most active glaciers of its kind in Alaska. And since our ships are designed to provide our guests with the best viewing possible, you'll be able to see this massive natural wonder, with its 1,350 square miles of blue ice, from just about anywhere on the ship.

August 18, 2013: Juneau

We arrive in Juneau, the capital of Alaska, early this morning. Juneau was founded during the gold rush in 1880. Today, the former gold-mining town counts among its riches some of Alaska's most spectacular scenery. Nestled at the foot of Mt. Juneau in the Alaska Panhandle, it faces the water from the mainland side of Gastineau Channel. Several magnificent fjords are located along the channel coast, and the majestic Mendenhall Glacier, a favorite of visitors, is nearby. We depart later this evening for Skagway.

August 19, 2013: Skagway

We arrive in Skagway this morning for a full day. This "Gateway to the Klondike" witnessed countless fortune-seekers passing these very streets as they headed to the Chilkoot or White Pass Trails during the heyday of Alaska's Gold Rush of 1898. One of the optional excursions is taking the 20 mile train ride on the White Pass RR traversing the very trail the gold miners followed to their way to the gold mines in the Yukon. Today, you can still feel like a prospector in Skagway, as you walk along its rustic boardwalks and frontier-style storefronts. With only 750 residents, this cozy town lies at the head of the Lynn Canal and offers a pleasant respite from the hustle and bustle of most cities. We will return to the ship in early evening to continue our cruise, voyaging on the Lynn Canal, which affords breathtaking views of the mountainous landscape.

August 20, 2013: Icy Straight Point/Glacier Bay National Park

Icy Strait Point is located near the city of Hoonah, the largest native Tlingit Indian settlement in Alaska, and very near Glacier Bay National Park. Home to a historic cannery, the port's connection to the sea is strong. Locals share the sea with Humpback whales, Orcas, Dall porpoises, seals, sea otters, halibut and all five species of Pacific salmon. It is not uncommon to spot a humpback or an orca while walking along the shore or you can choose to take an optional whale watching boat ride where they guarantee you will see whales.

August 21, 2013: Ketchikan

We arrive in Ketchikan this morning which is located in the Tongass National Forest, the largest in the US encompassing over 17 million acres. Ketchikan is Alaska's first port of call for northbound ships. Originally visited by Tlingit natives, the heart of Ketchikan is downtown Ketchikan Creek, which includes the wooden boardwalks of Creek Street. Take the tram for a bird's eye view of downtown, or browse the many shops and Native cultural displays throughout the town. You might want to bring your raingear here since they refer to rain as “liquid sunshine” they have some much each year.

August 22, 2013: Inside Passage (Cruising)

Cruising through the Inside Passage is really what has made Alaska cruising so popular. This part of the cruise captures so much of exactly what people love about Alaska. There are glaciers the size of Rhode Island, misty rain forests and ghostly blue fjords as well as spirited communities that celebrate their varied heritage. Be sure to take in every view as you sail through one of the most beautiful parts of Alaska. Apart from the Alaska sites you will have the entire day to enjoy amenities our ship has to offer.

August 23, 2013: Disembark Cruise Ship/Flight home

Sadly, we disembark our cruise ship this morning in Vancouver, Canada and transfer to the airport for your flight home. You will look forward to getting those pictures off the disk and into your scrapbook to share with family and friends alike.