Alaska Cruise
Experience the beauty of Alaska on a ship of less than 60 fellow adventurers, for 7 nights up close and personal. This is an active adventure for those wanting to explore, including the Margerie and Grand Pacific tidewater glaciers, paddle boards, kayaks, skiffs, snorkeling hiking, biking, bushwhacking and birding at Saint Marble Island.
April and May—a favorite time of year for many—Alaska Awakens! Bears, baby animals, spring flowers, budding forests, snow-covered peaks, gushing waterfalls, and shorter days makes Aurora Borealis sightings possible. Plus, the weather is good and it's crowd-free!
Note: Your reservation for this adventure is as an individual and not a group. And you can be as active (or not!) as you wish!
Trip Itinerary
Pre-Cruise Optional rail excursion to Denali
DAY 1 Juneau Start your adventure in the capital of Alaska. Small town charm with plenty to do before embarking. Visit the Mendenhall Glacier, take a hike, or ride on the Mt. Roberts Tram for sweeping views 1800 ft above Juneau and the Gastineau Channel. Upon embarkation, enjoy a champagne toast to the next 7 days of exploring.
DAY 2 Travel through the Icy Strait and Cross Sound as you make your way to Glacier National Park. The waters are abundant with marine animals and sea life.
DAY 3 Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve The Park covers 3.3 million acres! Most ships traverse the same path, as they are too large to get into the nooks and crannies. Not this one. You will see areas of the park that 99% of others will never get to! Where to start? Taylor Bay sea stacks and rocky shores make for good adventure. Or hike the outwash field of glaciers winding down the Fairweather Mountain Range. If you motor over to Dundas Bay, keep your eye out for bears, humpbacks, and if you’re lucky, a wolf sighting. Kayak the bay. Bushwhack into the forest. Discover Glacier Bay outback.
DAY 4 Glacier Bay National Park A National Park ranger comes aboard joining your adventures in Glacier Bay to explain the park's geology, glaciology, wildlife, and its deep roots in Tlingit culture. . South Marble Island is abuzz with activity. Rare sea birds, black oystercatchers, and orange-beaked tufted puffins can’t be missed. A colony of raucous sea lions adds to the hubbub. Tucking into silent Tidal Inlet—the stomping grounds for bears, wolves, mountain goats, eagles—the backdrop is spectacular. At the end of the western-most arm of the bay sits Margerie and Grand Pacific Glaciers. And possible views of glacial calving. Step on deck with the ranger and take it all in.Visiting Glacier Bay Park is also like visiting a wildlife park. Here bears, goats, moose, whales, sea otters, and all the creatures of the water and forest flourish, completely protected from man.
DAY 5 Glacier Bay National Park There’s adventure afloat and ashore. Find a perch on the bridge with your captain, or with your guides on the bow. Follow the seal barks and chatter of birds by kayak and skiff. Pull on your gummies for a hike in boot-sucking mud across a glacial moraine. Then head up. The view is powerful. Back on the boat, don’t pass on your chance for a polar plunge, and then beeline straight for the hot tub. Take a forest walk at Bartlett Cove, if there’s daylight left.
DAY 6 Chatham Strait/Lynn Canal Located in the Alexander Archipelago, Chatham Strait is a narrow passage that sits between Chichagof Island and Baranof Island to the west and Admiralty Island and Kuiu Island to the east. This 150-mile long strait connects the open sea with the Lynn Canal and the Icy Strait. So many hidden pockets in the Tongass National Forest. Give your paddle board skills a glide. Watch for big-eyed harbor seals from a kayak. Bushwhack into the forest of giants.
DAY 7 Haines, Alaska Known as the “Adventure Capital of Alaska,” Haines boasts incredible trails, river rafting, fishing, kayaking, heli-skiing, and more. Hiking, biking, rafting, and history. One thing’s for sure—the trails are irresistible. Go easy, or feel the burn—whatever your speed. The views are spectacular.
Haines was also a trading outlet for Chilkat Tlingit, they called it “Dtehshuh”—the end of the trail. European explorers, the Klondike gold rush, a U.S. Army outpost built in the early 1900's and used as an active fort through WWII—influences still apparent today. Tonight, it’s a festive Farewell Dinner. A “photo journal” of your trip will be shared!
DAY 8 Juneau Linger over breakfast this morning cruising into Juneau and disembarking.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
On-board meals; spirits, wine, beer; non-alcoholic beverages; transfers and baggage handling between airport/vessel on embark/disembark day; entry fees to national parks/preserves; all from-the-vessel activities and equipment (paddle boards, kayaks, hiking poles, yoga mats)
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
Air Fare, port fees and tax, gratuities, optional excursion in Haines, Alaska, Pre- Cruise
Payment and CANCELLATION POLICY
For May departure: An initial deposit of $750 is required at time of reservation. The deposit is 50% refundable if canceled by January 12, 20xx.
Final payment is due by Feb 12, 20xx.
*If book by December 15, 20xx, receive $200 off per person!
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For May departures: Cancellations made on or after March 11, 20xx will not be refundable.
Cancellations made prior to March 11, 20xx will be refunded at 50% of payment made (less deposit policy).
Pricing based on double occupancy*
May 12 $xx/pp
Single supplement available
Roommate matching when available