Itinerary
- Day 1
Seattle
You'll arrive in Seattle and get settled for the night. If your flight gets in early, there's time to check out some of the city's highlights. The Seattle Aquarium is right on the waterfront, or you could walk through Olympic Sculpture Park and see the water views. Pike Place Market is the iconic spot with all the fish vendors throwing salmon around and the general energy of the place. Head back to your hotel when you're ready to rest up before heading north.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Seattle Aquarium to see sea otters and giant Pacific octopus
- Explore nine-acre Olympic Sculpture Park with works by renowned artists
- Visit Pike Place Market, the famous century-old farmer's market with shops, restaurants, and salmon-throwing fishmongers
Landmarks/POIs Seattle Aquarium Olympic Sculpture Park Pike Place Market - Day 2
Seattle to Nome
After breakfast in Seattle, you'll fly out to Nome, a town sitting at the tip of the Seward Peninsula looking out at the Bering Sea. This place has serious history from the Gold Rush era, and you can still see old dredges and railroad tracks scattered around as reminders of that time. It's also where the famous polar explorer Roald Amundsen finished several of his expeditions. Your ship departs from here, so plan to arrive early and get your bearings before boarding.
Landmarks/POIs Nome Seward Peninsula Bering Sea - Day 3
At Sea
Your first full day aboard the ship is for getting oriented. The expedition team will give talks about what to expect on the voyage ahead. You can explore the onboard library, check out the Science Center, and spend time on deck watching for humpback whales and seabirds. It's a good day to meet other travelers and settle into ship life before the serious exploration begins.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim), Lunch (Lunch including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim), Dinner (Dinner including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim)
Included Activities
- Expedition Team lectures on voyage expectations
- Access to onboard library
- Use of Science Center
- Wildlife watching from deck—humpback whales and seabirds
- Day 4
St. Matthew Island
You're heading to St. Matthew Island, a wild and remote location about 200 miles from the nearest village and part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. The island has abandoned buildings sitting on black sand beaches surrounded by tundra full of wildflowers. Thousands of puffins, murres, and cormorants call this place home. If conditions are right, you might spot the rare McKay's bunting or hear the distinctive call of the singing vole from the tundra.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim), Lunch (Lunch including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim), Dinner (Dinner including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim)
Included Activities
- Nature landing on St. Matthew Island
- Wildlife viewing—puffins, murres, cormorants, and rare McKay's bunting
Landmarks/POIs St. Matthew Island Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge - Day 5
St. Paul Island
St. Paul Island, the biggest of the Pribilof Islands, has around 480 people from the largest Unangan community in the US. You can see the traditional barabaras, which are dwellings built partially underground for protection from the wind and cold. The island is an Important Bird Area, so bring binoculars to look for horned and tufted puffins, Pribilof sandpipers, and red-legged kittiwakes. Northern fur seals often hang out on shore, and roughly half the world's population lives in these waters.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim), Lunch (Lunch including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim), Dinner (Dinner including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim)
Included Activities
- Visit historical barabaras—traditional Unangan dwellings
- Bird watching—horned puffins, tufted puffins, Pribilof sandpipers, red-legged kittiwakes
Landmarks/POIs St. Paul Island Pribilof Islands - Day 6
At Sea to Dutch Harbor
The ship heads south through the Bering Sea, leaving the Aleutian Islands behind and moving toward Dutch Harbor. The expedition team will continue giving lectures to prepare you for what's coming. Keep your eyes on the water for puffins, auklets, and murrelets, especially closer to shore. The rare red-legged kittiwake lives only in these waters, so spotting one would be a treat. When you want to relax, head to the Explorer Lounge and Bar, use the infinity pool, or soak in the outdoor hot tubs.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim), Lunch (Lunch including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim), Dinner (Dinner including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim)
Included Activities
- Expedition Team lectures and briefings
- Wildlife watching from deck—puffins, auklets, murrelets, red-legged kittiwake
- Use of Explorer Lounge & Bar
- Use of infinity pool
- Use of outdoor hot tubs
Landmarks/POIs Aleutian Islands - Day 7
Dutch Harbor
Dutch Harbor is America's largest fishing port, and as you approach, you might see Mount Makushin, a volcano that sometimes shows steam and reaches almost 6,000 feet high. The Museum of the Aleutians teaches you about the local Unungan people and their history here. There's a Russian Orthodox Cathedral and a WWII museum that covers the 1942 battle that took place here. On the water and land, watch for bald eagles and puffins, and you'll likely see whales, sea lions, and porpoises. The town is famous from filming The Deadliest Catch reality series.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim), Lunch (Lunch including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim), Dinner (Dinner including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim)
