Arrive at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco hotel at Nob Hill and instantly experience the Bay area’s golden era, with opulent rooms and modern amenities. Panoramic views provide the ultimate photos and an easy stroll takes you to the area’s top attractions. Guest rooms feature elegant seating areas and Wi-Fi or choose a suite for the added luxury of a marble fireplace, four-poster bed, separate living/dining area, terrace and hot tub; there’s an array of amenities to suit every occasion. The iconic Sky Lounge, Top of the Mark, has been wooing the rich and famous since 1939, where sunset cocktails are sipped with a backdrop of exceptional views, don’t miss a visit. An easy stroll will take you to top attractions so check your bucket list and take in the sights including the Gold Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf and Palace of Fine Arts. Most famous for its Alcatraz stories, a visit to San Francisco wouldn’t be complete without a tour so we’ve included a 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Double-Decker bus tour with return ferry tickets to “the Rock”; the former prison home of some of America’s most notorious criminals is a spine tingler. Time to board the beautiful Ruby Princess; a sight to behold as you board and leave the shores behind. A myriad of awe-inspiring sights will pass by as you sail along the glistening ocean with snow-capped mountain scenery and mesmerising backdrops along the way. On board it’s all about star treatment, luxury and amenities galore. Main attractions include Movies Under the Stars, The Sanctuary reserved just for adults, the piazza-style Atrium and indulgent spaces at every turn. With drinks, Wi-Fi and prepaid gratuities taken care of you will not have a care in the world and can simply immerse yourself in world class pleasures. There’s an array of guest suites to choose from and balcony cabin guests have the option of Ultimate Balcony Dining where a dedicated waiting team will serve dinner on your balcony, it’s a real treat to experience. The San Francisco and Alaskan Explorer featuring the Ruby Princess is a trip of a lifetime for all ages and occasions. The combination of the sights and sounds of the Golden City entwined with the stunning scenery and on board luxury of the Ruby Princess is not to be missed. With new friends made and a ton of photos to take back with you the memories of this trip will never fade. Upon your return to San Francisco you can either choose to extend your stay in the USA or head to the airport for your return flight to the UK. Want to customise this trip or looking for different dates? Call our Cruise Experts on 020 3793 3186.
Day 1 – 4 Fly UK – San Francisco and transfer to the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins Hotel Day 4 Transfer to the port and embark the Ruby Princess for your 10 night cruise Day 5 At Sea Day 6 At Sea Day 7 Juneau, Alaska Call on Alaska’s capital of Juneau on the Gastineau Channel. Named for an early prospector, it is the only US capital inaccessible by road, and so all goods and visitors must arrive via sea or air. Marvel at its fjord-like, dramatic setting between mountains and sea as you take a drive to pan for gold in the spirit of the city’s early days. If you wish, enjoy spectacular views of the Alaskan state capital from the Mount Roberts Tramway or embark a small boat to the Mendenhall Glacier, spotting porpoises and whales along the way. (Water Shuttle Required, Wheelchair Access Limited) Day 8 Skagway, Alaska Skagway was the gateway to the gold fields for the thousands who flocked to Alaska and the Yukon with the hope of striking it rich. Over 100 years ago, the White Pass route through the Coast Mountains and the shorter but steeper Chilkoot Trail were used by countless stampeders. Many a would-be miner perished on the treacherous Chilkoot Trail. The gold rush was a boon and by 1898, Skagway was Alaska’s largest town with a population of about 20,000. Hotels, saloons, dance halls and gambling houses prospered. But when the gold yield dwindled in 1900, so did the population as miners quickly shifted to new finds in Nome. Today, Skagway has less than 1,000 residents. It still retains the flavour of the gold rush era. Day 9 Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier Admire the pristine, untouched natural beauty of Endicott Arm Fjord, a 30-mile stretch of water located at the southern end of the Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness area. Experience breathtaking scenery as you sail past steep granite cliffs, floating icebergs, and cascading waterfalls. During your cruise down Endicott Arm, look for groups of adorable harbor seals that are often found lounging on chunks of ice or diving around the icy water. Your journey through this majestic waterway will end with a show-stopping visit to Dawes Glacier, where you’ll witness the thunderous roar of ice as it crashes into the sea during a calving display. Day 10 Ketchikan, Alaska Ketchikan is known as Alaska’s “First City” because it’s the first major community travellers come to as they journey north. Visitors to Ketchikan will be intrigued by its rich Native heritage, which includes the world’s oldest collection of totem poles at Totem Heritage Centre. The Haida, Tlingit and Tsimshian are all a part of the city’s colorful history. Ketchikan, with its abundance of salmon, is also a sportfishing paradise. Sightseers will be impressed with both the scenic town and its surroundings, especially Misty Fjords National Monument. Day 11 At Sea Day 12 Victoria, Canada Victoria, capital of British Columbia, sits on the craggy southern end of Vancouver Island. With abundant parkland, it’s known for outdoor activities. The city’s British colonial past shows in its Victorian architecture, including stately Craigdarroch Castle mansion. Butchart Gardens, with 55 acres of vivid floral displays, plus statuary, water features and a carousel, is one of many formal gardens in the city. Day 13 At Sea Day 14 San Francisco, California Day 14 Transfer from San Francisco to the Airport for your return flight to the UK
