We begin with a VIP Home Departure Service to London Heathrow Airport for your scheduled British Airways or another leading airline direct flight to San Francisco. On arrival, we transfer to the Holiday Inn Fisherman's Wharf, excellently located and our base for the next two nights.

This morning we have arranged a tour of this remarkably compact city, which, with its colourful mix of cultures, is known for its air of sophistication. Our tour takes in views of the magnificent span of the Golden Gate Bridge, and will include many local districts, including fashionable Nob Hill, Chinatown, Union Square and Fisherman's Wharf. This afternoon you are free to make your own explorations of the city or take one of the many excursions that are available, including a bay cruise which offers panoramic views of the city, or a trip to the infamous Alcatraz Island, where you can enjoy a fascinating close-up look at the historic federal prison. Here, visitors not only explore the remnants of the prison but also learn about the Native American occupation and early military fortifications.

This morning you are free to continue your explorations of this wonderful city. Fisherman's Wharf enjoys some fantastic seafood restaurants and Pier 39 offers an especially good selection, together with many speciality shops and entertainment. Shoppers will want to spend time at the compact and convenient Union Square, with its large department stores, including Macy's. Then, in the late evening, our coach transfers us from our hotel for the short transfer to Emeryville to board Amtrak's flagship train, the Coast Starlight. Our overnight accommodation is provided in compact two-berth cabins, with all meals included.

This morning you wake to the rhythmic sound of the train moving over the tracks. The ever-changing scenery along the Coast Starlight route is quite spectacular. We journey north into Oregon and later this morning, we experience the dramatic turns and vistas of the Cascade Mountains as we pass through Willamette Pass, providing a stunning backdrop for our journey. Lunch and dinner is served onboard, before we arrive in Seattle this evening where our coach awaits to transfer us to the centrally located Crowne Plaza hotel or similar, our base for the next two nights.

Today we have free time to explore the many attractions of Seattle. You may choose to ride to the top of the Space Needle for wonderful views of the city or visit famous Pike Place Market. You are free to choose where you dine this evening, an ideal opportunity to enjoy one of the fabulous restaurants. Overnight at our hotel.

This morning is free to do as you please, relax at the hotel or take time to visit more of the city before we transfer to the port this afternoon to embark Norwegian Pearl. Time to settle into your cabin in readiness for an afternoon sailing, and acquaint yourself with 'Freestyle Dining' that allows you to eat where, when and with whom you wish.

Our first day at sea is one to remember as we cruise the calm, sheltered waters of Alaska's Inside Passage. This 1,000 mile marine 'highway' meanders between the coastline and the many islands that dot this untamed wilderness, and is home to countless species of marine and bird life.

This afternoon, we enjoy Alaska's state capital, Juneau, which offers a wealth of historic, cultural and natural points of interest. Optional excursions include the mighty Mendenhall Glacier often combined with a whale watching cruise, where Orcas and Humpback whales are regularly seen.

Early morning arrival in Skagway, once a gateway for thousands of gold-seekers stampeding towards the goldfields of the Klondike. The town still remains rich in gold history and character with its boardwalks, pebble streets and many original buildings.

Today we experience one of the outstanding features of the cruise as we explore the spectacular Glacier Bay. You will take in many breathtaking sights as your ship cruises along the scenic channels to confront some of the awe-inspiring slow-moving glacier rivers of ice, which calve icebergs with unearthly creaks and booms. These sheltered waters are a haven for wildlife and if you are fortunate, you may see humpback whales breaching and seals lazing on floating ice.

We arrive early this morning in Ketchikan, which nestles beneath the 3,000ft Deer Mountain. Surrounded by wilderness, without highway or rail connection to the rest of the world, the only way to reach Ketchikan is by sea or air.

A final day at sea, so a chance to relax on deck and this evening, we arrive in the provincial capital of British Columbia, Victoria, noted for its very Britihs feel. There will be time to explore the attractive waterfront before a late evening sailing.

We arrive back in Seattle this morning where we disembark and join our coach for the transfer to stunning Vancouver before being transferred to the airport for our return British Airways or another leading airline direct flight to London.

Arrival at London Heathrow Airport where our staff will greet and transfer you to your VIP transport for your journey home to your front door.