Sailing from Vancouver to Whittier aboard the Sapphire Princess was a dream come true. This classic Alaskan cruise along the Inside Passage delivered everything I hoped for: wild landscapes, fascinating ports, glacial wonders, and a ship that made every day feel special.
Over seven unforgettable days, my husband Mike and I explored charming coastal towns, gazed at calving glaciers, and soaked up panoramic views that seemed to stretch into forever. Here is what we experienced.
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Vancouver
We arrived in Vancouver on Thursday before our Saturday Alaskan cruise departure. This gave us a little time to explore the city. Vancouver is a fun and exciting city with loads of things to do. With only a day and a half to explore, we had to pick and choose.
We loved checking out the 1,000-acre urban oasis that is Stanley Park. The peaceful forest trails and salty ocean breeze are a terrific combination. The park is filled with wonderful gardens, monuments, and sculptures. You must take time to admire the Totem Poles at Brockton Point. These intricately carved pieces are rich with indigenous cultural history.
The view from Prospect Point was tremendous with the Lion’s Gate Bridge and views of Vancouver. We enjoyed simply riding through the park, seeing the monument trees, and checking out the amazing flowers and shrubs. Stanley Park is a place to spend an entire day – or week. It was definitely our favorite part of the day.
Gastown
I love history, and the cobblestone paths and the iconic steam clock of the Gastown neighborhood beckoned me. Look for preserved brick buildings and vintage lampposts as you wander around these historic streets. Also watch for great street art, fabulous galleries and boutiques, and wonderful cafes and craft bars. This is a great pace to grab a nice lunch or dinner.
Maple Tree Square is the historic heart of Gastown and where the statue of the city founder John “Gassy Jack” Deighton once stood. I searched and searched, but unfortunately, activists recently tore down the statue. While I understand their sentiment (his first wife hooked him up to marry her 14 year old niece when she passed – gag), it was a different time and a different culture (she was an indigenous woman). So I am not so sure we should erase history due to the view from our lens.
Granville Island
No tour is complete without a stop at the Granville Island Public Market. It is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm and is a hub for locals and tourists alike. I found loads of fresh produce, meats, seafood, cheeses, and baked goods. I also found wonderful handcrafted products and locally made crafts. One either loves or hates this area. It was a bit of a tourist cash grab. I have a hard time believing locals go here to do their marketing, so it is really just a place to entice tourists and partiers.
I did enjoy seeing the Heidelberg Materials cement company located on the island (the only non-tourist trap there). They painted their silos and their cement trucks to resemble people and had an interesting mechanical display out front that I couldn’t help but find fascinating. It was my favorite part of Granville Island.
Chinatown
One note – we had planned to spend part of our first afternoon wondering around the Vancouver Chinatown. Vancouver has traditionally boasted a vibrant Chinatown as many Chinese immigrants made Vancouver their home during since before the city was incorporated in 1886. Today, Chinese Canadians make up nearly 20% of the population. Unfortunately, it appears that the traditional Chinatown neighborhood has been over-run with homeless populations and a large tent city. Our hotel desk person advised against visiting and exploring the neighborhood on foot. Instead, we spend the afternoon in the adjoining Gastown area.
Accommodations
Lodging in Vancouver is horribly expensive. If you are leaving on a Alaskan cruise, it is really great to stay near Canada Place. Actually, since that is the hub for all tourist activities, Canada Place is a great area even if you are not cruising. But it comes at a price. We stayed at the Days Inn located near Canada Place. I didn’t choose this hotel because we love the Days Inn. We chose it for the price. The price for two nights was $611. But I had a $300 hotel credit with my Venture X card so we paid $311. This should give you an idea about Vancouver hotel pricing.
As we suspected, the hotel was a bit of a dump. The building was older and the interior really needs a refresh. That said, it was spotlessly clean and well located for both Gastown and Canada Place. The hotel was a 10-minute walk to Canada Place and a 12-minute walk to Gastown. But, walking 10 minutes to Canada place without luggage to catch a tour is one thing, doing so while hauling your luggage is much less fun. Consider using an Uber.