Included Activities
- Visit Museum of the Aleutians to learn about Indigenous Unungan people
- Visit Russian Orthodox Cathedral
- Visit WWII museum commemorating 1942 battle
- Wildlife viewing—bald eagles, puffins, whales, sea lions, porpoises
Landmarks/POIs Dutch Harbor Mount Makushin Museum of the Aleutians Russian Orthodox Cathedral - Day 8
Unga Village
Unga Village on the southern end of Unga Island is wild and deserted, a place where Aleuts settled back in 1833 but left in 1969 when the subsistence fishing lifestyle couldn't support the community anymore. A few wooden buildings remain, surrounded by pink lousewort, fireweed, and wildflowers as nature takes over the space. You'll explore this eerie and beautiful spot during a nature landing using small expedition boats.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim), Lunch (Lunch including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim), Dinner (Dinner including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim)
Included Activities
- Nature landing at Unga Village
- Explore abandoned settlement and surrounding wildflower landscape
Landmarks/POIs Unga Village Unga Island - Day 9
Alaska Peninsula
The Alaska Peninsula is untamed wilderness with raw coastal landscapes, tall mountains, and remote bays perfect for wildlife spotting. The expedition team will take you in close to hidden bays and inlets along the shoreline hunting for bears, bald eagles, sea otters, and humpback whales. You'll also learn from the team about how the region's geology formed over time and shaped the unique landscape you see today.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim), Lunch (Lunch including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim), Dinner (Dinner including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim)
Included Activities
- Exploration of hidden bays and inlets with Expedition Team
- Wildlife viewing—bears, bald eagles, sea otters, humpback whales
- Geological lectures on regional landscape formation
Landmarks/POIs Alaska Peninsula - Day 10
Katmai National Park
Katmai National Park covers four million acres and has more than a dozen active volcanoes. The real draw is the brown bears, over 2,000 protected bears make this the largest concentration in the world. With an experienced bear guard, you'll scout for bears from the ship's deck or in small RIBs as they forage for berries, dig for clams, and catch fish in streams. Depending on weather and conditions, you might visit Geographic Harbor, Kinak Bay, or Kukak Bay.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim), Lunch (Lunch including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim), Dinner (Dinner including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim)
Included Activities
- Bear viewing with experienced bear guard from deck or RIBs
- Exploration of Geographic Harbor, Kinak Bay, or Kukak Bay depending on conditions
Landmarks/POIs Katmai National Park - Day 11
Kodiak Island
Kodiak Island is the second largest island in the US and gets called the 'Emerald Isle' because of its spruce forests and grasslands. Around 3,500 Kodiak brown bears live here within the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, which covers about two-thirds of the island. This is the historic homeland of the Alutiiq people. You'll search for these powerful bears in their natural habitat from small expedition boats, getting a rare look at their lives against Alaska's rugged scenery.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim), Lunch (Lunch including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim), Dinner (Dinner including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim)
Included Activities
- Kodiak brown bear viewing from small expedition boats
- Exploration of Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge
Landmarks/POIs Kodiak Island Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge - Day 12
At Sea
While cruising across the Gulf of Alaska, you'll have a relaxing day to use the onboard facilities: the infinity pool, hot tubs, sauna, running track, and fitness center. The spa can work in a massage if you want that kind of break. Join the expedition team in the Science Center for lectures covering Alaska's wildlife, geology, glaciology, history, and culture. Hang out in the Explorer Lounge and Bar with other guests or keep watch from the deck for North Pacific albatross species, including the rare short-tailed albatross.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim), Lunch (Lunch including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim), Dinner (Dinner including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim)
Included Activities
- Use of infinity pool, hot tubs, and sauna
- Use of outdoor and indoor gyms and running track
- Expedition Team lectures on Alaska's wildlife, geology, glaciology, history, and culture
- Use of Science Center
- Wildlife watching—North Pacific albatross species
- Social gatherings in Explorer Lounge & Bar
Optional Activities
- Spa massage treatments
Landmarks/POIs Gulf of Alaska - Day 13
Icy Bay
Icy Bay has three actively calving glaciers: Guyot, Yahtse, and Tyndall. Weather permitting, you'll go out in small expedition boats or kayaks to get up close with this icy landscape. The glacier-fed waters have tons of wildlife, so bring your camera because opportunities for good shots are everywhere. Look for humpback whales, orcas, Steller sea lions, sea otters, and harbor seals relaxing on floating chunks of ice.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim), Lunch (Lunch including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim), Dinner (Dinner including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim)
