The Ultimate Small Ship Alaska Cruise Guide

Table Of Content

• North Pacific Expeditions
• Alaska Small Ship Cruises
• Jerusalem, The Red Sea & Petra
• Destination Alaska: M/V Peregrine Ultimate Alaska Adventure

Pleasure because they are as much fun for us as they are for our guests, pride because the unforgettable nature of these trips is evident in the fact that the majority of our bookings are returning guests or through word of mouth. Step aboard Alaska Uncharted and enter a world where luxury and the untamed beauty of Alaska blend seamlessly. Our vessels, the MY Golden Eagle and MV Sikumi, are designed to provide an intimate atmosphere that feels both welcoming and exclusive.

North Pacific Expeditions

OPINION: I decided to give an Alaska cruise a try. Then I got fined. - Anchorage Daily News

OPINION: I decided to give an Alaska cruise a try. Then I got fined..

Posted: Fri, 18 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Explore Alaska’s hot springs and glac­i­ers aboard a unique ship that puts you behind the helm and lets you man the sails. This South­east Alas­­ka-based tour oper­a­tor will leave you with a new def­i­n­i­tion of what it means to have a once-in-a-life­­time Alas­kan adven­ture. You’ll explore away from the crowds, get­ting an up-close view of wildlife, scenery, hot springs, and glaciers. It is with pleasure and pride that we continue to offer these Alaska wildlife cruises.

Alaska Small Ship Cruises

Whether it’s witnessing the awe-inspiring spectacle of calving glaciers, kayaking through tranquil fjords, or spotting wildlife in their natural habitats, the MV Sikumi brings you closer to the heart of Alaska’s natural beauty. Its ability to venture into secluded areas untouched by larger cruise ships ensures an authentic and unforgettable Alaskan adventure. Design your exclu­sive itin­er­ary then set sail into the vast open waters and wildlife-rich shore­lines of Prince William Sound aboard your own spa­cious and pri­vate yacht. Up to six pas­sen­gers can sit back, relax, and expe­ri­ence an inti­mate tour. Most guests enjoy the 5‑day/​4‑night trips, but you can book longer 10-day/9‑night expeditions.

Jerusalem, The Red Sea & Petra

This optional Cruise & Event Protection must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included in initial payment. Details will be provided with written confirmation of your reservation. The amount of any refund shall be reduced by any recoveries obtained by you from any third parties. This plan provides cancellation coverage for your trip and other insurance coverages that apply only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages.

Discovery Voyages Brown Bear and Calving Glaciers

This exquisite vessel offers an intimate cruising experience, designed to bring you closer to Alaska’s untouched beauty. The 62-passenger National Geographic Sea Bird and National Geographic Sea Lion have been with the line since 1981, but have been refurbished and are still well suited to long and short Alaska itineraries. The larger, newer National Geographic Quest( added in 2016) and National Geographic Venture (launched in 2018) carry 100 passengers apiece.

Purpose-built for expedition cruising, Quest and Venture were designed with special touches including a shallow draft and state-of-the-art twin expedition craft landing platforms for getting out into the water for even closer encounters. You’ll spend either 4 or 7 days sail­ing around Lake Clark, expe­ri­enc­ing all the nat­ur­al majesty this nation­al park has to offer, with its many crag­gy moun­tains set close to the water. Look for wildlife, hike, explore with kayaks and pad­dle­boards, and enjoy bon­fires on the beach. Embark on a journey of luxury and discovery aboard our exquisite small ships, the M/V Golden Eagle and the M/V Sikumi.

The deposit and the fees for the optional Protection Plan or Cancel Fee Waiver [CFW] coverage are due at time of booking. If you are a citizen of another country traveling internationally, please contact an embassy or consulate of Canada and of the U.S. to determine what travel documentation will be required. If you are a U.S. citizen traveling internationally, you will need a passport valid for six months beyond the completion of your Tauck journey to enter Canada. Cascadia is Maple Leaf's newest acquisition, a 24-passenger catamaran with a crew of 10, offering a dozen cabins. The ship is 138 feet in length, with a lounge, terrace, dining area and open bridge policy, as well as kayaks for passenger use. American Constellation, built in 2017, carries 175 passengers and most of its staterooms have private balconies.

