Coastal Grandeur
Sailing from Vancouver, we follow the Inside Passage through protected channels between coastal British Columbia and Alaska. Along the way, we scan for wildlife like whales, orcas, bears, sea otters, seals and sea lions.
Rich Culture and Living History
This Alaskan expedition cruise will visit small towns and villages like Ketchikan, Juneau and Haines. The port of Wrangell seems frozen in time, revealing the life of a typical remote fishing town. Sitka, the center of past Russian presence in Alaska, takes us back through the milestones of Alaskan history.
Petersburg gives us a taste of Norway due to its strong Scandinavian roots. Icy Strait Point and Alert Bay are lands of native communities and the true guardians of the Inside Passage. Local people will share their rich heritage and remarkable artwork with you.
Unmatched Scenery and Wildlife
Throughout the journey, the immense Alaskan wilderness slowly reveals its magic – wide open spaces, incredible wildlife, lush rainforests, deep fjords and rugged glaciers. Experience all of British Columbia and Southeast Alaska’s majesty on one cruise for an unforgettable expedition.
- Follow the Inside Passage from British Columbia to the mountains of Alaska
- Spend time whale watching from on deck
- Experience the rich diversity of towns and cultures along the Pacific coast
- Discover the northernmost rainforest in the world
- Hurtigruten expedition cruise in the cabin grade of your choice
- Transfer from ship to hotel in Vancouver
- One hotel night in Vancouver after the voyage, incl. breakfast
EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR AN ADVENTURE
- A rich program of included activities on all voyages designed to immerse you in the destinations you visit, including onshore exploration with the expedition team
- Professional English-speaking expedition team - an international handpicked team of highly educated experts in various academic fields with profound knowledge of the region we sail through
- Complimentary wind- and water-resistant jacket
- Loan of boots, trekking poles, and equipment needed for optional and included activities
ENGAGING ONBOARD ACTIVITIES AND EDUCATION
- In-depth lectures on science, history, biology, geography, geology or culture that provide context to your voyage and help you understand the destinations you will experience
- Explorer Science program, with educational and Citizen Science activities that let you learn about the sights you’ll see while contributing to research
- Introductory photo lecture, including camera adjustments and tips and tricks
- Photos and film/video footage from the voyage shared in the Expedition Logbook
- Casual opportunities to engage with the expedition team and other guests, including a welcome event, daily gatherings to recap the day and prepare for the day to come
- Opportunities to dine and interact with the expedition team and officers
- Destination-focused onboard library
- Port presentations providing destination insight
- A farewell event
PREMIUM ONBOARD COMFORT
- All meals including beverages (beer and wine, sodas and mineral water in all ship restaurants)
- Coffee and tea included throughout the day
- Early riser and afternoon treat offered in addition to breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Fredheim restaurant meals included
- A la carte restaurant (only for suite guests)
- Gym, outdoor hot tubs and sauna with windows
- Rejuvenating wellness areas with separate treatment rooms, infinity pool, outdoor gym, running track
- Free Wi-fi onboard for all guests. Be aware that we sail in remote areas with limited connection. Streaming is not supported.
- No gratuities expected
- International flights
- Optional shore excursions with our local partners
- Optional small-group adventures with our expedition team such as kayaking (availability pending weather conditions and safety)
- Travel protection plan
- Luggage handling
- Visa for U.S. and Canada - for details please see Visa information in our Entry Requirements
Itinerary
Start of the Expedition - Vancouver - Embarkation - Full Day
Vibrant Vancouver boasts waterfront parks, nearby mountains with hiking trails in summer and skiing in winter, multitudes of cafes, shops, galleries, museums, and a diversity of cultural neighbourhoods to explore.
Ship: MS Roald Amundsen.
Cruising Through British Columbia - At sea
We sail north to Alaska through the narrow, weaving channels and straits of Canada’s Inside Passage. Be on the lookout for the dolphins, porpoise, orcas, and whales that frequent these protected inland waters.
Join our expedition team for fascinating lectures, spend time relaxing onboard, or meeting your fellow travelers.
Ketchikan - Gateway to Alaska - Ketchikan, Alaska - Full Day
Known as the “Salmon capital of the world,” Ketchikan is a true frontier town, surrounded by towering mountains. Colorful gold rush era houses on stilts line the river bank. The city has strong ties to Tlingit culture and is home to one of the largest collections of standing totem poles.
Included activity:
Alaskan Lumberjack show (1hr)
Learn about Alaska's rich logging history through displays of strength and agility, action, excitement and laughter! World champion lumberjacks compete in 12 athletic events utilizing axes, razor sharp saws and powerful chainsaws. Your cheers will turn to roars of excitement as axes fly, men fall from tall trees, and then run atop spinning logs floating in the water.
Sitka, Town of Many Stories - Sitka - Full Day
Sitka has beautiful scenery with snowcapped mountains, small islands, rich wildlife all around, and even a visible volcano. A former capital of Russian Alaska, the town has historic streets featuring a Russian Orthodox cathedral and ornate totem poles.
Included activity:
Alaska Raptor Centre (45 mins)
Join us on a visit to the Alaska Raptor Center, which rehabilitates injured bald eagles and other birds of prey. See the 24 ‘raptors-in-residence’, including bald and golden eagles, hawks, falcons and owls, and learn about their habitats and how they came to be permanent residents at the Center.
Art in the Wilderness - Haines - Full Day
Framed by glacier-covered mountains, Haines has been the home of Chilkat Tlingit people for centuries. European traders came in the late 19th century, followed by the gold rush era. Now known for its artist community, Haines remains a small Alaskan town full of colorful stories and hidden surprises.
