Itinerary
- Day 1
Vancouver
You'll arrive in Vancouver and check into your centrally located hotel. The day is yours to settle in and explore at your own pace. Head over to Gastown to see the Victorian architecture, take in the views from Vancouver Lookout, or walk through Stanley Park's cedar forests. The beaches here are great for relaxing, and it's a good chance to adjust before your trip really gets going.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Gastown's Victorian buildings and restaurants
- Visit Vancouver Lookout for city views
- Walk through Stanley Park's trails and forests
- Relax on West End beaches
- Explore Chinatown and Punjabi Market
- Visit Little Italy on Commercial Drive
- Experience nightlife on Granville Street
- Pre-Program: Luxurious Rocky Mountaineer train journey through Canadian Rockies
Landmarks/POIs Gastown Vancouver Lookout Stanley Park Chinatown Punjabi Market Commercial Drive West End Granville Street - Day 2
Vancouver to Nome
After breakfast, you'll head to the airport for your economy flight to Nome, Alaska. The expedition cruise officially kicks off once you arrive. Nome sits on the Seward Peninsula and has deep Gold Rush roots, with three Swedish prospectors finding gold here in 1898. You'll see abandoned dredges and old steam engines around town, plus learn about figures like Wyatt Earp who came looking for fortune.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Transfer from hotel to Vancouver airport
- Economy class flight from Vancouver to Nome
- Transfer from Nome airport to ship
Landmarks/POIs Nome Anvil Creek Snake River - Day 3
At Sea, Bering Strait
Your first full day at sea takes you south into the Bering Sea. Keep an eye out for humpback whales and seabirds as you sail through the Bering Strait with Russia to the west and the U.S. to the east. You'll cross the International Date Line where tomorrow sits to your left and today to your right. Stop by the Science Center for lectures or mingle with other travelers onboard.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Expedition Team lectures at Science Center
- Observation of wildlife from deck
Landmarks/POIs Bering Strait International Date Line - Day 4
St. Matthew Island
You'll come ashore on St. Matthew Island's black-sand beaches, one of Alaska's most remote spots over 200 miles from any village. This windswept island rarely sees visitors, as early settlers couldn't handle the harsh winters, fog, and storms. Walk around the half-buried abandoned dwellings set in wildflower-dotted tundra. Look for Singing Voles, McKay's Buntings, puffins, murres, cormorants, and foxes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Escorted landing on St. Matthew Island
- Exploration of abandoned dwellings
- Wildlife viewing
- Small boat (RIB) transfer to shore
Landmarks/POIs St. Matthew Island Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge - Day 5
St. Paul Island, Pribilof Islands
You'll visit St. Paul, the largest Pribilof Island with just 480 residents, about 90% indigenous Aleuts. This is the largest Aleut community in the U.S. Check out the historical sites with traditional semi-subterranean barabara houses. More than 300 bird species migrate through this Important Bird Area. You might spot Horned and Tufted Puffins, Pribilof Sandpipers, Red-legged Kittiwakes, and northern fur seals with pups.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Escorted landing on St. Paul Island
- Wildlife viewing
- Exploration of historical Aleut sites
- Small boat (RIB) transfer to shore
Landmarks/POIs St. Paul Island Pribilof Islands - Day 6
At Sea
Today is a quieter day at sea to reflect on your trip so far. Relax in the panoramic lounge, soak in the hot tubs on deck, or just watch the untouched islands and green mountains pass by. The Expedition Team holds sessions in the Science Center about local geography, climate, and birdlife. Watch for Red-legged Kittiwakes, puffins, auklets, and murrelets as you sail closer to the coast.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Access to Explorer Lounge
- Use of hot tubs
- Expedition Team Science Center lectures
- Wildlife viewing from deck
- Day 7
Dutch Harbor
You'll arrive at Dutch Harbor on Amaknak Island in the Aleutians, with Mount Makushin volcano visible along the way. This busy commercial fishing port has been America's top seafood port by volume for 20 years and you'll recognize it from 'The Deadliest Catch.' Visit the Museum of the Aleutians to learn about the Unungan people, see the Russian Orthodox Cathedral from 1896, and explore WWII historic sites. Over 600 bald eagles and millions of seabirds live here.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Escorted landing in Dutch Harbor
