Rockies Express and 11 Night Alaskan cruise from San Francisco

A further overnight hotel stay. There is lots to see and do in Chicago: - go to the beach , shops on the Magnificent Mile, stare at the reflections in the giant “Cloud Gate” stainless steel bean sculpture or stand on the glass “Ledge” 103 floors up in the Willis Tower(formerly Sears Tower), the tallest building in the US. You can enjoy a fine dining experience with a view in the Signature Room on 95th Floor of the John Hancock Building. Route 66 starts in Chicago at the Buckingham Fountain, and there is the amazing elevated CTA metro system which defines the central Loop area of Downtown Chicago.

Board the train at Grand Union Station in Chicago for a 1400 departures. Spend two nights in the the train crossing the Rocky Mountains to San Francisco in the comfort of a private sleeper roomette on full-board. Experienced travellers say the California Zephyr is one of the most beautiful train trips in all of North America. Between the great cities of the west and Chicago lie narrow canyons, towering peaks and breathtakingly beautiful mountain wilderness areas as you cross two great mountain ranges, the Sierra Nevadas and the Rockies. Blowing away the alternatives is what Zephyrus, ancient Greek god of the west wind, and his namesake, the California Zephyr, do best. So sit back and be “blown away” by the otherwise unattainable views of the spectacular scenery along the route.

Disembark the train at 1745 in the afternoon and make your own way to your hotel for two nights stay. The cruise terminal is the next pier along to Pier 39 which is a huge entertainment, dining and shopping complex. This is situated in the heat of the famous Fishermans Wharf area where there are lots of bars, fishing boats and restaurants. From here you will see magnificent views of the Golden Gate Bridge and have the opportunity to take a boat trip to visit Alcatraz. Perhaps take the famous cable car over the hill to Union square – the heart of the downtown shopping area of the city. Visit the Golden Gate Park, the hippy stores of Haight Ashbury and the unique nightlife of the Castro.

Make your own way to the cruise terminal to embark the ship. Enjoy the sail-away park as the ship heads out into the bay and under the Golden Gate Bridge.

Relax and make the most of the myriad of facilities available on board the ship, from fantastic entertainment to delicious and diverse dining options.

Ketchikan is known as the Salmon capital of the world, is a quaint village, three-miles long, just three-blocks wide and wedged between the water and the forested slopes of Deer Mountain. The native American village is partly propped up on wooden pilings and the Totem Heritage centre houses more totem poles than anywhere else in the world. Perhaps or take a tour of the surrounding area with a very good chance of spotting majestic bald eagles that soar effortless over the inlet in their search for salmon.

Juneau is the capital of Alaska perched on a hillside where the historical downtown buildings give it a somewhat frontier feel. 4000ft mountains create a dramatic backdrop to the city, beyond which lies the Juneau Icefield from which 30 glaciers flow, the most famous being the Mendenhall Glacier.

Skagway is the gateway to the Klondike and one-time boomtown of the gold rush era of 1898. This town enjoys reservation status within the national park, with its rustic boardwalks and frontier style storefronts and saloons.

Glacier Bay National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with many glaciers to see; the scenery includes tidewater glaciers, glassy water, mountains, and wildlife such as whales, harbour seals, otters and brown bears. (Or Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier on selected sates).

Relax and make the most of the myriad of facilities available on board the ship, from fantastic entertainment to delicious and diverse dining options.

Victoria (British Columbia) was once a British colonial post and is full of historic sites, public parks and groomed gardens. Here, the locals appear more British than the British. The beautiful town centre features the impressive government buildings, the Fairmount Hotel and the harbour area where pleasure boats navigate past seaplanes as they take-off and land. (Or Prince Rupert on selected dates).

Relax and make the most of the myriad of facilities available on board the ship, from fantastic entertainment to delicious and diverse dining options.

Disembark the ship after breakfast and make your own way to the airport for your overnight flight home.