Puget Sound & San Juan ISLANDS CRUISE

ITINERARY

Day 1            Burlington, VT to Seattle, WA

Join Champlain Tours at the Burlington, Vermont airport (ask about departing from other locations).  Stay the night before your cruise at the Crowne Plaza Seattle Downtown to receive concierge luggage service and enjoy a narrated city excursion of Seattle visiting highlights such as Pike Place Market, and Elliott Bay. 

Day  2           Seattle, WA

After breakfast, begin your first full day with an excursion of Seattle that brings with all the city’s highlights.  Stop at the original Starbucks in Pike Place Market (watch out for flying fish!) and explore the iconic Space Needle, a 1962 World’s Fair legacy. The tour concludes at the ship for the perfect start to your cruise. All luggage will be brought directly from the hotel and placed in your stateroom aboard the ship.  Relax on the ship as you begin your journey from this lively city to the majestic waters of Puget Sound.

Day  3           Anacortes, WA

Anacortes is a picturesque waterfront town located on Fidalgo Island in Northwest Washington.  This vibrant coastal community is home to one of the world’s largest whale watching fleets, as well as Deception Pass, one the most photographed places in the Northwest.

More than 50 miles of trails run through Anacortes and Fidalgo Island, where you can enjoy views of Mount Erie, four fresh-water lakes, old growth forest, and a variety of wildlife, including bald eagles.  Explore the downtown, just a few steps from the dock, and peruse its sophisticated boutiques, art galleries, and antique shops.

Included and optional excursions range from a hiking adventure, jet boat adventure, shuttle tour, or the Skagit County Museum & SeaBear Smokehouse Tasting.

Day  4           Cruising the San Juan Islands

Your cruise is as much about the journey as it is about each destination. Today is a day to revel in the scenery. As you make your way through the San Juan Islands, whales, eagles, and seals adorn the backdrop of the Olympic and Cascade Mountains. Listen to the onboard expert describe the native wildlife or simply sit back and enjoy the sun on the top deck.

Day  5      Friday Harbor, WA

Friday Harbor is a charming town with rich history and an abundance of character.  Small enough to walk from one end to the other, this secluded coastal fishing village is adorned with historic storefronts, picturesque-turn-of-the-century houses, and Coast Salish native carvings.

Explore Friday Harbor’s diverse topography, from pebbly beaches to magnificent mountains and lush valleys.  Stroll through the historic district and witness the local population of whales from the Port of Friday Harbor.  At the Wale Museum, learn about Spirit, the orca whale American Cruise Lines adopted during their first season on the Puget Sound.

Included and optional excursions range from the Friday Harbor Jolly Trolly, Whale watching cruise, kayaking experience, The Whale Museum, and the San Juan Island Adventure.

Day  6           Victoria, BC / Port Angles, WA

The only Canadian town on your cruise, Victoria is a wonderful place to spend a day on a guided tour through the magnificent Butchart Gardens and lively waterfront.  Start the tour from the berth in Port Angeles, continuing to Hurricane Ridge with vast views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the mountainous wilderness of Olympic National Forest.

Included and optional excursions range from the Butchart Gardens & Victoria City experience, Olympic National Park & Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent Lodge at Olympic National Park, and Port Angeles Heritage Walking Exploration.

Day  7           Port Townsend, WA

Bordered by Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Port Townsend is a historic Victorian seaport with a rich maritime heritage, artistic spirit, and a touch of urban chic.  Explore its ornate Victorian era homes, small museums, and unique art galleries as you view the spectacular snow-capped Olympic Mountains.

Included and optional excursions range from Fort Worden Historical State Park, Historic Port Townsend Walking Exploration, Finnriver Cidery Tour & Tasting, and High Tea Experience.

Day  8           Poulsbo, WA

Poulbo is a great place to visit for its history, scenery, and lively downtown.  Originally a logging camp settled by Norwegians, who likened the landscape to the fjords of their homeland, Poulbo retains a Scandinavian influence.  A distinct Native American influence is present in nearby Suquamish, located on the Port Madison Indian Reservation, where a museum is dedicated to the history and culture of this native tribe.

The night before arriving in Poulsbo, an onboard historian will share with you the history of local Suquamish tribe. The following day, visit the new Suquamish Museum, which brings together a variety of artifacts and photographs from Suquamish people, many of which have never been exhibited before. A highlight of the museum is a uniquely designed cedar timeline depicting the tribe’s history from the beginning of the last Ice Age to current times.

Day  9           Seattle, WA / Burlington, VT

Relax on the sun deck as the famous skyline of the city draws near.  Champlain Tours will assist you back to the airport for the flight back home.  Not ready to leave?  Ask us about extending your stay!