Fjords of the Great Land

You begin in the seaport city of Vancouver, where you arrive early to explore the local farm-to-table cuisine, walk through the Victorian quarter of Gastown, and view the city and surrounding nature from Stanley Park. At the pier, you board the MS Roald Amundsen, settle in, and explore the ship before attending the safety briefing.

The Inside Passage route takes you through the North American Pacific Fjordland. You sail outside the protected fjords into the open waters of Queen Charlotte Sound and Hecate Strait. During this day at sea, the island of Haida Gwaii offers some protection from the open ocean while you watch for humpback whales, orcas, fin whales, minke whales, and Pacific white-sided dolphins.

Revel in a wilderness where wildlife thrives

Part of the Tongass National Forest, Misty Fjords is a pristine wilderness of evergreen trees, roaring waterfalls, and snowcapped peaks. The revered naturalist John Muir described the area as one of the most beautiful places he’d ever seen.  

Weather permitting, you'll join the Expedition Team to tour Misty Fjords in small expedition boats, or you’ll explore in a kayak. 

Misty Fjords is rich in wildlife. As you explore, scan the shores and forests for black and brown bears, as well as moose. These waters are home to Pacific salmon, otters, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, orcas, and Dall’s porpoises. Skyward, you might spot herons and bald eagles.

Discover Klawock’s Native heritage

Today you visit Klawock, which is beautifully situated on the western shore of Prince of Wales Island. The small town has a population of around 700 and is known for its array of totem poles.   

A center for Łingít culture, the island’s original name was “Taan,” meaning sea lion. At the Totem Park you’ll see 21 exquisitely carved examples, some of them replicas of the originals that stood in the winter village of Tuxecan.

Embrace the thrill of wild Alaska

Start your day looking out for whales in the pristine waters of Frederick Sound. The next two days are exploration days, so the Captain and Expedition Team will use their expertise to choose the best destination.

You might go ashore for a nature landing, take to the water in expedition boats and investigate the secluded coves and forested shorelines of the 150-mile-long Chatham Strait, or sail into Icy Strait, where opportunities for kayaking may present themselves if the conditions are right. Wherever you explore, keep a lookout for wildlife as bald eagles, bears, and humpback whales can be spotted in this region.

As ever, the team will gauge the weather conditions and wildlife spotting opportunities to decide upon the best location.

Spot wildlife in these glacier-fed waters

Today is an exploration day in Icy Bay. Three glaciers – Guyot, Yahtse, and Tyndall – each feed ice into the bay’s waters to give it its name. If conditions allow, you’ll explore in small expedition boats or by kayak, immersing in the remarkable beauty of this icy landscape.  

From Icy Bay, you can admire striking, jagged Mt. St Elias. Known for its steep vertical relief, it is the second tallest peak in the US and third tallest in the US and Canada at over 18,000 ft.  

In the Gulf of Alaska, you scout for humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, and harbor seals, which are often seen in these waters. 

Learn about the rich history of Valdez

Today you’ll see a region that was in the news for all the wrong reasons when the Exxon Valdez oil spill occurred in 1989, but which today has made a remarkable recovery. After significant clean-up efforts, the coastline has largely recovered — a testament to what can be done to heal damaged ecosystems.

On a visit to the Valdez Museum, you’ll see exhibits of Native Alaskan art and culture, as well as artifacts from the Gold Rush era, and you’ll learn about the history of Alaska’s Bush Pilots. As you travel around this region, look out for wildlife such as beavers, moose, and bears.

Get ready to experience nature’s raw power

Today is a day all about glaciers. Prince William Sound is home to 150 of these amazing rivers of ice, including 17 incredible tidewater glaciers. Your captain will choose the best location for the day based on the conditions. 

You get as close to the glaciers as you safely can, taking small expedition boats into the fjord or even exploring by kayak if conditions permit. From the water, you might catch sight of humpback whales, bald eagles, otters, and harbor seals, all of which inhabit this icy wilderness.

Travel inland to Anchorage through spectacular scenery

Your expedition cruise ends in Whittier, a small, picturesque fishing town of just a few hundred residents, nestled between towering mountains and the deep blue waters of Prince William Sound.  

Surrounded by dramatic glaciers, cascading waterfalls, and lush temperate rainforests, it serves as a gateway to the sound – a haven for kayakers, photographers, and adventurers drawn to its pristine fjords and abundant wildlife. 

From here, you will be transferred to the airport in Anchorage.

To get the most out of your time here, join the post-voyage option.