Most of my clients elect to book pre-nights through the cruiseline. Both Princess and Holland America use MUCH nicer hotels located right at Canada Place. These hotels are not dumps, but they come with a heftier cost. Cruisers looking for convenience over bargains are happy to pay the cost for the convenience. Especially those who are not seasoned travelers and want built-in transfers from the airport and to the ship. If you are not a seasoned traveler, it is totally worth it to have me book you a pre and/or post through the cruise line.
Transportation
Cruisers staying at a cruiseline arranged hotel will typically also enjoy transfers from the airport and then to the ship. I can also arrange a private transfer or cruisers can take an Uber. But, Vancouver has one of the easiest airport trains on the continent. Upon exiting luggage claim, we simply walked across the street, took an escalator up, and hopped on a train. You will see a lot of people standing at the nearby ticket machines. Unless you want a day or week pass, skip this step. You can simply use your credit card or phone to tap for entry to the platform. You will then need to tap it for exit as well.
We took the Waterfront train all the way to the end of the line. We could have walked to our hotel from there but I had recently had hand surgery so pulling on a suitcase was a bit of a challenge. so we took a short Uber ride to the hotel from there. This was much more affordable then an Uber from the airport and, quite frankly, more interesting.
We took a trolly tour of the city on our second day. This was a 4-hour tour of Stanley Park, Granville Island, and a glimpse of the different Vancouver neighborhoods. It was an easy and enjoyable way to get an overview of the city. Our guide, Maria, was both knowledgeable and fun. The rest of the time we used our feet to get us place to place.
Boarding the Sapphire Princess
We were so excited when embarkation day arrived! Princess does a great job with their Medallion Class service and we practically walked right on to the ship. We went straight to our room to dump our carry-on items and listen to the safety video, then went to enjoy a relaxing lunch.
After lunch we checked in at our muster station and then returned to the stateroom to settle in. Well, I settled us in – Mike took a nap! The staterooms on the Sapphire Princess are roomy and have loads of hanging and storage space. Be sure to bring some strong magnets so you can hang your coat and binoculars by your balcony door! There are several tips and tricks to make the most of your stateroom. Once I had things put away, I stepped out on the balcony to enjoy the views and the fresh air while the weather was still temperate.
Then we were off to our Alaskan cruise sail away party on deck, followed by a fabulous dinner, a show, and bed!
Day at Sea
We enjoyed a lazy morning. This was a great day to get to know the ship, attend the naturalist presentation, and yes, even hang out at the pool. it is difficult to think Alaska and swimwear together, but it didn’t get really cold until Skagway. Plus, the Sapphire Princess boasts a wonderful indoor pool area.
But no mater what we were doing, we never went too long without looking out to see what we were passing. Because before the day was through, we could really see that Alaska beauty poking through.
Ketchikan: A Colorful Welcome
Our first port of call on our Alaskan cruise was Ketchikan, Alaska’s “First City.” We docked early, and stepped into a town that felt like a movie set. There were colorful wooden buildings, totem poles at every turn, and mist hanging over the hills. We started the morning with a walk along Creek Street, a boardwalk that winds above the salmon-filled Ketchikan Creek. Formerly a red-light district, it’s now lined with art galleries, shops, and cafes.
We stopped by Dolly’s House Museum, the preserved home of one of Creek Street’s most famous madams. A small fee will grant you admission to see the house and learn about the area’s more rambunctious past.
Each year, thousands of salmon fight their way upstream to spawn, creating a natural spectacle right in the heart of Ketchikan. Creek Street’s wooden walkways provide the perfect vantage point for watching the action unfold. We did the Salmon Walk. This 1.5-mile loop follows Ketchikan Creek upstream along with the salmon.
The walk also passes by the Totem Heritage Center. The center preserves original 19th-century totem poles recovered from abandoned Tlingit and Haida villages. Inside the center, you’ll find intricately carved poles and exhibits explaining the symbolism and craftsmanship behind them. Local guides share stories about the cultural significance of each pole, providing insight into Tlingit and Haida traditions.
Next we visited the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. This is a fabulous facility run by the National Forest Service, so your National Park Pass gets you in FREE! They had several wonderful exhibits including a recreated long-house, various artifacts from Alaska’s first nations, and a short, but informative film.
After the walk, we shopped our way back to the ship. Be sure to stop by the Tongas Trading Post. It has anything and everything you might want! For more details about Ketchikan, check out The 10 Best Things to Do in Ketchikan!