Included activity:
Fort Seward Town package (1-2hrs)
Discover Fort Seward and the town of Haines at your leisure. Guides will be stationed at strategic points to present you with the history and culture. Wander with a map of the fort highlighting such interesting sites as the old barracks building, salmon smokehouse, Alaska Indian Arts, the old hospital building, Officers Row and the fire station.
Alaskan Fjords - Tracy Arm / Endicott Arm - Full Day
The Tracy and Endicott Arm fjords feature lush greenery on towering cliffsides in spectacular deep valleys. Admire the intricate shapes of floating icebergs that have calved from giant, radiant blue glaciers at the end of the fjords as we sail through this unforgettable region.
Gold Rush Fever - Juneau - Full Day
The capital of Alaska, Juneau, has the aura of a gold rush town with old saloons, historic hotels, and remnants of gold mines in the mountains and valleys. Numerous hiking trails take you from the vibrant busy streets into the wilderness within minutes – a contrast typical of the Alaskan frontier.
Included activity:
Alaska State Museum Visit (1-3hrs)
Explore the recently renovated Alaska State Museum for a unique view of Alaska’s history and diverse cultures. Discover the vast collection of Alaska Native materials, fine art, and items related to mining, fishing, forestry, tourism, Russian-American period, and World War II.
In the Tlingit Land - Icy Strait Point - Full Day
Icy Strait Point offers a glimpse into a life of native settlement. Houses are adorned with intricate carvings, totem poles display stories of the clans, and there are enjoyable cafes, shops, and museum displays.
Included activities:
Cannery Experience (1hr)
Enjoy a nature walk through second-growth forest and a historical tour of the Hoonah Packing Company Cannery. Your guide tells you about the area’s fishing industry, local flora and fauna, and the native Tlingit culture. See a canning line in operation and take home your own can with a special treat inside.
Little Norway in Alaska - Petersburg - Full Day
Nicknamed “Little Norway,” rarely-visited Petersburg is a thriving fishing village with a strong Norwegian heritage, breathtaking scenery and abundant marine life all around. Proud of their Scandinavian roots, local residents even celebrate Norwegian holidays, and the heart of the community is the Sons of Norway Hall.
Included activities:
Dock Walk of Petersburg (1hr)
Meet your local guide who is either a commercial fisherperson or someone involved in the fishing industry for a walk through the harbors. During your time on the dock your guide will point out various types of fishing gear and how it is used to successfully harvest some of Alaska's delicious seafood. Learn about what types of seafood is caught and the sustainability of the fisheries in the area.
An underwater video camera will provide the opportunity to see under the dock in hopes of viewing sealife up close, you will be amazed to see what is living just underneath your feet! During your walk you may even hear a story or two from the fishermen preparing their boats.
The Soul of Alaska - Wrangell - Full Day
One of the oldest island towns in Alaska, Wrangell has been governed by four different nations – Tlingit, Russia, Britain and the United States. Numerous petroglyphs on the beach and moss-covered totem poles are living reminders of the area’s rich and varied history.
Included activities:
An Alaskan's Day (1-3hr)
Join us and learn what it means to be Alaskan. We drive to a city park with views of the water and surrounding islands, to learn how to cook (and taste) local seafood on a fire pit. Your hosts tell stories about Wrangell’s fishing industry, its history and what it’s like living here today.
Local hosts include people from various backgrounds representing their unique perspective of culture, traditional occupations with local skills, and more. Occasional humpback whales, Orca, seals and more frolic in the channel and tidal creatures play in several tide pools ready to be explored along the beach.
Unspoiled Wilderness - Misty Fjords National Monument - Full Day
Misty Fjords National Monument is a realm of thick evergreen rainforests, granite cliffs adorned with cascading waterfalls, mountain streams and coastal wetlands, often filling the bays and coves with milky fog. Quiet and tranquil, this magical place will show you the serenity of the Alaskan soul.
Canadian Frontier Town - Prince Rupert - Full Day
Gateway to immense wilderness on the northern coast of British Columbia, Prince Rupert was a busy city at the turn of 20th century – a major port and railway terminus. Nowadays, it is a sleepy provincial town with interesting stories, wilderness at its doorstep and the beauty of a coastal setting.
Exploring the Inside Passage - Butedale - Cruising through the British Columbia Inside Passage - Full Day
A day of exploration through the narrow channels of the Canadian Inside Passage. Prince Royal Island offers ghost towns, abandoned canneries, and waterfalls. You will enjoy great wildlife spotting, from eagles overhead to seals lounging on the rocky shores.
First Nations – Keepers of the Inside Passage - Alert Bay - Half Day
Alert Bay’s Kwakwaka’wakw First Nations community is based in this scenic village at the northern tip of Vancouver Island. Admire the elaborate totem poles, paintings, carvings and ceremonial masks in the local museum. We will search for wildlife on nearby islands.
Included activities:
Cultural Dance Performance (1hr)
Enjoy traditional Kwakwaka'wakw dances and performances by the Tʼsasała Dance Group, made up of various tribes and language groups. The next generation of Kwakwa̱k̕a̱'wakw will share their culture to educate the world about their ancient songs, dances, teachings and values. These teachings are still being passed on today to the children of T'sasała.
Witness the dances of the T̕seka, the red cedar bark ceremony as well as traditional dances connecting to land, sky, and sea. The T̕seka will be followed by the T̕ła'sala ceremony - peace dances then finally the A̱mlala or fun dances were you will get a chance to join in.
Day 15 - Vancouver - Hotel
Our voyage ends with a return to cosmopolitan Vancouver. After disembarkation transfer to your hotel and an overnight stay. Take your time to explore this colorful, welcoming city and get even more out of your journey.
End of the Expedition - Vancouver
Breakfast at hotel and the end of your cruise adventure. We recommend booking an optional post-cruise Land Adventure to extend your experience in this wonderful part of the world.
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.