Where the Mountains Meet the Sea

Begin with a transfer from the airport in Anchorage to the small fishing town of Whittier, located between the mountains and Prince William Sound. The area serves as a gateway to the sound, providing access to fjords, glaciers, waterfalls, and wildlife. Board the MS Roald Amundsen, settle in, and familiarize yourself with the ship before attending the mandatory safety briefing. You also have the option to participate in a pre-program before the cruise begins.

Spend the day exploring the glaciers of Prince William Sound, which contains 150 glaciers, including 17 tidewater glaciers. The captain selects the best location based on daily conditions. You approach the ice as safely as possible using small expedition boats, or by kayak if conditions permit. While on the water, look for local wildlife such as humpback whales, bald eagles, otters, and harbor seals.

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

Embrace the thrill of wild Alaska

Today is another day of exploration as you sail into Icy Strait and take a closer look at some of the islands and islets. As ever – the team will gauge the weather and other conditions to decide upon the best location.  

Using expedition boats, you may get close to some of the rocky shores here, and it’s possible you may land and take a nature walk. The coast in this region grows more rugged the closer you get to the open sea, and there are rocky pinnacles and sea caves galore.  

In the evening, well pass by Point Adolphus, which is located on the northern tip of Chichagof Island, across from Glacier Bay National Park. The nutrient-rich waters are known for attracting humpback whales and other marine life, so be sure to get out on deck and have your camera ready.

Discover a flourishing artistic heritage

Near the head of the Lynn Canal lies the frontier town of Haines, which was originally home to the Chilkat Lingit people. They are renowned for their weaving skills, with mountain goat fur and cedar bark woven into intricate designs, and you’ll see excellent examples of their work here. 

Haines has a flourishing art scene, with galleries and workshops showcasing totem carvings, silverwork, and sculptures. Taking home some Alaskan arts and crafts is a great way to support local creators. The beautiful landscapes here are also ideal for hiking and wildlife spotting.

Witness ancient forests and abundant wildlife

Explore Alaska in true expedition style on today’s exploration day in Lynn Canal, a magical corner of the Inside Passage. This is an area where old-growth forest dominates, meaning there’s abundant wildlife and a spine-tingling feeling of wild nature.  

Conditions permitting, you take to the water in small expedition boats and seek out secluded coves and thickly forested shorelines. Try and catch a glimpse of some of Alaska’s most iconic wildlife, including bears, Bald Eagles, Sitka black-tailed deer, and moose. If it’s safe to do so, you might land and explore the shore. 

See the lesser-known gems of Holkham Bay

Holkham Bay is home to two beautiful fjords: Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm. Your aim is to visit either of the two, depending on the changing ice conditions. The captain will decide which offers better exploration options on the day, but in either case, you can expect jaw-dropping scenery and bountiful opportunities for spotting wildlife.  

At the end of each fjord, fresh icebergs calve from the glaciers against a stunning backdrop of rocky cliffs. This area is a breeding ground for harbor seals, who are often seen on the floating ice. You might also see whales, bears, and even mountain goats, so keep your camera at the ready.

Embrace the thrill of wild Alaska

Today is an exploration day, so the Captain and Expedition Team will use their expertise to choose the best destination. End your day looking out for whales in the pristine waters of Frederick Sound.

You might take to the water in expedition boats and investigate the secluded coves and forested shorelines of the 150-mile-long Chatham Strait, or perhaps opportunities for kayaking will 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.

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.

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.

See sublime scenery as you sail the Inside Passage

The Inside Passage coastal route takes you through the great North American Pacific Fjordland, a protected stretch of water over 930 miles long.

The smaller expedition ship allows you to reach areas that larger vessels can’t, meaning you’ll get to explore lesser-traveled channels with breathtaking scenery. Keep your cameras and binoculars at the ready to catch sight of whales, including humpback, fin, minke and perhaps even orca. In Princess Royal Channel, keep a lookout for the elusive Kermode bear.

Receive a warm welcome in Kwakwaka'wakw

Arrive at Alert Bay, a scenic village on Cormorant Island, north of Vancouver Island. Here you have the opportunity to meet and learn from the Kwakwaka’wakw First Nations community—to be welcomed by them is a real privilege.  

At the U'mista Cultural Center, you'll see elaborate totem poles, paintings, carvings, ceremonial masks, and other meaningful artifacts 

The island’s sheltered waters attract a huge array of wildlife; the yellow-billed loon, with its distinctive speckled back, is a particular highlight. Keep an eye out for orcas and humpback whales close to shore.

Disembark in British Columbia’s iconic city

Your expedition ends in Vancouver, a beautiful city at the foot of the Rockies. Wander Gastown, Vancouver’s Victorian quarter or walk around beautiful Stanley Park, which offers a view of the city and a glimpse of the stunning nature you’ll see on the voyage. 

Vancouver has a flavor all its own—and so does its global cuisine. Before your onward journey, the team recommends you dine out in Chinatown, Punjabi Market or Little Italy for a taste of the city's buzzing atmosphere.