Alaska Cruise: Seattle to Juneau

Itinerary

Day 1: Sail from Seattle, Washington

Available and at no extra expense: Early arrival boarding to stay dockside on the Safari Explorer on May 14, 2009. Enjoy a dinner and jazz cruise along SeattleÂ’s lake shores. YouÂ’ll be met at the airport and transferred to the Safari Explorer where your crew greets you with champagne and hors dÂ’oeuvres. Shortly after boarding, youÂ’ll begin your northward cruise from SeattleÂ’s historic FishermenÂ’s Terminal passing through the Hiram-Chittenden Locks entering Puget Sound. Later, cruise through Deception Pass, a dramatic narrow cut between two islands before dropping anchor in a quiet cove in the San Juan Islands this evening.

Day 2: San Juan Islands and Friday Harbor

The misty San Juan Islands greet you this morning. Beautiful forested islands dot the seascape where you wind through the untouched islands in the San JuanÂ’s. Today, visit the port of Friday Harbor. Here youÂ’ll enjoy time at leisure to stroll through the townÂ’s many intriguing boutiques and shops, or perhaps the Whale Museum. Depart for Canadian waters this afternoon; all eyes open for orca whales!

Days 3-5: Exploring the Canadian Inside Passage

Pass through Seymour Narrows along the coast of Vancouver Island. As you head northward, fishing communities give way to forested mountains and intricate waterways. In the following days, you'll explore hidden nooks along the coastline. Search for orca whales in areas such as Johnstone Strait, where nearby the worldÂ’s largest concentration of orca whales gather. Along the way, keep an eye out for seals and sea lions, dolphins and porpoise as well as birds on their northward migration. Learn about native influences which shaped the history of these remote and sparsely-populated islands such as Cormorant Island, home to the tiny community of Alert Bay and the worldÂ’s tallest totem pole. Pause for an up-close view of the dilapidated buildings of the former cannery town of Butedale as they silently and slowly edge toward the icy waters of Princess Louisa Channel. A short distance beyond Prince Rupert, B.C., lies the U.S./Canadian border. The first night in the United StateÂ’s continuation of the Inside Passage will be spent anchored near Misty Fjords National Monument.

Day 6: Misty Fjords National Monument / Ketchikan

Today, explore Misty Fjords National Monument. Misty Fjords is one of Alaska's greatest natural and cultural treasures with its 3,000 foot sheer-walled granite cliffs, sea bird rookeries and fascinating geologic history. The wildlife of Misty Fjords ranges from brown and black bears to harbor seals and bald eagles, so have your binoculars ready! Your Expedition Leader will be on hand to educate and offer insight into the flora, fauna and other details of the natural history here. Anchor deep inside the dramatic fjords of the Monument, and dine among lofty mountains and the echoes of waterfalls. Later arrive at your first Alaskan port, Ketchikan. Once you've cleared U.S. Customs, explore Alaska's "First City" with a walking tour. You'll see famous Creek Street and have time to browse the town's shops. Anchor in a quiet cove this evening, and recount the stories of the day.

Day 7: Alaskan Waterways: WrangellÂ’s Chief Shakes Island

Remote waterways, hidden villages, and wilderness cruising will be your focus today. Tucked behind a fortress of broken islands, Meyer’s Chuck lies undetected by most that pass this way. Visit this surprising community made up of a handful of fishermen, artists and bush pilots. Saunter up the cedar-planked boardwalks that are the “streets” of the village, and meet the locals. Continuing on your cruise, keep an eye out for seals and porpoise on your way to a silent, hidden cut between two islands called Canoe Pass. Kayak along the shores, if you choose, keeping your eyes out for bears ambling along the beach. Later, after cruising through another picturesque narrow waterway, Eastern Passage, tour Chief Shakes Island’s Tlingit tribal house as you call at the true Alaskan town of Wrangell. Spend the night at anchor in a remote cove. There will be time for investigating our surroundings by kayak or inflatable with your Expedition Leaders/Naturalists.

