Includes:
- Seven-night cruise aboard Explorer of the Seas or Celebrity Solstice in an interior stateroom
- All main meals, entertainment and activities onboard
- Six-night hotel accommodation
- Airport and hotel transfers
- Air-conditioned motor coach transportation
- Daily breakfast (B)
- Admissions to scenic attractions and national parks (unless stated otherwise)
- Return economy class airfares from Auckland with United Airlines (or a combination of North American carriers, for example, Air Canada, Alaska Air, American Airlines, Hawaiian Air, Westjet etc).
Excludes:
- Optional admissions payable to Nexus Holidays
- Optional shore excursions with the cruise line
- Tour guide and driver tipping prepaid in NZD$110 per person
- Special onboard activities and onboard speciality dining
- ESTA US visa waiver and/or eTA Canada visa waiver
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenditure
2018 Departure Dates:
- 5th May - Celebrity Solstice Cruise Ship
- 25th August - Explorer of the Seas Cruise Ship - Interior stateroom only
Itinerary:
Day 1 (In-flight meals): Auckland - Calgary
Fly to Calgary then transfer to an airport hotel to rest for the night.
Day 2 (B): Calgary - Banff
This morning, transfer to the alpine resort town of Banff which boasts 6500 square kilometres of parkland and is home to incredible wildlife such as elk and grizzly bears.
Day 3 (B): Banff - Lake Louise - Banff
Embark on a scenic road trip to the spectacular Banff National Park, between the iconic mountain resort towns of Banff and Lake Louise. Take in the panoramic views of the Valley of the Ten Peaks at Moraine Lake and then enjoy a leisurely hike to the Lower Falls of Johnston Canyon. Go for a stroll along the shores of Lake Louise, have a quick stop at Bow Falls before riding the Banff Gondola^ (optional at your own expense) to the top of Sulphur Mountain with breathtaking panoramic views of the Rockies.
Day 4 (B): Banff - Columbia Icefield - Jasper
Today’s highlight is a jaw-dropping road trip to Jasper National Park. Be prepared to take in the world’s most scenic glaciers, lakes and mountain peaks as we traverse the Icefields Parkway, passing by subalpine forests on the way to the immense Columbia Icefield. Here, embark on a glacier adventure ride aboard the massive Ice Explorer^ (optional at your own expense) snow coach onto the surface of Athabasca Glacier, and experience an exhilarating cliff-edge Glacier Skywalk^ (optional at your own expense). Next is a quick stop at the powerful waterfall of Athabasca Falls before heading into the beautiful alpine town of Jasper.
Day 5 (B): Jasper - Blue River - Kamloops
Venture through the UNESCO World Heritage Site Mount Robson Provincial Park, home to the Rockies highest peak as well as limestone caves, waterfalls, canyons and more. After exploring here, head to the Blue River for an exciting River Safari^ (optional at own expense) to stunning Grizzly Bear Valley where you are likely to witness active wildlife on the river bank. Then enjoy an overnight stay at Kamloops.
Day 6 (B): Kamloops - Hope - Vancouver
Hike through the Othello Tunnels, pass the wild Coquihalla River near the town of Hope - which is famous for the filming of Rambo's First Blood. After lunch, enjoy a mini tour of Vancouver, making a stop at the Granville Island Public Market, before reaching Richmond for the night.
Day 7 (Onboard meals): Vancouver - Seattle - Alaska Glacier Cruise
Cross the border to Seattle to embark on your week-long Inside Passage Cruise of Alaska.
Day 8 (Onboard meals): At sea for both cruise itineraries.
Today is spent at sea taking in the breathtaking Alaskan scenery.
Day 9
Explorer of the Seas (onboard meals): Alaska Inside Passage - Juneau.
At midday, arrive at Juneau, the capital, which also boasts some of the countries most amazing scenery. Visit several fjords or the majestic Mendenhall Glacier which is nearby. Departure time is 9.00pm.
