Silversea Splashes Back into Action in Alaska
After more than a year, Silversea has made its return to Alaska, and there is still time this summer for you to hop onboard and get exploring.
Photo courtesy of Silversea
Silversea’s highly anticipated return to sailing is here! They are beginning their foray back into cruising with some fabulous summer itineraries in Alaska, beginning this month. Their 596-passenger Silver Muse will resume 10- and 11-night roundtrip sailings to Alaska from Seattle later this month.
The spirit of adventure is infectious as you voyage into the two million acres of fjords, lakes, glaciers, waterfalls, and ancient forests. Beyond the jaw-dropping scenery, you’ll also get to experience some of Alaska’s most remote communities and come face-to-face with its wealth of wildlife teeming both above and below the waves.
The Silver Muse itself is the height of luxury and comfort in small-ship ocean cruising, with plenty of space for COVID-safe travels and a low passenger capacity. The ship features all-suite accommodations and eight delectable dining options. Each stop on the itinerary features a wide array of shore excursion options, and your only trouble will be choosing which one you love best amongst all the incredible choices.
Silversea prides itself on its inclusions, and when they say “all-inclusive,” they mean it. Your cruise fare will include roundtrip economy airfare (can be upgraded to business class for an additional cost), your pre-cruise hotel, transfers to and from the port, all dining and beverages, and even butler service in your suite. The list of inclusions goes on and on.
There are several itineraries on offer this summer, and each one has slight differences, but we thought we’d share a stunning 11-night itinerary with you to set you daydreaming about an Alaskan adventure of your own.
Silversea Alaskan Adventure
August 29th*, Seattle to Seattle, 11 nights
*Please note, there are several other summer dates available. This itinerary serves as an example.
Day 1
Seattle
Photo courtesy of Thom Milkovic
Wake up at your pre-cruise hotel, included in your cruise fare, and spend the day exploring Seattle, a city that will change every time you visit as it always marches unashamedly toward the future, while still keeping its history in mind. This may be the city that gave us Starbucks and Nirvana, but it was originally settled by just five pioneer families in 1851. It’s always worth a visit to Pike Place Market, Seattle’s famous farmer’s market, where you can meet the locals and pick up some tasty treats along the way.
This evening, you’ll board Silver Muse and set sail for Alaska.
Days 2 & 3
Days at Sea
Photo courtesy of Silversea
Enjoy these days onboard the Silver Muse. You’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the spectacular dining options, partake in a bit of whale watching, or perhaps pay a visit to the spa.
Day 4
Ketchikan
Photo courtesy of Silversea
Welcome to the Salmon Capital of the World, the perfect introduction to wild and wonderful Alaska after your days at sea. Sitting at the southern gateway to the Inside Passage, Ketchikan is known for its larger-than-life scenery. Cruise through the waters or view the sights from above in a sightseeing plane to take it all in.
The wildlife-spotting opportunities here are nearly endless, as the region is home to black bears, grizzly bears, whales, seals, and more. In Alaska’s Rainforest Sanctuary, keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles.
Visit the Heritage Center, where a collection of intricately carved totem poles stands, preserving the heritage of the indigenous Tlingit and Haida people of these lands. In fact, Ketchikan has the world’s largest collection, and some of the oldest and most precious totems in existence.
With over twenty shore excursion options, you can choose whether to do a Ketchikan Discovery Tour with a knowledgeable guide, or you can head off on some more adventurous excursions. We’re talking bear watching, private fishing excursions, flightseeing, a lumberjack show, and more.
Day 5
Sitka
Photo courtesy of Silversea
Today will take you well into the Inside Passage, a remote land of bears, wild landscapes, and icy adventures. Sitka was part of the Russian empire until a deal was struck in 1867, and you can see the remnants of its Russian past in the onion-shaped dome atop St. Michael’s Church.
The native Tlingit culture is of huge importance in this region, and you’ll find more totem poles in the Sitka National Historic Park, marking the spot where indigenous peoples clashed with Russians back in 1804.
Glimpse the snow-capped peak of dormant volcano, Mount Edgecumbe, which is often compared to Mount Fuji’s symmetrical cone. Visit Kruzof Island, where you’ll take a hike to remember, climbing to thrilling heights to admire spellbinding views of the scattered Pacific islands.
