Small Ship Cruise to Southeast Alaska Aboard the Island Spirit
9 day programs departing in either Sitka, Juneau or Petersburg, Alaska.
Spectacular wilderness bays, Kayaking, glaciers, whales and wildlife.
If your idea of a great vacation includes spending absolutely quiet evenings anchored in peaceful coves, getting up-close and personal with the native wildlife, and sight-seeing and shopping throughout Southeast Alaska's most popular destinations, then we have the perfect cruise for you.
Imagine enjoying humpback whales and marine mammals close enough to hear the "rush" of their breathing. Cruising the rugged shorelines and remote bays of Alaska's Panhandle. Bald eagles, cormorants, tufted puffins, loons, and Pacific sea birds right outside your cabin window.
Feeling the need to get even closer to nature? You can enjoy one of our ship's kayaks to explore the "nooks and crannies" of our evening anchorage, or help a crew member pull in a crab trap to check for the catch of the day.
Choose from three exciting itineraries below:
- Sitka to Petersburg Departure
- Petersburg to Sitka Departure
- Juneau to Sitka Departure
- Photo Emphasis Cruise
Sitka to Petersburg Departure
Rates & Dates
Length: 9 Days
Starting from: $4,395 pp
Sale: Get up to $500 off per cabin!
Also, travel as a single for the same price as a double!
2010 Dates:
May 27th- June 4th
August 8th-16th
Ships: MV Island Spirit
Notes: Port fees, taxes, US forest service permits and all tours are included.
Sitka Departures from our Port of Russian Heritage
Day 1
Your am arrival in Sitka will give you time to shop and get lunch on your
own before tours start at lpm. Tours include the alaska raptor center,
totem park and the sheldon jackson museum. Join us aboard the island
spirit for cocktails following your tour as we depart for our evening
anchorage. Enjoy beautiful scenery along the way.
Day 2
Experience more of the great wilderness as we make our way to Baranof
Warm Springs Bay. This will be our anchorage for the evening. Take a hike
up to the lake and learn about the Muskeg along the way. Later soak in one
of the hot sulphur tubs while enjoying the waterfall view.
Day 3
Today we cruise north in Chatham Strait for a visit to the small community
of Tenakee Springs (pop. 97). Enjoy a stroll to the bakery and the local
mercantile & visit with locals for an interesting Alaskan afternoon.
Tonight we will anchor in a nearby bay of the Captain's choosing.
Day 4
Again we will head north in Chatham Strait, watching for the humpback
whales that frequent this area in the summer months. We may stop along
the way to explore a bay or two as we make our way to Barlow Cove.
Day 5 & 6
We get an early start this am to make port in Juneau by 9am. Enjoy time for
shopping before lunch. We depart around noon for Endicoti Arm, Dawes
Glacier and Fords Terror. We will spend two days exploring this area.
Day 7
Heading south in Stephens Passage we will again be looking for the whales
as they feed and play in the local waters. If tides are good we may have a
chance to visit the oldest lighthouse in S.E. Alaska. Our anchorage tonight
will be in Farragut or Portage Bays. Enjoy a beach walk.
Day 8
This morning we make our way into the fishing community of Petersburg.
Here you may have the opportunity to visit a local cannery (fish pending)
and get in a littte more shopping. Dinner tonight is traditional at
the Sons of Norway Hall, complete with entertainment.
Day 9
Transfers to the airport after breakfast for flights home.
Petersburg to Sitka Departure
Rates & Dates
Length: 9 Days
Starting from: $4,395 pp
Sale: Get up to $500 off per cabin!
Also, travel as a single for the same price as a double!
2010 Dates:
June 6-June 14, 2010
June 25-July 3, 2010
Ships: MV Island Spirit
Notes: Port fees, taxes, US forest service permits and all tours are included.
Northbound Alaska Cruise and Tour Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive Petersburg, Alaska. Escort meets group at airport and transfers to town for shopping and lunch on own. (Baggage transferred to vessel and stowed in guest rooms. ) Afternoon activities to include: Tours of Petersburg Cannery and interpretive Muskeg walk. Later today we enjoy an early dinner at the Son’s of Norway hall with entertainment. Board vessel and meet crew – cocktail reception/dinner. Early evening cruise to anchorage.
Cocktails,Dinner
Day 2 – Whale search and cruise northbound toward our Glacier area. Search for Humpback Whales enroute. Tides permitting, we may visit 5 Fingers Lighthouse, one of the oldest in SE Alaska. Anchor tonight in a quiet wilderness anchorage.
Breakfast, Lunch, Cocktails, Dinner
Day 3 – This morning we cruise up to view Dawes glacier. An active Tidewater Glacier in Endicott Arm and Holkam Bay. Enjoy time by the glacier with a great opportunity to see calving and harbor seals with their young pups. Afterwards, we anchor at a local inlet for exploring and kayaking.
Breakfast, Lunch, Cocktails, Dinner
Day 4 – Today we enter one of SE Alaska’s most prestine scenic Canyons-Fords Terror. Known for swirling rapids and sheer cliff faces, this wonderful wilderness area is protected under the Tongass National Forest. Today we enjoy a majestic place to kayak and explore that very, very few even know exist.
