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Alaska, British Columbia & San Juan Islands - a land of natural splendourCruise for 11 nights all the way from the Olympic Mountains in Seattle to Juneau and experience the fjords, glaciers and wildlife that makes this coastline the most spectacular in North America
*Book now and save $1000 per person and also receive complimentary air between Juneau and Seattle on April departures. A maze of fjords, channels, rivers and glaciers, this coastline has some of the most spectacular scenery in North America. These waters are among the world’s best for finding whales. Visit Native American communities. Kayak, walk forest trails and cruise in Zodiacs for an eye-level view of sculpted icebergs.
 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 Apr 28, 29; Sep 5*, 6*
*On these dates the
itinerary operates in reverse |
Alaska, British Columbia and San Juan Islands 2009
$ price per person | | Cabin Category | All Dates | | *Book now and save $1000pp and receive complimentary air between Juneau and Seattle on April departures | | Category 1 | 7340 | | Category 2 | 8390 | | Category 3 | 9440 | Single Occupancy: Category 1: $10,990; Category 2: $12,580
Costs in US dollars are per person, based on two people travelling together and sharing a cabin. |
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| The cruise price includes | | • | 11 nights cruise accommodation in cabin category of your choice | | • | Full board during the cruise | | • | Available at extra cost: Internal flights between Seattle & Juneau | | • | The price does not include flights from the UK to Seattle. We can assist in organising these for you. |
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Call us to check availability:
UK: 01756 706526
Overseas: +44 1756 706526
Go to
Alaska Cruises Index
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Go to
Alaska Cruises Index
Call us to check availability:
UK: 01756 706526
Overseas: +44 1756 706526
| | DAY 1 | Seattle/Embark
Embark in the heart of Seattle with the Olympic Mountains, majestic Mount Rainier and the Seattle skyline as the backdrop.
Meals: D | | DAY 2 | San Juan Islands, Washington
The San Juan Islands are the gems of northern Washington State and today we explore them with the freedom of no specific plan. We explore this archipelago of some 170 idyllic forested islands with varied coastlines offering wonderful opportunities to observe seals, sea lions, river otters, bald eagles and orcas as sea birds form patterns in the sky overhead.
Meals: B,L,D | | DAY 3 | Alert Bay and Johnstone Strait, British Columbia
We arrive in Queen Charlotte Sound on course for Alert Bay on Cormorant Island. Once the ship is secured, we make our way to the U'Mista Cultural Centre, home to a stunning collection of potlatch masks. We then walk or ride to the Big House, just a short distance away where the Tsasala Cultural Group puts on a dance and the performers explain the story of the dance movements.
Back on board we head to Johnstone Strait. Johnstone Strait is one of the foremost viewing areas for orca whales in the entire Northern Hemisphere and since nineteen whale pods are known to spend part of the year here, there is a chance of exciting whale watching.
Meals: B,L,D | | DAYS 4&5 | Inside Passage of British Columbia
You'll feel like a true explorer as we continue northward looking for whales, dolphins, bears, deer and other wildlife. This is an area where vast sections of untouched coastal rain forest still exist — and where an expedition ship proves to be the perfect vessel. We'll explore any intriguing bay or inlet we happen upon, or reverse course to follow a sighted whale pod.
Meals: B,L,D | | DAY 6 | Misty Fiords, Alaska
Misty Fiords National Monument, often referred to as "Yosemite of the sea" for its sheer majesty, is 2.3 million acres of pristine wilderness that will leave you with exquisite memories of your stay in Alaska. Head out on a personal kayak reconnaissance or take a Zodiac cruise beneath glacier-carved cliffs with saw-tooth tops. Float past sheer cliffs and icy waterfalls.
Meals: B,L,D | | DAY 7 | Exploring 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 herds 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 Steller's sea lions hauled out on the rocky islands 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 8 | Sitka
Whale sightings may make for some exciting diversions en route to Sitka. 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 throughout Sitka National Historic Park. At the Raptor Rehabilitation Centre, we have views of species normally seen in the wild — bald eagles, hawks, falcons and owls. Sitka’s oceanfront setting is framed by the volcanic peak of Mount Edgecumbe and a string of small islands. The crystalline waters of Sitka Bay abound with sea stars and translucent moon jellyfish.
Meals: B,L,D | | DAY 9 | Exploring Southeast Alaska’s Islands, Bays and Fjords
Today we have the luxury of no specific plan. We may go ashore to beachcomb, explore forest trails or cruise the shore of Admiralty Island, where the brown (grizzly) bear is found and bald eagles nest.
Meals: B,L,D | | DAY 10 | 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. Mountain goats scaling the peaks as well as harbour seals and Steller's sea lions are some of the creatures we may observe in these icy waters. 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 11 | Point Adolphus and Chichagof Island
Our day begins on the waters off Point Adolphus, a favoured area for marine mammals. Keep watch on deck and you may find yourself rushing to the side as a pod of whales begins lunge-feeding right off our bow. As we watch with awe, our Naturalist lowers the hydrophone and we’re not only watching the whales, we’re listening in on their communications. When questions come up, as they surely will, our marine mammal expert can tell you everything you want to know and more.
Meals: B,L,D | | DAY 12 | Juneau/Disembark/Home
After breakfast, disembark in Juneau, Alaska's state capital. Here we'll visit the Alaska State Museum, viewing its fascinating permanent collection with an emphasis on Alaska's native peoples and natural history. Explore on your own before flying from Juneau 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. |
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