- Exploration of town
Optional Activities
- Museum of the Aleutians visit
- Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Ascension of Christ visit
- Aleutian World War II National Historic Area exploration
- Wildlife viewing and bald eagle spotting
Landmarks/POIs Mount Makushin Dutch Harbor Museum of the Aleutians Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Ascension of Christ Aleutian World War II National Historic Area Summer Bay - Day 8
Unga Island
You'll visit the abandoned Unga Village on the southern end of Unga Island in the remote Aleutians. The Aleuts settled here in 1833, but the community gradually faded as subsistence fishing couldn't support it. By 1969 most residents had left. Only a few wooden buildings stand today, surrounded by pink louseworts and fireweed wildflowers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Escorted landing on Unga Island
- Exploration of abandoned Unga Village
- Small boat (RIB) transfer to shore
Landmarks/POIs Unga Island Unga Village - Day 9
Chignik Bay
You'll stop at Chignik Bay, a small fishing village where red salmon fishing has been the economic backbone for over a century. Meet the friendly locals, check out the fish processing plant if interested, or explore the scenic streams around town. The shores here have more than 20 waterfowl species and the skies are full of bald eagles.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Escorted landing in Chignik Bay
- Exploration of fishing village
- Small boat (RIB) transfer to shore
Optional Activities
- Visit fish processing plant
- Meet local residents
- Explore salmon streams
Landmarks/POIs Chignik Bay - Day 10
Katmai National Park
You'll head into Katmai National Park's four million acres with its active volcanoes and the dramatic Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. Cruise for brown bears from the ship's deck or take small boats at Geographic Harbor, Kinak Bay, or Kukak Bay. With over 2,000 Kodiak bears, you'll watch them foraging for berries, diving for clams, and fishing while an experienced bear guard accompanies you. You'll also see sea otters, humpback whales, mountains, forests, and seabirds.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bear watching excursion from ship and small boats (RIBs)
- Experienced bear guard accompaniment
- Wildlife viewing
Landmarks/POIs Katmai National Park Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes Geographic Harbor Amalik Bay Kinak Bay Kukak Bay Shelikof Strait - Day 11
Kodiak
You'll arrive in Kodiak, Alaska's largest fishing port on Kodiak Island's eastern shores. The island is nicknamed the 'Emerald Isle' for its spruce forests and grasslands and spans over 3,500 square miles. Check out the Alutiiq Museum with thousands of artifacts, see the 1808 Baranov Museum (the state's oldest standing building), visit Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park with its 1939 fort and coastal bunkers, or explore the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge home to around 3,500 brown bears.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Escorted landing in Kodiak
- Exploration of town
Optional Activities
- Alutiiq Museum visit
- Baranov Museum (1808) visit
- Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park exploration
- Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge visit
Landmarks/POIs Kodiak Kodiak Island Alutiiq Museum Baranov Museum Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge - Day 12
At Sea, Gulf of Alaska
Another restful sea day to relax and take in what you've experienced. Use the ship's infinity pool, hot tubs, sauna, gym, outdoor running track, or spa. The Expedition Team presents sessions in the Science Center covering wildlife, glaciology, tectonic activity, and local history. Connect with the crew, team, and fellow explorers at the bar. Watch for North Pacific Albatrosses, including the rarer Short-tailed variety.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Use of infinity pool
- Use of hot tubs
- Use of sauna
- Use of indoor gym
- Use of outdoor running track
- Expedition Team Science Center lectures
- Wildlife observation from deck
Optional Activities
- Wellness spa treatments
Landmarks/POIs Gulf of Alaska - Day 13
Icy Bay
