Whales & Wilderness
« All Wilderness Explorer cruise options
| Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | ||
| Trailblazer Cabin | Pathfinder Cabin | Explorer Cabin | |
- All rates are in USD, per person, based on double occupancy.
- Rates do not include port taxes and fees, which vary by itinerary.
- Children 12 years of age or younger receive a 25% savings on Family Departure dates.
Deposit & Payment - Rates do not include port taxes and fees, which vary by itinerary.
- Children 12 years of age or younger receive a 25% savings on Family Departure dates.
Day 1 Arrive in Juneau
Transfer to the Goldbelt Hotel. The hotel’s waterfront locale is a perfect base for exploring Alaska’s beautiful capital city – and a great step-off for exciting optional excursions during your time here.
Day 2 Sail from Juneau
Your small ship sails in late afternoon, leaving you plenty of time to explore Juneau. Once onboard, step out on deck to watch Gastineau Channel glide by as you enter Alaska’s true wilderness. D
Day 3 Icy Strait
Watch for the gentle humpbacks as they feast on tiny krill churned by waters from the Pacific Ocean. Watch for the behaviors you may see them exhibit. Spouting. Sounding. Breaching. Tail slapping. Fin smacking. Lunge feeding. Even rare bubble feeding if you’re very, very lucky. The tiny Inian Islands stand between you and the open waters of the Gulf of Alaska, with enticing opportunities to get out there and explore by inflatable craft. Be sure to keep an eye out for Steller's sea lions, orcas, harbor seals, and porpoise. BLD
Day 4 Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Declared by many to be the most extraordinary and untouched place in the world, Glacier Bay was first established as a National Monument in 1925 and has since enjoyed the highly protected status of National Park, Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site. Glacier Bay National Park shows you the earth in transition. The glaciers here are receding rapidly, leaving in their wake scoured cliffs and deep fjords. Watch for sea birds and Steller's sea lions off of South Marble Island and admire the 15,000-foot peak of Mt. Fairweather, the steepest climb from sea level in the world. Glide past massive glaciers of all varieties (hanging, tidewater, and valley) and absorb the expert guidance of a National Park Ranger and a Native Cultural Interpreter who board your small ship and stay throughout your visit. BLD
Day 5 Wilderness Community
For those lucky and hearty few who call this wilderness home, "traffic" takes on a whole new meaning! We will port call at one of a handful of small Alaskan villages to briefly get a taste of what it would be like to be part of a community that rests in the wild and off-the-beaten-path part of the world. BLD
Day 6 Sitka
This beautiful little city is thought by many to be the “jewel of the Inside Passage.” Its setting alone is breathtaking. While big ships must plow through miles of open ocean and moor far from the tiny docks, your small ship will come to Sitka “through the back door,” threading through beautiful Peril Strait and navigating the delicate passage through Sergius Narrows where tides challenge all but the most expert mariner’s skill. Enjoy the peaceful setting as you stroll amongst the totems at the beautiful Sitka National Historic Park, or choose other optional excursions to further explore the gem of Baranof island. BLD
Day 7 Frederick Sound and Wilderness Exploration
Frederick Sound teems with the humpback whale’s favorite food – and the whales take full advantage, feeding in the rich waters as they prepare for their long migration south. Once they leave Alaska waters at summer’s end, these giant creatures will not eat again until they return next year. This afternoon you’ll discover the joys of “gunkholing,” a nautical term that means, among other things, “exploring at leisure.” Your Captain and Exploration Leader know these waters intimately – and each voyage is likely to be different, depending on what magic they find to share with you. BLD
Day 8 Tracy Arm
Many travelers consider these narrow fjords the most spectacular spots in Alaska. Sheer cliffs rise thousands of feet from waterline to snowcapped peaks, their sides studded and stunning waterfalls. And there's the ice. Conditions permitting, your crew will welcome you into inflatable excursion craft to explore the waters and shorelines amid bouncing bergie bits calved from ancient glaciers. BLD
Day 9 Arrive in Juneau
We’ll say goodbye with regret as you disembark in Juneau this morning. Depending on your flight arrangements, you may have time to explore this charming city a bit more. When you’re ready to leave, we’ll escort you to the airport and send you home with our fondest wishes and a lifetime of unforgettable memories. (Note: The order of destinations on this itinerary may vary in response to conditions and/or opportunities.) B
Deposit & Payment
Initial deposit is $950 for one week cruises, $1700 for two or three week cruises, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card. We accept Visa, Mastercard, AmEx, and Discover. Alternatively, you can send a check to our Missoula, Montana, office or register online at: https://www.adventure-life.com/forms/fourways.php
Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure.
Final payment by Visa, Mastercard, Discover or AmEx.
Booking last minute? No problem! Please contact one of our trip planners, and we can get you on your way if booking less than 70 days prior to departure.
Click here to see a copy of our Terms and Conditions.
Cancellation Policy
| Days Prior to departure | Fee |
|---|---|
| 91 days or more | Half of deposit |
| 90-61 days | Full deposit |
| 60-46 days | 55% trip cost |
| 45-31 days | 80% trip cost |
| 30-0 days | 100% trip cost |
Wilderness Explorer
- Ship Highlights
- Passengers : 76
The newly renovated 76-guest Wilderness Explorer is equipped for action, adventure, and exploration. As with her sister “Wilderness” ships, its interior complements the outside and public and private spaces are loaded with amenities. The ship offers a main lounge that evokes the feel of a National Park Lodge or neighborhood pub, dining room, and ample space on deck for taking in the great outdoors.
On board the Wilderness Explorer:
Three accessible decks are fully equipped for comfort and action. Guests enjoy over-the-top views from the bow or from under-the-stars in two hot tubs; on-deck sauna and fitness equipment; and the EZ Dock launch platform makes getting in the water a synch, even for a novice. Onboard are kayaks; stand-up paddle boards; inflatable skiffs; hiking poles; yoga mats; hydrophone for listening below-surface; and a bow-mounted underwater camera pipes the action to the lounge and to your cabin TV.
Guest Accommodations:
The three cabin categories aboard the Wilderness Explorer: Trailblazer, Pathfinder and Explorer provide single and double accommodation. All cabins are above deck with view windows.
Common to all Wilderness Explorer cabins are flat-screen TV/DVD and iPod docking station.
| Cabins | |
|---|---|
 | Trailblazer Cabin Feature queen or twin beds, private bath with shower and view window. |
 | Pathfinder Cabin Feature queen or twin beds, private bath with shower, and view window. |
 | Explorer Cabin Feature a sitting area, fixed queen bed, private bath with shower and large picture window. |
