In the evening, your voyage departs from the vibrant port city of Vancouver.

If time permits, explore Vancouver free & easy or on a private tour before checking in for your luxury cruise. Many cities claim to have it all, but few can back it up like Vancouver; mountains, gorgeous waterfront, wildlife, art & culture, Canada's biggest Chinatown – you name it, Vancouver has it.

Spend the day cruising through a calm and wondrous part of southern Alaska. The magnificence of the 800-kilometre-long Inside Passage is well-documented, but experiencing it in the flesh is by far the better option.

As you bypass islands crowned with snow-dusted peaks and dramatic glacier ice, you may encounter a flurry of wildlife from humpback whales to harbour seals to grizzly bears to preying eagles or hear the thundering boom of ice crash-landing in the water. Everywhere you look, a picture-perfect setting awaits – but of course.

The Salmon Capital of the World, Ketchikan is part of the spectacular Inside Passage, meaning it has no lack of scenic charm and precious wildlife. This frontier city is also synonymous with indigenous heritage; Ketchikan has some of the oldest and most valuable totems in the world.

Shore excursions here range from visiting a wildlife sanctuary to experiencing a lumberjack show to seacycling or kayaking in the ocean. No matter which activities you end up doing, you can't help but agree that this is a very special slice of northern America.

One of Alaska's most unspoilt destinations, Icy Straight Point is stunningly beautiful with lush mountains, low-hanging clouds, sparkling waters, incredible wildlife – the bear population here outnumbers the humans – and Alaska's largest native Tlingit village.

Go on a wildlife appreciation tour or learn more about sustainable seafood and preservation and cooking techniques from a fisherwoman and wilderness masterchef. Or, get your adrenaline levels up with a ZipRider trip down the mountain or practice manoeuvres on Chichagof Island in an ATV expedition.

Set on the northern tip of the Inside Passage, Skagway luxuriates in a remarkably beautiful and dramatic landscape. Its streets, especially in the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park and the historic downtown area, still take you vividly back to the closing years of the 19th century.

Not only will you immerse in America's legendary gold rush with heritage-themed activities including walking historic trails and journeying on scenic railroads, but you will also be swept away by the breath-taking mountains, pine forests and tumbling waterfalls on more active excursions such as horseriding and rappelling.

Formed by the retreat of three mighty glaciers, Icy Bay is just as its name suggests – frigid, crisp and silent, save for the call of clamouring seabirds and the sounds of marine creatures frolicking in the water. The surreal beauty of what has now become a fixture on Alaskan voyages more than makes up for the penetrating cold.

Tucked into the deep shores of Prince William Sound, Valdez is possibly one of Alaska's most well-known destinations. Put simply, its trifecta of majestic mountains, agile glaciers and luxuriant rainforests stir the soul in a way that few places in the world can.

Here, you can observe one of the world's fastest moving glaciers – Colombier Glacier – renowned for its colossal ice chunks calved out onto the waters. In summer, when the salmon is spawning, sea lions and brown and black bears fishing for their next meal are a sight to behold.

 Arrive into Seward this morning. Seward, and the wonders of Kenai Fjords National Park, offer some of the most astonishing Alaskan scenery. Continuing on to discover the Kenai Peninsula after the conclusion of the cruise will be both rewarding and exhilarating.

The city of Anchorage is easily within reach from Seward, offering an incongruous contrast to the wild wonders of Alaska. Progressive and untouched at the same time, Anchorage is where you're just as likely to lose track of time chatting with a deep-sea fisherman or with a business folk in smart attire.

Room options on the Silver Whisper range from the entry-level Vista Suite (27sqm on decks 4 and 5, lowest suite decks) to the premium Owner's Suite (85sqm) on deck 7 (of 9), which comes with a living room and balcony. Pictured is the Veranda Suite (32sqm, decks 5, 6, 7 and 8).

All suite guests enjoy the services of a butler.

View Silver Whisper deck plan