You'll discover Icy Bay near Prince William Sound with three major glaciers—Guyot, Yahtse, and Tyndall—feeding chunks of ice into the bay. This dramatic landscape has only been accessible by ship for about 100 years. You'll aim for Guyot Glacier (34 miles long, 8 miles wide) depending on weather and ice conditions. Take an optional kayak excursion and watch for humpback whales, orcas, Steller sea lions, sea otters, and harbor seals lounging on floating ice.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Glacier viewing and navigation
Optional Activities
- Kayak excursion near Guyot Glacier
Landmarks/POIs Icy Bay Guyot Glacier Yahtse Glacier Tyndall Glacier Prince William Sound - Day 14
Sitka
You'll arrive at Sitka on Baranof Island along the Inside Passage, surrounded by the Tongass National Forest, the world's largest temperate rainforest. The Sisters Mountains and Mount Edgecumbe, a dormant volcano resembling Mount Fuji, frame the views. The Tlingit people lived here for 10,000 years before Russia conquered it in 1804. Visit the Russian Bishop's House from 1842, the Russian Orthodox cathedral with original chandeliers, or Sitka National Historical Park with totem poles.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Escorted landing in Sitka
- Exploration of town
Optional Activities
- Russian Bishop's House visit
- Russian Orthodox St. Michael's Cathedral visit
- Sitka National Historical Park exploration
Landmarks/POIs Sitka Baranof Island Tongass National Forest Sisters Mountains Mount Edgecumbe Russian Bishop's House Russian Orthodox St. Michael's Cathedral Sitka National Historical Park - Day 15
Wrangell
You'll step back in time at Wrangell, one of Alaska's oldest towns. After a short 15-minute walk, you'll find approximately 50 ancient petroglyphs carved into the beach rocks. The Wrangell Museum holds artifacts telling the town's complex past under Tlingit, British, Russian, and U.S. rule spanning 8,000 years. See the moss-covered totem poles at Chief Shakes Tribal House and walk local trails into the rainforest and toward Mount Dewey.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Escorted landing in Wrangell
- Petroglyph viewing
- Exploration of town
Optional Activities
- Wrangell Museum visit
- Chief Shakes Tribal House visit
- Rainforest trail walks
- Mount Dewey trail exploration
Landmarks/POIs Wrangell Wrangell Museum Chief Shakes Tribal House Shakes Island Stikine River Mount Dewey - Day 16
Misty Fjords National Monument
You'll explore Misty Fjords, part of the two-million-acre Tongass National Forest. This pristine wilderness features evergreen trees, deep fjords, and snow-capped peaks rising over 3,000 feet almost vertically from the water. The region gets more than 150 inches of rain yearly, creating waterfalls that cascade from dark granite cliffs. Travel by small boat or optional kayak and watch for mountain goats, brown bears, black bears, moose, salmon species, otters, sea lions, harbor seals, orcas, and bald eagles.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Small boat (RIB) exploration of fjords
Optional Activities
- Kayak excursion
Landmarks/POIs Misty Fjords National Monument Tongass National Forest - Day 17
At Sea, Inside Passage
You'll sail through the Inside Passage, a protected 933-mile stretch known for calm waters and few ocean swells. Use this time to wind down and reflect on your Alaska expedition. Get a treatment at the Wellness Spa, head to the bar with new friends to share memories, or join the Expedition Team for a final recap in the Science Center. Compare photos and swap stories about the adventures and excursions you've done.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Transit through Inside Passage
- Expedition Team Science Center recap
Optional Activities
- Wellness Spa treatments
Landmarks/POIs Inside Passage - Day 18
Vancouver
Your expedition ends in Vancouver. This vibrant city between water and mountains has art galleries, First Nations museums, trendy cafés on Granville Island, multicultural food stalls at Richmond night market, and sunny Kitsilano beaches. Consider staying longer or booking the Post-Program to nearby Whistler mountain resort via Shannon Falls and the Sea-to-Sky Gondola for views from 2,900 feet.
Optional Activities
- Art gallery visits
- First Nations museum visits
- Granville Island café exploration
- Richmond night market visit
- Kitsilano Beach visit
- Post-Program: Whistler mountain resort, Shannon Falls, and Sea-to-Sky Gondola (2,900 feet)
Landmarks/POIs Vancouver Granville Island Richmond Night Market Kitsilano Beach Whistler Mountain Resort Shannon Falls Sea-to-Sky Gondola