Explore a wildlife rich slice of Alas­ka, set in the scenic wilder­ness set­tings of Lake Clark Nation­al Park, and the Chugach Nation­al For­est Wilder­ness of Prince William Sound. Per­fect for the adven­tur­ous trav­el­er, the Hike and Kayak voy­age sees all the same sites as on our Clas­sic voy­age, but with more excur­sions. Kayak among ice­bergs, hike through moun­tain mead­ows, and take in the scenery on this unique trip.

Immerse your­self in a mul­ti-day Alaskan adven­ture that promis­es incred­i­ble views and jaw-drop­ping bear view­ing in Kat­mai Nation­al Park, along with a warm cama­raderie that only a small group expe­di­tion can cre­ate. Explore from your home base on the Island C, a research ves­sel that gets you close to the action while pro­vid­ing com­fort­able lodg­ing and deli­cious meals. Set sail on a lux­u­ri­ous 70-ft yacht out of Homer for 3+ days of fish­ing, hik­ing, kayak­ing, and wildlife view­ing while indulging in mass amounts of seafood. Your itin­er­ary will depend on the inter­ests of the group, and the expe­ri­enced local crew can ful­fill those interests.

As such, you are expected to follow local and supplier guidelines regarding face coverings, as explained by your Tauck Director. Our partners may have a limited supply of face coverings, gloves, and hand sanitizer, so please bring such personal items for your own comfort. Smoking is permitted in designated areas for cigarette, cigar and pipe smoking.

Instead of cabins, a sleeping area has large bunks with walls on two and a half sides and thick, heavy curtains on the rest. The ship has two inflatable boats for shore excursions and wildlife-viewing. The line generally doesn't stop in touristy ports like Skagway, and instead keeps its ships close to Alaska's wilderness, though Wrangell, Misty Fjords and Tracy Arm do feature on some itineraries. Small ships in Alaska typically carry fewer than 100 passengers and have a far calmer vibe. You wake up to the sound of birds and days consist of kayaking or hiking, rather than shopping and taking helicopter tours. Evenings are spent reading in your room or listening to a naturalist talk.

Some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. There is a moderate to heavy amount of walking during our onshore excursions. However, for the most part, the amount of walking you do at the various sites and towns is at your discretion. Any decisions relating to your health, of course, should not be based solely on information provided by a web site.

The classic wooden construction of the vessel has been maintained, and cabins are paneled with wood. There is a hot tub on the aft deck, and a cozy lounge that doubles as a dining area. Since 1986, Maple Leaf has been operating sailing cruises in British Columbia, Haida Gwaii (the former Queen Charlotte Islands) and the Inside Passage. On Maple Leaf's fleet of three vessels, expect an even more intimate experience than on a regular small ship, and a program that is full of First Nations history. American Cruise Lines small ship sailings in Alaska include itineraries through the Inside Passage and Southeast Alaska.

Be at one with nature as you cruise the Inside Passage, surrounded by some of the most dramatic and wildlife-rich scenery on Earth – a cruise that is a perfect combination of natural and cultural history. Snow-crowned mountains, glacier-carved fjords, and lush green rainforests contribute to the feeling of being both uplifted and humbled by larger-than-life wilderness as far as the eye can see. There is always the possibility for wildlife spotting – humpback whales, eagles, orcas, harbour seals – and perhaps puffins, sea otters, the ever-elusive bears or the ever-moving salmon. Life under the sea reigns supreme while on the sea, fjords strewn with glacier chunks appear in shades of blue and white.

Enjoy private cabins, excellent food, and daily adventures to experience nature! Naturalist guides will share their local knowledge, take you kayaking, and lead you on shore trips by power skiffs for hiking and beach combing. An Alaskan wildlife cruise is perfect if you want to experience nature and whale-watching trips. When researching all your Alaska cruise options, also investigate small ship cruises.