Alaska’s Prince William Sound Explorer with Cordova

Welcome to Alaska. Meet the crew and tour the Wilderness Explorer, the vessel for the week. After a welcome toast and safety demonstration, dinner is served. The journey begins.

Wake up in the glacial waterways of Icy Bay, surrounded by 4,000-foot peaks. Nearby glaciers—Chenega, Tigertail, and Tiger—may be explored by skiff or, if conditions allow, by kayak in a secluded cove. The expedition team explains how glaciers continue to shape the landscape. Travel among the islands once home to the Chenega people, whose name means “beneath the mountain.”

Spend the day exploring Knight Island, one of Prince William Sound’s largest and most scenic islands, where glacially carved shorelines and quiet coves set the stage for adventure. This signature stop—visited under permits from the Chugach Alaska Native Corporation—reflects the classic UnCruise Alaska experience. Scan the water for whales, seals, sea lions, and seabirds, then choose how you want to explore: kayak along the coast, beachcomb, cruise by skiff—or head ashore for a guided bushwhack, a hallmark of UnCruise adventure. With multiple ways to get outside and get active, Knight Island delivers a full day of immersive exploration.
 

Cordova is a tiny fishing town only accessible by air or sea, and it is quintessentially Alaska. Explore on your own or join a historic walking tour to see the mouth of the Copper River and visit to a local museum. Hard chargers can race the guides to the top of the Eyak ski hill on a challenging hike. Take in the landscape before returning to the vessel for a quiet evening on board.

Begin the day at Columbia Glacier, the widest and most powerful glacier you encounter on the journey. Flowing more than 32 miles out of the Chugach Mountains, this massive, highly active tidewater glacier is constantly reshaping itself, calving towering icebergs that fill the surrounding waters. Explore by skiff or kayak only, as shifting ice conditions require distance and careful navigation, with your captain selecting the safest and most dramatic route for viewing. After lunch onboard, continue to Glacier Island, also known as Jackson Hole, one of the few places you experience the full range of afternoon activities including open paddles, kayaking, skiff tours, and a mellow bushwhack ashore. Together, these two stops showcase both the raw power of Alaska’s largest glacier and the quieter beauty of its surrounding wilderness.

Today is split between two very different glacier-shaped environments in the heart of Prince William Sound. Spend part of the day at Meares Glacier, a rare advancing tidewater glacier that offers an up-close look at the forces still actively reshaping this landscape. Explore by kayak or skiff or hike up along the side of the glacier for a powerful on-foot perspective. The second half of the day unfolds in a quiet, U-shaped bay nearby, where classic exploration takes over with bushwhacks, skiff tours, and kayaking among steep walls and calm water. In the evening, join your expedition leader for an interpretive presentation, then relax in the hot tub as soft northern light settles over the sound.

The final full day brings a blend of wildlife, culture, and big scenery. Begin the morning at Esther Island, an area rich with life and history. Visit a local fish hatchery to learn about Alaska’s salmon species, with time for skiff tours and the possibility of a short hike if conditions allow. This area is known for dense black bear activity and reliable sea lion sightings, adding to the sense of wild Alaska. In the afternoon, cruise through Barry Arm, where steep mountains and multiple valley glaciers fill the horizon. While this portion is explored by ship only, it provides a fitting visual finale. Back onboard, celebrate the journey with a farewell dinner and a slideshow of the week’s highlights created by your expedition team.

Enjoy one last breakfast with new friends before disembarking in Seward. Transfer back to Anchorage along the scenic Seward Highway for your flight home.