Per-Person Twin-Share 16-Day Breathtaking Canadian Rockies & Alaska Experience incl. Return Flights, Accommodation, Cruise & More

Inclusions: 

• Economy class international airfares, taxes and fuel surcharges from Auckland with United Airlines
• Seven-nights cruising on the Celebrity Solstice in a lead-in interior stateroom with onboard meals, gratuities, taxes and port charges
• Six-nights in hotel accommodation
• Airport and hotel transfers
• Air-conditioned motorcoach transportation 
• Max baggage limit 1 piece 20kg per person
• Admissions to attractions and national parks
• English speaking tour guides
• Prepaid tipping for tour guides

Exclusions:

• ESTA US visa wavier
• ETA Canada visa waiver
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses
• Admissions package
• Optional admissions

• Sail on Ovation of the Seas from NZD$220pp (subject to availability) 
• Celebrity Solstice (twin-share): Ocean View fr NZD$930pp, Balcony, fr NZD$1315pp, Junior Suite fr NZD$3515pp
• Celebrity Solstice (single supplement): Ocean View fr NZD$825pp, Balcony fr NZD$1160pp, Junior Suite fr NZD$3140pp
• Ovation of the Seas (twin-share): Ocean View fr NZD$765pp, Balcony fr NZD$1490pp, Junior Suite fr NZD$2855pp
• Ovation of the Seas (single supplement): Ocean View fr NZD$655pp, Balcony fr NZD$1315pp, Junior Suite fr NZD$2525pp

• Their admission package adds another dimension to your tour and includes transportation to the venues, taxes, handling & service fees
• Banff Gondola NZD$100 per person
• Ice Explorer NZD$160 per person
• Glacier Skywalk NZD$70 per person
• River Safari NZD$150 per person
• Space Needle + Chihuly Garden & Glass NZD$150 per person
• Purchase all Admissions: NZD$610 per person (instead of paying NZD$630 per person). Payable directly to Nexus Holidays
• These will be noted below on the itinerary with a # so you can establish the days this extra activity will take place.

Day 1: Auckland to Calgary
Fly to Calgary via connecting cities and take a shuttle transfer to your hotel for restDay 2: Calgary-Banff-Lake Louise-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. Conclude the day with a quick stop at world-famous Bow Falls before riding the #Banff Gondola (additional cost applies, contact the merchant directly) 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 (additional cost applies, contact the merchant directly)  snow coach onto the surface of Athabasca Glacier, and experience an exhilarating cliff-edge #Glacier Skywalk (additional cost applies, contact the merchant directly). 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 (additional cost applies, contact the merchant directly)  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, 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 (onboard meals)Day 8: Ketchikan, Alaska (Solstice) or Alaska Inside Passage and Juneau, Alaska (Ovation) (onboard meals)
Celebrity Solstice: 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.
Ovation of the Seas: 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. Witness enormous glaciers, misty temperate rainforests, and blue fjords. Surrounded by fjords, forest and snow-capped mountains, Juneau is a gorgeous state capital.

Day 9: Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier and Juneau, Alaska (Solstice) or Skagway, Alaska (Ovation) (onboard meals)
Celebrity Solstice : Endicott Arm Fjord marks the southern edge of Ford’s Terror Wilderness area. Drifting icebergs, deep blue waters and a spectacular tidewater glacier only add to this natural spectacle’s appeal.
Harbour Seals: Endicott Arm is one of the largest breeding grounds for harbour seals on the planet. Along the shore, you might also glimpse brown bears, bald eagles, sea ducks, deer, moose and wolves. End with a front-row view of Dawes Glacier.Juneau, the capital of Alaska, surrounded by fjords, forest and snow-capped mountains. Then cruise to Juneau, which is a gorgeous state capital. Its historic city centre harks back to its gold-rush origins and you can still pan for gold.
Ovation of the Seas: The great Klondike Rush lives on in Skagway’s charming city centre of restored 19th-century buildings and its historic railway.

Day 10: Skagway and Alaska Inside Passage (Solstice) or Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier (cruising) (ovation) (onboard meals)
Celebrity Solstice: 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 in the late afternoon to sail through the Alaska Inside Passage.
Ovation of the Seas: One of Alaska’s lesser-known gems, Endicott Arm Fjord marks the southern edge of Ford’s Terror Wilderness area. As you drift through its 30-mile-long stretch, you can’t help but be awed by the surrounding granite cliffs, mountain valleys and dozens of gushing waterfalls. Drifting icebergs, deep blue waters and a spectacular tidewater glacier only add to this natural spectacle’s appeal. Glacier Harbour Seals: Endicott Arm is one of the largest breeding grounds for harbour seals on the planet.
Dawes Glacier: Your journey through scenic Endicott Arm Fjord ends with a front-row view of Dawes Glacier. Standing over 182 metres tall and 0.8 km wide, this very active ice cap is known for its spectacular calving displays which produce the huge, chunky icebergs that float in the area.

Day 11: At Sea

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: Celebrity Solstice arrives early evening and Ovation of the Seas arrives in Victoria in the morning.

Day 13: Seattle (onboard breakfast)
Disembark from the cruise after breakfast. Begin your tour of ‘Emerald City’ Seattle as we 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 (additional cost applies), and view the dazzling skyline from 158 meters on the observation deck. Then we will view the amazing collection of blown glass art and sculptures at popular #Chihuly Garden & Glass (additional cost applies)

Day 14: Seattle - Auckland (B)
Today, bid farewell to beautiful Northern America, with a transfer to the airport for your homebound or onward flights via connecting cities.

Day 15: In transit

Day 16: Arrive in Auckland

 2020 Travel Dates:

• 24th May
• 7th June
• 2nd August *
• 16th August *
• 30th August *

*Peak season surcharge of NZD$400 per person applies.

Hotel Accommodation: (all based on local rating)

• Calgary: Coast Plaza Hotel and Conference Centre or similar
• Banff: Inns of Banff or similar
• Jasper: The Crimson Jasper or similar
• Kamloops: The Thompson Hotel and Conference Centre or similar
• Vancouver: La Quinta Inn Vancouver Airport or similar
• Seattle: Sheraton Bellevue Hotel or similar
• Final documentation emailed out within two weeks to the departure date

Please note, wildlife sightings are common but are not guaranteed

Disclaimer: All prices, itineraries, airlines, hotels and cruise ships are subject to availability and change without prior notice. Nexus Holidays reserves the right to provide substitutes of similar standard and adjust the itinerary as we see fit to ensure the smooth running of the tour. Itinerary and sites to be visited are subject to change due to local and seasonal conditions, minimum and maximum numbers, 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. Flights may involve up to two transits per leg. Please check all information before booking.

Please note: You will be staying in the mountainous towns of Banff and Jasper in the heart of the national parks. These resort towns are small in nature and there are only a handful of cosy hotels housing just 50-100 rooms on average. During the prime months of May to September when the weather is warm and welcoming for sightseeing, demand is immense and often overwhelming, making it impossible for a certain hotel or lodge to always accommodate every guest belonging to a large group. Please be informed that while we make every effort to accommodate our guests in the same hotel, occasionally participants of the group may be moved to a second hotel or split into separate hotels of a similar standard in the nearby vicinity, especially during peak dates.