Many of Alaska’s impressive eco-sites are only reachable by sea and sailing aboard the elegant Seven Seas Mariner^® is the best way to go. The majesty of Hubbard Glacier is among the many stunning sights to be witnessed while cruising the Inside Passage and the Gulf of Alaska. Travelers can take it all in from the panoramic views on the outer deck, enjoy their favorite drink in the Observation Lounge or relax in the privacy of their own balcony while marveling at the blue ice “calving” from a glacier or a humpback whale breeching nearby.

The open-air Pool Grill is the perfect place for a relaxed, al fresco, epicurean lunch or dinner on board, while the multiple specialty restaurants invite you to enjoy a litany of flavors from around the world, prepared by the ship’s masterful chefs. And, whether enjoying the vigilant care of the wait staff, the hospitality of the room attendants and butlers or gaining local guidance from the concierge, the service of Regent Seven Seas Cruises^® is the perfect pairing for experiencing an unforgettable journey.

Onboard enrichment includes a variety of lectures and learnings about the history, culture and geography of America’s “Last Frontier” and is the perfect way to warm up for some of the incredible shoreside experiences that await. Today’s visitors can experience a taste of the Klondike Gold Rush via excursions on the original Chilkoot Trail, a Talya River rafting adventure and milder options like touring Skagway’s Gold-Rush-era buildings, quirky museums, saloons and shops. At Icy Strait Point, a nature tram travels through the forest to a rustic theater where native Alaskans of Tlingit heritage perform tribal dances.

Built in 1898, the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway is a Gold-Rush era engineering marvel. Trains still travel the original route on scenic tours from Skagway to the White Pass summit in British Columbia. Riding the train offers incredible views of still-rugged, pristine scenery and a Trail of ’98 marker. Luxury travelers also can add Pre- or Post-Cruise Land Programs which feature train rides to Alaska’s Denali National Park & Preserve or passage through the Canadian Rockies in a glass-domed Rocky Mountaineer railway car.

At Icy Strait Point, travelers can get professional instruction from an Alaskan culinary expert. They’ll learn how to grill wild salmon and halibut over an aromatic alder wood fire and glean tips for fileting, pickling and spicing. Alternatively, a flightseeing tour from Ketchikan can transport cruisers to George Inlet Lodge for a savory Dungeness crab lunch, while a “Flavors of Juneau” excursion combines sightseeing, Alaska beer tasting and a cooking demonstration by Chez Alaska Cooking School’s head chef.

Cruisers can experience a taste of what makes the true story of Balto, the Siberian Husky and lead sled dog who heroically delivered life-saving medication to Nome, Alaska, during the winter of 1925, so epic. Taking off from Juneau, travelers can soar over mountain peaks via helicopter en route to Mendenhall Glacier. There, the “mushers” and sled dogs will swiftly carry them across the ice for a once-in-lifetime experience.

While the views from Seven Seas Mariner^® are truly magnificent, taking to the skies informs an entirely new perspective of the wondrous beauty of Alaska. Guests can discover the scope and magnitude of how glaciers have shaped and formed the landscape as you take a seaplane to the epic Juneau Icefield and witness five different glaciers on this incredible tour. While cresting peaks and forests to and from Mendenhall Glacier via helicopter, travelers can catch glimpses of mountain goats and bears preparing for the winter ahead.

Any cruise to Alaska isn’t complete without experiencing the beauty and grace of the world’s largest mammals. Regent offers the gamut of tours when it comes to whale watching, from the extravagant to the adventurous. Guests can set out aboard the only whale watching yacht in Alaska for a truly luxurious encounter or rip across the waves on exhilarating, open-air AR1 to come within feet of these magnificent animals—sometimes being so close as to feel the blow as they prepare for another dive.

Wildlife can be glimpsed throughout a trip to this incredible locale, but guests shouldn’t shy away from the many excursions that ensure they’ll capture some unforgettable encounters with the iconic animals that rule in wild Alaska. While bald eagles are abundant throughout the state, often soaring the skies or perched in a tree above, the Alaska Raptor Center brings these and other majestic birds within arm’s reach. At the Fortress of the Bear, travelers can safely observe these impressive beasts and learn about the vital role they play in Alaska’s ecosystem.

You never want to be distracted from the incredible views and opportunities that are all around you in Alaska. This is why Regent Seven Seas Cruises^® includes every luxury, from FREE Unlimited Shore Excursions and Prepaid Gratuities to Unlimited WiFi and FREE Specialty Restaurants, Fine Wines and Spirits. And, if guests have been there before, the incredible Concierge and Destinations Services teams are eager to help them discover the perfect new adventure.