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Wild Alaska Adventure CruiseA 7-night exploration of Alaska's coastal wilderness and glaciers.Alaska’s southeast archipelago is one of nature’s finest canvasses. Here towering glaciers meet pristine wilderness and mighty spruce trees vie for space next to majestic fjords. This is a voyage of discovery to a land of superlatives, where you can watch whales feeding and playing, kayak amongst ice and seals and walk beneath a canopy of primeval forest. And all from the comfort of our own specialised expedition ship, in the company of like–minded travellers and expert specialist guides.
Fjords and Glaciers
Beginning in Juneau, Alaska’s state capital, a land of iceberg studded lakes and spectacular glaciers, we board our comfortable home from home, either MV Sea Lion or MV Sea Bird, and embark on our journey into the unspoilt wilds of Alaska. Sailing first into Tracy Arm, a spectacular 22 mile long fjord of towering walls and cascading waterfalls, we pass by the Sawyer Glacier, described as ‘bluer than any blue on earth’. With a constant escort of harbour seals, porpoises and Arctic terns and the possibility of sighting humpback whales in the morning light, our journey then takes us past the ice sculptures of Le Conte Bay to the small community of Petersburg. Founded some 100 years ago by Norwegian fishermen, this isolated town gives us a taste of the spirit of Alaska. 
Orca and Humpbacks
Moving into the rich waters of Frederick Sound and Chatham Strait we enter the realm of the majestic leviathans. These waters abound with orcas and humpbacks and it is not uncommon to see schools of up to 30 of these magnificent creatures at play in these waters. There will be opportunities to walk forest trails and stroll through a landscape carpeted with wild flowers of silverweed, nagoonberry and chocolate lily, whilst over our heads bald eagles soar.
You may kayak between the ice flows and we will spend an entire day exploring the Glacier Bay National Park, one of the best places on earth to witness the movements of these ice giants. With large populations of harbour and Steller’s seals, as well as puffins and brown bears there will be no chance of becoming lonely out here. 
Nature and Heritage
The advantages of our small and nimble craft also become evident in these waters as we move on to Point Adolphus, a favoured feeding ground for humpbacks, where we can not only watch, but also hear them in the icy waters, thanks to our on board hydrophone. Nature is very much in evidence wherever you go in Alaska and we also take the opportunity to learn something of the human inhabitants of these isolated regions.
We visit Sitka, Alaska’s only oceanfront town, where a multitude of cultures and peoples have left their mark. Dominated by the volcanic peak of Mount Edgecumbe, Sitka has strong Russian, as well as native influences, evident by the onion domes of its orthodox church and the grand totem poles that line its wooded paths. More information about your cruise ships, the MV Sea Lion & the MV Sea Bird Jun 6, 7, 13*, 14*, 20, 21, 27*, 28*;
Jul 4, 11*, 18, 19, 25*;
Aug 1, 2, 8*, 15, 16, 22*, 23*, 29*, 30
*On these dates the
itinerary operates in reverse |
| The cruise price includes | | • | 7 nights cruise accommodation in cabin category of your choice | | • | Full board during the cruise | | • | Available at extra cost: Internal flights between Seattle & Juneau, return from Sitka (or vice versa - +reverse itinerary) | | • | Available at extra cost: Return flights from the UK to Seattle. We can assist with arranging these. Please contact us for details. |
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Call us to check availability:
UK: 01756 706526
Overseas: +44 1756 706526
Go to
Alaska Cruises Index
|
Call us to check availability:
UK: 01756 706526
Overseas: +44 1756 706526
Go to
Alaska Cruises Index
| | DAY 1 | Juneau, Alaska/Embark
Take an early afternoon flight from Seattle to Juneau. Before embarking the ship, we stop by the Alaska State Museum for an artful introduction to this unique state. Embark the ship and have some time to settle into your cabin before dinner. After dinner onboard, you will have some free time to explore the port of Juneau. After an evening of exploring or entertainment, settle back into the ship for an 11 p.m. departure to the pristine wildness of Tracy Arm.
