Expedition Cruise to Alaska - 12 Day Northbound Adventure

On arrival at the airport, A+R guests will be met and chauffeured to our city-center hotel to enjoy their pre-cruise overnight.

After a leisurely morning, check out and explore the highlights of Vancouver, British Columbia on your included sightseeing experience.  Glide through the streets past Vancouver’s most significant landmarks and enjoy up-close views of the city right from the comfort of the motorcoach. Soak in the vibrancy of Vancouver as your local guide shares stories of the town’s rich history and unique culture.
 
Make your way to Chinatown and witness the diversity of Vancouver. Marvel at the pops of bright color and distinguished architecture in the bustling neighborhood. Vancouver’s Chinatown was established in the 1890’s and has since made its mark on the city with its unique culture and cuisine. To experience the history of Vancouver, you’ll travel through Gastown, the oldest neighborhood in town. Grown from a single tavern that was built in 1867, Gastown is home to the famous Steam Clock. Today, the neighborhood is known for its historic Victorian architecture paired with modern boutiques and galleries.  Your journey continues to the western shore in Downtown Vancouver, where you will see Robson Street, the Vancouver Public Library, Yaletown, and the Pacific Ocean at English Bay. Of course, no visit to Vancouver would be complete without a stop at one of the most popular landmarks in the city, Stanley Park. Stanley Park is home to many of Vancouver’s most significant landmarks, both natural and artistic. Some of the park’s famed monuments are the First Nations totem poles. The beautiful collection of poles began in 1920 and has been added to as recently as 2009. Today, travelers from all over the world come to see the stunning works of art. Enjoy a photo opportunity at the totem poles which stand as a testament to the First Nations People and their thriving culture within the region. 
 
Your tour ends at the pier to board our state-of-the-art ship. Settle in to your outside stateroom as our voyage gets underway. This evening, you’ll sit down to an elegant 5-course meal with free-flowing wine and complimentary cocktails.  Meals B+D

Shaped by the staggering force of massive glaciers during the Ice Age, the Inside Passage stretches north from Vancouver Island to the wildly beautiful coastline of Southeast Alaska. It is formed where the mountains of coastal Alaska and British Columbia meet the Pacific Ocean. Over a thousand-mile chain of islands lie west of the mainland’s edge and acts as a buffer against the open ocean swells of the Pacific. Thus, the ocean inside these islands is calm and protected, a sea farers’ dream. With its shallow draft and low-impact design, our luxury ship seems purpose-built to explore the pristine waterways and channels of the Inside Passage. This incredible stretch of coastline creates a rich marine environment, and the Inside Passage teems with marine life from humpback, fin and killer whales to dolphins, porpoises, sea lions and all five species of salmon. Whether you’re in the spacious Observation Lounge or out on our one-of-a-kind viewing platform, your discovery of these wildlife-filled fjords and lush island vistas promises intimate up-close experiences reserved only for the privileged few. Meals B+L+D

Our journey continues through the Inside Passage, one of the world’s most beautiful cruising routes.  The salmon rich waters provide nutrients to the lush coastal rainforest which is habitat for the coastal brown bear, the black bear and if we are lucky enough to spot one, the spirit or Kermode bear. Our naturalists and team of officers on the bridge are on wildlife watch in hopes of catching a glimpse of the blonde fur of one of these elusive bears. Another highlight on our wildlife checklist would be an orca sighting.  Johnstone Strait is home to a resident pod of over 200 killer whales and with our provided binoculars and spotting scopes on the outer decks, we hope to catch the black and whites as they hunt for their next salmon meal.
 
The British Columbia portion of the route includes the narrow, protected Strait of Georgia between Vancouver Island and the B.C. mainland, the Johnstone Strait and Discovery Passage between Vancouver Island and the mainland, as well as a short stretch along the wider and more exposed Hecate Strait near Haida Gwaii, formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands. As we sail these narrow-protected waters, we pass iconic white and red Canadian lighthouses, abandoned fishing villages, remote waterfalls and shorelines full of vibrant green spruce and cedar trees. The views from your balcony or the deck eight observation lounge lend for a relaxing opportunity to watch the world float by under the safe watch of our captain and Canadian pilots. While the Ocean Victory has the latest of navigational equipment to help steer her through the inside passage, the area has a history of over 3000 shipwrecks that stemmed during the early Gold Rush days as gold seekers from California brought wooden sailing ships through waters known for fast and unpredictable currents and uncertain weather.  
 