Juneau: Ice & Adventure
Next came Juneau, the only US state capital with no road access. It is only reachable by boat or plane. We rented a car through Turo so we would have the freedom to explore on our own. This was great as the guy we rented the car from met us right by the port. Our first stop was Juneau’s most iconic natural wonder, Mendenhall Glacier.
Mendenhall Glacier is consistently rated as the number one thing to do when in Juneau and is a must-do when you are in the area. This massive river of ice stretches over 13 miles from the Juneau Icefield into Mendenhall Lake. It is an amazing sight to behold.
We went to the Visitors Center and then walked to Photo Point to see the Glacier’s face. We then walked the Steep Creek Trail loop (1/4 mile). This one takes you by a wonderful salmon and bear viewing platform. If you are more into hiking and in better shape than I am, there is also a great 2-mile trail that leads to a waterfall.
Back in Town
After the glacier, I really wanted to ride the Mount Roberts Tramway to see the panoramic views of Juneau and the Gastineau Channel. The tram ascends 1,800 feet from the cruise dock to the Mount Roberts Nature Center. But I was outvoted and I have ridden several of these all over the world, so I gave in.
Instead, we visited the local fish hatchery. This was a really enlightening experience. I always thought of fish hatcheries the same as I did fish farms. But they are really different. And it is amazingly cool to see the mature salmon returning to the hatchery to spawn. That said, when you talk with native Alaskans you will hear different viewpoints regarding hatcheries.
We spent some time and wandered around downtown Juneau. Juneau’s compact and walkable downtown blends Gold Rush history with modern Alaskan charm. Wooden boardwalks and colorful storefronts line the streets, leading to historic landmarks and lively shops making downtown Juneau a destination in and of itself.
We stopped by the Red Dog Saloon, which dates back to the Gold Rush era. They say “Ragtime Hattie” played the piano in her white gloves and silver dollar halter top while weary travelers and local patrons enjoyed the hospitality. Later, a new owner would meet the tour boats with his mule wearing a sign saying, “follow my ass to the Red Dog Saloon.” Their advertising isn’t quite as colorful today but the Red Dog Saloon stands as a Juneau staple.
Other Options
A lot of people join a whale watching expedition while in Juneau on an Alaskan cruise. This is a great place to do so, but we have watched whales in other parts of Alaska and we are seeing whales from the ship. So, we didn’t feel the need to do that here.
Check out the Top 10 Ways to Spend a Day in Juneau!
Skagway: Echoes of the Gold Rush
In Skagway, history came alive. The town still looks much like it did in the 1890s, when thousands of gold prospectors poured in hoping to strike it rich. Broadway Street is flanked by saloons, outfitters, and the preserved Mascot Saloon Museum.
The highlight of the day was the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad. First, I boarded a bus. We slowly climbed into the mountains along steep switchbacks and across narrow roadways. The views were jaw-dropping—deep valleys, waterfalls, and snow-dusted peaks. At times, we were so close to the edge that I held my breath. The narration onboard told tales of hardship, greed, and grit from the Klondike Gold Rush.
Mid-day we stopped for a wonderful barbeque chicken lunch in the Yukon. After lunch we were able to see sled-dog puppies and working sled dogs in their winter training. You can even ride along if you wish! They also had a magnificent museum featuring all sorts of exotic animals of the region. I am not normally a fan of taxidermy, but this was really interesting. After a quick stop in the gift shop, it was time to head out.
The Train
Next we boarded the the famous white Pass Train for our return journey. One would think this would be anticlimactic after the ride up, but it is far from it. The road and the train tracks are actually on different side of the gulch. So you have to ride both to fully experience the journey. A lot of travelers get frustrated when they realize they don’t ride the train both ways (because they don’t fully read the tour description). But we would miss so much if we rode the train round trip.
This tour fills quickly. If you want to ensure you get to do this, you need to book your Alaskan cruise early (as in 18 months or more in advance) and then sign up for this excursion immediately. You will not know if you are riding the train or bus first until you get to Skagway. If they put you straight on the train at the port, then sit on the left-hand side (both ways). If they put you on the bus first, you want to ride on the right-hand side (both ways). This will put you on the gulch side of the vehicle. Otherwise you will not see nearly as much scenery.
