Itinerary
Ship Onboard MS Roald Amundsen - Polar Outside Cabin
MS Roald Amundsen is a state-of-the-art vessel featuring new environmentally sustainable hybrid technology and that offers premium expedition comfort.
The stunning scenery is reflected in a rich and comfortable interior design. Scandinavian materials from nature, such as granite, oak, birch and wool are used to create relaxed and stylish cabins and public areas. All cabins are outside cabins, of which 50% have private balconies, and aft suites feature private outdoor hot tubs with spectacular views.
One of the most eye-catching exterior design features is the two-level indoor/outdoor Observation Deck. It is an ideal place to scan the scenery and watch for wildlife with your binoculars.
The Polar Outside cabins are primarily on the middle decks with windows, most are spacious, have flexible sleeping arrangements and TV for excellent and high standard accommodation. Can accommodate two to four passengers.
Day 1 Anchorage
Anchorage is packed with places to explore and enjoy, from restaurants and galleries to sports venues and shops. If you can, it's worth extending your time here. Anchorage Museum and the Native Heritage Centre give you a taste of local culture. If you enjoy the outdoors, why not visit the flowering Town Square Park or go salmon fishing in Ship Creek.
Overnight in Anchorage at Hilton Anchorage Hotel
Day 2 Seward
Your ride to Seward takes you through the Kenai Peninsula and some of the world’s most awe-inspiring backcountry scenery. The transfer will take you through this stunning scenery as you wend our way to the Pacific coast where the expedition ship awaits.
The embarkation point, Seward, is the only deep-water ice-free port with road, rail and air connections to Alaska’s interior. Once you board MS Roald Amundsen, locate your cabin and explore this spacious and comfortable expedition ship which will be your home for almost two weeks.
Overnight stay onboard in a Polar Outside Cabin
Day 3 College Fjord
Your lecture today may well be related to glaciology. You'll visit College Fjord, which holds five tidewater glaciers, five valley glaciers and a dozen others. The 1899 Harriman Expedition team, which charted the fjord, named the glaciers after their alma maters, which include Vassar, Harvard and Yale. Princeton is missing, apparently a deliberate snub. Get as close to the glaciers as you can, taking the small expedition boats on the fjord if possible, or in kayaks as an optional excursion. From the water, you might glimpse humpback whales, bald eagles, otters and sea lions who inhabit this icy wilderness.
Overnight stay onboard in a Polar Outside Cabin
Day 4 Icy Bay
Experience an amazing expedition day in Icy Bay today. Three glaciers – Guyot, Yahtse and Tyndall – regularly calf into the bay. If conditions allow, you’ll explore in small expedition boats or by kayak, immersing you in the remarkable beauty of this icy landscape.
Wildlife abounds in the Gulf of Alaska, offering unrivalled photography opportunities. Humpback whales, orcas, Stellar sea lions, sea otters and harbour seals lazing on floating chunks of ice, can be seen in these waters. Onboard photographer is ready with expert tips on how to get the best from your camera.
Overnight stay onboard in a Polar Outside Cabin
Day 5 William Henry Bay
In the morning, you'll pass by Point Adolphus, 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.
William Henry Bay lies south of Haines at the edge of the Chilkat Range mountains, and is home to brown bears, black bears and moose. Under the watchful eye of an expert local guide, you'll drop anchor here and explore the shores lined with old-growth forest.
Overnight stay onboard in a Polar Outside Cabin
Day 6 Haines
Near the head of the Lynn Canal lies the frontier town of Haines, which was originally home to the Chilkat Tlingit people. They are renowned for their weaving skills, with mountain goat fur and cedar bark woven into intricate designs, and here, you’ll see excellent examples of their work.
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.
Overnight stay onboard in a Polar Outside Cabin
Day 7 Holkham Bay Fjords
Holkham Bay is home to two beautiful fjords – Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm. Your Captain will decide which offers better exploration options on the day.
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 harbour seals, who are often seen on the floating ice. You might also see whales, bears and mountain goats.