Meals: D | | DAY 2 | Tracy Arm
We enter Tracy Arm, a spectacular fjord, with waterfalls cascading from its glacially carved walls. We’ll also pass the Sawyer Glacier, which has been described as bluer than any blue on earth. As you gather on deck to view this spectacular sight, view harbour seals and porpoises and the Arctic terns and Bonaparte gulls. Zodiac trips take you closer to the cracks and booms of falling ice as you get an even better look at the Sawyer Glacier. Keep a watch out for the sure-footed mountain goats scaling the steep, granite cliffs above. We may stop at a gravel beach where we can take out the kayaks and paddle. If you prefer something less strenuous, take a peaceful walk through the woods, stopping to admire the tiny wildflowers and ripe berries.
Meals: B,L,D | | DAY 3 | Petersburg
Humpback whales are often spotted as we head toward Le Conte Bay. Weather permitting, you’ll have the opportunity to kayak amid the ice, take advantage of the opportunity for an optional flightseeing trip via floatplane or helicopter over nearby Le Conte Glacier or hike on forest trails, accompanied by our natural history staff. Later we head to the small town of Petersburg on Mitkof Island. The waters here are rich in crab, shrimp and both pink salmon and humpy salmon. The ship remains at the dock until we’re called to dinner, featuring the catch of the day. Meals: B,L,D | | DAY 4 | Frederick Sound and Chatham Strait
These waters are prime areas for both killer whales and humpback whales. It is also fertile ground for the majestic bald eagle which you may see keeping watch atop a tall spruce. As for whales, it’s not uncommon here to see schools of up to 30 humpbacks or orcas. We’ll then get to observe fascinating behaviour — breaching, tail-slapping and variations on feeding. We may also see sea lions hauled out and dozing. Once ashore, we’ll have the opportunity to walk along a quiet forest trail, accompanied by our naturalists. The still waters are excellent for kayaking, offering another option for appreciating this area close up. Meals: B,L,D | | DAY 5 | Glacier Bay National Park
We spend the entire day amidst the coves, fjords, tidewater glaciers, freshwater lakes and majestic mountains of Glacier Bay National Park. You’ll see glaciers that end abruptly at the water’s edge and observe them “calving” — tons of ice crashing into the sea — accompanied by an exhilaratingly thunderous sound. You may have the opportunity to see not only one, but two kinds of puffins: the tufted and the horned puffin. A visit to Tidal Inlet may bring the sight of brown bears lumbering up the hillside.
Meals: B,L,D | | DAY 6 | Point Adolphus/Inian Pass
Our day begins on the waters off Point Adolphus, a favoured feeding area for humpback whales. After some thrilling whale watching, you’ll cruise Inian Pass looking for playful sea otters. Meals: B,L,D | | DAY 7 | Alaska’s Islands, Bays and Fjords
Today, nature is our guide as we set forth without a specific plan. We may stop at an isolated beach for beachcombing and there are forest trails to walk. We may do some small ship exploring along the shoreline of Admiralty Island, where the massive brown bear is found. Later, as you walk on one of the many islands in the area, keep an eye out for old bear tracks. This area is home to the highest density of nesting bald eagles in the world so sightings are very common. If conditions permit, we can do some kayaking. Meals: B,L,D | | DAY 8 | Sitka/Disembark/Seattle
After breakfast we disembark in Sitka, south-eastern Alaska’s only oceanfront town. Sitka has a strong Russian heritage, which is readily apparent as you visit St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Church with its onion domes right in the middle of town. Gaze up at the grand totem poles that line the wooded trails through Sitka National Historic Park. At the Raptor Rehabilitation Centre, we have close views of species normally seen at a distance in the wild — bald eagles, hawks, falcons and owls. After our visit, we’ll drive to the airport for our afternoon flight to Seattle.
Meals: B | | The cruise operator is authorized to operate in the Tongass National Forest under a Forest Service special use permit, enabling us to take you hiking and kayaking in wild and remote areas of Southeast Alaska that are otherwise off limits. |
Wild Alaska Adventure Cruise 2009
$ price per person | | Cabin Category | All dates | | Category 1 | 5390 | | Category 2 | 6190 | | Category 3 | 7120 | Single Occupancy: Category 1:$8080; Category 2: $9290
Costs in US dollars are per person, based on two people travelling together and sharing a cabin. |
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