Fly to Chicago for a wonderful city break experience which rivals that of Manhattan. Shop on the Magnificent Mile, take a riverboat tour, go to the beach, admire soaring architecture and soak up the history, cuisine and music scene. Enjoy the comfort and and scenery on a two night sleeper train across the Rockies to San Francisco; get rocked to sleep as the train clatters down the track and the horn sounds in the distance. Roam the streets of San Francisco in search of the familiar places made famous by TV and film. Get banged up in Alcatraz, sample the clam chowder of Fisherman's Wharf, relax in the Japanese tea garden of Golden Gate Park, have a swim in the Pacific Ocean and admire the views of the Golden Gate Bridge. This wonderful summer holiday starts in the City by the Bay followed by a longer Alaskan cruise full of breath-taking scenery and breathless wildlife encounters. Pan for gold in the Klondike, visit the totem pole village, view majestic glaciers calving off into the sea and watch out for whales breaking the surface of the ocean.
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Setting the standard in affordable luxury - this family owned hotel is located at Union Square – shopping central in San Francisco. The Handlery Union Square Hotel offers personal service, comfortable rooms, and a warm atmosphere. It is ideally located near main San Francisco attractions, including the world famous cable car right at the corner.
Full Board | Sleeper Roomette
California Zephyr
Experienced travellers say the California Zephyr is one of the most beautiful train trips in all of North America. Between the great cities of the west and Chicago lie narrow canyons, towering peaks and breathtakingly beautiful mountain wilderness areas as you cross two great mountain ranges, the Sierra Nevadas and the Rockies. Blowing away the alternatives is what Zephyrus, ancient Greek god of the west wind, and his namesake, the California Zephyr, do best. So sit back and be “blown away” by the otherwise unattainable views of the spectacular scenery along the route.
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Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel Chicago is the epitome of classic Chicago style, located near Magnificent Mile in downtown Chicago which is a famous stretch that is home to over 400 retailers and high-end shops. Established in 1927, this historic hotel in Chicago has had many identities, including a Penthouse casino and speakeasy once run by the Capone family. You will find markers of this iconic history all around the hotel as the old world meets the new.
This hotel has the enviable position of being right around the corner from The Magnificent Mile and many other iconic Chicago attractions. You can start your trip by getting a unique over of the city with a trip to 360 Chicago observation deck, which is only three minutes away from the hotel. And if you just cannot get enough of the sights, there is more to see at the Museum of Contemporary Art, which hosts exhibitions year-round. For a slice of coastal calm in the middle of Chicago, you can make your way to Oak Street Beach - just six minutes from the hotel. Finally, to see one of the most iconic sites in Chicago like Cloud Gate or The Bean as its commonly known you can walk for 30 minutes straight down Magnificent Mile to Millennium Park.
Princess Cruises
The 113,000 tonne Ruby Princess was launched in 2008 and offers a rejuvenating retreat at sea over 19 decks in elegant surroundings. The central Piazza area is the social hub of the ship where street style entertainers provide amusement while you are enjoying the delights of the International café or the Vines wine & seafood bar. This ship particularly stands out from other cruise lines as there are four completely separate freshwater swimming pool areas: The Terrace pool is situated at the back of the ship for panoramic sunbathing, Neptune’s Reef & Pool has Movies Under the Stars, while the Lotus Spa pool is for adult’s only and adjacent to the Sanctuary where a small daily charge is payable for pampered & guaranteed sunbathing space.
Stateroom accommodation
All Ruby Princess staterooms have private en-suite facilities, air conditioning, colour cable TVs with Free in room movies, vanity area, hair dryer, telephone, safe, refrigerator with mini bar and free room service. Free guest self-service launderettes are also available.
Dining options
There are three main dining rooms on board - two of which feature the flexible anytime dining option. There are two self-service buffet restaurants: Horizon Court and Cafe Caribe which are open almost 24 hours per day; in addition there are also a number of other dining venues such as the two speciality restaurants: Sabatini’s (Italian) and The Crown Grill, International cafe, Vines Wine & Seafood Bar, a poolside pizzeria and a hamburger grill.
Daytime and evening entertainment
There are four separate freshwater swimming pool areas, four whirlpools and a separate kids splash pool. nine-hole mini golf course, library, wrap around promenade deck, Lotus Spa & Fitness centre, internet cafe and a range of kid’s clubs. In the evening choose from a wide variety of bars, lounges, the Princess Theatre, the Grand Casino and Sky Walkers Nightclub.