Breakfast, Lunch, Cocktails, Dinner
Day 5 – We depart early this morning, cruising north for a port call in Juneau, Ak. There’s free time here for shopping and time to tour town. Perhaps you’ll take the Mt. Roberts tram or visit the famous Red Dog Saloon. A map is provided for your use after a brief tour. The crew will walk any interested clients up to the Governor’s mansion for a peek. Evening cruising to Barlow Cove.
Breakfast, Lunch, Cocktails, Dinner
Day 6 – Cruise this morning in Chatham Strait. We search for Dalls Porpoise and Orca Whales. Today we enjoy a truly unique Alaskan community. Tenakee Springs, Alaska. Population 97! There’s time to stroll among the waterfront homes, visit the merchantile (founded in 1899) and enjoy a little shopping at the friendly bakery. (more than t-shirts and hats). Later this evening we move to another truly Alaskan community. Baranoff Warm Springs! A wilderness, boardwalk community.
Breakfast, Lunch, Cocktails, Dinner
Day 7 – Enjoy a leisurely morning by a great waterfall, kayak or just soak in a private hot tub at the head of the dock. This is a truly amazing Alaskan village. If advance plans are made, there’s even a masseuse available for a spa treatment out here in the wilderness. Maybe you’ll take the short hike to the lake. After a great morning enjoy some afternoon cruising to a new anchorage.
Breakfast, Lunch, Cocktails, Dinner
Day 8 – Morning cruise into Sitka, Alaska. Afternoon tours to include: Raptor Rehabilitation center and lecture, Totem Park and Sheldon Jackson Museum. Afterwards, shopping time then back to the vessel for Captains dinner. Slide presentation after dinner for guests.
Breakfast, Lunch, Cocktails, Dinner
Day 9 – Breakfast is served and baggage is transferred to the airport for flights home.
Breakfast
Juneau to Sitka Departure
Rates & Dates
Length: 9 Days
Starting from: $4,395 pp
Sale: Get up to $500 off per cabin!
Also, travel as a single for the same price as a double!
2010 Dates:
July 12-July 20, 2010
Ships: MV Island Spirit
Notes: Port fees, taxes, US forest service permits and all tours are included.
Juneau Departure from the State Capital: Special Wilderness Itinerary
Day One - Arrive Juneau in the AM, transfers to downtown, lunch on own, meet for Alaska State Museum tour after lunch, then meet at boat 4:30 for cocktails and dinner departure. Anchorage this evening is in Taku Harbor. Walk on the beach with our Naturalist
Day Two - Today we will visit the beautiful Endicott Arm and get a good look at the Dawes Glacier. Watch for the seals that rest on the ice flows as you enjoy an interpretive chat with a local Wilderness Ranger. Anchor tonight in Sanford Cove.
Day Three - This morning we will make our way to the Tlingit town of Kake. Here we will walk to local hatchery and hope to view Black bears fishing for salmon. Sleep in a local anchorage of the Captains choosing.
Day Four - We will transit Frederick Sound and Chatham Strait today as we make our way to Red Bluff Bay. Humpback whales should be the highlight of the day as we watch them feed in these waters. Tonight we will anchor in the bay in time for skiff tours and hopefully a look at a bear or two.
Day Five - This morning we will launch the kayaks for a leisurely day in Red Bluff Bay. After dinner we will move on to our new anchorage of Baranof Warm Springs Bay.
Day Six - We are off to shore this morning for a walk up to the local lake. On the way stop for a dip in one of the hot spring pools or just enjoy the beauty of the Muskeg forest. Or…. if you are not up for the hike you can spend some time in the hot tubs that overlook the fantastic waterfall.
Day Seven - Today we will transit the Peril Strait as we make our way to the ocean side of Baranof Island. We will explore another wonderful anchorage tonight, watch for Eagles and Otters in these waters.
Day Eight - This morning we will make our way into Sitka harbor. After lunch enjoy tours to the Alaska Raptor Center, Totem Park and the Sheldon Jackson Museum. Time to shop this afternoon.
Day Nine - Transfers to the airport for flights home after breakfast.
Photo Emphasis Cruise
Rates & Dates
Length: 9 Days
Starting from: $4,395 pp
Sale: Get up to $500 off per cabin!
Also, travel as a single for the same price as a double!
2009 Dates:
June 15th-23rd
Ships: MV Island Spirit
Notes: See Sitka to Petersburg Departure for Daily Itinerary info.
Learn Photography in the Field!
This cruise features the same travel itinerary as our Sitka to Petersburg departure, but with the added bonus of an onboard photographer to help you learn how to shoot in the wild.
Photographer John Greengo will be teaching, tutoring and lecturing all along the way. Starting with the basics and taking it as advanced as you want to get, he will ensure everyone gets the best possible photos. When not out on the deck, or on land, he has entertaining and educational lectures for everyone's enjoyment.
