NORTHBOUND CRUISE

Itinerary - 13 Days

Day 1 - SET SAIL FROM VANCOUVER

Transfer to the Spirit of Oceanus at Vancouver's inner harbor. Sail under the Lion's Gate Bridge as your panoramic Coastal Odyssey cruise begins. 

Day 2 - CRUISING BRITISH COLUMBIA

Over the next two days you will experience sheltered waterways lined by the evergreen wilderness of the Great Bear Rainforest that temptingly lead you north toward Alaska. These nutrient-rich waters are home to whales and dolphins. This is a truly special place and, at 19 million acres, one of the earth's largest remaining tracts of temperate rainforest.  We will keep an eye out for the Kermode Bear.  Known locally as the "Spirit Bear," this rare and elusive subspecies of black bear is a phenomenal sight with its white fur.  The day will be filled with interesting narrative from your Exploration Leader and relaxing cruising in the wilderness.  Stop for a visit at a remote port of call along the lush British Columbia Inside Passage to explore life in this beautiful and quiet region. 

Day 3 - CRUISING BRITISH COLUMBIA

A second day of cruising British Columbia.  We'll make a brief stop at one of the Native villages along our route.  The First Nations of British Columbia have inhabited this rich region for thousands of years.  The Kitasoo/Xaixais First Nation are a coastal people whose ancient history remains alive and well today.  While comitted to educating their children in the ways of modern man, they are equally committed to the preservation of their language and traditions.  We'll have the opportunity to meet with tribal members to hear their story and perspective on life in this remote region.  Then we'll spend the rest of the day enjoying the scenic cruising.  Set your clocks back one hour before bedtime as we'll cross the Dixon Entrance and enter Alaska Daylight Time. 

Day 4 - MISTY FIORDS NATIONAL MONUMENT AND METLAKATLA

The dramatic granite cliffs of Misty Fiords National Monument welcome you to Alaska's grandeur as you explore spectacular Behm Canal, a glacially-carved fjord where six inlets come together.  All the important geological and ecological characteristics of Southeast Alaska are found within these 2.3 million acres of pristine wilderness.  Seagulls and pigeon guillemots find the perfect nesting sites along glacier-carved granite walls in this tranquil temperate rainforest. National Forest Service Kayak Rangers will join you onboard to offer information about this area. This is just the beginning of our adventures within the United States' largest national forest.  At 17 million acres, the Tongass National Forest is the size of West Virginia and covers 80 percent of Southeast Alaska.

We'll have the unique opportunity to visit Metlakatla on Annette Island.  In a quest for religious freedom, Father William Duncan and a group of Tsimshian Indians moved 100 miles north of Metlakatla, British Columbia to Annette Island, the site of present day Metlakatla.  In 1891, the United States government set aside Annette Island for the exclusive use of the Tsimshian Indians and other Alaska natives and it is now the only such reservation in Alaska. We will have the special opportunity to meet members of this community and be honored by observing a traditional dance performance in full Tsimshian regalia in their tribal long house.

Day 5 - PETERSBURG

Winding Wrangell Narrows leads to the Norwegian-founded, bustling fishing village of Petersburg, at the northern tip of Mitkof Island.  Disembark for your shore excursions and adventures in "Little Norway," with a population of about 3,000.   We'll be entertained with an included celebration at the Sons of Norway Hall .  The Leikarring Dancers perform traditional Norwegian dance in colorful and authentic dress of bright blues accentuated by red, white and yellow embroidered flowers.  You will also be treated to an introduction to the community and sample some homemade Norwegian pastries.  There will be time to explore this tiny, picturesque fishing community. 

Day 6 - TRACY ARM AND FREDERICK SOUND

We will travel through Holkham Bay, the mouth of two spectacular, glacier-fed fjords.  As we cross the bar look for signs of the strong currents tugging at the red and green navigational markers and for the many birds that feed on the rich nutrients stirred by these currents. We will be cruising far up Tracy Arm toward the twin Sawyer Glaciers, where steep granite cliffs line waterways choked with icebergs. The fjord twists and turns for 25 miles.  We will come as close as safely possible to the face of a glacier and hope for a show of thundering ice splashing seawater hundreds of feet high.  Arctic terns my buzz close to the bow, their shrill call warning you to stay away from their nests in the glacial till.

