Japanese Jewels & Alaskan Wonders

Day 5 - Embark Queen Elizabeth in Tokyo

The wide ocean, the harbour with its special atmosphere, the hill which stands in a row of steep slopes, a Chinatown which is full of exotic moods – there are so many “postcard scenes” in Yokohama. Not surprisingly, many movies have been made here. Visit Kamakura with its temples and 35-foot-high Great Buddha. Take a bullet train to see Mount Fiji, or pack an overnight bag and set out for the ancient cities of Japan: Kyoto and Hakone.

Day 7 - Aomori

Savour the natural landscapes in Japan’s Aomori Prefecture of Honshu, the largest and most populous island of Japan. Aomori sits between the southern end of Mutsu Bay and the fine Hakk?da Mountains. At the heart of the T?hoku region, Aomori charms you with its unique blend of ultramodern architecture and sleepy fairytale castles, amid scented cherry blossoms.

Day 8 - Otaru, Japan

Otaru lies close to the city of Sapporo on Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan’s islands. Hokkaido’s scenery comprises dense forest, mountains and marshlands, dotted with mineral-rich hot springs. Hokkaido is seen as wild and rugged, where nature dominates. So it was only in the late 1800s that the population flourished. Much of Otaru’s industry at this time focused around the herring fishing industry, and the wealth it brought was reflected in its so-called ‘Herring Mansions.’ One of these still stands nearby on a hill overlooking the sea and is open to visitors. Further inland is the Former Aoyama Villa, an even more lavish house owned by the Aoyama family who made their fortune from herring fishing.

Day 15 - Kodiak, Alaska

Located in the Kodiak archipelago, Kodiak is the largest of Alaska’s islands, separated from the mainland by the Shelikof Strait. Even today, almost two thirds of the island is inaccessible by road, while of the 13,500 people who reside in Kodiak, almost half live in Kodiak City. It’s here that Kodiak connects with the world beyond its icy shores, and the disembarking point for all Cunard voyages calling at the Island. If you’ve ever wondered why this part of Alaska is known as the Emerald Isle, prepare to have your curiosity sated. Kodiak’s mountains more or less glint with the same luminous green as the stone they resemble. While the water that laps the island’s shores is positively sapphire in its blueness.

Day 16 - Seward

Nestled on an inlet in the Kenai Peninsula, against a landscape of forested mountains and sapphire sea, the Southern Alaskan city of Seward is an outdoor adventurers’ playground. Your guide to Seward. Follow one of many scenic hiking trails, try your hand at zip-lining or venture to the glacial wonderland of Kenai Fjords National Park on a visit to this stunning city. If less active pursuits appeal, downtown Seward offers ample galleries and museums to advance your appreciation of the Alaskan way of life. Admire the artful murals decorating the streets of this historic city or observe seals gracefully swimming below the water’s surface at the ever-popular Alaska Sealife Centre.

Day 17 - Hubbard Glacier

Get up close and personal with the gigantic Hubbard Glacier, North America's largest tidewater glacier. It's 1350 square miles of blue ice and one of the most active in Alaska.Witness the grace and brilliance of glacial formations and towering icebergs in action as you sail by a highlight of Alaska’s many coastal wonders. Learn the history its created and take in the view. Hubbard Glacier has dictated local geography and human endeavour over millennia. This is your chance to get close to one of Earth’s majestic giants of slow-moving ice.

Day 18 - Icy Strait Point, Alaska

Icy Strait Point is a grand idea brought to life in a brilliant hub of Alaskan action and adventure. Look out for whales in the picturesque wilderness or enjoy warm hospitality and hearty food ashore. Built around a restored 1912 salmon cannery, its shops are wholly Alaskan-owned, and it features restaurants, nature trails, a museum and even a beach. Bears outnumber humans on Chichagof Island.

Day 19 - Glacier Bay

Day 22 - Victoria, British Colombia

The capital of British Columbia, Victoria, possesses a unique blend of historic charm and contemporary charisma. It offers a wide variety of exquisite sights that draw visitors from around the world. Notable landmarks include Craigdarroch Castle and the elegant Empress Hotel, which contrast with the shops and restaurants. There’s ample opportunity for whale watching and wildlife viewing, too.

Day 23 - Vancouver, Canada

Vancouver provides some stunning scenery, such as Grouse Mountain and Capilano Suspension Bridge, just two highlights. British Columbia's marine parks feature remote fjords and vast, beautiful lakes. Vancouver is ideal for whale watching and hiking, or swimming and kayaking in the summer months. The Gulf Islands are teeming with wildlife, including dolphins, eagles and sea lions.

Day 25 - Sitka

Sitka is a hidden beauty on the east coast of Baranof Island in southeast Alaska. Towered over by snowy mountains in the distance, it has previously been known as the Indian River Park and Totem Park. Sitka’s National Historical Park is the oldest national park in Alaska, and along with the town’s warm welcome, its many natural wonders combine for a remarkable experience.

Day 26 - Skagway

Gateway to the Klondike, with highlights including White Summit Pass and the cable Yukon Suspension Bridge. The gold rush coastal town of Skagway, Alaska, was previoulsy a lawless Wild West outpost. It’s now a national historic park, so the town’s restored boardwalk, shops and streets provide the perfect setting for actors to bring the town’s colourful past to life.

Day 27 - Icy Strait Point, Alaska

Icy Strait Point is a grand idea brought to life in a brilliant hub of Alaskan action and adventure. Look out for whales in the picturesque wilderness or enjoy warm hospitality and hearty food ashore. Built around a restored 1912 salmon cannery, its shops are wholly Alaskan-owned, and it features restaurants, nature trails, a museum and even a beach. Bears outnumber humans on Chichagof Island.

Day 28 - Glacier Bay

Day 29 - Ketchikan

Tiny Ketchikan is just three miles long and three blocks wide, but here you can be sure to find Alaska’s busiest waterfront buzzing with boat planes, fishing boats, pleasure craft, and busy fishermen. Local trawlers bring delicacies like king crab, octopus, shark, prawn and rockfish to Ketchikan, known as Alaska’s First City for its location and its figurehead status for outstanding natural beauty.

Day 32 - Victoria, British Colombia

The capital of British Columbia, Victoria, possesses a unique blend of historic charm and contemporary charisma. It offers a wide variety of exquisite sights that draw visitors from around the world. Notable landmarks include Craigdarroch Castle and the elegant Empress Hotel, which contrast with the shops and restaurants. There’s ample opportunity for whale watching and wildlife viewing, too.

Day 33 - Vancouver, disembark & transfer to hotel / Enjoy Vancouver

Vancouver provides some stunning scenery, such as Grouse Mountain and Capilano Suspension Bridge, just two highlights. British Columbia's marine parks feature remote fjords and vast, beautiful lakes. Vancouver is ideal for whale watching and hiking, or swimming and kayaking in the summer months. The Gulf Islands are teeming with wildlife, including dolphins, eagles and sea lions.