Alaska Whale & Wildlife Watching Small Ship Cruise
8 days
Enjoyable for all in reasonable health.
Quality transportation and accommodation in an uncommon environment, with the chance of occasional slight discomfort. E.g. an arctic polar bear tour
Trip Overview |
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Join experienced naturalists on an incredible Alaska vacation exploring this State’s coastal wilderness.
Travel the remarkable Inside Passage looking for humpback and Orca whales, brown bears and eagles aboard a 70-passenger expedition ship.
Go beyond the well-known and most frequently visited sites for an intimate and incredible sailing experience.
Step out of the ordinary on Alaska vacations!
Travel the remarkable Inside Passage looking for humpback and Orca whales, brown bears and eagles aboard a 70-passenger expedition ship.
Go beyond the well-known and most frequently visited sites for an intimate and incredible sailing experience.
Step out of the ordinary on Alaska vacations!
Outline
Arrive Juneau
1 night Juneau
1 night Tracy Arm
1 night Petersburg
1 night Frederick Sound
1 night Glacier Bay National Park
1 night Point Adolphus
1 night Islands, Bays & Fjords
Depart from Sitka
Arrive Juneau
1 night Juneau
1 night Tracy Arm
1 night Petersburg
1 night Frederick Sound
1 night Glacier Bay National Park
1 night Point Adolphus
1 night Islands, Bays & Fjords
Depart from Sitka
ITINERARY
Day 1 – Juneau Alaska / Embark Ship
Cruise vacations begin in Juneau, the scenic and historic capital of Alaska. Visit the imposing Mendenhall Glacier and the Alaska State Museum, an excellent introduction to Alaska's natural history. There is time to explore Juneau on your own before you board the expedition ship for your Alaska cruise in the late afternoon.
Day 2 – Tracy Arm
Today you will enter Tracy Arm, a spectacular 22-mile-long fjord, with many waterfalls cascading from its high, glacially carved walls. Keep an eye on the shoreline where you might see black bears feeding, and on the steep granite cliffs above where mountain goats play.
Day 3 – Petersburg
Your Alaska adventure vacation continues with a visit to the small town of Petersburg on Mitkof Island. Founded more than 100 years ago by rugged Norwegian fishermen, Petersburg’s heritage is evident today in the décor of the tidy homes and store fronts. There is an opportunity for an optional sight-seeing trip via floatplane or helicopter over nearby Le Conte Glacier (weather permitting), and for hikes on forest trails. Later, cruise out into the south part of Frederick Sound to look for whales and explore the mouth of Le Conte Bay, which is often a virtual sculpture garden of grounded icebergs.
Day 4 – Alaska vacation continues to Frederick Sound and Chatham Strait
These waters are known as a spot to watch for humpback and Orca whales. You might also find Steller sea lions on one of the small rocky islands that dot the channels. During the day, the ship will find a place to go ashore. This gives you the chance walk along a quiet forest trail accompanied by the ship’s naturalists, or try your hand at exploring the waters by kayak.
Day 5 – Glacier Bay National Park
Only on Alaska vacations can you spend the entire day in magnificent Glacier Bay, where you’ll see the enormous glaciers that flow from the ice fields far above. Some of these end abruptly at the water’s edge. It’s particularly exciting to watch these glaciers calving as tons of ice crash thunderously into the sea. Venture near islets that are home to unusual seabirds such as puffins and guillemots. Then go ashore to walk among towering spruce trees.
Day 6 – Visit Point Adolphus and Inian Pass on Vacations in Alaska
The waters just off Point Adolphus are a favoured summer feeding area for humpback whales. Spend the morning whale watching and then continue your Alaska cruise along the intricate northern coastline of Chichagof Island, where you can find playful sea otters. If weather permits, enjoy a barbecue lunch ashore.
Day 7 – Southeast Alaska’s Islands, Bays and Fjords
Today is a free day to do whatever you like in Alaska. Stop at an isolated beach, where the tide pooling and beachcombing are good and there are forest trails to walk. Or, you might do some small ship cruising along the shoreline of Admiralty Island, where grizzly bears are found, along with the highest density of nesting bald eagles in the world, or you might consider kayaking.
