Travel Dates 2019:
- 18th August
- 25th August
- 1st September
Departure dates are subject to availability if your desired departure date is no longer available alternate dates or a full refund will be offered.
Includes:
- Airfares, taxes and fuel surcharges departing Auckland with United Airlines or similar (flights may be via Sydney)
- Seven nights cruising on Celebrity Solstice ® in a lead-in interior stateroom with onboard meals, gratuities, taxes and port charges
- All main meals, entertainment and activities onboard
- Six nights hotel accommodation
- Daily breakfast (B)
- Airport and hotel transfers
- Air-conditioned motor coach transportation (baggage limit: 1 piece 20kg per person)
- Admissions to attractions and national parks (unless otherwise stated)
- English-speaking tour guide(s)
- Prepaid tipping for tour guide and driver: NZD$110 per person
Excludes:
- Optional admissions payable to Nexus Holidays
- Optional shore excursions with the cruise line
- Special onboard activities and onboard speciality dining
- ESTA US visa waiver and/or eTA Canada visa waiver
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
About Celebrity Solstice:
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 five women known as the “The Leading Ladies” redesign the staterooms. Other things that set the Celebrity Solstice ® cruise ship apart are its speciality restaurants. Their 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.
Note: Select onboard activities and speciality dining options are at your own expense.
Unique Features and Accolades:
- Celebrity Cruises ® voted best premium cruise line 8 years running
- Celebrity Solstice ® voted best ship in Australia 2015
- Five-star star décor / service / cuisine
- 24/7 complimentary room service
- 2:1 staff to guest ratio
- 15% larger staterooms and bathrooms
- More time docked in ports
Itinerary:
Day 1: Auckland - Calgary (In-flight meals)
Fly to Calgary via connecting cities then take a shuttle transfer to an airport hotel to rest for the night.
Day 2: Calgary - Banff (B)
Transfer to Banff in the morning and embark on a scenic road trip of breathtaking Banff National Park along the Bow Valley Parkway, between the iconic mountain resort towns Banff and Lake Louise. Marvel at glorious Moraine Lake with a panoramic view of the Valley of the Ten Peaks, followed by a leisurely hike to the Lower Falls of Johnston Canyon. Then stroll along the picturesque shores of Lake Louise, crowned as the ‘Jewel of the Rockies’. Conclude the day with a quick stop at world famous 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 3: Banff – Columbia Icefield– Jasper (B)
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 admission at your own expense) snow coach onto the surface of Athabasca Glacier, and experience an exhilarating cliff-edge Glacier Skywalk (optional admission 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 4: Jasper – Blue River – Kamloops (B)
Step into UNESCO World Heritage Site Mount Robson Provincial Park, home to the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies and recognised for its vast natural beauty and mountain landscapes containing rare species, peaks, glaciers, lakes, waterfalls, canyons, limestone caves, and fossils. Then take off to Blue River for an exciting River Safari (optional admission at your own expense) to stunning Grizzly Bear Valley where you are likely to witness active wildlife on the riverbank.
Day 5: Kamloops - Hope - Vancouver (B)
Set out on a fun hike at Othello Tunnels, a series of old train tunnels and bridges that cut through the solid granite walls and pass over the wild Coquihalla River near the town of Hope, the location of the film ‘Rambo – First Blood’. After lunch, enjoy a mini tour of cosmopolitan Vancouver city, stopping by bustling Granville Island Public Market, a food lover’s paradise.
Day 6: Vancouver - Seattle - Alaska Glacier Cruise (B, Onboard Meals)
Cross the border into the United States of America through to the Port of Seattle to embark on your luxury week-long Alaska Glacier Cruise for your chance to witness the undisturbed wildlife and jaw-dropping natural wonders of the Alaskan wilderness.
Day 7: At sea for both cruise itineraries (Onboard Meals)
Enjoy the day at sea as we sail through the natural wonders of Alaska.
Day 8: Celebrity Solstice: Ketchikan (Onboard Meals)
Cruise to Ketchikan, The ‘Salmon Capital of the World’ is a popular port of call for Alaska 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.
