£1499pp—Cruise Alaska and stay in Chicago

Stop over for two nights in Chicago before flying west to cruise the Alaskan wilderness. You'll sail around Glacier Bay National Park—only two ships are allowed there each day. Save between £446 and £542 on putting everything together separately.

This offer is £1480 per person. You'll pay an extra $24 per person resort fee on arrival in Chicago (£18.14), bringing the total to £1498.14 per person.

What's included

• Return flights, including a connecting flight from Chicago to Seattle, with checked baggage
• Two nights at the Millennium Hotel Knickerbocker Chicago
• A Skydeck General Admission ticket
• One night at the Paramount Downtown Seattle
• A 7-night full-board cruise on Norwegian Bliss, in an Inside Stateroom

When
Fly from London Heathrow on 5 May, 2027.

Depart on 16 September, 2026, from £1599 per person; depart on 2 June, 2027, from £1799 per person.

Depart from Edinburgh or Manchester from an extra £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. You could also squeeze in a boat tour or catch a blues show.

Next, fly to Seattle and stay in a hotel before boarding Norwegian Bliss. Highlights of the week-long round-trip cruise 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... finish up with 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

• Solo travellers can book the same holiday from £2099
• Add a Free at Sea package from £249 per person. This includes premium drinks, speciality dining, Wi-Fi, and excursion credits
• Swap your flight from Chicago to Seattle with a 2-night Empire Builder train journey, in a first class carriage with meals, from an extra £545 per person
• Add two nights at the Auberge Vancouver Hotel from £299 per person, including a transfer from Seattle by Greyhound bus

Transfers & baggage
Transfers aren't included. We recommend booking local taxis. Checked baggage is included.