The Beauty of God's Creation through Alaska

Sandwiched between towering Mount Marathon and glistening Resurrection Bay, the small town of Seward is surrounded by breathtaking scenery and action-packed adventure. Downtown’s Main Street houses a cluster of historic buildings decked out in colorful murals— and its Kenai Peninsula backyard serves as a spectacular outdoor playground. Hit the water for kayaking to tidewater caves, or go flightseeing over bright-blue Exit Glacier. You can hike Caines Head Trail’s pebbled beaches and mountain bike Lost Lake Trail’s alpine valleys. In Seward you’ll discover authentic native cultures, thrilling sport fishing, expansive icefields and all-out adventure— no matter which direction you turn.

At 76 miles long and seven miles wide, North America’s largest tidewater glacier makes even the largest ships in the region feel small. Watch massive chunks of Hubbard Glacier’s translucent blue ice crash into the bay with a bang like a cannon shot, a sound the Tlingit people call “White Thunder.” As you sail into picturesque Yakutat Bay, the first all-weather, all-vessel safe harbor north of Icy Point, you’ll be able to see Hubbard Glacier off in the distance. Passing miles of sandy beaches, keep your eyes peeled for harbor seals lounging on buoys or swimming in waters alongside the ship.
5:30pm: Rosary   5:45pm: Holy Mass  6:45pm: Conference with Fr. Maximilian

Participate in group excursion to The National Shrine of St. Thérèse. This shrine overlooks the Lynn Canal in Juneau, Alaska.  Situated on 46 acres the site contains a stone chapel, crypt,  columbarium, lodge, cabin, and retreat. Attend Holy Mass here and enjoy a catered lunch. Transportation and lunch included in the price.

Once the starting point for gold stampeders heading for the promised land of the Yukon, Skagway symbolizes the spirit of Alaska. And now — it’s your turn to hunt for bold. Embark on the trail of the fortune seekers on a vintage train ride with dramatic, sweeping views at every turn. Trek through the dense rainforest and windswept valleys of Chilkoot Trail and follow in the footsteps of Klondike pioneers. Or stroll the charming downtown streets studded with historical buildings. Whatever you get up to in Skagway, it’ll be a day you’ll never forget.

5:30pm: Rosary   5:45pm: Holy Mass  6:45pm: Conference with Fr. Maximilian

Icy Strait Point is one tiny port that’s big on Alaskan wilderness and Native culture. Opened a decade ago by the Huna Tlingit Native Alaskans, it’s easily one of the best spots in the region for fishing and whale watching. Pay a visit to Hoonah, Alaska’s largest Tlingit village. If you want to venture over to the wild side, go on a guided nature hike through nearby rainforests or hop into an ATV and explore the backroads of Chichagof Island. At the end of the day, you can take in forest views while soaring high above the trees on the longest zip line in the world. No matter what kind of Alaska adventure you’re craving, you’ll find it in Icy Strait Point.

5:30pm: Rosary   5:45pm: Holy Mass  6:45pm: Concert with Fr. Maximilian

Ketchikan sits at the southern end of Alaska’s Inside Passage— a gateway to the wild landscapes and seascapes of Misty Fjords National Monument. The canned salmon capital of the world, it’s a hub for fishing and outdoor sports. It’s also home to three tribes of Northwest Coast Native Americans, making it a great place to get a taste for the local culture. You’ll see it in the colorful, hand-carved totems that line the city’s streets and parks, and in the unique stilted homes that cling to Deer Mountain’s slopes. If you want to get up close and personal with nature, venture into the Tongass National Forest, the largest in the United States. Or head to Ketchikan Creek Waterfall for amazing views of downtown Ketchikan and a glimpse at the yearly salmon runs.

5:30pm: Rosary   5:45pm: Holy Mass  6:45pm: Conference with Fr. Maximilian

Your ship offers the perfect platform for viewing British Columbia’s Inside Passage. This archipelago spans 25,000 miles from Seattle to Prince Rupert near the Alaskan border. Here you’ll ply calm waters sheltered between the British Columbia mainland and Vancouver Island. Along the way catch a glimpse of breathtakingly rugged scenery, plus staggering wildlife like salmon sharks, white spirit bears, and millions of seabirds. Discover a wide range of landscapes and native wildlife without leaving the ship. See glacial valleys speckled with evergreens and powerful waterfalls plunging toward the sea. Watch bald eagles soar overhead and porpoises playing in the ship’s wake. This is British Columbia in all its raw, pure glory. 

5:30pm: Rosary   5:45pm: Holy Mass  6:45pm: Q&A Session with Fr. Maximilian

Alive with the hum of high-energy adventure, Vancouver is a sophisticated cityscape on the edge of British Columbia’s wild interior. This multicultural city offers a bit of everything: big city buzz, sky-high mountains and Pacific beaches. If you’re a history buff you can view First Nations artifacts at the Museum of Anthropology. Take little ones to meet over 50,000 aquatic creatures at the Vancouver Aquarium, or get a bird’s eye view of old-growth forest at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Horseshoe Bay salmon fishing… Granville Island paddle boarding… Grouse Mountain’s aerial tram— discover loads of outdoor adventure in Vancouver, from the bay to the backwoods. Participants arrange their own transportation to the airport.  Taxis are readily available for the approximately 30 min drive to the airport. There is also a skytrain service that takes you straight from the cruise port to the airport.