Day 9: Celebrity Solstice: Tracy Arm Fjord & Juneau (Onboard Meals)
Cruise to the Tracy Arm Fjord, and gaze in awe at a landscape carved by glaciers, with hundreds of waterfalls cascading down 3000-foot granite walls. Then, cruise
to Juneau, the capital of Alaska, where you’ll spend the afternoon, departing late evening. Surrounded by fjord, forest and snow-capped mountains, Juneau is a
gorgeous state capital. Its historic city centre harks back to its gold-rush origins and you can still pan for gold. But nature is the priceless treasure. You can’t miss the amazing glacial landscape.
Day 10: Celebrity Solstice: Skagway and Alaska Inside Passage
Cruise to Skagway, arriving early in the morning. Relive the gold rush by riding the Yukon Railroad. Discover Dyea, or go horseback riding through the majestic forests. Depart late afternoon to sail through the Alaska Inside Passage. Have your camera ready to capture the rugged beauty of the islands and the mainland coast of southern Alaska. The views include glaciers, fjords, soaring cliffs and misty northern rainforest. Watch for the exotic wildlife, including moose and whales.
Day 11: At Sea (Onboard Meals)
At sea for both cruise itineraries.
Day 12: Victoria BC (Onboard Meals)
Cruise to Victoria, BC. The capital of British Columbia is filled with blooming gardens, heritage architecture and historic charm. The heart of Victoria is its scenic harbour and Old Town, compact areas that are made for strolling and easily explored on foot. Prepare to be romanced with blooming flowers, magnificent architecture, and gourmet treats – an unforgettable getaway. Note: Ovation of the Seas arrives in Victoria in the morning, Celebrity Solstice arrives late afternoon.
Day 13: Alaska Glacier Cruise – Seattle (Onboard Breakfast)
Disembark from the cruise after breakfast. Begin your tour of ‘Emerald City’ Seattle as you head downtown for a familiarisation drive stopping at scenic views as we pass by distinct neighbourhoods sitting high on hilltops or afloat on the calm waters. Explore the colourful Pike Place Market overlooking Elliot Bay, Seattle’s most popular tourist destination and home to a large variety of shops and restaurants with waterfront views. Scale the iconic Space Needle (optional admission at your own expense), and view the dazzling skyline from 158 meters on the observation deck. Then you will view the amazing collection of blown glass art and sculptures at popular Chihuly Garden and Glass (optional admission at your own expense).
Day 14: Seattle – Auckland (B)
Fly home to Auckland from Seattle, USA via connecting cities.
Day 15: In Transit or Arrive Home (In-flight Meals)
In transit/Arrive in Auckland. Note: Flights may arrive the following day
Day 16
Arrive home.
Note:
Flights may involve up to two transits per leg. Itinerary, airlines, hotels and cruise ships are subject to availability and change without notice. Nexus Holidays reserves the right to provide substitutes of a similar standard and adjust the itinerary as we see fit to ensure the smooth running of the tour. The itinerary and sites to be visited are subject to change due to local and seasonal conditions, time and other unforeseen constraints beyond our control. Passengers must remain with the tour group at all times and must not deviate from the set itinerary. The total length of the tour in days includes time spent in flight and is subject to change depending on the flight schedule, please refer to the day by day itinerary for the time spent on land Value of deal is based on current rates, which are subject to change. Departure dates are subject to availability if your desired departure date is no longer available alternate dates or a full refund will be offered
Activities: add another dimension to your tour and include transportation to the venues, taxes, handling and service fees.
- Banff Gondola NZD$70 per-person
- Ice Explorer NZD $105 per-person
- Glacier Skywalk NZD $75 per-person
- River Safari NZD $135 per-person
- Space Needle + Chihuly Garden and Glass NZD $105 per person
Please note: Due to popular demand, admissions must be booked at least 60 days before departure with Nexus Holidays and may not be available for individual purchase on site. Alternative activities may not be available in the vicinity and cannot be arranged. Non-participants must wait for the group to complete the activities.
