Treasures of the Alaskan Coast (Southbound)
About Vancouver
Wonderland of Glaciers
Starting in Seward, we will spend a day exploring the glacier wonderland of College Fjord before setting off to cross the Gulf of Alaska, known for its abundant marine life. We will also visit another iconic site of Alaska – Hubbard Glacier, the largest tidewater glacier in North America.
Grand Scale of Wilderness
The scale and grandeur of Alaska is hard to describe. There is awesome beauty at every turn – from glaciers and mountains, to thick evergreen rainforests, fjords, and sheer cliffs with waterfalls cascading off their sides. In tranquil bays and coves, bears roam and eagles soar from tree to tree.
Alaska’s towns and villages offer rich stories and origins. There is strong Russian history and Norwegian heritage, gold rush towns with their saloons, and native villages adorned with totem poles and intricate carvings.
Unmatched Wildlife
Known as the Last Frontier, Alaska is a wildlife paradise. Whales spend summers feeding in Alaskan waters. Bears roam the sea shores and catch salmon in rivers. Sea lions group on rocky outcrops, otters play in kelp beds, and seals float on icebergs in the fjords. There is nowhere else on Earth quite like Alaska.
- Experience the highlights of the Inside Passage and Gulf of Alaska
- Explore the largest tidewater glacier in North America – Hubbard Glacier
- Spend time whale-watching and spotting rich Alaskan wildlife
- Discover the amazing cultural diversity of Alaskan towns and villages
- Hurtigruten expedition cruise in the cabin grade of your choice
- One overnight in Anchorage before the voyage including breakfast
- Transfer from hotel to ship in Seward
EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR AN ADVENTURE
- A rich program of included activities on all voyages designed to immerse you in the destinations you visit, including onshore exploration with the expedition team
- Professional English-speaking expedition team - an international handpicked team of highly educated experts in various academic fields with profound knowledge of the region we sail through
- Complimentary wind- and water-resistant jacket
- Loan of boots, trekking poles, and equipment needed for optional and included activities
ENGAGING ONBOARD ACTIVITIES AND EDUCATION
- In-depth lectures on science, history, biology, geography, geology or culture that provide context to your voyage and help you understand the destinations you will experience
- Explorer Science program, with educational and Citizen Science activities that let you learn about the sights you’ll see while contributing to research
- Introductory photo lecture, including camera adjustments and tips and tricks
- Photos and film/video footage from the voyage shared in the Expedition Logbook
- Casual opportunities to engage with the expedition team and other guests, including a welcome event, daily gatherings to recap the day and prepare for the day to come
- Opportunities to dine and interact with the expedition team and officers
- Destination-focused onboard library
- Port presentations providing destination insight
- A farewell event
PREMIUM ONBOARD COMFORT
- All meals including beverages (beer and wine, sodas and mineral water in all ship restaurants)
- Coffee and tea included throughout the day
- Early riser and afternoon treat offered in addition to breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Fredheim restaurant meals included
- A la carte restaurant (only for suite guests)
- Gym, outdoor hot tubs and sauna with windows
- Rejuvenating wellness areas with separate treatment rooms, infinity pool, outdoor gym, running track
- Free Wi-fi onboard for all guests. Be aware that we sail in remote areas with limited connection. Streaming is not supported.
- No gratuities expected
- International flights
- Optional shore excursions with our local partners
- Optional small-group adventures with our expedition team such as kayaking (availability pending weather conditions and safety)
- Travel protection plan
- Luggage handling
- Visa for U.S. - for details please see visa information in our Entry Requirements.
Itinerary
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Urban Outpost for Adventure - Anchorage - Hotel
Anchorage, the largest town in Alaska, welcomes you with a backdrop of towering mountains and fantastic wildlife. You will start your expedition with an overnight that gives you time to experience this unique and adventurous city.
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Start of the Expedition - Anchorage / Seward- Embarkation
Transfer overland through amazing nature from Anchorage to Seward. Largely a fishing town, Seward welcomes visitors with mountain trailheads right from town, nearby glaciers, and a beautiful coastal setting. MS Roald Amundsen awaits your embarkation at the harbor.
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Glacial Wonderland - College Fjord / Prince William Sound - Full Day
We explore less-visited College Fjord with its impressive collection of glaciers. This is a natural wonderland where ice and forests meet, home to five tidewater glaciers, five larger valley glaciers, and a dozen smaller glaciers, all named after famous East Coast Colleges.
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Largest Tidewater Glacier - Gulf of Alaska / Hubbard Glacier - At sea - Half Day
At 76 miles long and almost 7 miles wide, Hubbard Glacier is the largest tidewater glacier in North America. Framed by an amphitheater of snowcapped mountains, it sits at the end of Disenchantment Bay like a sleeping giant.
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In the Tlingit Land - Icy Strait Point - Half Day
Land of Tlingit people, Icy Strait Point offers a glimpse into the life of a native settlement. Houses adorned with intricate carvings, totem poles depicting stories of the clans, an old cannery restored to become a center for the community, as well as cafes, shops, and museum displays welcome visitors.