Fly from the UK to Chicago, USA
Fly to Chicago for an overnight hotel stay.
Chicago, USA
A further overnight hotel stay.There is lots to see and do in Chicago: - go to the beach , shops on the Magnificent Mile, stare at the reflections in the giant -Cloud Gate- stainless steel bean sculpture or stand on the glass -Ledge- 103 floors up in the Willis Tower(formerly Sears Tower), the tallest building in the US. You can enjoy a fine dining experience with a view in the Signature Room on 95th Floor of the John Hancock Building. Route 66 starts in Chicago at the Buckingham Fountain, and there is the amazing elevated CTA metro system which defines the central Loop area of Downtown Chicago.
Amtrak Train from Chicago to San Francisco, USA
Board the train at Grand Union Station in Chicago for a 1400 departures. Spend two nights in the the train crossing the Rocky Mountains to San Francisco in the comfort of a private sleeper roomette on full-board. Experienced travellers say the California Zephyr is one of the most beautiful train trips in all of North America. Between the great cities of the west and Chicago lie narrow canyons, towering peaks and breathtakingly beautiful mountain wilderness areas as you cross two great mountain ranges, the Sierra Nevadas and the Rockies. Blowing away the alternatives is what Zephyrus, ancient Greek god of the west wind, and his namesake, the California Zephyr, do best. So sit back and be -blown away- by the otherwise unattainable views of the spectacular scenery along the route.
San Francisco, USA
Disembark the train at 1745 in the afternoon and make your own way to your hotel for two nights stay.The cruise terminal is the next pier along to Pier 39 which is a huge entertainment, dining and shopping complex. This is situated in the heat of the famous Fishermans Wharf area where there are lots of bars, fishing boats and restaurants. From here you will see magnificent views of the Golden Gate Bridge and have the opportunity to take a boat trip to visit Alcatraz. Perhaps take the famous cable car over the hill to Union square the heart of the downtown shopping area of the city. Visit the Golden Gate Park, the hippy stores of Haight Ashbury and the unique nightlife of the Castro.
San Francisco, USA
Make your own way to the cruise terminal to embark the ship. Enjoy the sail-away park as the ship heads out into the bay and under the Golden Gate Bridge.
At sea
Relax and make the most of the myriad of facilities available on board the ship, from fantastic entertainment to delicious and diverse dining options.
Ketchikan, Alaska
Ketchikan is known as the Salmon capital of the world, is a quaint village, three-miles long, just three-blocks wide and wedged between the water and the forested slopes of Deer Mountain. The native American village is partly propped up on wooden pilings and the Totem Heritage centre houses more totem poles than anywhere else in the world. Perhaps or take a tour of the surrounding area with a very good chance of spotting majestic bald eagles that soar effortless over the inlet in their search for salmon.
Juneau, Alaska
Juneau is the capital of Alaska perched on a hillside where the historical downtown buildings give it a somewhat frontier feel. 4000ft mountains create a dramatic backdrop to the city, beyond which lies the Juneau Icefield from which 30 glaciers flow, the most famous being the Mendenhall Glacier.
Skagway, Alaska
Skagway is the gateway to the Klondike and one-time boomtown of the gold rush era of 1898. This town enjoys reservation status within the national park, with its rustic boardwalks and frontier style storefronts and saloons.
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Glacier Bay National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with many glaciers to see- the scenery includes tidewater glaciers, glassy water, mountains, and wildlife such as whales, harbour seals, otters and brown bears. (Or Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier on selected sates).
At Sea
Relax and make the most of the myriad of facilities available on board the ship, from fantastic entertainment to delicious and diverse dining options.
Victoria (British Columbia), Canada
Victoria (British Columbia) was once a British colonial post and is full of historic sites, public parks and groomed gardens. Here, the locals appear more British than the British. The beautiful town centre features the impressive government buildings, the Fairmount Hotel and the harbour area where pleasure boats navigate past seaplanes as they take-off and land. (Or Prince Rupert on selected dates).
At sea
Relax and make the most of the myriad of facilities available on board the ship, from fantastic entertainment to delicious and diverse dining options.
Fly from San Francisco, USA overnight to the UK
Disembark the ship after breakfast and make your own way to the airport for your overnight flight home.
Prices are subject to availability and change. Offer and prices can be withdrawn at any time without any notice. Prices are per person based on two sharing a room. Carry-on and checked baggage restrictions vary by airline and may incur an additional charge.
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