Celebrity Solstice (onboard meals): Ketchikan
Cruise to Ketchikan docking at 7.00am, the “Salmon Capital of the World”, a popular port of call for Alaskan cruises. If you’re up for an adventure, take a canoe and nature trail excursion or a wilderness exploration followed by a scrumptious crab feast you cannot resist. Depart 4.00pm.
Day 10
Explorer of the Seas (onboard meals): Skagway
Arrive at Skagway at 7.00am and relive the gold rush. Make the most of all the area has to offer until the 8.30pm departure time.
Celebrity Solstice (onboard meals): Tracy Arm Fjord - Juneau
Cruise to Tracy Arm Fjord arriving at 6.00am and awe at a landscape carved by glaciers with hundreds of waterfalls cascading down 3000-foot granite walls. Depart 10.00am. Cruise to Juneau docking at 1.30pm, the capital of Alaska. Depart 10.00pm.
Day 11 (Onboard meals):
Explorer of the Seas (onboard meals): Tracey Arm Fjord
Cruise through the Tracy Arm Fjord, where you will arrive at 7.00am and gaze in awe at the landscape and hundreds of waterfalls. Departs at 12.00pm.
Celebrity Solstice (onboard meals): Skagway - Inside Passage
Cruise to Skagway arriving at 7.00am and relive the gold rush. Ride the Yukon Railroad, discover Dyea or horseback riding through the majestic forests. Depart at 6.00pm.
Day 12 (Onboard meals): At Sea
At sea for both cruise itineraries.
Day 13 (Onboard meals): Victoria
Arrive at Victoria, Canada at 9.00am on Explorer of the Seas (arrive at 5.30pm on Celebrity Solstice) and enjoy the incredible architecture, blooms and delicious treats. Depart at 6.00pm (depart 11.59pm on Celebrity Solstice).
Day 14 (Onboard breakfast): Alaska Glacier Cruise - Seattle
Disembark after an early breakfast and enjoy a tour of the Emerald City aka Seattle, USA. Explore the colourful Pike Place Market overlooking Elliot Bay. Scale the dazzling skyline from 520 feet at the Observation Deck of the iconic Space Needle^ and gaze in awe of the amazing collection of full-blown glass art and sculptures at the popular Chihuly Garden and Glass^ (optional at your own expense).
Day 15 (B): Seattle - New Zealand
Fly home to New Zealand from Seattle, USA via connecting cities.
Day 16 (In-flight meals): In Transit or Arrive Home
In transit/Arrive in New Zealand. Note: Flights may arrive the following day.
Key: ^ = (optional at own expense)
About Explorer of the Seas:
Rest and relaxation or action-packed fun, the Explorer of the Seas accommodates everyone. Spend your days relaxing by one of the four pools, in the hot tub, or getting pampered at the day spa. If you're feeling active go for a skate on the ice-rink, shoot some hoops on the court or have a turn at surfing on the FlowRider surf simulator, or more. Enjoy an early nightcap at one of the bars, or dance your dinner off at the ships own nightclub. The Explorer of the Seas is a floating mini-city, with multiple casual and formal dining options, shops and even a casino. Time will fly by on this holiday, you'll be begging to stay.
About Celebrity Solstice:
- Celebrity Cruises® voted best premium cruise line 8 years running
- Celebrity Solstice® voted the best ship in Australia 2015
- 5 star décor / service / cuisine
- 24/7 complimentary room service
- 2:1 staff to guest ratio
- 15% larger staterooms and bathrooms
Celebrity Solstice® is one of the most decorated ships at sea, offering fine dining, magnificent venues, spacious staterooms and award-winning service. It’s no wonder that it’s full of “firsts” like the first Lawn Club at sea, the first Hot Glass Show, and the first cruise line to have 5 women known as the “The Leading Ladies” redesign the staterooms. Other things that set the Celebrity Solstice® cruise ship apart are its speciality restaurants. Our passion for outstanding cuisine has taken the restaurants, the food and the overall dining experience to a whole new level in the cruising world. But staterooms and speciality restaurants are only part of this ship’s charm. Celebrity Solstice® also has the Canyon Ranch SpaClub® and fitness centre, where you can pamper yourself with spa treatments or push yourself in a workout with one of our trainers.