Day 8: Petersburg

Your journey today leads you through the ever-so-narrow Wrangell Narrows, a passage that's been dubbed "Christmas Tree Lane" for the red and green navigational markers that mark the route. Home to rich salmon runs, bald eagles, harbor porpoise and seals, the Narrows will lead you to your destination, the quaint Norwegian-style fishing village of Petersburg. Later, hea dout for your evening anchorage in picturesque Thomas Bay.

Day 9: Frederick Sound

Take an early hike to Cascade Creek for a closer inspection of AlaskaÂ’s temperate rainforest, the most extensive in the world. Here you are introduced to the immense majesty of the Sitka spruce and western hemlock. Then depart Thomas Bay and head towards Frederick Sound, a prime whale-watching area. Spend the day cruising among some of the richest whale waters in Southeast Alaska, searching for the tell-tale blow of the humpback whale. Other marine mammals, such as Steller sea lions and DallÂ’s porpoise, will be high on our list of possible sightings as well. Your Expedition Leaders and crew will be beside us throughout the day adding volumes to our ever-expanding knowledge of this amazing part of the world. Skirt alongside Admiralty Island before anchoring for the night in idyllic Red Bluff Bay.

Day 10: Warm Springs / Wilderness Exploring

Throughout the Inside Passage there are numerous hidden hot springs. Today, visit one of them along your route. Go ashore in Warm Springs Bay and hike to a pool of naturally heated water while a rushing waterfall flows beside you. Once back onboard the Safari Explorer, cruise along the “waterfall coast”, part of Admiralty Island National Monument. These areas are a refuge and haul-out for hundreds of Steller sea lions. Board the skiffs for a closer inspection to watch and listen as these raucous animals vie for space among the islands’ limited outcroppings. If tides permit, you’ll experience a stop in Basket Bay where you have an opportunity to kayak under sea-carved marble rock arches back in hidden inlets and wander through misty coves where colorful sea life clings to the intertidal rocks. Tonight enjoy a relaxing night cap in the Wine Library or in the upper level hot tub before calling it an evening!

Day 11: Tenakee Springs / Pavlof Harbor

After breakfast, pull into the quaint community of Tenakee Springs, a town of about 100 people with most of the buildings perched on stilts. Walk along a finely kept trail adjacent to town to a suspension bridge before touring the town itself by foot. Cruise onward to Pavlof Harbor where youÂ’ll have another bounty of choices awaiting your arrival: kayak in the calm waters, hike to a hidden lake or be on the watch for bears. Of course, you can just relax onboard in the Wine Library, soak in the hot tub on the top deck or schedule your complimentary massage.

Days 12-13: Glacier Bay National Park

One of America's crown-jewel national parks will be yours to explore and marvel at for the next two days. Upon entering Glacier Bay you stop at the lodge at Bartlett Cove for an interpretive nature walk prior to cruising deeper into the bay. The park itself is 3.2 million acres so there is plenty to see. Tidewater glaciers sweep like rivers of ice down massive mountain valleys, terminating before you in the waters of Glacier Bay. If conditions permit, you may board the Zodiacs for a tour of the icebergs. Enjoy your evening at anchor in hidden coves, and morning paddling kayaks or beachcombing. Along the way, keep watch for puffins, bald eagles, murres, sea lions, mountain goats, bears, moose, whales and much more.

Day 14: Icy Strait and Whale Watching

With no agenda except to experience every moment to view humpbacks, porpoise, sea lions, rafts of sea otters in Idaho Inlet and other wildlife, marvel at the grand scenery of Alaska as your crew expertly guides you through those “not in the guide book” areas that all the locals know. Join the Captain on the bridge or out on deck in search of marine mammals. En route to your anchorage, enjoy a Farewell Dinner together before watching a slide show of your journey.

Day 15: Juneau, Alaska

After breakfast arrive in Juneau. A transfer to the Juneau airport or local hotel is included.