We head back out of the fjord  and follow the tenacious plant succession up and down the steel-gray mountainsides.  As we exit Holkham Bay , we enter Frederick Sound, the body of water that hosts a world-renowned humpback whale population. Nutrient-rich waters compel large numbers of humpbacks to return from Hawaii every summer to feed and frolic in this region.  We'll spend the afternoon seeking glimpses of these magnificent creatures.  We may also be able to find and observe the massive and gregarious Steller's sea lions and harbor seals.

You'll want to be on deck as we transit Wrangell Narrows, a waterway that separates Mitkof and Kupreanof Islands.  Too narrow and shallow for the large ships to successfully navigate, our small ship is masterfully steered 21 miles along a snake-like path with 46 course changes.  Seventy red and green navigational lights mark the course, earning it the nickname of "Christmas Tree Lane."  This is a great area to look for Sitka black-tailed deer, black bears and large rafts of seabirds.  

Day 7 - SKAGWAY

Early this morning we'll cruise the deep and mysterious waters of Lynn Canal, bordered by tall, rugged snowcapped mountain peaks.  Relive the Gold Rush in the picture-perfect setting of Skagway, the starting place for many early gold seekers of the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush.  Your included tour is a 15-minute drive and overview of the town in a unique touring car.  Tour guides are dressed in period costumes and are well versed in the raucous stories of this frontier settlement.  Wooden sidewalks border historic buildings erected when this boomtown was jammed with thousands of folk lured by gold fever.  This is the home of the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway. 

Day 8 - GLACIER BAY NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE

Realize the beauty of majestic Glacier Bay National Park, as we cruise looking for wildlife and glacier activity in remote bays. We'll pick up a Glacier Bay Park Service Ranger and Tlingit Native Cultural Interpreter in Bartlett Cove.  They'll join us onboard to help spot wildlife and other fascinating information on this evolving area.  Over 65 miles of pristine terrain and habitat have been revealed in Glacier Bay since its giant rivers of ice have dramatically retreated over the past 200 years.  We'll approach the Marble Islands and encounter a teeming multitude of seabirds such as black-legged kittiwakes, murrelets and puffins all swooping and swarming above the barking haul-out of Steller's sea lions.  Keep an eye out for mountain goats on the Gloomy Knob or brown and black bears foraging on the shoreline.  We may also spot harbor seals, sea otters and humpback whales. 

Day 9 - SITKA

Breathtaking waterways lead to attractive Sitka. We will cruise through a zigzag of beautiful, narrow passageways between Baranof and Chichagof Islands to Sitka, the oldest non-Native settlement in Southeast Alaska.  Along the way there will be an excellent opportunity to view bald eagles and Sitka black-tailed deer along the shorelines.  Also look for sea otters feeding on sea urchings and floating close to protective kelp beds. Sitka is nestled on the shores of Sitka Sound, on the west coast of Baranof Island, protected from the Pacific by lush, forested islands and Mt. Edgecumbe, the "Mount Fuji of the West." This one-time capital of Russian America has a wealth of historical art and artifacts. Stroll the totem-lined forest trail at Sitka National Historic Park.  Various optional shore excursions are offered to maximize your time in this small coastal community that was once called, "The Paris of the Pacific." 

Day 10 - EXPLORING THE ALASKAN COAST

Snowcapped mountains, some soaring to 15,000 feet, line the northern horizon today as you enjoy a full day of life at sea. 

Day 11 - PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND

We'll explore the more remote wilderness region in the southwestern part of Prince William Sound.Keep your binoculars and camera handy as we cruise through spectacular coves, inlets and view the steep rocky cliffs that demarcate the mainland and various islands.  Knight Island Passage and Montague Straits supports an extraordinary plethora of marine mammals including humpback whales, orcas, harbor seals and sea lions.  Snaggle-toothed rocky outcroppings on the periphery of the Gulf of Alaska are the perfect protected habitat for a multitude of nesting seabirds, particularly puffins, common murres and cormorants.  Our years of exploration here enable us to show you the very best of the hidden wildlife wonders. 

Day 12 - WHITTIER TO ANCHORAGE

Disembark the Spirit of Oceanus and transfer to Anchorage via motorcoach.  Included Anchorage sightseeing features the Anchorage Museum of History and Art.  Evening dinner will be enjoyed at the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel or at your choice of restaurants in beautiful Anchorage,  nestled between the Chugach Mountains and the shoreline of Cook inlet. 

Day 13 - ANCHORAGE

Prior to your transfer to the airport, enjoy a morning Anchorage tour.

SOUTHBOUND CRUISE

Itinerary - 13 Days

Day 1 - ARRIVE IN ANCHORAGE

Arrive in Anchorage, where you will be transferred to the Sheraton Hotel.  Spend a relaxing evening nestled between the Chugach Mountains and the shoreline of Cook Inlet.