For other things to see and do in Skagway, refer to Top 10 Things to Do When You Visit Skagway!
Glacier Bay: Nature’s Cathedral
One of the most profound experiences of our Alaskan cruise was our day in Glacier Bay National Park. National Park Rangers boarded the ship early that morning and provided commentary over the loudspeakers as we sailed past massive tidewater glaciers. And our on-board naturalist was on deck to answer questions as we sailed through. The Margerie Glacier, in particular, stunned me with its towering face and frequent calving—huge chunks of ice crashing into the sea like thunderclaps.
The silence between the crashes was just as powerful. A weird thing to remember if trying to capture the calving on film is that once you hear the crack and crash, it is actually too late. You need to be filming before that. The best way to capture it is to set up your tripod and video it. But who has battery life or patience for that.
I wrapped myself in a blanket, cradled a hot chocolate, and tried to absorb every moment. This wasn’t just sightseeing—it was an magical experience. It was fun to sit on deck and soak in the energy of our shipmates, but it was also really nice to enjoy the scenery from our balcony stateroom. Once in the center of the bay, the captain slowly and carefully turned the ship and full 360 degrees so everyone could see and experience the scenery no matter where their stateroom was located.
College Fjord: The Grand Finale
Our final scenic cruising day took us into College Fjord, tucked into the northern reaches of the Prince William Sound. If Glacier Bay was dramatic and wild, College Fjord was serene and majestic. Dozens of glaciers spilled from the Chugach Mountains, their icy tongues reaching toward the water. Each one is named after an Ivy League school—Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, and so on.
As we sailed through, the fjord became a corridor of stillness. The reflections of glacier faces and snowy peaks shimmered on the water’s surface. Your time in the fjord only lasts a couple of hours, but I spent most of the evening outside, reluctant to miss a single view. Once again, our captain slowly turned the ship so everyone on board could experience the glaciers.
Farewell in Whittier
We arrived in Whittier early the next morning. Tucked between mountains and the sea, this tiny town felt like a final postcard from Alaska. Disembarking was bittersweet. I didn’t want the sea journey to end, but I knew I’d carry the memories forever and I still had 10 days in Alaska to explore the Kenai Peninsula.
Life Aboard the Sapphire Princess
From the moment I stepped onto the Sapphire Princess, I knew I was in for something special. Built to carry just over 2,600 guests, this Grand-class ship strikes a perfect balance: large enough to offer a wide variety of amenities, yet small enough to feel intimate and never overwhelming.
I booked a balcony stateroom, and it was worth every penny. Nothing compares to watching mist rise over the water in the morning, or standing outside in the crisp Alaskan air as we drifted past forested islands and towering cliffs. The room was cozy and well-designed, with plush bedding, a sitting area, and plenty of storage.
Dining
Dining options onboard were plentiful. Room service became my go-to for early breakfasts and late-night snacks, while the Horizon Court Buffet served everything from fresh fruit to made-to-order omelets. I typically ordered lunch delivery to wherever I happened to be on the ship through the online OceanNow service. This was particularly handy on the Glacier Bay and College Fjord days when I didn’t want to miss a second of the scenery. For more elevated meals in the evenings, I dined in the Main Dining Room. I particularly enjoyed the Alaskan seafood like grilled halibut, cod, and other delicacies.
When I wasn’t exploring ports, I took advantage of many of the ship’s features. I caught live music in the Explorers Lounge and watched one Movies Under the Stars® wrapped in a cozy blanket. The Lotus Spa offered a peaceful retreat, but the ship itself was retreat enough for me. Even just strolling the wraparound promenade deck felt magical with the ocean so close and eagles occasionally soaring overhead.
The ship offered an array of amazing entertainment, but an Alaskan journey isn’t about the shows or other ship amenities. It’s about the views! The best entertainment was watching God’s creation unfold as we sailed by. With long summer days and very short Alaskan nights, I only had time to catch two shows, other than the one happening just outside my balcony stateroom.
The Sapphire Princess was more than just a ship on this journey—it was a floating window into one of the last great wildernesses on Earth. I returned home with hundreds of photos and a deep appreciation for Alaska’s raw beauty. If you’re dreaming of seeing Alaska in comfort and style, this voyage is one I can’t recommend enough.
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