Included Activities
- Exploration of Icy Bay by small expedition boat or kayak
- Glacier viewing—Guyot, Yahtse, and Tyndall glaciers
- Wildlife viewing—humpback whales, orcas, Stellar sea lions, sea otters, harbor seals
Landmarks/POIs Icy Bay - Day 14
Sitka
Sitka is surrounded by Tongass National Forest and you can only get there by sea or air. From the deck, you'll see the Sisters Mountains and Mount Edgecumbe volcano. The town carries history from three cultures: the Tlingit people who lived here for 10,000 years, Russian explorers around the early 1800s, and the United States after Russia sold the territory following the Crimean War. Tour the Russian Orthodox cathedral and Russian Bishop's House, check out Haida and Tlingit totem poles at Sitka National Historical Park, and take a walking trail through the forest that leads to the ocean.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim), Lunch (Lunch including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim), Dinner (Dinner including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim)
Included Activities
- Visit Russian Orthodox Cathedral
- Visit Russian Bishop's House
- Visit Sitka National Historical Park to view Haida and Tlingit totem poles
- Forest walking trail to the ocean
Landmarks/POIs Sitka Sisters Mountains Mount Edgecumbe Russian Orthodox Cathedral Russian Bishop's House Sitka National Historical Park Tongass National Forest - Day 15
Wrangell
The ship continues cruising the Alaskan islands toward Wrangell, one of Alaska's oldest harbor towns. Petroglyph Beach is just a mile outside town and has ancient rock carvings you can see among the sand. The local museum covers Wrangell's multicultural past: it was governed by Britain, Russia, and the Tlingit people before becoming part of the US. Cross to Shakes Island to see the Chief Shakes Tribal House and totem poles. If you like hiking, there are nature trails at the mouth of the Stikine River and paths through the rainforest at Mount Dewey.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim), Lunch (Lunch including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim), Dinner (Dinner including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim)
Included Activities
- Visit Petroglyph Beach to see ancient rock carvings
- Visit local museum to learn Wrangell's multicultural history
- Visit Shakes Island and Chief Shakes Tribal House
- View Tlingit totem poles
- Explore nature trails at Stikine River mouth and Mount Dewey rainforest area
Landmarks/POIs Wrangell Petroglyph Beach Shakes Island Chief Shakes Tribal House Mount Dewey Stikine River - Day 16
Misty Fjords
Misty Fjords is a pristine wilderness in Tongass National Forest with evergreens, waterfalls, and snowcapped peaks. John Muir, the naturalist writer, once called it one of the most beautiful places he'd ever seen. Weather permitting, the expedition team will take you through Misty Fjords by small expedition boat or kayak. Watch the land for mountain goats, black and brown bears, and moose. The waters hold Pacific salmon, otters, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, orcas, and Dall's porpoises. Look up to spot herons and bald eagles.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim), Lunch (Lunch including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim), Dinner (Dinner including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim)
Included Activities
- Exploration of Misty Fjords by small expedition boat or kayak
- Wildlife viewing—mountain goats, black bears, brown bears, moose, Pacific salmon, otters, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, orcas, Dall's porpoises, herons, bald eagles
Landmarks/POIs Misty Fjords Tongass National Forest - Day 17
Inside Passage
Sailing the Inside Passage takes you through a protected coastal route stretching over 930 miles of North American Pacific fjordland. Most cruise ships do this at night, but you'll travel through it during the day to see the scenery in daylight. Your smaller expedition ship can reach areas larger vessels can't, letting you explore lesser-traveled channels. Keep your camera and binoculars ready because you'll see humpback, fin, and minke whales, and possibly orcas.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim), Lunch (Lunch including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim), Dinner (Dinner including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim)
Included Activities
- Sailing the Inside Passage
- Wildlife watching—humpback whales, fin whales, minke whales, orcas
Landmarks/POIs Inside Passage - Day 18
Vancouver
Your expedition cruise ends in Vancouver, a city sitting at the foot of the Rockies where the mountains meet the water. Explore Gastown, the oldest part of the city, and head up to Vancouver Lookout for sweeping views over neon-lit Granville Street, West End beaches, and the tall cedars of Stanley Park. The city's diverse food scene reflects its communities, so consider grabbing dinner in Chinatown, Punjabi Market, or Little Italy before heading out on your next adventure.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim), Lunch (Lunch including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim), Dinner (Dinner including beverages in restaurants Aune and Fredheim)
Included Activities
- Visit Gastown neighborhood
- Climb Vancouver Lookout for citywide views
Optional Activities
- Explore Stanley Park
- Dine in Chinatown
- Dine in Punjabi Market
- Dine in Little Italy
Landmarks/POIs Vancouver Gastown Vancouver Lookout Stanley Park Granville Street