Day 8 – Sitka / Disembark Ship / Seattle
Your cruise vacation in Alaska comes to an end after breakfast as you disembark in Sitka, a unique town with a strong Russian heritage. Visit Saint Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral, the Raptor Rehabilitation Center, and the Sitka National Historic Park, where totem poles line quiet wooded trails. Say farewell to your Alaska adventure travel expedition in the afternoon as you transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Please Note: Itinerary also goes in reverse (from Sitka to Juneau) on certain cruise dates. These itineraries are samples only; itineraries may change without notice.
Day 1 – Juneau Alaska / Embark Ship
Cruise vacations begin in Juneau, the scenic and historic capital of Alaska. Visit the imposing Mendenhall Glacier and the Alaska State Museum, an excellent introduction to Alaska's natural history. There is time to explore Juneau on your own before you board the expedition ship for your Alaska cruise in the late afternoon.
Day 2 – Tracy Arm
Today you will enter Tracy Arm, a spectacular 22-mile-long fjord, with many waterfalls cascading from its high, glacially carved walls. Keep an eye on the shoreline where you might see black bears feeding, and on the steep granite cliffs above where mountain goats play.
Day 3 – Petersburg
Your Alaska adventure vacation continues with a visit to the small town of Petersburg on Mitkof Island. Founded more than 100 years ago by rugged Norwegian fishermen, Petersburg’s heritage is evident today in the décor of the tidy homes and store fronts. There is an opportunity for an optional sight-seeing trip via floatplane or helicopter over nearby Le Conte Glacier (weather permitting), and for hikes on forest trails. Later, cruise out into the south part of Frederick Sound to look for whales and explore the mouth of Le Conte Bay, which is often a virtual sculpture garden of grounded icebergs.
Day 4 – Alaska vacation continues to Frederick Sound and Chatham Strait
These waters are known as a spot to watch for humpback and Orca whales. You might also find Steller sea lions on one of the small rocky islands that dot the channels. During the day, the ship will find a place to go ashore. This gives you the chance walk along a quiet forest trail accompanied by the ship’s naturalists, or try your hand at exploring the waters by kayak.
Day 5 – Glacier Bay National Park
Only on Alaska vacations can you spend the entire day in magnificent Glacier Bay, where you’ll see the enormous glaciers that flow from the ice fields far above. Some of these end abruptly at the water’s edge. It’s particularly exciting to watch these glaciers calving as tons of ice crash thunderously into the sea. Venture near islets that are home to unusual seabirds such as puffins and guillemots. Then go ashore to walk among towering spruce trees.
Day 6 – Visit Point Adolphus and Inian Pass on Vacations in Alaska
The waters just off Point Adolphus are a favoured summer feeding area for humpback whales. Spend the morning whale watching and then continue your Alaska cruise along the intricate northern coastline of Chichagof Island, where you can find playful sea otters. If weather permits, enjoy a barbecue lunch ashore.
Day 7 – Southeast Alaska’s Islands, Bays and Fjords
Today is a free day to do whatever you like in Alaska. Stop at an isolated beach, where the tide pooling and beachcombing are good and there are forest trails to walk. Or, you might do some small ship cruising along the shoreline of Admiralty Island, where grizzly bears are found, along with the highest density of nesting bald eagles in the world, or you might consider kayaking.
Day 8 – Sitka / Disembark Ship / Seattle
Your cruise vacation in Alaska comes to an end after breakfast as you disembark in Sitka, a unique town with a strong Russian heritage. Visit Saint Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral, the Raptor Rehabilitation Center, and the Sitka National Historic Park, where totem poles line quiet wooded trails. Say farewell to your Alaska adventure travel expedition in the afternoon as you transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Please Note: Itinerary also goes in reverse (from Sitka to Juneau) on certain cruise dates. These itineraries are samples only; itineraries may change without notice.
