Alaska Experience Cruise 7 Nights • Seattle, Washington • Anthem of the Seas

Sailing out on a cruise from Seattle? Make sure you spend a few a days in the beautiful Emerald City. If you’re a nature lover, this jewel in the Pacific Northwest is the perfect place for you to explore ahead of your cruise vacation. Though it offers plenty of metropolitan delights — think great restaurants, bars, a ton of shopping and lots (and lots) of hip coffee shops — Seattle is a big city with a wild, great-outdoors soul. It’s surrounded by ancient forests, sprawling public parks and, of course, the misty Puget Sound, where you can slow-moving tugboats, sleek kayaks and the occasional pod of whales. Head to Discovery Park for beautiful views of the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges or visit the Olympic Sculpture Park near Elliott Bay. And if you’re craving a drink and a tasty bite to eat, head to one of Seattle’s many rooftop bars and take advantage of those extra-long northern summer days while you sip local brews and expertly crafted cocktails.

Your ship departs promptly at 4:00 p.m., so plan to arrive at least 2-3 hours early to account for checking in and boarding protocols. During this time, many of the ship's amenities are open and operating, so feel free to start your vacation early.

Dubbed the canned salmon capital of the world, Ketchikan is rich in both fishing and culture. You’ll find more totem poles here than anywhere else in the world, and a Native spirit kept alive by three tribes of Northwest Coastal People. For some outdoor thrills, venture into the surrounding Tongass National Forest— the largest in the United States.

If you want to hang in Icy Strait Point, you’re going to have to get a little wild. Go whale watching in Point Adolphus and sea lion spotting . Or gear up to go soaring over mountain forests on the world’s longest zip line. Life here is all about the thrill factor.

Juneau is the largest U.S. state capital— and one of the hardest to get to. Flanked by mountains, tundra and rainforests, it’s basically inaccessible except by air or sea. Once you arrive you’ll find adventure in every corner. Go dogsledding over Mendenhall Glacier, or prospecting along centuries-old mining trails. In Juneau, the thrills are as endless as the surrounding wilderness.

As one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest, Victoria delivers a delightful blend of romantic British pomp and outdoor Canadian pursuits. Culture seekers and adventure junkies alike get their fill at the southern end of Vancouver Island. Here you can admire traditional Victorian architecture at Craigdarroch Castle and eat your way around Canada’s oldest Chinatown. Explore the vivid floral displays that earned its “Garden City” nickname, or bike the Galloping Goose Regional Trail in the “Cycling Capital of Canada”.

Seattle is a young city, but it's short history is part of the landscape and charm. Cruise to Seattle and check out the Hiram Chittenden Locks in the Ballard neighborhood — this impressive feat of engineering passed its first ship through in 1916, and today, it's one of the busiest lock systems in the U.S. Then, stroll through the nearby Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Gardens, an English-style landscape garden with over 1,500 varieties of plants. Or head to Gas Works Park, on the grounds of the former Seattle Gas Light Company: This former business is now a prime vantage point to view the Seattle skyline. And don't miss the famous Space Needle: From the top, you can take in clear views of the bay, the Cascade Mountains and Mount Rainier.

The cruise might have ended, but there are still some great activities to enjoy in the area. If you flew into this port, be mindful of your departure flight time and plan accordingly.