Destination Focus: Canada And Alaska

For Australian nature lovers and adventure-enthusiasts, the vast and stunning landscapes of Canada and Alaska are a sure hit as these northern realms make untamed wilderness and rich cultural heritage meet.

From the Rocky Mountains to breath-taking glaciers, every cruise adventure to these North American destinations is a VIP seat to nature’s grandest spectacles.

Every cruise passenger is in for a treat with Canada’s extraordinary diversity and Alaska’s unmatched adventure through its untamed wilderness. So, whether you want to see whales showing in the icy waters, marvel at the majesty of Northern Lights, or just simply set an adventure in the tranquil ancient forests, a cruise adventure to Canada and Alaska offers an unrivaled opportunity to connect with nature on an epic scale.

Canada

Canada has amazing wildlife and nature, which makes it a paradise for cruisers. Some of the highlights include the lake-filled Banff National Park in the Rocky Mountains which boasts spectacular hiking trails and crystal-clear swimming holes. You’ll also find bears, cougars, Canadian lynxes, wolverines, red foxes and otters. In winter, there are also great snow conditions for skiing and snowboarding at Lake Louise.

If you’re looking at the cities, Vancouver is the bustling west coast seaport. Another major city to visit is Toronto which is right along Lake Ontario’s northwestern shore.

Canada’s eastern provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick are still largely unexplored by Australian cruisers, so if you are looking for new seas to sail, there are fertile waters around the historic and stately capitals of Montreal and Quebec City via the St Lawrence Seaway.

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Follow the boardwalk along the shoreline full of shops and restaurants from Peake’s Quay to Victoria Park and be sure to sample the seafood, including Malpeque Bay oysters. Fans of Anne of Green Gables will love exploring the setting for the books, including Green Gables House in Cavendish.

What is this destination best for?

Food lovers
avid readers

Which lines go there?

Celebrity Cruises
Holland America Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
Princess Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Royal Caribbean
Silversea

Montreal

This multicultural city has French and British colonial roots. Wander the museums (such as the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts), galleries and shopping precincts (including the “underground city” shopping tunnels), and enjoy quirky dining opportunities, especially nearby to the cruise terminal.

What is this destination best for?

Culture lovers
foodies

Which lines go there?

Holland America Line
Oceania Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Silversea

Quebec City

The charming 400-year-old French-influenced city is exceptionally visitor-friendly, easy to navigate on foot and has an abundance of culture and art, as well as delightful sidewalk dining options. It has the distinction of being the only walled city in the US and Canada.

What is this destination best for?

Culture
art and history buffs
Francophiles

Which lines go there?

Cunard
Disney Cruise Line
Holland America Line
Oceania Cruises
Ponant
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Royal Caribbean
Silversea

Vancouver

A favourite with Australians, Vancouver has a busy waterfront, bustling downtown precinct and numerous museums, many catering to children. It’s one of the most ethnically diverse cities. It’s a popular filming location so you’ll see some big-name celebrities walking around. It also has a thriving art, theatre and music scene. Don’t miss Chinatown, Gastown, Granville Island, Stanley Park, Vancouver Museum, HR MacMillan Space Centre and the Grouse Mountain Skyride and Wildlife Refuge.

What is this destination best for?

Families
shoppers
art lovers

Which lines go there?

APT
Crystal Cruises
Disney Cruise Line
Holland America Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
Oceania Cruises
Ponant
Princess Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Royal Caribbean
Seabourn
Silversea

Alaska

Alaska is the largest and most sparsely populated state in the United States. Its wilderness and abundant wildlife make it a popular destination for skiing, mountain biking and kayaking.

Bordered by stunning mountain ranges with dense forest to the shoreline and calm, deep waterways, the Inside Passage is a 1,500-kilometre sheltered waterway used since early times by mariners trying to avoid the rough seas of the Pacific Northwest.

Alaska’s portion encompasses more than 1,000 islands, 24,000 kilometres of shoreline and thousands of coves and bays, and Canada’s British Columbia share is of a similar extent.

Anchorage (Whittier)

The largest city in Alaska has cool pubs (check out 49th State Brewing), restaurants, and shopping haunts as well as cultural and historic museums including the Alaska Native Heritage Center, Anchorage Museum and Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.

What is this destination best for?

Museum fans
shoppers
cafe crawlers

Which lines go there?

Crystal Cruises
Holland America Line
Princess Cruises

Juneau

A former gold-rush town, Alaska’s capital can only be reached by air or sea. Activities include whale-watching and zip-lining, city touring, visits to the Alaskan Brewing Co and glorious walking trails. Take the Glacier Shuttle to Mendenhall Glacier just out of town.

What is this destination best for?

Nature lovers
walkers

Which lines go there?

APT
Celebrity Cruises
Disney Cruise Line
Holland America Line
Lindblad Expeditions
Norwegian Cruise Line
Oceania Cruises
Ponant
Princess Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Royal Caribbean

Ketchikan

With a genuine frontier-town feel and the title of “Salmon Capital of the World”, Ketchikan is one of the most popular Alaskan ports. Wander Creek Street with its historic wooden buildings and shopping strip and explore the surrounding Tongass National Forest.

What is this destination best for?

Nature lovers
walkers

Which lines go there?

APT
Celebrity Cruises
Disney Cruise Line
Holland America Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
Oceania Cruises
Princess Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Royal Caribbean

Seward

This busy little port town with its fun, old-looking shopping strip is a cool base to explore, kayak or hike around the Kenai Fjords National Park. Visit the Alaska SeaLife Center and Seward Brewing Company, and take a dog sled tour.

What is this destination best for?

Fishing lovers
nature lovers

Which lines go there?

Celebrity Cruises
Holland America Line
Ponant
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Royal Caribbean
Seabourn
Silversea

Skagway

This is the end of the line for most Inside Passage cruises. Take a stroll to the little museums and tourist shops and don’t miss the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Visitor Center and the historic Red Onion Saloon.