Vancouver

Gassy Jack" Deighton saw a chance to make money from the miners on their way to the Yukon and the saloon he built became the focus of the shanty town known as Gastown. From here, modern Vancouver was born - Canada's third largest city. The government persuaded the settlers to change the name of the town to Vancouver, after Captain George Vancouver, who sailed the area's waters in 1792. Today Vancouver is a cosmopolitan city with a personality all its own.

Vancouver to Inside Passage

Cruise the inside Passage

Inside Passage to Ketchikan

Otherwise known as the First City, has a population of almost 14,000 and is on the southwest side of Revillagigedo Island, only 90 miles from Prince Rupert. The town grew around salmon canneries and sawmills. In fact, at one time Ketchikan was proclaimed the "Salmon Capital of the World," a title that reappeared in 1996 with a new welcome arch in town. Tourists flock to Ketchikan for their first look at the North Country, and rarely are they disappointed.

Ketchikan to Juneau

In 1880, Joe Juneau and Richard Harris were searching for gold with the help of Indian guides. Finally, they found nuggets "as large as beans." Out of their discoveries came three of the largest gold mines in the world where more than $150 million in gold was mined. Eventually the mines closed, but the town Juneau founded became the capital of Alaska. Its total area makes it the biggest town, in size, in North and South America - and the second largest in the world.

Juneau to Skagway

Skagway, a place of many names, much history and little rain, is the northern terminus of the Alaska Marine Highway. It was known to thousands of hopeful gold rushers as the gateway to the gold fields. But when the gold yield dwindled in 1900, so did the population of Skagway. Skagway retains the flavor of the gold rush era, especially on Broadway, with its false-front buildings, and in the Trail of '98 Museum, with its outstanding collection of memorabilia.

Skagway to Sitka

After being the Russian capital of North America, the Russian flag was replaced by the Stars and Stripes in Sitka when the United States purchased Alaska. Today, picturesque Sitka, is known for its fishing industry, an annual summer classical music festival and, of course, its many historic visitor attractions. On a clear day Sitka, the only city in Southeast Alaska that actually fronts the Pacific Ocean, rivals Juneau for the sheer beauty of its surroundings.

Hubbard Glacier

Cruising Hubbard Glacier.

Hubbard Glacier to Seward

Arrive Seward and disembark