Alaska Experience Cruise 7 Nights • Seattle, Washington • Quantum 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 pm, 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.

Sitka truly offers the best of Alaska. Its small-town appeal stems from a unique blend of Russian, Tlingit and American history. Volcanic Mount Edgecumbe is postcard-worthy and its rare wildlife includes orange-beaked puffins. Whether you’re hiking Baranof Island trails or listening to tribal stories passed down for generations, in Sitka the midnight sun never sets on adventure.

Once the starting point for gold stampeders heading for the promised land of the Yukon, Skagway symbolizes the spirit of Alaska. And now — it’s your turn to hunt for bold. Embark on the trail of the fortune seekers on a vintage train ride with dramatic, sweeping views at every turn. Trek through the dense rainforest and windswept valleys of Chilkoot Trail and follow in the footsteps of Klondike pioneers. Or stroll the charming downtown streets studded with historical buildings. Whatever you get up to in Skagway, it’ll be a day you’ll never forget.

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.