FEATURED CRUISE

7-Day Inside Passage Alaska Knitting Cruise

Inside Passage Alaska Cruise w/ Ginger Luters & Marly Bird

Every year Craft Cruises offers a uniquely different Alaska cruise itinerary. This July we're offering the ever-popular Inside Passage itinerary cruising round trip from Vancouver, BC. Alaska has many seasons but summertime is the best because the days are long and warm, the glaciers are actively calving, the wildflowers are in full bloom, and the Humpback whale hunting technique of bubble-netting to ensure their prey is at its peak.

This Alaska itinerary also includes Tracy Arm, which is often touted as having the best wilderness scenery in all of Alaska. Tracy Arm is located in the heart of the Tongass National Forest and consists of two deep narrow fjords filled with active glaciers producing dark blue ice, abundant waterfalls and a wide variety of wildlife including bears, deer, wolves, harbor seals, mountain goats and numerous bird species.

Sailing round trip from Vancouver, British Columbia, you not only get to cruise Canada’s Inside Passage all the way up to Glacier Bay National Park but you get to cruise through it again on your way back down to Vancouver, doubling your scenic viewing enjoyment of an area considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world. If you are fortunate enough to witness a sunset with a Bald Eagle soaring overhead you'll be guaranteed to get teary-eyed.

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Before the Cruise

Arrive a few days early to explore Seattle or Vancouver and to visit a few Pacific Northwest yarn stores or maybe even a brewery. Enjoy a traditional Pacific Northwest salmon dinner on the waterfront, visit Seattle's Pike Place Market or Vancouver's Granville Island or, if you are starting your adventure in Seattle, take the Washington State Ferry over to Bainbridge Island to visit Churchmouse Yarns & Teas.

INSTRUCTORS

Ginger Luters & Marly Bird

Ginger Luters is a designer of knitted wearable art and is the author of the book Module Magic. Marly Bird designs for yarn companies and is co-author of Curvy Crochet. Both teach nationally, love traveling and are really looking forward to teaching on this cruise.

Classes are taught while the ship is at sea so everyone is free to explore each port, go yarn shopping and connect with local knitters along the way. With three fun-filled days at sea, Ginger and Marly have come up with a great selection of classes covering a wide range of skills.

Ginger will be teaching classes from her popular module series including Mitered Squares and Beyond, Tempting Triangles, Exploring Patchwork Quilt Patterns and Fun with Color and Geometric Patterns as well as an introduction to Tunisian Crochet. Marly will be teaching some of her favorites including Curvy Knits: How to fit your knits (focus on the upper body), Japanese Stitch Dictionaries: how to read and understand them, Entrelac Hat in the round and Twist and Turns: Cables as well as Thrummed Mittens for knitters or crocheters.

More Info - Ginger Luters

More Info - Marly Bird

HIGHLIGHTS

Scenic Cruising - The Inside Passage

The stunning Inside Passage is one of the most scenic cruising areas in the world, and one of the few where cruise ships can sail so close to steep mountains. The scenery can only be described as unbelievable, with forests in ever-changing shades of green, active glaciers, and quaint seaside towns loaded with history, culture and adventure. With most of Southeast Alaska accessible only by air or water, the Inside Passage brims with activity.

Tracy Arm

Tracy Arm consists of two steep and narrow fjords near Juneau that is often overlooked by many cruise lines although it is the most scenic cruising area in Alaska. Unlike Glacier Bay National Park, Tracy Arm has steep cliffs, waterfalls, and multi-colored floating ice that are not to be missed on any Alaska cruise.

Juneau

Surrounded by beautiful mountain peaks along the scenic Gastineau Channel, Juneau is home to the Mendenhall Glacier and the Juneau Icefields. Juneau is most known for wilderness activities in the Tongass National Forest as well as shopping along the waterfront, kayaking, dog sledding, rafting, hiking, whale watching, flight-seeing and fishing. On clear days, taking the Mt. Roberts Tramway is an excellent option for incredible views of the channel, hiking and photography of the surrounding area and totem art carved into the trees.

Seaside Yarns

Seaside Yarns caters to local fiber enthusiasts as well as cruising knitters. Seaside Yarns is conveniently located downtown on the waterfront, just steps away from where cruise ships dock. This shop has yarn available with every budget in mind including locally dyed yarns, fiber for spinning and authentic Alaskan Qiviut.

Skagway

Skagway is one of Alaska's most popular ports of call. It was put on the map by gold-rushers back in the late 1800's. This town has an old-time feeling with its gold-rush era fronted buildings and wooden sidewalks. The White Pass & Yukon Railroad offers scenic train excursions on a narrow gauge railroad linking Skagway with Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon.

Glacier Bay National Park

Glacier Bay National Park has a diverse and unique ecosystem with mountains, rivers, lakes, fjords and glaciers. Here you can see abundant marine wildlife, eagles, calving glaciers and maybe even a grizzly bear with her cubs fishing along the shoreline.

Ketchikan

Ketchikan is Alaska's first city and is the salmon capital of the world. This quaint town is beautiful and rustic and is sure to please all of your senses with its majestic mountains, carved wooden totem poles, museums, and local shops. The locally-owned restaurants here are sure to please the palette and you can eat freshly steamed Alaskan King Crab right on the waterfront.

The Point Art Cafe

Cheri and Terry Pyles have done a fantastic job creating one of the best yarn shops in Alaska. The Point Art Cafe, on the Ketchikan waterfront, is an art gallery, cafe, bead (including native jade) and yarn store. This is Ketchikan's only Waterfront Art Cafe, serving lunches of homemade soups, breads, sandwiches, quiches, cookies and other gastronomical delights.

The Point is a destination in itself and is well worth a visit. With an extensive yarn selection, knitters will love visiting this shop. Not only do you have one of the best views in Ketchikan but you'll get to meet some really friendly locals. Free shuttle service is offered from the ship to this shop.

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE

ms Zuiderdam

Holland America Line is a leader when it comes to cruising Alaska. The ms Zuiderdam began her inaugural season in 2002 as the first ship in the Vista-class series. As with all ships in the Vista-class, the ms Zuiderdam embraces the latest industry and environmental technologies. Forward-looking in both design and spirit, the ms Zuiderdam was also the first ship to offer data ports in every stateroom for Internet and email access.

At the heart of the ms Zuiderdam, suspended in a three-story atrium, a Waterford Crystal Seahorse sets the mood for exquisite pieces of art to be seen throughout this elegant ship. On board, marvelous nooks and crannies contain priceless works of art. Guests will find a recurring Venetian theme throughout the ship; the most dazzling feature figures in the time of Carnival in Venice, created by Daniel Ogier. Guests can also expect signature Holland America touches, such as a gracious and unobtrusive staff, gourmet meals, spacious accommodations and the very best in entertainment and activities.

Holland America also has an extensive selection of private tours for every interest and fitness level, as well as an enriching Alaska program with their onboard naturalist and port lecturers. HAL has been cruising this region longer than Alaska has been a state! Come explore with Holland America Lines.