Overnight stay onboard in a Polar Outside Cabin
Day 8 Sitka
Surrounded by Tongass National Forest, Sitka is only accessible by sea and air. Get out on deck for stunning views of the Sisters Mountains and Mount Edgecumbe Volcano.
Inhabited by the Tlingit people for 10,000 years, the town was settled by Russian explorers around the turn of the 19th century before being sold to the United States after Russia lost the Crimean War. Today, Sitka has roots in all three cultures.
A visit to the Russian Orthodox cathedral and Russian Bishop's House is recommended. Admire ornate Haida and Tlingit totem poles at Sitka National Historical Park and enjoy a walking trail through the forest to the ocean.
Overnight stay onboard in a Polar Outside Cabin
Day 9 Inside Passage
Explore Alaska in true expedition style on today’s exploration day in this magical corner of the Inside Passage. Conditions permitting, you may take to the water in small expedition boats to seek out secluded coves, iceberg-filled bays, and thickly forested shorelines. Try to catch a glimpse of some of Alaska’s most iconic wildlife, including bald eagles, pigeon guillemots, otters, whales, and even bears if you're lucky.
Overnight stay onboard in a Polar Outside Cabin
Day 10 Wrangell
Your cruise of the Alaskan islands takes you to Wrangell. A mile out of town you’ll find the ancient rock carvings of Petroglyph Beach. Bring paper and take some stone rubbings as a unique souvenir. Learn more about Wrangell's fascinating past in the local museum. Now part of the US, it’s been governed by Britain, Russia and the Tlingit people. On Shakes Island, the Chief Shakes Tribal House and totem poles tell the Tlingit story. Your visit includes a trip on the waters in our small expedition boats. On land, hikers will enjoy the nature trails from Stikine River and Mount Dewey to the rainforest.
Overnight stay onboard in a Polar Outside Cabin
Day 11 Misty Fjords
Part of the Tongass National Forest, Misty Fjords is a pristine wilderness of evergreens, waterfalls and snow-capped peaks. The revered naturalist writer 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 take kayaks out.
Misty Fjords is rich in wildlife. You’ll scan for mountain goats, bears and moose as you explore. The waters are home to Pacific salmon, otters, sea lions, harbour seals, orcas and Dall’s porpoises. Skywards, you might spot herons and Bald Eagles.
Overnight stay onboard in a Polar Outside Cabin
Day 12 Canada's Inside Passage
The Inside Passage coastal route takes us through the great North American Pacific Fjordland, a protected stretch of water over 930 miles long. Unlike other cruises which pass through at night, you’ll be able to view the sublime scenery in all its glory during the day.
The smaller expedition ship allows you to reach areas that larger vessels can’t, meaning you’ll get to explore lesser-travelled channels with breathtaking scenery. Keep your cameras and binoculars at the ready to catch sight of dolphins, porpoises, orcas and humpback whales.
Overnight stay onboard in a Polar Outside Cabin
Day 13 Alert Bay
Arrive in Alert Bay, a scenic village on Cormorant Island, north of Vancouver Island. Here you'll have the opportunity to meet and learn from the Kwakwaka’wakw First Nations community – to be welcomed by them is a real privilege. Experience more at the U'mista Cultural Centre, where you'll see elaborate totem poles, paintings, carvings and ceremonial masks. The island’s sheltered waters attract a huge array of wildlife – the Yellow-billed Loon, with its distinctive speckled back, is a particular highlight. You might even see orcas and humpback whales close to shore.
Overnight stay onboard in a Polar Outside Cabin
Day 14 Vancouver
Your expedition cruise ends in the beautiful city of Vancouver at the foot of the Rockies. Visit Gastown, the city's oldest neighbourhood, and climb Vancouver Lookout for a citywide panorama overlooking neon-lit Granville Street, West End beaches and towering cedars of Stanley Park. Vancouver has a flavour all its own – and so does its global cuisine. Dine out in Chinatown, Punjabi Market or Little Italy as you soak up the city's buzzing atmosphere.
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