£1499pp—Alaska cruise with Chicago stay, save £566

This package includes a stopover in Chicago on the way to the West Coast. This gives you a good excuse to visit America's Second City before cruising the dramatic landscapes of Alaska. We tried putting every part of this package together separately: our deal saves £399–£566.

What's included

• Direct flights from London, with 23kg checked baggage
• Two nights at the Central Loop Hotel in Chicago, in a Standard Double Room
• A SKYDECK general admission tour in Chicago
• A connecting flight from Chicago to Seattle
• One night at Mayflower Park Hotel in Seattle, in a Standard Double Room
• A 7-night Alaska cruise on Nowegian Bliss, in an Inside Stateroom
• Full-board on the cruise, covering daily meals

When
Fly from London on 5 May, 2027.

Depart on 2 June, 2027, from £1849 per person, or on 15 September, 2027, from £1749 per person.

Fly from Edinburgh or Manchester from £150 per person.

For more information, see our partner's website.

Itinerary
First, you'll stop over for two nights in Chicago. Tickets to the SkyDeck are included. This panoramic viewing platform is on the 103rd floor of the Sears Tower—once the world's tallest building.

Next, fly to Seattle. Stay a night in a hotel before boarding Norwegian Bliss for a round-trip cruise. Highlights include:

• Juneau... fly 1800 feet above sea level on the Mount Roberts Tramway, which starts right outside the cruise terminal. Or, take a shuttle to Mendenhall Glacier, famous for its dazzling blue ice.
• Skagway... explore a historic district of around 100 buildings from the Gold Rush era. You could also take a 15-minute ride to Dredge Town, where you can relive the gold fever of the 1890s.
• Glacier Bay... a maximum of two ships a day can enter Glacier Bay. The national park covers 3.3 million acres. As the mists part in the morning, you'll have stunning 360-degree views. Keep an eye out for wildlife, too. In May, whales migrate and songbirds return.
• Ketchikan... this is Alaska's First City. Tread its historic boardwalks and learn all about the Gold Rush. You could also choose an optional excursion to the Misty Fjords National Monument.
• Victoria... your final port is a leisurely day on Vancouver Island. Fisherman's Wharf is full of colourful shops and restaurants. Downtown is a step back in time, full of horse-drawn carriages and grand hotels.

Ship details
Norwegian Bliss carries around 4000 passengers. Cruise Critic says it has "a refined feel you don't normally expect to find on such a megaship". It has plenty of fun activities, like go-karts, waterslides, and laser-tag. But it still feels "sophisticated", with "excellent" service and "top-notch" food.

For no extra charge, you can dine at three sit-down dining rooms, a casual buffet (with some outdoor seating), and a 24/7 pub-style restaurant. For an extra fee, dine at Texas Smokehouse Q, Teppanyaki, Cagney's Steakhouse, and more. There's lots to do in the day, from games, trivia, and language lessons to a 90-minute escape room experience. At night, watch big shows in the main theatre, head to the comedy club, or enjoy live music around the ship. 

Other options

• Add a Free At Sea package, including drinks, speciality dining credit, excursion credit, and Wi-Fi, from an extra £249 per person
• Replace your flight from Chicago to Seattle with a 2-night Empire Builder train journey through the Rockies, in a Roomette with meals, from an extra £575 per person
• Add a 2-night stay at the Auberge Hotel Vancouver, with a bus transfer from Seattle to Vancouver, from £349 per person
• Solo travellers book the same trip from £2199

Transfers & baggage
Transfers aren't included between airports and hotels. We recommend booking local taxis. 23kg checked baggage is included.