Pacific Passage & Japan's Hidden Gems Cruise

Day 1 - Vancouver

Arrive: Fri 18 September 2026 / Depart: Fri 18 September 2026 at 17:00

The humble beginnings of the City of Vancouver, in the settlement of Gastown on Burrard Inlet, rose out of the old growth forests and the sawdust of the old Hastings Mill. Its location between the Pacific Ocean and the snow-capped coastal mountains creates one of the most idyllic settings of any city in the world. As a world-class city it has the best of both worlds, intermingling urban sophistication with a sense of wilderness and outdoor adventure. Whether you are exploring Vancouver's diverse downtown core, strolling through the giant trees of Stanley Park or taking in the 20 miles (30 km) of uninterrupted waterfront trails along the seawall, you are bound to fall in love with Canada's third largest metropolitan center, which is consistently ranked as one of most livable cities on earth. In 1886, the Canadian Pacific Railway reached Vancouver, completing Canada’s 'National Dream' of a connection between east and west, and opening up new trade routes between Asia and Europe. The city was named for British captain and explorer George Vancouver.

Day 2 - At Sea

Day 3 - At Sea

Day 4 - Ketchikan

Arrive: Mon 21 September 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Mon 21 September 2026 at 17:00

Ketchikan is a picturesque coastal town with a colorful frontier history, standing at the southern entrance to Alaska's famed Inside Passage. It began as a salmon cannery in 1885, built by company employee Mike Martin at the mouth of Ketchikan Creek. Once dubbed the 'Canned Salmon Capital of the World,’ today government, commercial fishing, and tourism are its main industries. The renowned Creek Street, perched on stilts along the mouth of the creek, would bring lasting infamy to the area for the red-light district that burgeoned there during the Gold Rush. The town’s site first served as a camp for Tlingit people, and for thousands of years this has been their home. Their rich culture is being preserved to this day. A visit to Ketchikan is not complete without visiting one or all of Native American sites such as Totem Bight State Park, Potlatch Park, Saxman Native Village and the Totem Heritage Center. Together, these locations comprise the world's largest collection of standing Native American totem poles. VIEW CRUISES

Day 5 - Klawock, Alaska

Arrive: Tue 22 September 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Tue 22 September 2026 at 17:00

Day 6 - Sitka

Arrive: Wed 23 September 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Wed 23 September 2026

A stroll through the streets and National Historic Park of Sitka is a glimpse into its unique and colorful past. A blend of Tlingit and Russian cultures defines this first capital of Alaska. Although fish canning and gold mining were the initial catalysts for growth in Sitka, the construction of an air base during World War II truly paved the way for Sitka to come into its own. One of Sitka's most intriguing structures is the Cathedral of Saint Michael, built in 1848 to honor a Russian Orthodox bishop. Sitka’s history begins thousands of years ago with the Tlingit people and their use of the land for sustenance and spirituality. Old Sitka, located just north of the present-day settlement, was founded by Russian-American Company trader Alexander Baranov in 1799. Originally named Novo-Arkhangelsk (New Archangel) under Russian rule, its name was changed to Sitka after Alaska was purchased by the United States in 1867. Sitka is a Tlingit word meaning 'by the sea.’

Day 7 - Hubbard Glacier (Scenic Cruising)

Day 8 - At Sea

Day 9 - Kodiak, Alaska

Arrive: Sat 26 September 2026 at 07:00 / Depart: Sat 26 September 2026 at 22:00

The largest of the Aleutian Islands, Kodiak is also Alaska’s largest island the second largest in the United States. Although occupied by native people for some 7,000 years, it languished in relative obscurity until the Second World War, when it housed as many as 25,000 troops. Fort Abercrombie, once the major center of North Pacific operations, today is a State Historic Park and a good place to learn the history. At the other end of the road system is the United States Coast Guard’s largest base, with a fleet of orange and white watercraft and aircraft that serves the Alaskan fishing fleet and other shipping and maritime activities in the Pacific area. Kodiak harbor is seasonally home to a fleet of some 650 fishing vessels, including huge trawlers, long-line and crab boats. Fishing is also a popular draw for visitors, but they also are attracted by opportunities to view and photograph local birds and wildlife, including the island’s massive brown bears, the males of which weigh as much as 1,500 pounds and stand ten feet tall. In the town, the fur warehouse originally built by the Russian American Company in 1808 is now the Baranov Museum, the oldest standing building in Alaska. VIEW CRUISES

Day 10 - At Sea

Day 10 - At Sea

Day 11 - Dutch Harbor, Alaska

Arrive: Mon 28 September 2026 at 10:00 / Depart: Mon 28 September 2026 at 18:00

Day 12 - At Sea

Day 12 - At Sea

Day 13 - At Sea

Day 14 - At Sea

Day 15 - Cross International Dateline

Day 16 - At Sea

Day 17 - At Sea

Day 18 - At Sea

Day 19 - Kushiro, Japan

Arrive: Tue 06 October 2026 at 07:00 / Depart: Tue 06 October 2026 at 16:00

Blessed by a protective range of mountains and a relatively warm ocean current, Kushiro gets less than a third of the winter snow of its Hokkaido neighbor Sapporo, and twice as much sunshine as the nearby Kuril Islands. Thus it is an important reliably ice-free port during the winter. Like all of Japan, it is riddled with semi-active geothermal features and occasionally rattled by tremors. Scenic Lake Akan is ringed by hot springs. It also has an Ainu Koten museum with a replica village and folklore performances of the indigenous Hokkaido people. The Japanese Crane Reserve is a good place to see breeding populations of these large and graceful birds, so respected by the Japanese. The city encompasses Japan’s largest wetland, and the Kushiro City Marsh Observatory has a boardwalk to see it, as well as the Fureai Horse Park which offers equestrian tours into the forest.

