When my husband and I decided to get married abroad in beautiful Italy, we knew we wanted a honeymoon that felt just as special: something a little different, with a mix of vibrant cities, unforgettable scenery and a touch of adventure. That is how we ended up combining Canada with an Alaska cruise, and it is a trip I now recommend to so many of my clients.

Here is a glimpse into our own experience and some ideas for how you might like to do something similar.

First Stop: Vancouver’s Laid‑Back City Vibe We flew from Dublin to Vancouver and spent three nights right in the heart of the city so we could be close to the action. I instantly fell in love with Vancouver. Although it is very much a city, it has a relaxed, easy-going atmosphere and is incredibly simple to get around.

From our base in the centre, we had everything on our doorstep:

Great shopping streets A brilliant choice of restaurants and bars Plenty of sightseeing options and green spaces to escape to To get our bearings, we used the hop-on, hop-off bus, which was ideal for seeing the main sights without any stress. One of my favourite experiences was visiting Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Walking across the bridge, with towering trees all around and stunning views in every direction, really gave us that “wow, we are on honeymoon” feeling.

Sailing the Inside Passage: Our Alaska Cruise On our fourth day, we boarded our Alaska cruise, and I can honestly say it was one of the highlights of our honeymoon.

We sailed with Celebrity Cruises and I would highly recommend them. The ship offered fantastic facilities, a great selection of dining options and excellent entertainment. The service and little touches made it feel really special. As we were travelling over my birthday, I was surprised at dinner with a birthday cake, which was such a lovely gesture and exactly the kind of moment that makes a holiday feel truly memorable.

Our 7‑night itinerary took us along the Inside Passage of Alaska, visiting ports such as Juneau, Ketchikan and the majestic Hubbard Glacier. Sailing into the glacier area was breathtaking. At one point we were surrounded by glaciers on every side of the ship, and we were lucky enough to visit on a clear, sunny day, which made the ice sparkle and the scenery even more spectacular.

From the ship, we joined several shore excursions on our port days, including:

A scenic flight over one of the glacier valleys, giving us a completely different perspective on the landscape A guided historical tour with a Native American guide, which was both fascinating and very different to anything we had done before If you enjoy cruising but want something with a real sense of adventure and natural beauty, an Alaska itinerary is hard to beat.

Returning to Vancouver & Onwards to Toronto After our cruise, we sailed back into Vancouver and had a private transfer waiting to take us directly to the airport. From there we flew to Toronto to round off our honeymoon with another three nights in a completely different style of city.

We stayed in downtown Toronto and immediately noticed how much busier and more fast-paced it felt compared with Vancouver. It had a very energetic, urban feel, which gave a nice contrast to both the calm of Vancouver and the peaceful scenery of Alaska.

One of the must-do experiences in Toronto is the CN Tower. We visited the observation deck, which offers 360‑degree views of the city. Seeing the skyline from above, by day and at night, really helps you appreciate just how big and dynamic the city is.

Bucket‑List Moment: Niagara Falls While we were in Toronto, I knew we could not leave without ticking off a long-standing bucket‑list item: Niagara Falls.

The Falls themselves are simply incredible. The sheer power and volume of water is something you really have to experience in person. We took the famous boat trip Maid of the Mist, which brings you right up close to the Falls. I would absolutely recommend doing this, but be prepared: you will get very wet!

The main resort area beside the Falls is lively and very geared towards tourism, with lots of fast-food outlets and carnival‑style attractions. Personally, I did not find this part particularly charming, although it may appeal if you like that fun, entertainment-focused atmosphere.

On the journey from Toronto, our coach passed through Niagara‑on‑the‑Lake, which I actually preferred. It is a pretty, quaint town with independent shops, cafés and a more traditional feel. As it is only a short distance from the Falls, I would recommend staying in Niagara‑on‑the‑Lake if you prefer somewhere characterful and relaxed, then visiting the Falls as a day trip.

We finished our final day back in Toronto with a bit of shopping before heading home, feeling that we had really made the most of our time in Canada.

Would I Recommend This Trip? Absolutely. Combining Canada with an Alaska cruise gave us:

A balance of city stays and spectacular natural scenery A mix of relaxed exploring, sightseeing and unique excursions Special touches and celebrations that made our honeymoon feel truly personal It is a fantastic option for honeymooners, special anniversaries or anyone who simply wants a once‑in‑a‑lifetime trip that includes both cities and cruising.

Ready To Plan Your Own Canada & Alaska Adventure? If you like the idea of:

Exploring vibrant cities like Vancouver and Toronto Experiencing the power of Niagara Falls Sailing through glacier‑lined passages in Alaska I would love to help you design something similar, tailored to you.

With my first‑hand experience of this itinerary, I can suggest the best routes, cruise options, excursions and places to stay, then bring it all together into one seamless, stress‑free trip.

If you are interested in planning a holiday that combines multiple cities with an unforgettable cruise, contact me and I will create the perfect made‑to‑measure getaway for you