Canadian Castles & Alaska Cruise

In May 2017 we embarked on a fantastic tour of Canada & Alaska for my brother's 60th birthday celebrations. We had an awesome holiday that was full of amazing experiences and we made some great new friends!

We chose a 13-day Scenic Tour, called Canadian Castles & Alaskan Cruise.

Below is a map showing our itinerary:

Scenic Canadian Castles and Alaska Cruise

We flew from Brisbane to Calgary via Vancouver on Air Canada where we stayed 1 night before catching the Banff Airporter to, well, Banff! It was here that the tour started. We met our tour director Martin and attended the welcome night dinner at the fabulous Fairmont Banff Springs.

You can read more details of our Calgary stopover, as well as the journey from Banff to Lake Louise where we boarded the Rocky Mountaineer to Vancouver, in this article.

Scenic Group Tour

Vancouver

By the time we got to Vancouver we had started to get to know our travelling companions on the tour quite well. They were a great bunch of people whose company we really enjoyed and, I am happy to say, I am still in contact with 2 years later!

After arriving into Vancouver late in the afternoon the day prior to the cruise, we were feeling a bit weary but still keen to look around. We stayed overnight at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver which was within easy walking distance of restaurants. So after unpacking & freshening up we went for a walk to find some food. We ate at Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews in Thurlow Street, which was a few blocks from the hotel. It was yummy!

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver © Holidays Beckon

Bags had to be packed that night for an early collection the next day. After a relatively good night's sleep, and yet another early rise (you may tire of them!), we went to breakfast to learn what the day would bring.

We checked out of the hotel early & boarded the bus. Rebellion almost struck as it appeared we weren't going to get much time to have a look around Vancouver city or to do some shopping. The plan was that the bus would take us sightseeing before we were dropped directly off at the cruise terminal.

Thankfully, in some ways, there were delays at the port as there were 4 cruise ships departing that day, so we were asked to delay our arrival at the terminal. This meant we got to do the sight-seeing as well as the shopping!

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

Our first stop for the morning was at this popular tourist attraction consisting of beautiful parklands and a suspension bridge that crosses the Capilano River. It is a pretty impressive place to visit, and you need time to look around. We arrived here early enough to miss the crowds. The pictures don't do it justice!

Capilano Suspension Bridge © Holidays Beckon

Reflective Lake Capilano Park © Holidays Beckon

Walk in the treetops Capilano Park © Holidays Beckon

After this it was on to Stanley Park, a well known recreation area and park overlooking Vancouver city. It was a nice way to fill in an hour or so on a lovely sunny day.

Totem Poles in Stanley Park © Holidays Beckon

Stanley Park View towards Vancouver City © Holidays Beckon

Once the sightseeing was done we were taken back to the Hotel where we were given a couple of hours to have some lunch & do any shopping that we wanted.

Finally the bus dropped us at the cruise terminal where we were reunited with our bags for the trip through security, the holding pen, the huge long queue that snaked through most of the terminal buildings, and eventually on board the ship for a much needed drink! We were amongst the last people to board the ship before it departed!

MS Nieuw Amsterdam - Holland America Line

Once on board the ship we made our way up on deck to bid farewell to Vancouver as the ship pulled away from the port.

We had booked a Neptune Suite for the cruise which, as you can see from the photos, was a very comfortable size with a nice large balcony. Not that we got to use the balcony very much as it was too cold! But the extra space was great, and the suite also provided exclusive access to the Neptune Lounge where you can sit, relax & avail yourself to tea/coffee, drinks and snacks.

MS Nieuw Amsterdam © Holidays Beckon

Vancouver Docks © Holidays Beckon

Neptune Suite balcony © Holidays Beckon

Towel Art © Holidays Beckon

Lounge area Nepture Suite © Holidays Beckon

Neptune Suite balcony © Holidays Beckon

Much of what we did during the cruise has already been document as part of the shore excursions article here.

Life on board the ship was tranquil. There weren't that many sea days unfortunately. I would have like one or two extra days as they are a time that you can really wind down. There are some great spots to while away a few hours, such as Explorations Café with it's magnificent views, the Spa, some quiet lounge areas, and of course the bars & restaurants!

The day we spent in Glacier Bay was fantastic & memorable. The sun had come out & it was perfectly still. We enjoyed eating lunch while staring out the window and joined some of the others on the rear deck to soak up the views & the atmosphere.

Glacier Bay © Holidays Beckon

Glacier Bay © Holidays Beckon

The choice of food on board was excellent. We mostly ate in the Lido Market, but also enjoyed evening meals in the main dining room. The specialty restaurants were divine, especially Tamarind Restaurant. It served Asian fusion cuisine, with lots of fantastic Thai food & some Japanese dishes as well. We celebrated my brother's 60th at the Pinnacle Grill.

One night while having dinner we struck 50-knot winds. The ship was rolling quite a bit with the swell. At one stage one of our travelling companions gasped and pointed. From where she was sitting she saw through to the opposite side of the ship and could see big waves & water! We were on the 11th deck at the time! But we were safe & soon back into the calm waters of the Inside Passage.

The end is nigh

A few of our travelling companions had fallen ill during the tour, with at least one being confined to their cabin! We didn't get to see her until just before the end of the tour! Thankfully we managed to avoid whatever the worst of the lurgy comprised of.

On our last evening of the tour, we all got together in the main dining room for a final feast.

Scenic Group last supper © Holidays Beckon

And then it was over!

I would have no hesitation in recommending a Scenic tour to this amazing area, nor in doing shore excursions at each of the ports. My thoughts are that you may never be back this way again, so take advantage of whatever opportunities you can to learn & experience more of the world!

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