Options & Upgrades
- Choose your accommodation onboard the ship based on three categories:
- Category 1 - Main deck - 2 lower beds, and large view window
- Category 2 - Upper deck - 2 lower beds, and large view window
- Category 3 - Upper deck - large cabins with seating arrangement, table and two view windows. - Add nights/tours to the start or end of your coastal cruise in spectacular Alaska
Accommodation
Aboard Sea Lion or Sea Bird ship
Aboard Sea Lion or Sea Bird ship
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Dates + Prices |
HIGHLIGHTS
- The best short Alaska cruise!
- Enjoy the small ship comforts and intimacy - go to places cruiseliners can't!
- See whales, grizzlies and puffins
- Pass glaciers and icebergs
Request A Booking
Reserving Your Trip Is Easy
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Call us toll free
1 800 667 4744 (US/Can)
0 800 917 5924 (UK)
1 800 992 872 (Aus.)
Office hours:
M-F, 6am - 6pm Pacific Time.
Sat 10am - 4pm.
A personal trip advisor will help you book your perfect trip.
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Reserve Online using the form at left.
We will contact you as quickly as we can and you will not be under any obligation until after we have confirmed all details with you.
At that time a US$500 per person deposit is payable and you will be subject to our usual terms and conditions.
Reserve your spot without obligation for 48 hours. Our consultants will contact you to confirm details before you pay a deposit.
Required fields are marked with an asterisk (*).
2009 Package Start Dates
Departs Juneau to Sitka, Alaska:
May: 9*, 10*, 23*, 24*
June: 6, 7, 20, 21
July: 4, 18, 19
August: 1, 2, 15, 16, 29, 30
Departs from Sitka to Juneau, Alaska:
May: 16*, 17*, 30*, 31*
June: 13, 14, 27, 28
July: 11, 25
August: 22, 23
* Departures feature complimentary return air fare between Seattle and Alaska.
Price Notes
• Prices are per person based on double occupancy
• Double means two people sharing a room
Included
• Experienced captain, crew and naturalists
• All meals and non-alcoholic beverages
• All accommodations aboard (double occupancy)
• Shore excursions and sightseeing
• Access permits for Tongass National Forest and Glacier Bay National Park
Not Included
• Transportation to Juneau or Sitka
• Optional sightseeing
• Personal items
• Meals and accommodation while staying in Juneau or Sitka (other than listed above)
• Gratuities
• Hospital, medical insurance, trip cancellation insurance
Departs Juneau to Sitka, Alaska:
May: 9*, 10*, 23*, 24*
June: 6, 7, 20, 21
July: 4, 18, 19
August: 1, 2, 15, 16, 29, 30
Departs from Sitka to Juneau, Alaska:
May: 16*, 17*, 30*, 31*
June: 13, 14, 27, 28
July: 11, 25
August: 22, 23
* Departures feature complimentary return air fare between Seattle and Alaska.
| Category 1 | USD $ | CAD $ | ||
| Double | Single | Double | Single | |
| May 9 2009 - May 17 2009 | 4,694 | 7,277 | 5,868 | 9,096 |
| May 23 2009 - Aug 30 2009 | 5,174 | 7,757 | 6,468 | 9,696 |
| Category 2 | USD $ | CAD $ | ||
| Double | Single | Double | Single | |
| May 9 2009 - May 17 2009 | 5,462 | 8,438 | 6,828 | 10,548 |
| May 23 2009 - Aug 30 2009 | 5,942 | 8,918 | 7,428 | 11,148 |
| Category 3 | USD $ | CAD $ |
| Double | Double | |
| May 9 2009 - May 17 2009 | 6,355 | 7,944 |
| May 23 2009 - Aug 30 2009 | 6,883 | 8,604 |
• Prices are per person based on double occupancy
• Double means two people sharing a room
Included
• Experienced captain, crew and naturalists
• All meals and non-alcoholic beverages
• All accommodations aboard (double occupancy)
• Shore excursions and sightseeing
• Access permits for Tongass National Forest and Glacier Bay National Park
Not Included
• Transportation to Juneau or Sitka
• Optional sightseeing
• Personal items
• Meals and accommodation while staying in Juneau or Sitka (other than listed above)
• Gratuities
• Hospital, medical insurance, trip cancellation insurance
