Vancouver & Alaska Cruise 2026
Family trip field guide for Dennis, Valeria, Kai (1 yr old), and extended family.
Wed, July 29 — Arrival & Coal Harbour Seawall
Land at YVR, check in, decompress with Kai, and enjoy a sunset seawall stroll.
View Ranked Dinner Options & Details
- Maruhachi Ra-men (270 Robson St) — Closest & Top Pick! $$ (~$15-20/pp). 5-8 min walk. Creamy chicken paitan broth, quick service, very kid-friendly.
- Tom Sushi (1175 Davie St) — Popular & Highly Rated! $$ (~$20-30/pp). ~15-20 min walk or quick 5m rideshare. Fresh, high-quality sushi & casual rolls.
- Tap & Barrel (Convention Centre) — $$ (entrées ~$18-28). 10 min walk along seawall. Waterfront patio & kids menu.
- Browns Socialhouse (649 Cambie St) — $$ (~$16-24). 12-15 min flat walk. Casual Canadian pub food.
- Guu with Garlic (1698 Robson St) — $$ (~$15-25/pp). 20-25 min walk. Grab a cab/rideshare (~5-8m) with Kai instead of walking.
Thu, July 30 — Granville Island Day
Mini-ferry ride across False Creek, public market food stalls, and indoor play space for Kai.
View Sit-Down Dinner Backups
- The Sandbar: Upscale-casual seafood, harbour views ($$$).
- Edible Canada: Canadian bistro with patio ($$).
Fri, July 31 — Stanley Park & Family Dinner
Morning Stanley Park activities, brother joins group, and evening feast at The Fish Man in Richmond.
Compare Options A & B
Option A — 100% Walking (No Transit):
- Walk to Harbour Green Park (10-12m walk): modern playground & seasonal splash pad.
- Devonian Harbour Park (5m more): open green space.
- Lunch along Coal Harbour, followed by Gastown / Canada Place wander.
Option B — Aquarium via #19 Bus (Recommended for Toddler):
- Take #19 bus on Georgia St ($3.50) straight to Stanley Park Loop.
- Vancouver Aquarium (~2 hrs, card only!).
- Variety Kids Water Park splash pad at Lumbermen's Arch right near Aquarium.
- Bus #19 back downtown by 3:00 PM.
Sat, August 1 — Vancouver Embarkation (Cruise Day 1)
Checkout, Canada Place terminal walk, Lions Gate Bridge sail-out, and initial MDR dinner orientation.
Sun, August 2 — Scenic Cruising | Sea Day (Cruise Day 2)
Promenade strolls, Explorations Central wildlife watching, poolside family time, and Dressy Night #1 MDR dinner.
Mon, August 3 — Tracy Arm & Juneau, AK (Cruise Day 3)
Morning fjord glacier cruising, docking at 1:30 PM, Mendenhall Glacier shuttle, and 6:15 PM MDR dining.
Tue, August 4 — Skagway, AK (Cruise Day 4)
Historic town wander, Yakutania Point coastal walk, spruce tip ale at Skagway Brewing Co, and early reboard for 5 PM dinner.
Wed, August 5 — Glacier Bay National Park (Cruise Day 5)
NPS Rangers onboard, Deck 12 base camp, Margerie Glacier calving, MDR lunch, Dutch Orange dinner, and 9:30 PM Orange Party event.
Thu, August 6 — Ketchikan, AK (Cruise Day 6)
Creek Street boardwalk, Married Man's Trail, Annabelle's Chowder House, City Park creek play, 4:30 PM reboard, and Dressy Night #2 dinner.
Fri, August 7 — Scenic Cruising | Sea Day (Cruise Day 7)
Decompression day, Deck 3 walks, pool time, packing bags in cabin for Express walk-off, and final family MDR dinner.
Sat, August 8 — Express Disembarkation & YVR Airport Transit (Cruise Day 8)
7:00 AM docking in Vancouver, Express Self-Assist walk-off carrying own luggage, 26-minute direct SkyTrain to YVR, and 1:00 PM flight departure.