7 Night Cruise sailing from Seattle roundtrip aboard American Spirit.

Travel to where the Cascade and Olympic Mountains meet the sea, forming the stunning Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands archipelago. Cruise the clear blue waters to picturesque historic seaside towns such as La Conner where you can partake in a traditional smoked salmon tasting. As you journey through the San Juan Islands you will witness abundant wildlife including whales, eagles and seals. Enjoy the scenic beauty of the region on our customized shore excursions to Butchart Gardens with its flower-adorned archways and Olympic National Park where you’ll witness breathtaking vistas. Learn about the cultural influences of both the Norwegians and the Suquamish tribe from the American Cruise Line onboard historians and local expert guides. On your private balcony, you can sip fine wines from local vineyards, while keeping an eye out for “Spirit,” the Orca whale we adopted last year.

Day 1 Seattle, WA
Arrive early in Seattle and spend the day exploring local attractions like the Space Needle and Pike Place Market. In the afternoon your cruise on Puget Sound begins as we set out across the clear blue water. The week will be filled with opportunities for whale watching, but this is a great time to get your first few sightings.

Day 2 Anacortes, WA
Anacortes is home to Deception Pass, one of the most photographed places in the Northwest. See the pass from the water, or explore on easy walking trails along the shoreline. Leave some time to explore the town, just a few steps from our dock. After dinner, the Fidalgo Swing Band will join us for an evening of swing in the main lounge.

Day 3 Cruising the San Juan Islands
Your cruise is as much about the journey as it is about each place we visit. Today is a day to revel in the scenery as we make our way through the San Juan Islands. As we travel whales, eagles, and seals will be set to the backdrop of the Olympic and Cascade Mountains. Our onboard expert will point out wildlife as we cruise or you can just sit back and enjoy the sun on the top deck.

Day 4 Friday Harbor, WA
Friday Harbor is a beautiful, walkable seaport with small shops and turn of-the-century buildings. Experience island life as it was over a century ago by visiting the San Juan Historical Museum or the Whale Museum. At the whale museum you can learn about Spirit, the Orca whale American Cruise Lines adopted during our first season on Puget Sound.

Day 5 Victoria, BC / Port Angeles, WA
The only Canadian town on our cruise is Victoria. It’s a wonderful place to spend a day on a guided tour through the magnificent Buchart gardens and lively waterfront. The tour begins from our berth in Port Angeles, a town with its own host of options, including a tour to Hurricane Ridge with vast views over the Strait of Juan de Fuca and deep into the heart of the mountainous wilderness of Olympic National Forest.

Day 6 Port Townsend, WA
Port Townsend is a charming town with a fascinating past. Beautifully restored Victorian architecture is now home to small museums, galleries, and shops. In the evening, members of the Port Angeles Symphony Orchestra will be aboard for a night of dramatic classical music.

Day 7 Poulsbo, WA
Originally a logging camp settled by Norwegians who likened the landscape to the fjords of their homeland, Poulsbo retains a Scandinavian influence. It is a great place to visit for the history, scenery, and lively downtown just steps from the harbor. A distinct Native American influence is present in nearby Suquamish, located on the Port Madison Indian Reservation, where there is a wonderful museum dedicated to the history and culture of the Suquamish Tribe.

Day 8 Seattle, WA
Welcome back to Seattle. Relax on the sundeck as the skyline of the city draws nearer.