Day 1: All Aboard!
We’ll be kicking off our offshore adventures by boarding our cruise liner, Norwegian Bliss, in Seattle.
Located just two hours south of Vancouver, Canada, the city of Seattle in USA is an international port that boasts three professional sports teams, hundreds of restaurants, a myriad of cultural venues and a lifestyle that is unique to the Pacific Northwest. It is known as Emerald City due to the lush evergreen forests in the area. Well known for its impressive musical history, from jazz to the rock music style of grunge, to this day Seattle hosts a diverse and influential alternative music scene. We set sail on our adventure at 5pm sharp!
Day 2: First Cruise Day – Workshops and Instruction
Day 3: Sitka, USA
At 11am, we’ll arrive at our first port stop for the cruise! Sitka, the fourth largest city by population in Alaska, is nestled on the west side of Baranof Island, and is thought to be the most beautiful of SE Alaska cities. The flora and fauna of Sitka and its surrounding area are notable attractions. Residents and visitors alike enjoy fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, and simply experiencing all this dynamic town has to offer.
This is a full-day stop, so we’ll have a rest day on the piping and drumming side of things for this day of the cruise. Mosey back on board by 6pm for socializing and merriment!
Day 4: Juneau, USA
We’ll have the option to spend the morning at our next port. Built on a narrow shelf between Mt. Juneau and the deep waters of Gastineau Channel, Juneau is Alaska's state capital and a rewarding destination for glacier viewing. Juneau is a blend of fishermen and teachers, legislators and artists, homemakers and lawyers, union workers and frontier entrepreneurs, students and Native elders, all sharing an active port city within an inspiring wilderness setting.
Due back on board by 1.30pm, we’ll then have an afternoon of piping and drumming workshops.
Endicott Arm, USA
On our way out, we’ll pass by Endicott Arm, a fjord 80 km south of Juneau in the Inside Passage, which lies inside the largest temperate rain forest in the world - the Tongass National Forest of Alaska, USA. From the entrance of the fjord to the face of Dawes Glacier is almost 60 km. The water is covered with ice spawned from the glacier, from small brash ice to chunks the size of three-storey buildings.
Day 5: Icy Straight Point (Hoonah), USA
From 7am-3pm, we’ll explore Alaska’s newest cruise port, Icy Strait Point, located just down the road from Hoonah, and 35 km S.E. of Glacier Bay National Park. It is the result of collaboration between the local communities and cruise corporations, to attract visitors eager to experience America’s ‘last wilderness.’ Millions of dollars have been invested in creating a facility that offers cruise travellers an authentic and refreshing Arctic experience.
Back on board for the afternoon, we’ll run a few workshops before some evening fun and relaxation time.
Day 6: Ketchikan, USA
Alaska’s ‘first city’ Ketchikan is situated along the shores of Alaska's Inside Passage within the heart of the Tongass National Forest. Evergreen mountains rise out of the water, the lush green landscape nurtured by the abundant rainfall of the temperate rainforest environment. Visitors are presented with a remarkable array of activities and attractions that highlight the town's history, industry and culture, and bring them up close to resident wildlife.
We’ll be onshore from 7am–1.15pm, then back onboard for a refreshing afternoon of piping and drumming workshops.
Day 7: Victoria, Canada
We’ll spend our final day at sea for our last piping and drumming workshops. Around 8pm, we’ll arrive at beautiful Victoria, the capital city of British Columbia, Canada. Located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. It is one of the oldest cities in the Pacific NW, with British settlement beginning in 1841, and it still retains a number of historic buildings close to the harbour. The city certainly has a unique blend of old world charm and new world experiences. Enjoy the evening exploring Victoria before boarding for an overnight sail back to our home port in Seattle.