Day 2 - ANCHORAGE TO WHITTIER

Enjoy a morning Anchorage tour which includes a visit to the Museum of History and Fine Art.  This afternoon transfer to Whittier to board the Spirit of Oceanus.

Day 3 - PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND

Keep your binoculars and camera handy as we explore the secluded wildlife-rich islands and iceberg-filled fjords in rarely visited Prince William Sound. Our years of exploration here enable us to show you the very best of the hidden wildlife wonders.

Explore the more remote wilderness of Prince William Sound. Spectacular coves, inlets and steep rocky cliffs demarcate the mainland and various islands. Cruise narrow passageways, peaceful and abundant with bursts of birdcalls or languorously swimming sea otters. Knight Island Passage and Montague Straits support an extraordinary plethora of marine mammals including humpbacks, orcas, harbor seals and sea lions. Snaggle-toothed rocky outcroppings on the periphery of the Gulf of Alaska are the perfect protected habitat for a multitude of nesting seabirds, particularly puffins, common murres and cormorants.

 

Day 4 - EXPLORING THE ALASKAN COAST - YAKUTAT

View the rugged Alaskan Coast, watching for wildlife that calls this remote landscape and seascape home. Conditions permitting, we may explore this area in small excursion craft.  The small village of Yakutat is situated on beautiful Monti Bay is the only sheltered deepwater port in the Gulf of Alaska. It is the gateway to the Hubbard Glacier surrounded by Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Tongass National Forest. The chief occupation here is fishing – steelhead, salmon and halibut can all be found in abundance. You’ll see miles of untouched, sandy beach littered with driftwood and occasionally glass fishing balls. Around Yakutat, look for brown bears, moose and bald eagles.

Day 5 - SITKA

Breathtaking waterways lead to attractive Sitka. Cruise through a zigzag of beautiful, narrow passageways between Baranof and Chichagof Islands.   There is an excellent opportunity to view bald eagles and Sitka black-tailed deer along the shorelines. Also look for sea otters feeding on sea urchins and floating close to protective kelp beds. Sitka is nestled on the shores of Sitka Sound, on the west coast of Baranof Island, protected from the Pacific by lush, forested islands and Mt. Edgecumbe, the “Mount Fuji of the West.”  This one-time capital of Russian America and the oldest non-Native settlement in Southeast Alaska has a wealth of historical art and artifacts.  Enjoy a wonderful walk through the Sitka National Historical Park, whose forested beachside trail is lined with a number of finely carved totems. Various optional shore excursions are available in this small coastal community that was once called “The Paris of the Pacific.”

Day 6 - GLACIER BAY NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE

Entering the park in the early morning we’ll pick up a Glacier Bay Park Ranger and a local Tlingit Cultural Interpreter in Bartlett Cove. They will provide a comprehensive day of narrative sightseeing. Over 65 miles of pristine terrain and habitat have been revealed in Glacier Bay since its giant rivers of ice began dramatically retreating 200 years ago. Approach Marble Islands and hurry outside to encounter a teeming multitude of seabirds like black-legged kittiwakes, murrelets and puffins, all swooping and swarming above the writhing, barking haul-out of Steller’s sea lions. We may encounter mountain goats on Gloomy Knob or watch brown and black bears foraging along the shoreline. Look for more harbor seals, sea otters and the humpback whales that call Glacier Bay their summer home.

Day 7 - SKAGWAY

Cruise the deep and mysterious emerald-green waters of Lynn Canal, bordered by tall, rugged, snowcapped mountain peaks. Disembark in Skagway, the gateway to the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898. Your included tour is a drive and overview in a unique touring car. Tour guides dress in period costumes and are well versed in the raucous stories of this frontier settlement. Wooden sidewalks border historic buildings erected when this boomtown was jammed with thousands of folks lured by gold fever, all eager to ascend the foreboding and treacherous mountain trails to find the elusive mother-lode of gold. This is the home of the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway.