Whether you spend your time flying over mountain ridges, fishing for colossal king salmon, or savoring northwest frontier cuisine in waterfront restaurants, there's no shortage of ways to experience Sitka's natural wonders.
Day 6
Icy Strait Point
Photo courtesy of Silversea
Alaska is understandably celebrated for its stunning displays of nature, and Icy Strait Point—one of Alaska’s most unspoiled destinations—is the perfect spot to enjoy the splendor of Alaska’s natural world. Stunningly beautiful, you can expect to see eagles soaring overhead and whales breaching before your eyes at Icy Strait Point.
The beaches in Icy Strait Point aren’t for sunbathing; they’re for adventure. Hop in a kayak or canoe and discover a world offshore. On land, expect immersive wildlife experiences, everything from ATV adventures to zip-lining through a canopy of trees.
Day 7
Skagway
Photo courtesy of Silversea
The adrenaline of America’s legendary gold rush still pulses along Skagway’s streets, especially in Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park and the historic downtown area. Like much of Alaska, Skagway is visually stunning as well, with jagged mountain ridges capped with snow complementing the tree line of soaring pine forests.
Tap into the adventurer in you by boarding a steam engine to ride one of the world’s most spectacular railroads. Your vintage carriage will take you around the White Pass and Yukon Route, alongside tumbling waterfalls and stunning gorges.
Hike historic trails like the Chilkoot Trail Hike, where you’ll follow in the footsteps of the gold seekers of ages past. Explore mighty rivers teeming with thick salmon, even witnessing brown bears edging from the shelter of the trees. This region’s endless forests are home to bald eagles perched in the treetops, and whales roam offshore, gliding by a multitude of glaciers in this magical natural kingdom.
Days 8 & 9
Juneau
Photo courtesy of Silversea
Adventure awaits in Alaska’s capital city of Juneau. The majestic Mendenhall Glacier sprawls down from Juneau Icefield, providing an icy cap to the area’s rip-roaring scenery. You’ve never seen a state capital like this one: isolated, remote, and lost amid the Alaskan wilds.
This is glacier country, with no fewer than 38 ice flows branching off from the main Juneau Icefield, slowly carving out valleys in their wake. Taku Glacier cuts deep into the mountain to form a colossal sculpture that is one of the world’s thickest at almost a mile deep.
Flightseeing is a fantastic way to take in the 1,500 square miles of ice field. Your exhilarating flight will see you cruising above the icy world below, a true once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The wildlife in Juneau is just as inspiring as the landscapes in which these creatures live. Families of bears patrol riverbanks, bald eagles survey their surroundings with watchful eyes, and Pacific humpbacks migrate from Hawaii’s waters to feast on the icy waters, rich with krill.
Fishing enthusiasts can head out to fish for huge catches, and other adventurers at heart might want to power across the ice in a snow-sledge or kayak in the shadow of glaciers. Juneau is a place ripe with opportunities for outdoor adventures, and it never disappoints.
Day 9
Tracy Arm
Photo courtesy of Silversea
As your time in Alaska draws to a close, one of the best experiences has definitely been saved for last. Tracy Arm, a narrow, deep fjord near Juneau, will transport you to an icy world of savage beauty and is repeatedly described as an unmissable highlight of any visit to Alaska.
The electric blue twin Sawyer Glaciers are located at the furthest end of the fjord, and cliffs rise up from the water while waterfalls send torrents of water plunging downwards. The scenery itself creates an unmistakable air of adventure.
Tracy Arm Fjord is also a designated wilderness area within the Tongass National Forest and provides ample opportunities to observe yet more wildlife: bears, wolves, eagles, and even mountain goats. Seals and their young can be spotted on the ice floating in the fjords, and whales and sea lions are also regular visitors.
Days 10 & 11
Days at Sea
Photo courtesy of Silversea
Coming down from days of adrenaline and adventure, use your time onboard to wind down and relax. Visit the spa, catch up on your reading, and dine to your heart’s desire to celebrate the end of an incredible journey.
Day 12
Seattle
You’ll arrive back into Seattle and disembark the Silver Muse—probably quite reluctantly! As you make your way back home, the mesmerizing landscapes of Alaska, the calls of its wildlife, and the intriguing icy beauty will stick with you.
If you would like to get away to Alaska (or anywhere else in the world), simply contact us, and we will set you on your way.