Vancouver to Honolulu

By far the largest port on Regatta’s Alaska cruises, Vancouver offers every imaginable big-city attraction. Explore the Museum of Anthropology and the Vancouver Art Museum for culture. History flourishes in the Gastown district, which borders vibrant Chinatown. Or enjoy a break from the bustle in Stanley Park, one of North America’s largest urban parks.

Totem poles are one of Ketchikan’s chief attractions, and the best places to view them are Saxman Village and Totem Bight State Park. Drop by the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center to learn about the local cultures and ecosystems.

For a state capital, Juneau maintains a surprising small-town charm, in part because it can only be reached by sea or air due to the surrounding wilderness. Collections from the indigenous people are displayed in the Alaska State Museum. Visit Mendenhall Glacier for outdoor adventure.

With a population of only about 200, the small and quirky hamlet of Whittier is the gateway to beautiful Prince William Sound as well as Anchorage, which is only 60 miles away. Established as a secret military outpost during World War II, Whittier now attracts visitors for its unspoiled glaciers and wilderness. Glacier cruises along Prince William Sound make for a memorable afternoon – think sheer fjords, seaside mountains and calving tidal glaciers. A picturesque train journey to Anchorage along the Alaska Railroad is another fantastic diversion; you’ll enjoy awe-inspiring views of Turnagain Arm Fjord and Portage Valley. Chugach State Park is also nearby and excellent kayaking and hiking opportunities abound.

Called “Shee Atika” by the Tlingit Indians, then “New Archangel” by the Russians who ousted them, Sitka boasts a multicultural heritage. Two dozen of its attractions are on the National Register of Historic Places, including Castle Hill and Building 29, a structure built by the Russians in 1835. The Sheldon Jackson Museum exhibits one of Alaska’s oldest native culture collections.

Located on the lush windward side of Hawaii’s Big Island, Hilo is the starting point to explore the eastern part of this lovely isle. Drive the 11-mile rim of Kilauea volcano and marvel at the dramatic lava formations of Volcanoes National Park. At the majestic Akaka Falls, water cascades more than 400 feet into a pool below, and the splendid Liliuokalani Gardens are authentic Japanese gardens created in the early 1900s.

Kailua-Kona is a town on the west coast of Hawaii Island (the Big Island). Hulihee Palace is a former royal vacation home dating from 1838. Mokuaikaua Church, from the 1800s, is Hawaii’s oldest Christian church. On Kailua Bay, reconstructed thatched houses at Kamakahonu National Historic Landmark mark King Kamehameha I’s residence. Colorful coral lies off Kamakahonu Beach. Kailua Pier has boat moorings.

Delight in the breathtaking sight of whales breeching just yards away from your excursion boat; meander through the tropical gardens of Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, play a round of golf, explore Haleakala’s crater on horseback or find paradise on a secluded beach.

Delight in the breathtaking sight of whales breeching just yards away from your excursion boat; meander through the tropical gardens of Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, play a round of golf, explore Haleakala’s crater on horseback or find paradise on a secluded beach.

Enjoy the sun-drenched beaches surrounding this active city, climb Diamond Head or visit the Iolani Palace, the only royal palace on U.S. soil. Pay your respects at the USS Arizona Memorial or take a surfing lesson on Waikiki Beach.