Chill out in Alaska and warm up in wonderful Hawaii. That’s this fly-double-cruise holiday in a nutshell – plus much more – spread over almost four weeks.
You’ll cruise on two excellent ships. Princess Cruises’ Star Princess explores Alaska’s Inside Passage, while Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Solstice sails from Vancouver, crosses the Pacific and calls at the Hawaiian islands, including Honolulu and Maui.
A special aspect is a four-night Talkeetna Denali backcountry tour of authentic hinterland Alaska, from Anchorage to Whittier port, with a trip on the Denali Star Train to Denali National Park and a bush plane flight to search for bear, moose and other wildlife.
Named ‘Chill in Alaska and Get Hot in Hawaii’ this holiday from Worldwide Cruise Centres (worldwidecruisecentres.com.au) includes a three-night Vancouver and Whistler mini-tour, complete with a gloriously scenic Rocky Mountaineer train journey.
You’ll stay two nights in downtown Vancouver, a night in Anchorage and another two nights in Honolulu (one night aboard ship and one at the Hilton Waikiki Beach Hotel).
‘Chill in Alaska and Get Hot in Hawaii’ lasts 27 nights. It starts with a flight from Sydney to Los Angeles on 6 September 2015 and it costs from A$7899 per person, twin share. That equates to less than A$293 a night all up, including airfares to and from Australia. It’s valid for booking until 31 January 2015. Even better, a bonus of US$75 in onboard credit per twin cabin applies on both ships.
Jet from Sydney to Los Angeles first, with a night in the Hilton Los Angeles Airport hotel before flying on to Anchorage, Alaska for a night there in a four-star hotel.
Adventure starts next day with a four-night Talkeetna Denali Backcountry tour. Depart Anchorage on the Denali Star Train by Goldstar Railcar to Talkeetna, best known as the base camp for climbers attempting Mount McKinley. This mountain, also known as Denali, is North America’s highest.
Coming days give the chance for optional activities like whitewater rafting down the Nenana River, helicopter flightseeing over the park, landing on a glacier, or hiking. A memorable flightseeing tour in a small bush plane is included. Travel the scenic Parks Highway; explore Anchorage on a free afternoon. Lunch is provided on two of the days.
Arriving in Whittier, board Star Princess for your cruise to Vancouver. Ship amenities include a piazza-style atrium and Movies Under the Stars, the Wheelhouse Bar with a complimentary British-style pub lunch menu and renowned Sabatini’s Italian restaurant.
Alaskan Inside Passage highlights flow fast: phenomenally spectacular Glacier Bay; massive Hubbard Glacier; the frontier town of Juneau; the Klondike gold-rush settlement of Skagway and Ketchikan with its totem poles. A former fishing camp, Ketchikan is five kilometres long and just three blocks wide. Black and brown bears, deer, wolves and seals live around here; arctic terns and pigeon guillemots soar overhead. All shipboard main meals (excluding specialty restaurants ) and most entertainment are included.
Disembarking in Vancouver, you can walk to the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel. It’s located right next to the cruise terminal. Next on the list: a three-night Vancouver and Whistler mini-tour, incorporating a rail journey from Whistler to Vancouver on the famed Rocky Mountaineer train, one of Canada’s great train journeys. Your accommodation is the Fairmont Chateau Whistler alpine resort, located dramatically between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains.
Another night at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, then extensive sightseeing of Vancouver and surrounds before embarking on 10-night luxury Celebrity Solstice cruise to Honolulu.
Five days at sea gives plenty of time to relax and explore the ship. Believe it or not, the top deck boasts a freshly manicured lawn. The Lawn Club offers casual outdoor activities in a Country Club atmosphere. Sip a cocktail in the Sky Observation Lounge, watch a demonstration of glass blowing or try the AquaSpa by Elemis and fitness centre, where you can pamper yourself with spa treatments or push yourself in a workout.
All shipboard main meals (excluding specialty restaurants) on Celebrity Solstice are included, as is most onboard entertainment. A bonus US$75 in free onboard credit is provided for each twin cabin. Ships gratuities are pre-paid, which takes care of tipping.
Arrival point in Hawaii is Hilo on the east coast of the Big Island, known for 128-metre-high Akaka Falls. Next stop is Kailua on the picturesque Kona coast, then the old whaling town of Lahaina on Maui, island of massive surf.
Arriving in Honolulu, the ship is your base for a day and a night, then disembark and check into the Hilton Waikiki Beach Hotel for another Honolulu night. Relax, catch the Hawaiian vibe and get the sand in your t1oes at Waikiki Beach. Maybe stroll and shop before jetting back to Sydney.
To find your local Worldwide Cruise Centres agent go to:
www.worldwidecruisecentres.com.au