This is what Earth must have looked like before the human footprint. Immense forests as far as the eye can see. Glaciers advancing and retreating in an endless cycle of rebirth. An ice age wilderness, bigger, bolder and more beautiful than you can imagine. Alaska’s sheer size puts everything else in perspective. This luxury Alaskan cruise takes you on an insider’s path along the Inside Passage. There are diamond-blue icebergs, rushing mountain streams, waterfalls and flowers of every colour. Here you’ll find the biggest bears, the largest gathering of bald eagles anywhere, and more than half of the world’s entire population of humpback whales. Experience Alaska’s grandeur up close and in person aboard this intimate and relaxing cruise. You'll also explore the beauty of summer on Canada's west coast, as you embark and disembark your vessel in British Columbia's metropolis, Vancouver. A call-to-port at the provincial capital, Victoria, will introduce you to it's magnificently charming regal beauty; a remnant of Canada's British heritage.

Available Cruise Departure Dates:
July 5, 2012

Vancouver is a coastal city located in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is consistently ranked one of the most livable cities in the world, based on its warm climate, beautiful scenery, modern infrastructure, and social community. Vancouver is ethnically diverse, with 52% of city residents having a first language other than English. The economy has traditionally relied on forestry, mining, fishing and agriculture; although, tourism has grown rapidly as more people discover this gem on the Pacific Ocean.

Enjoy a private transfer in a luxury vehicle with professional driver. 

Located directly across the street from Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal, the deluxe 23-story Fairmont Waterfront (5*) has spectacular views of Vancouver’s harbour and North Shore Mountains. The hotel offers the highest standard in guestrooms, amenities and service. Opened in 1991, The Fairmont Waterfront’s spacious guestroom interiors have floor to ceiling windows and are freshly redecorated with vibrant new colour schemes. 70% of guestrooms have stunning, unobstructed views of the inner harbour and Stanley Park, while the remaining 30% look out over Vancouver’s sparkling downtown core. Historic Gastown, Stanley Park, fine dining and fantastic shopping are all within walking distance from the hotel's front door. The Health Club offers a wide range of fitness equipment as well as a whirlpool, steam rooms, and an outdoor heated pool.

Overnight at Fairmont Waterfront (5*).

Enjoy a half day (6hr) private city tour of Vancouver as well as the North Shore in the company of a knowledgeable, Driver-Guide. Throughout the tour you will have the chance to visit B.C. Place, G.M. Place, Science World (Olympic Sites), Gastown - Historical area of Vancouver, Canada Place, Alaska Cruise ship terminal and home of the new convention centre as well as visiting Grouse Mountain Skyride in an enclosed gondola (admission included) and Cross Lion's Gate Bridge. At the end of the tour, you will be brought back to your hotel. (Hotel pick up is also included).

Overnight at Fairmont Waterfront (5*).

Breathtaking. Dramatic. Majestic. With nearly 34,000 miles of shoreline, an Alaska cruise is the ideal way to see and enjoy the great land of Alaska. A cruise will allow you to experience Alaska's grandeur and unspoiled beauty while providing opportunities for passengers to explore the quaint and charming seaside towns, get up close to tidal glacier, discover the outlying wilderness, and witness wildlife in their natural surroundings.

Leave the driving to someone else as you enjoy a half day (5hrs) private tour through "Wine Country" to taste B.C.'s best! After being picked up at your hotel, you will get to enjoy 3 to 5 tasting of the best wines at each winery visited which include: Township 7 Vineyard and Winery, Domaine De Chaberton, Glenugie Winery Ltd., Lotusland Vineyards, and The Fort Winery. At each winery there is a knowledgeable peson who conducts a systematic, tutuored wine tasting while explaining about the qualities, vintage and grapes used for each wine. It is sure to be a thoroughly enjoyable and educational experience! If time permits, we will return via the Albion Ferry as we cross the mighty Fraser River! You will be dropped off at your hotel at the end of the tour.

Welcome aboard!
Take some time to get settled in, and explore the ship's facilities. Your welcome dinner tonight will be an ideal opportunity to meet some of your fellow cruisemates.

Third in the Silversea fleet, the Silver Shadow cruise ship introduced guests to the next generation of Silversea cruising while maintaining Silversea’s award winning, all-suite luxury and trademark intimate ambience. Built with proportions slightly larger than its predecessors, it manages to retain the same level of genuine hospitality. Truly a luxury resort on the water, relax, indulge or entertain yourself with the multiple dining and bar facilities, an onboard casino and show lounge, shopping boutiques, a beauty salon and spa, full fitness centre, and a pool deck.

Overnight at Silversea Silver Shadow.

Today is a full day of relaxation spent at sea, as you cruise the Inside Passage toward Ketchikan, Alaska. Step out onto the Pool Deck and lounge with a drink in hand, or relax your body and mind at the soothing onboard spa.

Overnight at Silversea Silver Shadow.

