We are so excited for you to be joining us on the Butler Friends & Family Alaska cruise!!

So you're going to Alaska!!! Now what??  We know Alaska can be overwhelming. From now until our departure, we are going to be sharing what we've learned over the years, and walk along side of all of you in planning YOUR perfect trip.

First things first - Documentation!
  • ​Our departure point is Vancouver, British Columbia - Passports are required!
  • We would suggest waiting no longer than January 2024 to apply for your passport. This will build in some buffer time should the state department request any additional documentation or information.
  • All passport information can be found on the State Department website.
  • Passport appointments can be conducted at your local post office. You will need to bring your passport application, photos (These can be done at locations such as Walgreens, CVS, or Walmart OR even at the post office during your passport appointment.), and any citizenship and identification documentation required.
Getting to Vancouver
We would HIGHLY suggest arriving in Vancouver the day before depature at a minimum. It would be awful to miss the ship due to day of departure travel issues.
  • The closest airport to the ships departure is Vancouver (YVR), though Seattle (SEA) is about 3.5 hours south of Vancouver.
  • If arriving the day before, Seattle can be a great option if there is a signifcant cost difference between flying directly into Vancouver or into Seattle. There is a shuttle that runs from the Seattle airport to Canada Place (cruise ship terminal). The shuttle has rates starting at less than $25 per person.  We have taken Quick Shuttle before. Amtrak Cascades route is also a possibility to transfer between Seattle and Vancouver.
Hotels in Vancouver
  • Our suggestion is staying closeby to Canada Place. But there's no real wrong answer here depending on your budget.
  • The Fairmont hotel is right by Canada Place, and the Pan Pacific is at Canada Place. These are higher end properties and can be quite expensive.  
  • We have previously stayed (and likely will stay again) at Pinnacle Harbourfront. It is a very easy half mile walk to Canada Place. 
  • Other nearby hotels include Auberge Vancouver Hotel, Days Inn Vancouver Downtown, Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown, or Exchange Hotel Vancouver.​
Things to see/do in Vancouver
  • The Gastown Steam Clock - the clock is powered by a steam engine and releases steam out of the clock at the top of each hour.
  • Flyover Canada at Canada Place which is similar to the flyover experience at located at The Island in Pigeon Forge or Soarin' at Epcot.
  • Seaplanes!  Both British Columbia and Alaska will have opportunities to do a scenic flight in a float plane. Harbour Air is a provider in Vancouver.
  • Eat Kinder Surprise Eggs!  In the US, we get stuck with Kinder Joy's. Kinder Surprise Eggs have been Kinley's favorite out of the US candy for as long as I can remember.  Do NOT carry them into the US as Kinder Surprise's are illegal here.
Where (or what) to eat in Vancouver
Full disclosure here...these are our go-tos in Canada in general.
  • The Old Spaghetti Factory  - Why? It's All Included!! Bread, Soup or Salad, Entree, Spumoni (or ice cream), and coffee (or hot tea). There are a few locations in the US, but the Canadian restaurants are our favorites!
  • Tim Hortons - It's not Canada's favorite coffee for nothing! We have it on autoship from Amazon every two weeks. Tim's serves food all day. Pastries, donuts, and Tim Bits are available all day (as is the coffee!).  They also have breakfast items in the morning and lunch or dinner items the remainder of the day.
  • Boston Pizza is a decent pizza/sports bar option if that's what you're craving.
  • POUTINE! If you've never tried it, oh my! Trust me, you aren't going wrong with fries, gravy, and delicious cheese curds! Even McDonald's in Canada has poutine.
Ah, crap, I forgot something...
Never fear! Vancouver is a big city!
  • Shopper's Drug Mart is a place we've frequented in Canada. It's like a CVS or Walgreens.
  • Rexall is another store similar to CVS or Walgreens.
  • 7 Eleven has stand alone convience stores.
  • There is even a Walmart! Though, it's not downtown.  It's about 5-6 miles from Canada Place.
General Cruise Ship Boarding Stuff!
  • Be sure to download the Medallion Class app before your trip! Your pre-check in information will all be completed via the app. Once onboard, log on to the ships intranet (free) to track your shipmates, chat with your shipmates, order food or drinks for delivery, etc.
  • After you arrive at Canada Place and complete check in, you will pass through border control to pre-clear entry into the United States.  Technically, once you board the ship in Vancouver, you are considered to be traveling domestic to Ketchikan! (This is true when flying from Canadian airports to US airports as well.)
  • At check in, Princess gives each traveler a medallion. The medallion is basically the lifeline on the ship.  It unlocks the cabin when approaching, all purchases are made via the medallion, and one can even track shipmates using the medallion.
About the Ship
  • We are sailing on the Sapphire Princess.
  • The inaugural voyage of Sapphire Princess was in May 2004. It was last refurbished in May 2018.
  • The ship has 1,100 crew and can accomodate 2,670 guests.
  • There is a pool with a retractable roof.  This was a factor in our decision to go with this ship! It's lovely to bask in the warmth Conservatory while sailing in Alaska.
  • There is an area over the navigational bridge that is accessible to passengers that provides incredible views during the cruise.
  • There is also a Skywalkers lounge that offers an indoor viewing space with large windows. Skywalkers is one of Kinley's favorite places to hang out during the day.
What about sea days?
  • Just be aware, traditionally, the sea day between Vancouver and Ketchikan will likely be the roughest day of the trip. It is not guaranteed to be rough, but 2 of our 3 trips sailing north to Alaska have been rough once out in the open Pacific. (Not anywhere close to the Drake Shake if any of you have seen the Antarctica videos from this season.) If you ask Kinley, this makes the pool the best feature!! Unfortunately this has also been known to close the pool if the "wave pool" gets too rough. Make sure to be prepared. Bring Ginger Root pills (our go-to), other sea sickness medicines, sea sickness patches, or sea sickness bands. Oh, Kinley is correct...the pool helps because you float with the ship.
  • The entertainment staff will keep the days filled with activities. There will be trivia, games in the Piazza (anything that is officers vs guests is always entertaining!), Alaska based lectures and programs (we've attended a program with a Deadliest Catch captain before), the kids clubs will be open -- ages 3-7, 8-12, 13-17, and so much more.
  • Did you know? There are stores, additional restaurants (upcharge), a spa, and a casino on board! The casino, spa, and stores will be open while at sea.
  • Be sure to download the Medallion Class app before your trip! Your pre-check in information will all be completed via the app. 
Ketchikan - Our First Port of Call
  • Ketchikan is situated at the southern entrance to the Inside Passage.
  • It was the first (and southern most) city in Alaska!
  • The average high in June is 61 degrees.
  • The city is easily walkable from the cruise ship docks.
Ketchikan - Popular Things to Do
  • Catch The Lumberjack Show
  • The Deadliest Catch Excursion - Head out into the Inside Passage on the Alleutian Ballad
  • See all the Totem Poles around town or even head up to Totem Bight State Park.
  • Wander Creek Street - just be careful reading some of the historical signs out loud around the kids as it's the old red light district.
  • See if the salmon can be seen running.
  • Take a Sea Plane tour
Juneau - Alaska's Capital
  • One cannot drive to Juneau (not without taking a ferry)!
  • In summer months, most visitors arrive via cruise ships.
  • Probably the most scenic capital city in the United States!
  • *MOST* of the cruise ship docks are in downtown Juneau making the city easily walkable from the cruise ship.
Juneau - Things to Do