The otherworldly ‘Last Frontier’ is a cruise destination like no other, and Cunard is a very special cruise line with which to make this journey, offering a combination of immersive Alaska experiences and Cunard’s inimitable style. These once-in-a-life round-trips from Vancouver aboard the iconic Queen Elizabeth with all her Art Deco elegance take you past gleaming blue fjords, shimmering glaciers and snow-tipped mountains to the soundtrack of whale song resounding through the crisp clean air.
Cunard is renowned for its White Star service, meaning you will travel in the lap of luxury. You can watch epic landscapes glide by from your seat on the expansive deck, snuggled in a blanket with an iced cocktail in hand as you travel through the UNESCO biosphere reserve of Glacier Bay National Park and past Hubbard Glacier.
Most Alaska cruise itineraries travel along the Inside Passage, a glorious network of waterways weaving through the islands on the Pacific Northwest coast of the North American Fjordland. With daytime temperatures of around 2–18°C depending on the time of year, this is a unique cruise that requires you to pack warm, waterproof outdoor clothing and sturdy shoes, swimwear for the ship’s pools and spa, stylish evening-wear, and a substantial coat for getting up early to greet the sunrise or stargazing from the deck in the evenings.
An integral part of the experience is the Cunard Insights™ enrichment programme with its talks, seminars and discussions by well-known explorers, sports people and other experts in their fields, who combined will give you a real insight into the region – both its history and its present-day life.
Aboard all cruises are cultural interpreters from Alaska Native Voices, providing guests with a historical and cultural view of the ties the Huna people have to Sít’ Eeti Gheeyi (Glacier Bay National Park). Othe guests might include Mensun Bound, known as the ‘Indiana Jones of the Deep’ for his wreck surveys and excavations all over the world, ultra-mountaineer Kenton Cool, polar scientist turned explorer Felicity Aston, polar explorer Ann Daniels, and wildlife and ecosystem protector Pen Hadow.
This unforgettable itinerary will be accompanied by the globally renowned adventurer Bear Grylls, a former SAS soldier who become of the youngest ever climbers of Mount Everest despite having broke his back in a freefall accident a few months earlier. His TV shows include the Discovery Channel’s MAN Vs WILD and RUNNING WILD with Bear Grylls, now in its seventh season on National Geographic Channel, with guests that have included President Obama, Roger Federer and Natalie Portman.
Beginning in Vancouver, the trip will take you to genuine wilderness as you pass Tracy Arm, experiencing nature at its most unspoilt, spotting incredible wildlife, and exploring parts of the world’s largest temperate rainforest, Tongass National Forest. At Icy Strait Point, you can look for whales, join a fishing expedition, a kayaking sortie or a nature hike, challenge yourself to brave the largest zip-rider on Earth, and head ashore for hearty food and to discover the largest Tlingit village in the world.
At the northernmost point of the cruise, the Hubbard Glacier – North America’s largest tidal glacier, at 122km in length and more than 600m deep in parts – both dazzles and humbles. Other highlights include the disarmingly beautiful and unique state capital, Juneau, and the utterly thrilling Glacier Bay National Park.
To book your Alaskan adventure with Cunard, with full financial protection, call your Travel Counsellor today.
Aruba beckons with its serene beauty, making it an irresistible choice for those seeking a luxurious tropical getaway. Aruba boasts award-winning, uncrowded, white-sand beaches that promise a slice of paradise where you can unwind to your heart's content. With guaranteed sunshine, crystal-clear waters, and stunning architecture, Aruba is a gem waiting to be discovered.
The personal experiences of our Travel Counsellors, together with their combined insider knowledge of hotels, resorts, and destinations, ensure that they can hand-pick the very best holidays for your needs.
Continuing the pioneering spirit of the innovative, award-winning Virgin Voyages cruises, Brilliant Lady is set to cross the United States in her highly anticipated 2025 debut season. Highlights among the once-in-a-lifetime five- to 16-night journeys will include a voyage through the Panama Canal and a trip through the glaciers and fjords of Alaska.