Included activity:
Cannery Experience (1 hr)
Enjoy a nature walk through second-growth forest and a historical tour of the Hoonah Packing Company Cannery. Your guide tells you about the area’s fishing industry, local flora and fauna, and the native Tlingit culture. See a canning line in operation and take home your own can with a special treat inside.
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Town of Many Stories - Sitka - Anchored - Full Day
Nestled on the western side of Baranof Island, Sitka features beautiful scenery with snowcapped mountains, small islands, rich wildlife and even a visible volcano. A former capital of Russian Alaska, the town has history imprinted on its streets, including a Russian Othodox cathedral and a forest full of totem poles.
Included activity:
Alaska Raptor Centre (45 mins)
Join us on a visit to the Alaska Raptor Center, which rehabilitates injured bald eagles and other birds of prey. See the 24 ‘raptors-in-residence’, including bald and golden eagles, hawks, falcons and owls, and learn about their habitats and how they came to be permanent residents at the Center.
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From Rainforests to Glaciers - Tracy Arm / Endicott Arm - Full Day
True gems of Southeast Alaska, the Tracy and Endicott Arm Fjords feature lush Alaskan greenery on towering cliffsides as well intricately shaped icebergs that have calved into the water from radiant-blue glaciers at the end of the fjords. It is also home to mountain goats and harbor seals.
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Art in the Wilderness - Haines - Full Day
Home of Chilkat Tlingit people for centuries, European traders arrived here in the late 19th century, followed by prospectors of the gold rush era. Known for its community of artists today, Haines remains a small Alaskan town at the end of the road, full of colorful stories and hidden surprises.
Included activity:
Fort Seward Town package (1 - 2 hrs)
Discover Fort Seward and the town of Haines at your leisure. Guides will be stationed at strategic points to present you with the history and culture. Wander with a map of the fort highlighting such interesting sites as the old barracks building, salmon smokehouse, Alaska Indian Arts, the old hospital building, Officers Row and the fire station.
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Little Norway in Alaska - Petersburg - Full Day
Nicknamed “Little Norway,” rarely-visited Petersburg is a thriving fishing village with a strong Norwegian heritage, breathtaking scenery and abundant marine life all around. Proud of their Scandinavian roots, local residents even celebrate Norwegian holidays, and the heart of the community is the “Sons of Norway” hall.
Included activity:
Dock Walk of Petersburg (1 hr)
Meet your local guide who is either a commercial fisherperson or someone involved in the fishing industry for a walk through the harbors. During your time on the dock your guide will point out various types of fishing gear and how it is used to successfully harvest some of Alaska's delicious seafood. Learn about what types of seafood is caught and the sustainability of the fisheries in the area. An underwater video camera will provide the opportunity to see under the dock in hopes of viewing sealife up close, you will be amazed to see what is living just underneath your feet! During your walk you may even hear a story or two from the fishermen preparing their boats.
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Soul of Alaska - Wrangell - Full Day
One of the oldest island towns in Alaska, Wrangell has been governed by four different nations – Tlingit, Russia, Britain and USA. Numerous petroglyphs on the beach and moss-covered totem poles manifest to the area’s distant past. Outside the main cruise ships routes, Wrangell remains a simple fishing town.
Included activity:
An Alaskan's Day (1 - 3 hrs)
Join us and learn what it means to be Alaskan. We drive to a city park with views of the water and surrounding islands, to learn how to cook (and taste) local seafood on a fire pit. Your hosts tell stories about Wrangell’s fishing industry, its history and what it’s like living here today. Local hosts include people from various backgrounds representing their unique perspective of culture, traditional occupations with local skills, and more. Occasional humpback whales, Orca, seals and more frolic in the channel and tidal creatures play in several tide pools ready to be explored along the beach.
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Unspoiled Wilderness - Misty Fjords National Monument - Full Day
Misty Fjords National Monument is a realm of thick evergreen rainforests, granite cliffs adorned with cascading waterfalls, mountain streams and coastal wetlands, often filling the bays and coves with milky fog. Quiet and tranquil, this magical place will show you the serenity of the Alaskan soul.
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Gateway to Alaska - Ketchikan, Alaska - Half Day
Known as the “Salmon capital of the world,” Ketchikan is a true frontier town, surrounded by towering mountains. Colorful gold rush era houses on stilts line the river bank. The city has strong ties to Tlingit culture and is home to one of the largest collections of standing totem poles.
Included activity:
Alaskan Lumberjack show (1 hr)
Learn about Alaska's rich logging history through displays of strength and agility, action, excitement and laughter! World champion lumberjacks compete in 12 athletic events utilizing axes, razor sharp saws and powerful chainsaws. Your cheers will turn to roars of excitement as axes fly, men fall from tall trees, and then run atop spinning logs floating in the water.
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Cruising through British Columbia - At sea
Enjoy the coastal mountain scenery and watch for the dolphins, porpoise, orcas and whales that frequent these protected inland waters.
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End of the Expedition - Vancouver - Disembarkation - Full Day
Our voyage ends in cosmopolitan Vancouver, city of waterfront parks, international cuisine, galleries, museums, colorful neighborhoods, and beautiful nature all around. Take your time to explore the city to get even more out of your adventure.
