The Inside Passage

Getting ready to load up at zero dark thirty.

Well, we can see why people love cruises. Our 15 hour trip up the Inside Passage of Canada from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert was a real delight for both of us.

After an extremely early wake-up to make the 0530 show time for the ferry, we were loaded aboard and had checked into our little stateroom by 0630. Not surprisingly, the stateroom was a tad nicer than either of my living quarters aboard the Enterprise or Independence. Two single beds, bathroom, shower, work station, closets and even a wide screen TV. And the view outside the window was gorgeous - didn't really have to leave the room to see spectacular scenery drifting by. Mile after mile (250 miles actually) of the most pristine wilderness you can imagine - interrupted only occasionally by a small fishing village, lighthouse, or Nav station. Otherwise it was completely empty of people or any reminder of civilization.

Since the first few hours or so were thru open water enroute to the sheltered channel that defines the inside passage, we conducted a functional check of the bunks and logged some much-needed sleep to compensate for the early start. Later, went up on deck to explore the ship and were rewarded with world-class views around every bend. It was mesmerizing to just sit in a chair and watch the scenery unfold. The ship was rocking & rolling a bit in the north Pacific swell before we entered the channel, but once established in the passage it was as stable as a church.




On deck on the Northern Expedition - Note the crowds.


Pretty much had the run of the ship all to ourselves. Even the weather was cooperating.



One of the few signs of civilization along the route. This is a small lighthouse/nav station about half way up the channel. Guess the passing of the ferry every afternoon is the highlight of their day - everyone was out waving as we drifted by. In summer they do this as a day trip, rather than as an overnighter as is the case in winter. In August the sailing is north to south on the odd numbered days, and the reverse on the even numbered days...which was the case with us.




A look at our stateroom with the view thru the window.

They had both a cafe and a full service restaurant on board. We opted for a light lunch in the cafe and headed up to the restaurant as soon as they opened in the evening...still 4 hours from our destination at Prince Rupert. Had a terrific dinner while watching the coastline go by thru the large picture windows - it has to be one of the great settings for a meal on the planet.

Suffice to say we were impressed with the whole experience and have vowed to give this whole cruising thing a second look.

Prince Rupert


The end point of the cruise was Prince Rupert in NW British Columbia...about 100 miles or so from the southern border of Alaska. The intention was to stay a couple of nights to rest and recharge before heading out on Canada Highway 16 across BC to Jasper National Park in Alberta. Arrived at our B&B around 11:00 PM after debarking from the ferry, then spent our only full day here walking around the town and surrounding area - even found a pretty shoreline trail in a nearby Provincial Park to stretch our legs.



Prince Rupert is supposed to be one of the rainiest places in Canada. Was drizzling all morning until the sun came out around noon. Had a lot of low fog early-on as well. Made for nice hiking weather though.


Stopped near this lookout for lunch. When the tide turns the small channel becomes a raging torrent twice a day...in one direction when the tide comes in and in the other direction 12 hours later as the tide goes out.

Then it was back on the road for the 4 hour drive to Smithers.







Looking back along our wake during the passage to Prince Rupert.