July 28-August 5, 2026 Alaska Cruise with Fr. Grady

After breakfast at our hotel, we will depart for the beautiful Cathedral of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary for Mass and a private tour. From there we will do a driving tour of Vancouver on the way to the Holland America Cruise Port. Once aboard our ship the Zandaam, you will have time to settle into your rooms and explore the ship before dinner!

Today will be a day to remember as we sped the day onboard the ship cruising through the inside glacier passage! Be sure to be up on deck as much of the day as possible. There is so much to do aboard the ship, or if you prefer use this as a day of rest and relaxation as we admire the Lord’s magnificent creation in the part of the world. Mass and all meals on board today.  

Juneau. We will be picked up by a coach bus and taken to the National Shrine of St. Therese of Lisieux for Mass and some prayer time. From there we will embark out on a whale watching adventure. We will see some of God’s magnificent creatures up close! After our time on the ocean you will be dropped in the quaint town of Juneau where you can do some shopping or grab lunch on your own, or if you prefer yucca be taken directly back to the ship. Since we are in port until 10pm, you can also opt to join a salmon bake on your own this evening. More info coming on that down the road. 

Skagway. Today after Mass we will be taken on an exciting adventure – dog sledding! After exiting the ship you will meet your guide and you will board a minibus and begin your journey. As you depart Skagway, your guide will provide a lively driving tour of Skagway’s colorful past. Upon exiting town, you’ll be awed by the breathtaking natural surroundings. With stops along the way, you’ll have a chance to take in the beauty. Be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife like mountain goats, marmots, and the occasional bear. You will enjoy a 45-minute stop at an authentic mushers summer training camp. Here you will join veteran Iditarod and Yukon Quest mushers and their friendly, loyal, and well-cared-for Alaskan Huskies at their breathtaking summer mushing camp. While at the camp, you’ll experience the thrill of dog mushing as you take a 20-minute ride pulled by 14 well-trained sled dogs along a stunning mountain vista trail. Your visit will conclude with play and cuddle time with the newest athletes: the puppies. After your visit, you’ll board the minibus you’ll retrace your route back to Skagway and enjoy a photo stop or two along the way. 

Cruising Glacier Bay National Park! Today will wow you with the parks icy wilderness and grand glaciers in southeastern Alaska. Cruise ships, sailboats, kayaks and more navigate the 65-mile bay for picturesque vantage points of more than 1,000 glaciers, but they can’t draw too near to the frozen giants since chunks of ice often break off, or calve, from glaciers and thunder down into the water, creating icebergs. Glaciers of note include the park’s largest tidewater glacier, John Hopkins; the elongated 21-mile Margerie; and the rapidly receding Muir. The park also is home to an amazing world of marine life, including humpback whales, sea otters, giant Pacific octopuses and harbor porpoises. An array of species resides on land, from brown and black bears to moose, mountain goats, wolves and prickly porcupines, while the bird variety includes bald eagles, tufted puffins and trumpeter swans. Mass and all meals onboard today.  

Today is a free day in Ketchikan. With its boat-filled harbor and colorful waterfront, Ketchikan welcomes visitors to southeastern Alaska’s Inside Passage. Fishing opportunities abound in the self-proclaimed salmon capital of the world, and bear viewing spots often find the creatures munching on their catch of the day. The Totem Heritage Center displays 33 19th-century totem poles, making it the largest collection in the U.S. Expeditions to the country’s largest national forest, Tongass, explore its 16.7 million acres by Jeep, canoe or on foot, while floatplane tours provide a bird’s-eye view of Misty Fjords National Monument. Other outings explore the town’s past as a Native American settlement and gold rush hub or take to the water with kayaks or paddle boards for encounters with harbor seals and the occasional humpback or killer whale. Mass and all meals onboard today. 

Many Alaska cruise itineraries sail the waterways of the Inside Passage which we will do today. This passage stretches from Washington’s Puget Sound up through Southeast Alaska’s panhandle. As ships glide across the reliably smooth waters, passengers have plenty of opportunity to absorb the transforming terrain and abundant wildlife that Alaska has to offer. Scenic views comprise an ever-changing landscape of charming coastal towns, towering forest walls and imperious glaciers. Be sure to search the sky for bald eagles and watch the water for signs of sea lions, otters and whales. Mass and all meals onboard today.  

Today we arrive back in Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada). We will disembark the cruise ship and sadly say our goodbye after a stunning week of exploring God’s country! You are free to stay longer in Canada, or book your flight home.