Day 20 - Miyako,Iwate, Japan

Arrive: Wed 07 October 2026 at 10:00 / Depart: Wed 07 October 2026 at 18:00

Day 21 - Sendai, Japan

Arrive: Thu 08 October 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Thu 08 October 2026 at 18:00

Day 22 - Hitachinaka, Japan

Arrive: Fri 09 October 2026 at 07:00 / Depart: Fri 09 October 2026 at 22:00

Day 23 - Tokyo

Arrive: Sat 10 October 2026 at 06:30 / Depart: Sat 10 October 2026 at 17:00

Day 24 - At Sea

Day 25 - Miyako,Iwate, Japan

Arrive: Mon 12 October 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Mon 12 October 2026 at 18:00

Day 26 - Hakodate

Arrive: Tue 13 October 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Tue 13 October 2026 at 21:00

This important port on Japan’s northern Hokkaido Island was the first to be opened to European and American trade. The result of this is a trove of Western-style buildings in the suburb of Motomachi that gives the impression of a movie set. The bell of the distinctive Haristo Greek Orthodox church is designated one of Japan’s official treasured “100 soundscapes.” Hokkaido is famous for its hot springs, much beloved by the Japanese. Yunokawa Hot Spring enjoys a commanding view of the sea, and its botanical garden is home to the Japanese macaques called “snow monkeys” because of their habit of soaking in the hot springs during the northern winter. Goryokaku is a 150-year old star fortress that holds the Magistrate’s Office, an excellent example of traditional Japanese architecture. Get a panoramic view from the observation platform atop the Goryokaku Tower.

Day 27 - Aomori

Arrive: Wed 14 October 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Wed 14 October 2026 at 21:00

Located on the northernmost harbor of Japan’s main island of Honshu, Aomori is the traditional departure point for Hokkaido Island. It is famous for its summer Nebuta Matsuri festival, and has a museum that recaptures the color and pageantry for those who visit in other seasons. Explore the earliest prehistoric cultures of Japan at the Sannai Maruyama archaeological site, or visit the Aomori Museum of Art for a look at more contemporary works. Nearby Hirosaki boasts a 17th Century castle. Visit either the Auga or the Furukawa public fish market, where you can create your own version of a donburi rice bowl with pristinely fresh local seafood.

Day 28 - Akita, Japan

Arrive: Thu 15 October 2026 at 10:00 / Depart: Thu 15 October 2026 at 18:00

Day 29 - Niigata, Japan

Arrive: Fri 16 October 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Fri 16 October 2026 at 18:00

Day 30 - Kanazawa

Arrive: Sat 17 October 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Sat 17 October 2026 at 21:00

One of Japan’s best-preserved cities, Kanazawa escaped war damage and natural disasters to reward visitors with a wealth of architecture as an important clan castle town from the mid-17th century until the middle of the 19th. The mighty Kanazawa Castle did not survive intact, but its famous Ishikawa Gate, the Sunjikken Longhouse and lavish Kenrokuen Garden hint at the grandeur. Of special note are the surviving Higashi Geisha District and Samurai District streets. The Temple area holds the Myoryuji Temple with its hidden passages and secret doors giving it the nickname the Ninja Temple. The Oyamajinja Shrine is a later addition, its three-story gate with impressive stained glass windows reveal a Dutch influence. Museums worth exploring include the Kanazawa Yasue Gold Leaf Museum, with examples of the arts and crafts using the pure gold decoration for which the region is famous. Another museum celebrates the Buddhist philosopher D. T. Suzuki, credited with introducing Zen philosophy to the West, and a striking 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. Nearby Mt. Utatsu is renowned for its Three Shrines. VIEW CRUISES

Day 31 - At Sea

Day 31 - At Sea

Day 32 - Stockholm

Arrive: Mon 19 October 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Mon 19 October 2026 at 18:00

Sweden's capital has been called the most beautiful city in the world. This "city that floats on water" sprawls over 14 islands that are linked by over 50 bridges, which cross winding waterways in all directions. To the east is an archipelago of thousands of islands in different shapes, sizes and contours. Venice, for all its gondolas, does not approach the water traffic of Stockholm. The hundreds of small boats that line the inlets and canals testify to the passion of every family to own and sail a boat.

Day 33 - At Sea

Day 34 - Kochi, Japan

Arrive: Wed 21 October 2026 at 07:00 / Depart: Wed 21 October 2026 at 17:00

Japan’s Shikoku island is a popular place of pilgrimage among Japanese Buddhists. Kochi has three of the 88 temples on the route. Chikurinji Temple, with its five-story pagoda, is one of them. Located on Mount Godaisan, it also features an adjacent botanical garden. The town is most famous for its castle, originally built in the early 17th century, but largely rebuilt following a fire in the mid-18th century. It is one of only 12 existing feudal-period castles in Japan. South of the town, Katsurahama beach is a popular destination, although swimming is not allowed due to strong currents. A picturesque shrine located on a high point overlooking the sea is the perfect postcard image of rural Japan. The beach is also a good spot to enjoy Katsuo no Tataki, the traditional local dish of lightly grilled and seasoned bonito tuna.

Day 35 - Osaka

Arrive: Thu 22 October 2026 at 07:00 / Depart: Thu 22 October 2026