Day 8 - TRACY ARM AND FREDERICK SOUND

You will be cruising far up Tracy Arm There will be time to search the waters for humpbacks and orca, seals, sea lions, and porpoises in Frederick Sound. You may spend time anchored in a secluded cove.  Travel through Holkham Bay, the mouth of two spectacular, glacier-fed fjords. Crossing the bar, look for signs of the strong currents tugging at the red and green navigational markers and for the many birds that feed on the rich nutrients stirred by these currents. Travel up Tracy Arm, a glacially carved fjord filled with deep, emerald-green seawater, bordered by steep granite cliffs lining the waterways that are choked with icebergs, toward the twin Sawyer Glaciers.  The fjord twists and turns for 25 miles.  We’ll come as close as safely possible to the face of a glacier and hope for a show of thundering ice splashing seawater hundreds of feet high. Arctic terns may buzz close to the bow, their shrill call warning us to stay away from their nests.
We’ll exit Holkham Bay and enter Frederick Sound, the body of water that hosts a world-renowned humpback whale population. Nutrient-rich waters compel large numbers of humpbacks to return from Hawaii every summer to feed and frolic in this region. Look for these magnificent creatures as well as Steller’s sea lions and harbor seals.

Day 9 - PETERSBURG

Winding Wrangell Narrows leads to the Norwegian-founded, bustling fishing village of Petersburg, at the northern tip of Mitkof Island.  Disembark for your shore excursions and adventures in Alaska’s “Little Norway,” with a population of about 3,000. Begin with an included celebration at the Sons of Norway Hall, close to where the vessel moors. The Leikarring Dancers perform traditional Norwegian dances in colorful and authentic dress of bright blues accentuated by red, white and yellow embroidered flowers. You will also be treated to an introduction to the community and sample some homemade Norwegian pastries. Explore this tine seaside fishing community surrounded by 10,000-foot snowcapped mountain peaks jutting from the sea.

Day 10 - MISTY FIORDS NATIONAL MONUMENT AND METLAKATLA

The dramatic granite cliffs of Misty Fiords National Monument welcome you to Alaska's grandeur as you explore spectacular Behm Canal, a glacially-carved fjord where six inlets come together.  All the important geological and ecological characteristics of Southeast Alaska are found within the 2.3 million acres of Misty Fiords National Monument. Steep-sided mountains become even more magical shrouded in mist. Mountain goats graze on new grasses. Black and brown bears forage on the bounty of the intertidal zone as they fatten up for their dormant phase of winter. Harbor seals frolic near the estuaries. Seagulls and pigeon guillemots find the perfect nesting sites along glacier-carved granite walls in this tranquil, temperate rainforest. We cruise into the United States largest national forest. At 17 million acres. The Tongass National Forest is the size of West Virginia and covers 80 percent of Southeast Alaska. We’ll cruise past the southernmost islands of the Alexander Archipelago, the 1,000 islands that comprise Southeastern Alaska. 

We’ll have the unique opportunity to visit Metlakatla on Annette Island. In a quest for religious freedom, Father William Duncan and a group of Tsimshian Indians moved 100 miles north of Metlakatla, British Columbia to Annette Island, the site of present day Metlakatla. In 1891, the United States government set aside Annette Island for the exclusive use of the Tsimshian Indians and other Alaska Natives and it is now the only such reservation in Alaska. Tour this community and meet residents, including local artisans. Be honored by a traditional dance performance in traditional Tsimshian regalia in their tribal long house.National Forest Service Kayak Rangers will join you onboard to offer information about this area. The Tsimshian community of Metlakatla greets you with a dance performance at their tribal long house.

Day 11 - CRUISING BRITISH COLUMBIA - PRINCE RUPERT

Over the next two days you will experience sheltered waterways lined by the evergreen wilderness of the Great Bear Rainforest. Situated at the mouth of the Skeena River, Prince Rupert, is a wild and dramatic place, where nature and humanity have intermingled for thousands of years. It is thought that Prince Rupert may be one of the oldest continuously populated locations on the planet and home to the Tsimshian Nation. Step ashore to explore this sliver of civilization tucked away amidst the rugged coastline and deep green forests of the Inside Passage. Your included highlight will be entry into the Museum of Northern British Columbia, which exhibits the ancient and modern First Nations history of the region. Appreciate the heady smell of cedar that fills the air around you. Cedar plays an integral role in the lives of the Coastal First Nations from Washington up to Alaska and has been beautifully highlighted in the architecture of the museum. .

Day 12 - CRUISING BRITISH COLUMBIA - THE GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST

At 19 million acres, this rainforest is one of the earth’s largest remaining tracts of temperate rainforest. Keep a quiet, watchful eye for the Kermode Bear. Known locally as the “Spirit Bear,” this rare and elusive subspecies of black bear is a phenomenal sight to behold with its white fur. The eagles and seabirds soar and seeing harbor seals and sea lions is always a possibility.

Day 13 - ARRIVE IN VANCOUVER

Transfer to the airport with lifetime memories.