Your expedition team will keep you fully informed of the exploration opportunities by kayak or zodiac throughout your journey. Meals B+L+D

Ketchikan is known for its deep roots in the Native Tlingit culture. Today’s guided excursion explores this charming and colorful port, starting with Creek Street – a boardwalk perched on pilings along the banks of Ketchikan Creek. Once home to the town’s Red Light District, its historic buildings are now home to small museums, locally owned stores and galleries. In the summer months, salmon, seals and otters can be seen in the rushing waters of the creek. Then delve into the history and traditions of the region’s indigenous communities at Saxman Village. At the Totem Heritage Center, you’ll discover the largest collection of authentic and unrestored 19^th-century totem poles along with informative displays of baskets, masks and vintage photographs. Meals B+L+D

Encompassing vast tracts of land and sea, the incomparable Misty Fjords National Monument is a kaleidoscope of granite sea cliffs, deep fjords, protected coves, rocky islets and forested bays. Dall porpoises, humpbacks, orca whales and sea lions feed in its pristine waters and the shores are home to abundant wildlife including mountain goats, brown bears, black bears, moose, wolves and wolverines. The National Monument is also a paradise for birdwatchers with hundreds of species of sea and shorebirds. With our full fleet of 20 Zodiacs and expert team of naturalists, you’ll spend an unforgettable day exploring this untouched wilderness.  Meals B+L+D

Strategically situated on the north end of Wrangell Island near the mouth of the Stikine River, the small but lively town of Wrangell is one of the oldest in Alaska. Now home to just over 2,000 residents, Wrangell Island was first inhabited by the Tlingit who settled in the region thousands of years ago in hunter-gatherer communities. The town you’ll see today traces its modern-day history to the arrival of Russian traders in the mid 1800’s and saw rapid growth with the Stikine River Gold Rushes that lasted for the latter half of the century. Going ashore this morning, you will see how the Tlingit culture continues to thrive in Wrangell. Stroll throughout the island where the rich heritage of the Tlingit Nation is celebrated as your guide shares legends that have been passed down for generations. At the Wrangell Museum, walk through the multicultural history of the city. Just north of town at Petroglyph Beach State Park, you’ll discover nearly 50 rock carvings that are believed to be at least 1,000 years old.  This afternoon, he adventurous can choose from a variety of available excursions from jet-boating to fishing. Meals B+L+D

With narrow straits and shallow entrances to secluded bays, the remote east coast of Baranof Island is inaccessible to larger commercial ships. With skillful navigation, our Captain and crew will guide the Ocean Victory through this untouched wilderness – aptly named for the many waterfalls that plunge into the sea from the island’s high mountain peaks. Ranging from splashing veils of water to thundering cascades, the splendor of the Waterfall Coast is truly remarkable. As this unforgettable day unfolds, you can choose your vantage point: From any of our ship’s indoor and outdoor viewing areas to exciting up-close exploration by Zodiac or kayak. Whichever you choose, our naturalists are there to enhance and enrich your exploration – helping to keep an eye out for the resident wildlife.  Meals B+L+D

The shallow, protected harbor of Petersburg, is home to Alaska’s largest home-based halibut fleet. These abundant waters and an endless supply of ice from nearby LeConte Glacier led Norwegian fisherman Peter Buschmann to build the region’s first cannery and invite his fishing countrymen to join him. Hence the town’s name and strong Norwegian culture The harbor here is protected and fairly shallow, making it inaccessible to larger cruise ships. Going ashore, you’ll discover weathered boathouses and tidy homes – some painted with flowery Rosemåling designs that bear witness to the town’s founding in 1897 by Norwegian families. With its main street built on pilings at water’s edge and the century-old Sons of Norway Hall as a focal point, the overall impression is one of timeless, picturesque charm! Watch the Leikkaring Dancers perform a selection of Norwegian dances, then join in on the fun! Without the crowds of tourists that descend upon other, better-known ports, your time in Petersburg is sure to be a highlight of the voyage.  Meals B+L+D

Encompassing more than 653,000 acres set aside by Congress in 1980, this spectacular wilderness area is home to two of Alaska’s most spectacular fjords. World travelers claim that both Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm can easily rival any of Norway’s best-known fjords. Bordered by breathtaking mountains, high-alpine glaciers, sheer rock walls that reach over a mile high and waterfalls that cascade down into waters that range from emerald green to steely blue, Tracy Arm is considered the most majestic of all of the Alaskan fjords.

Nature will dictate our route as we explore this spectacular fjord via Zodiac, driven by USCG licensed captains who will expertly narrate the glacial history and succession of the ice carved fjords. Meals B+L+D

On the northwest coast of Kupreanof Island, the remote village of Kake lies deep inside the Tongass National Forest, the largest in the United States. With most of the homes clustered along the shore between the water and the dense forests, Kake is home to about 500 residents of Tlingit heritage, most of whom continue to live off the land through hunting, fishing and gathering vegetation. Standing guard over the village is a 132-foot totem pole; carved from a single tree, it is regarded as one of the tallest in the world. Spending time here in Kake this morning, you’ll be immersed in the traditions of the Tlingit and a way of life that has changed little over the generations.
 
Later today, conditions permitting, we’ll explore Frederick Sound. Surrounded by the majestic, snow-capped peaks of the Coast Range which soars to nearly 10,000 feet, these glacier-fed waters are rich will krill and herring – making this one of the premier places on the planet to observe humpback whales. Orcas, Steller sea lions, Dall porpoises, harbor seals and numerous seabirds also thrive in Frederick Sound. This evening, sit down to another elegant dinner enhanced by free-flowing wine and our Open Bar. Meals B+L+D
 
Returning to ship, you’ll have time to refresh before sitting down to an elegant 5-course Farewell Dinner accompanied by complimentary wine and cocktails.  Meals B+L+D

After breakfast, disembark before transferring to the airport for your flight home.  Meals B