Our cruise was with a company called Alaskan Dream. It is Alaskan owned by a family in Sitka that also conveniently owns a unique lodge called Orca Point. They have decided to incorporate a stop at this lodge on their Alaska cruises, and I believe that is the absolute correct decision! It was one of the highlights of our trip! Not only is it nice to have a landing to break up time on the ship, but it is simply "Alaskan". When you think of The Last Frontier, visions come to mind of being in a remote cabin surrounded by trees and wildlife. This gives guests a taste of that wild experience, but with an easy catamaran ride to shore from a luxury cruise ship.
Orca Point Lodge is a stop on Alaskan Dream cruises (Jenny Johnston)
There is a tide pool exhibit where you can look at starfish, anemone, sea urchins, and more up close. Better yet, walk along the lodge's beach where you will find piles of mussels, scurrying crabs, bladder kelp, and more! Don't forget to peel your eyes from the wildlife-rich ground every so often. You might miss the playful porpoises jumping out of the water and the numerous bald eagles soaring above your head. It's truly amazing to have so much life LITERALLY all around you, under you, and above you!
Orca Point Lodge is a stop on Alaskan Dream cruises (Jenny Johnston) Exploring the shore at low tide at Orca Point Lodge (Jenny Johnston) Exploring the shore at low tide at Orca Point Lodge (Jenny Johnston)
But that's not all, folks! You get to have dinner at Orca Point Lodge. And not just any dinner...KING CRAB LEGS, PRIME RIB, COHO SALMON...not to mention homemade bread, a colorfully fresh salad, roasted root vegetables, creamy mashed potatoes, among other things I could not fit on my plate nor in my belly. I'm still daydreaming about those sweet, buttery King Crab legs. I would say it's because I have lived in land-locked states my entire life, but even the local Alaskans were claiming these "THE BEST King Crab" they had ever tasted. And I think just being an Alaskan makes you an expert in all things crab by default.
Your lovely evening at the lodge slowly concludes with a huge bonfire and s'mores. (Jordan was quickly recognized by his passion for constructing and roasting the "perfect s'more". I guess the intensity of his eyes and sudden silence gave it away pretty quickly.) It's the perfect time to get to know your fellow passengers a little better, breathe in the freshest of salty air, and experience time slowing down while gazing mesmerized into a glowing fire.
King crab, prime rib, & fresh salmon at Orca Point Lodge (Jenny Johnston) Orca Point Lodge fire pit for post-dinner s'mores (Jenny Johnston)
I have travelled with Adventure Life previously and certainly eager to do it again. Kassandra made excellent and honest suggestions while taking the time to understand what was important to us.
Susan
2 months ago
I've just started the process, but Tilly has been very helpful and has a great personality that puts a traveler at ease. I think the paperwork has just begun so I can't give an overall rating of the whole experience. So far, so good.
Christine Allen
3 months ago
The itinerary was described well and contacts for help with flights and hotels very helpful