10-night Alaska cruise from San Francisco, California on Ruby Princess
The Inside Passage (with Glacier Bay National Park) is a 10-night Alaska cruise aboard Ruby Princess, operated by Princess Cruises. Departing San Francisco, California on May 31, 2027, the voyage visits 5 ports including Sitka, Juneau, Glacier Bay National Park. Fares start from $1,074 per person.
Fixed editorial images from the places on this itinerary. They stay stable each time you return to this sailing.
San Francisco, California
And if your MSC World Cruise could take you to one of the most fascinating cities in the United States? Making your dream into reality is San Francisco, the next stop on your vacation.
In addition to its many tourist attractions, its fame is linked to the high cultural and architectural value it offers, making it the most European of any overseas city. San Francisco is also unique for its particular geographical location, which sees it stand out against green hills while at the same time spreading out directly into the sea, an enchanted view from which you can observe landscapes full of colors and harmony.
As soon as you disembark, you will start on one of the signature excursions of MSC. You can admire the symbol of San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge, the infamous red bridge linking the city to the county of Marin. The structure is one of the wonders of the world, the boldest of its kind ever created by American architecture: its 2700-meter length is supported by two gigantic pylons made to withstand the strong winds and raging currents of the bay. One of the best ways
to see this bridge is to cross it on your way to Sausalito, a charming seaside resort also known as the Portofino of America, another stop on your unforgettable trip to this area. Sausalito has a different climate than San Francisco, with beautiful sunshine and weather that is a few degrees warmer creating a pleasant atmosphere, perfect for a trip out of town with a view of the San Francisco skyline and the island of Alcatraz.
With MSC Cruises, your vacation becomes an adventure, thanks to a visit to the legendary site of the former maximum security prison. Its name, Alcatraz (which is Spanish for "pelican"), comes from the many pelicans on the spot. It is an attraction that takes you back in time and will introduce you to a piece of San Francisco's history.
Sitka
Sitka began as a major Tlingit Indian village and was called “Shee Atika,” which translates roughly as “settlement on the outside of Shee.” “Shee” is the Tlingit name of Baranof Island.
In 1799, Alexander Baranof, the general manager of the Russian American Company, decided to move his base of operations from Kodiak and set up camp at what is now called Old Sitka, 7.5 miles north of the present-day town. He called the settlement St. Archangel Michael. The Tlingit Indians of the area resisted the occupation and, in 1802, with Baranof away, burned the fort and massacred the Russian settlers. Two years later, Baranof returned and besieged the Indian fort. The Tlingits withdrew and the area was once again in Russian hands. This time, the Russians built the new city on a different site and called it New Archangel.
For over six decades, New Archangel was the capital of the Russian empire in Alaska. By 1867, the Alaska colony had become too much of a financial burden to Russia. William Seward, U.S. Secretary of State, negotiated with the Russian Czar to purchase the Territory of Alaska for $7.2 million. The American press scoffed at Seward and the U.S. government for purchasing what they called “Seward's Folly,” “Seward's Icebox,” and “Walrussia.”
On October 18, 1867, the Russian flag was lowered at New Archangel and the Stars and Stripes were raised over newly renamed Sitka. The name comes from the Tlingit word “Sheetkah,” which means “in this place.” All Russian citizens living in the former colony were given the opportunity to become American citizens. Many went home, although a few stayed or migrated to California.
Sitka remained the capital of the Territory of Alaska from 1867 to 1906, when it was moved to Juneau. The move was a direct result of the gold rush. In plain terms, Sitka did not have any and Juneau did.
After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Sitka became a full-scale naval base. At one time during the war, Sitka had a total population of 37,000. With the end of World War II, however, the city settled into a quieter existence. The biggest boom in modern days for Sitka came in 1959 when the Alaska Lumber and Pulp Company built a pulp mill at Silver Bay, near the city.
Today, picturesque Sitka is known for its fishing and of course its many historic attractions.
Juneau
Extraordinary adventures amid nature's wildest staging await at Juneau. The majestic Mendenhall Glacier sprawls down from Juneau Icefield, which provides an icy cap to the area's rip-roaring scenery. State capitals simply don't get more dramatic than this isolated, remote city lost amid the Alaskan wilds. Even the roads eventually peter out, absorbed by forests and viewpoints, firmly underlining the isolated location, hidden behind an impenetrable wall of rigid mountains. Rise up to Mount Roberts Tramway's viewpoint, to see the city swallowed by this most colossal backdrop. View less
This is glacier country, and no fewer than 38 ice flows branch off from the main Juneau Icefield, slowly carving out valleys in their wakes. Taku Glacier cuts deep into the mountain, forming a colossal sculpture that is one of the world's thickest - almost a mile deep. Mendenhall Glacier cascades down, just 12 miles away from downtown, terminating in its own lake and visitor centre. With 1,500 square miles of ice field to explore, one of the best ways to take in the magnitude and majesty of this epic ice sculpture is to hold on tight on as the propeller whirs, and you soar into the skies on an exhilarating sightseeing flight. Cruising up above the icy world that fills in these serrated mountain peaks is a once in a lifetime experience. The animals that inhabit the Southeast Alaskan wilds are just as inspiring as the landscapes – families of bears patrol the riverbanks, bald eagles survey the surroundings watchfully, and Pacific humpbacks migrate from Hawaii's waters to feast on the krill rich, icy waters. Fish for huge catches, power across the ice in a snow-sledge, or kayak just below glaciers. However you choose to immerse yourself in it, Juneau's incredible outdoor adventures never disappoint.
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Fresh from a multi-million dollar renovation, Ruby Princess is a luminous jewel on the seas and a romantic destination in itself. She offers nearly 900 balconies from which to view the world, an array of entertainment options including Movies Under the Stars, now with the industry's best 7.1 surround sound for an immersive audio experience, and sumptuous dining options from Crown Grill to exciting new top deck dining venues including Slice Pizzeria and Coffee & Cones.
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