MS Noordam
September 14, 2025

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, offers docking at Canada Place Port. Travelers explore Stanley Park and Gastown. Excursions visit Capilano Suspension Bridge. Local markets sell poutine. The peak season, June to September, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures urban parks and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes salmon, a BC favorite. Souvenirs, like Inuit crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Salish history. Light layers and waterproof shoes suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance park walks. Vancouver’s urban charm offers a vibrant Canadian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of natural beauty and cultural landmarks, making Vancouver an engaging destination for exploring Canada’s west coast.

Sitka, Alaska, offers docking at Sitka Port. Travelers explore Sitka National Historical Park and St. Michael’s Cathedral. Excursions include whale-watching tours. Local markets sell smoked salmon. The peak season, June to August, brings milder weather for coastal tours. Photography captures totem poles and Inside Passage vistas. Dining onboard includes halibut, an Alaskan favorite. Souvenirs, like Tlingit crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Russian history. Warm layers and waterproof boots suit the cool climate, while sturdy shoes enhance park walks. Sitka’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Alaskan stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of native heritage and scenic fjords, making Sitka an engaging destination for exploration.

Anchorage, Alaska, docks at Port of Alaska, 3 kilometers from downtown, with shuttles or taxis for 10-minute rides. The city, population 290,000, features the Anchorage Museum with Athabascan artifacts. Travelers visit Ship Creek for salmon fishing demos. Excursions to Chugach State Park, 30 minutes east, offer bear-spotting hikes. Local markets sell ulu knives. Peak season June to August; taxis 10-20 USD. Dining includes reindeer sausage at street carts. Souvenirs feature totem carvings. Bike paths suit urban exploration.

Kodiak, Alaska, has docking at Kodiak Port. Travelers explore Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge for bear spotting. Excursions visit Russian Orthodox churches. Local markets sell smoked salmon. The peak season, June to August, brings mild weather. Photography captures rugged coasts and wildlife. Dining onboard includes king crab, an Alaskan favorite. Souvenirs, like bear carvings, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Russian history. Warm layers and waterproof boots suit the cool climate. Binoculars enhance bear spotting. Kodiak’s wild beauty offers a vibrant Alaskan stop, blending nature with cultural heritage.

Valdez, Alaska, offers docking at Valdez Port. Travelers explore Columbia Glacier and Worthington Glacier. Excursions include kayaking in Prince William Sound. Local markets sell smoked salmon. The peak season, June to August, brings milder weather for coastal tours. Photography captures icebergs and Alaskan vistas. Dining onboard includes halibut, an Alaskan favorite. Souvenirs, like native crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Chugach history. Warm layers and waterproof boots suit the cool climate, while sturdy shoes enhance glacier walks. Valdez’s glacial charm offers a vibrant Alaskan stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of icy landscapes and marine adventures, making Valdez an engaging destination for exploring Alaska’s coastal wilderness.

Cruise Glacier Bay, Alaska, offers scenic cruising without docking. Travelers view Margerie Glacier and humpback whales from the ship. Excursions include ranger-led tours. No facilities exist; provisions are ship-based. The peak season, June to August, brings milder weather for glacier tours. Photography captures icebergs and Inside Passage vistas. Dining onboard includes salmon, an Alaskan favorite. Souvenirs, like glacier crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Tlingit history. Warm layers and waterproof boots suit the cool climate, while binoculars enhance wildlife spotting. Glacier Bay’s natural allure offers a vibrant Alaskan stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of glacial landscapes and marine wildlife, making Glacier Bay an engaging destination.

Skagway, Alaska, offers docking at Skagway Port. Travelers explore Klondike Gold Rush Park and White Pass Railway. Excursions include hiking Chilkoot Trail. Local markets sell smoked salmon. The peak season, June to August, brings milder weather for coastal tours. Photography captures historic railways and Inside Passage vistas. Dining onboard includes king crab, an Alaskan favorite. Souvenirs, like gold-themed crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Gold Rush history. Warm layers and waterproof boots suit the cool climate, while sturdy shoes enhance trail hikes. Skagway’s historic charm offers a vibrant Alaskan stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of gold rush heritage and scenic mountains, making Skagway an engaging destination.

Juneau, Alaska, offers docking at Juneau Port. Travelers explore Mendenhall Glacier and Mount Roberts Tramway. Excursions include whale-watching tours. Local markets sell smoked salmon. The peak season, June to August, brings milder weather for coastal tours. Photography captures glaciers and Inside Passage vistas. Dining onboard includes king crab, an Alaskan favorite. Souvenirs, like totem crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Tlingit history. Warm layers and waterproof boots suit the cool climate, while sturdy shoes enhance glacier hikes. Juneau’s natural charm offers a vibrant Alaskan stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of stunning glaciers and marine wildlife, making Juneau an engaging destination for exploration.

Ketchikan, Alaska, offers docking at Ketchikan Port. Travelers explore Totem Bight Park and Creek Street. Excursions include Misty Fjords flights. Local markets sell smoked salmon. The peak season, June to August, brings milder weather for coastal tours. Photography captures totem poles and Inside Passage vistas. Dining onboard includes halibut, an Alaskan favorite. Souvenirs, like Tlingit crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Native Alaskan history. Warm layers and waterproof boots suit the cool climate, while sturdy shoes enhance historic walks. Ketchikan’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Alaskan stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of native heritage and scenic fjords, making Ketchikan an engaging destination for exploration.

Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada, offers docking at Prince Rupert Port. Travelers explore North Pacific Cannery and Museum of Northern BC. Excursions include whale-watching tours. Local markets sell smoked salmon. The peak season, June to September, brings milder weather for coastal tours. Photography captures totem poles and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes halibut, a BC favorite. Souvenirs, like Haida crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Tsimshian history. Light layers and waterproof boots suit the temperate climate, while sturdy shoes enhance coastal walks. Prince Rupert’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Canadian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of maritime heritage and scenic fjords, making Prince Rupert an engaging destination.

Cruise Inside Passage, Alaska, offers scenic cruising without docking. Travelers view fjords and humpback whales from the ship. Excursions include zodiac tours for wildlife spotting. No facilities exist; provisions are ship-based. The peak season, June to August, brings milder weather for coastal cruising. Photography captures glaciers and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes salmon, an Alaskan favorite. Souvenirs, like totem crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Tlingit history. Warm layers and waterproof boots suit the cool climate, while binoculars enhance wildlife viewing. Inside Passage’s natural allure offers a vibrant Alaskan stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of marine life and scenic fjords, making Inside Passage an engaging destination.

Returning to Vancouver — see Day 1 above for port info.