Ketchikan is located on Revillagigedo Island, 90 miles (145 km) north of Prince Rupert, British Columbia and 235 miles (378 km) south of Juneau, Alaska. Ketchikan's economy is based upon tourism and fishing, and the city is known as the "Salmon Capital of the World." The Misty Fjords National Monument is one of the area's major attractions. Ketchikan is named after Ketchikan Creek, which flows through the town. Ketchikan comes from the Tlingit name for the creek, Kitschk-hin, the meaning of which is unclear. It may mean "the river belonging to Kitschk"; other accounts claim it means "Thundering Wings of an Eagle."

Overnight at Silversea Silver Shadow.

Juneau is located on the Gastineau Channel in the panhandle of the U.S. state of Alaska. The economy is based on government, tourism, mining, and fishing. Juneau is named after gold prospector Joe Juneau, though the place was for a time called Rockwell and then Harrisburg after Juneau's co-prospector, Richard Harris. Downtown Juneau sits at sea level, with tides averaging 16 feet (4.9 m), below steep mountains about 3,500 to 4,000 feet (1,200 m) high. Atop these mountains is the Juneau Icefield, a large ice mass from which about 30 glaciers flow; two of these, the Mendenhall Glacier and the Lemon Creek Glacier, are visible from the local road system. Juneau is one of the most beautiful state capitals in the nation.

Overnight at Silversea Silver Shadow.

Skagway is a first-class borough in Alaska, on the Alaska Panhandle. The port of Skagway is a popular stop for cruise ships, and the tourist trade is a big part of the business of Skagway. The White Pass and Yukon Route narrow gauge railroad, part of the area's mining past, is now in operation purely for the tourist trade and runs throughout the summer months. Skagway (originally spelled Skaguay) is from the Tlingit name for the area, "Skagua" or "Shgagwèi" meaning "a windy place with "white caps on the water."

Overnight at Silversea Silver Shadow.

Originally called New Archangel while under Russian rule, the U.S. city of Sitka, Alaska, is located in the Alexander Archipelago of the Pacific Ocean. Sitka was the site of the ceremony in which the Russian flag was lowered and the United States flag raised after Alaska was purchased by the United States in 1867, subsequent to the sea otter pelt trade dying out.

Overnight at Silversea Silver Shadow.

Today is another day spent at sea, relaxing on your cruise ship as you sail through the Tracy Arm fjord, and past the North Sawyer and South Sawyer Glaciers. The summer months often send pieces of floating ice into the fjords, ranging from the size of a baseball all the way up to a three-story building.

Overnight at Silversea Silver Shadow.

A hidden jewel in the heart of the Tongass National Forest, Wrangell is the third oldest community in Alaska and the only community to be ruled by four nations: the indigenous Tlingit nation, Russia, Great Britain and the United States. The island is rich in native heritage as evidenced by the rock carvings at Petroglyph Beach, as well as the totems seen around town. Visitors can walk in the steps of John Muir amidst historic buildings and enjoy the beauty of the Stikine River and the surrounding wilderness.

Overnight at Silversea Silver Shadow.

Prince Rupert is a small port city in the province of British Columbia, Canada. Founder of Prince Rupert, Charles Hays (General Manager of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway), had many grand ideas for the city including berthing facilities for large passenger ships and the development of a major tourism industry, yet these plans fell through when he perished April 15, 1912 on the RMS Titanic. It has since become the land, air, and water transportation hub of British Columbia's north coast.

Overnight at Silversea Silver Shadow.

Today is your final day spent entirely at sea, as you cruise onward toward tomorrow's destination: the beautiful city of Victoria, British Columbia. For those feeling lucky, there is an onboard casino striking up plenty of fun. If some down-time is more appropriate, curl up with a book and a drink, and enjoy the relaxation of cruise travel.

Overnight at Silversea Silver Shadow.

Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. Named after Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and the Dominion of Canada, Victoria is one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest, with British settlement beginning in 1841. The city has retained a large number of its historic buildings, in particular its two most famous landmarks, the British Columbia Parliament Buildings (finished in 1897 and home of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia) and the Empress hotel (opened in 1908). The city's Chinatown is the second oldest in North America after San Francisco's.

Overnight at Silversea Silver Shadow.

Your cruise journey has come full circle, as you arrive back in Vancouver. This morning you'll bid farewell to your fellow cruisemates and disembark from your ship.

Enjoy a half day (6 hrs) private tour discovering the outskirts of Vancouver in North Shore where you will get into stunning nature in the area of Grouse Mountain. After being picked up at your hotel, you will cross Lions Gate Bridge to the North Shore, see Cleveland Dam and Capilano Reservoir, the source of Vancouver’s drinking water, get to experience Grouse Mountain Skyride where you rise to a viewpoint of 1200 metres (3,700 feet) above the city in an enclosed gondola. At different times of the year there are special exhibitions on such as a lumberjack show, grizzly bears at the Refuge for Endangered Wildlife, theatre presentations, sleigh rides, ice skating, and a great view (admission included). Then brace yourself for the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park (admission included). Cross the world’s longest suspension foot bridge and experience the new “Treetops Adventure” forest canopy walkway. Then enjoy the atmosphere at Lonsdale Quay - a market for shopping, with crafts, as well as seafood etc. At the end of the tour you will be brought back to your hotel.

Overnight at Fairmont Waterfront (5*).

Enjoy a private transfer in a luxury vehicle with professional driver. 

 End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart .