Epic scenery and iconic wildlife
Voyaging from Vancouver to Seward and then overland to Anchorage, this expedition cruise showcases the marvels of British Columbia and Alaska. You’ll see towering mountains whose flanks are clad in old growth rainforest, and you’ll also see glittering glaciers and deep blue fjords. As we progress, we’ll be on the lookout for some of Alaska’s many wild species, including Bald Eagles, moose, bears, Steller sea lions, otters, orca, humpback whales and many, many seabirds.
A land many cultures call home
Alaska has a rich and complex history and is home to numerous cultures. From native peoples including the Tlingit and Haida, to the Russian settlers and the American Gold Rush pioneers – there's so much to discover on your voyage. Activities such as kayaking up to waterfalls in the Misty Fjords, small boat cruising near glaciers, and authentic cultural experiences will ensure Alaska is imprinted onto your very soul.
- Journeying from Vancouver to Seward and on to Anchorage, discover Alaska’s captivating fjords, Gold Rush-era history, and rich culture.
- Experience rugged wilderness, the glaciers of Icy Bay and College Fjord, and authentic fishing towns such as Sitka and Cordova.
- Seek out wildlife such as whales, eagles, moose, bears and much more on landings and small expedition boat cruising with your Expedition Team.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Enjoy British Columbia’s largest city
Your expedition cruise starts with an overnight stay in Vancouver, a bustling and beautiful seaport city set against steep mountains.
Vancouver's various neighbourhoods buzz with world-class farm-to-table cuisine. Don’t miss Gastown, Vancouver’s Victorian neighbourhood. Here you'll find the 553-foot Vancouver Lookout, which offers a perfect 360-degree panoramic view over the city.
Explore British Columbia’s largest city
After an enjoyable breakfast at your hotel, we’ll take you on a city tour showcasing the main highlights of fabulous Vancouver.
When the tour is over, you’ll be dropped at the pier where your expedition ship MS Roald Amundsen awaits you. Settle in and take your time to get to know the ship, before listening to the safety briefing.
Your knowledgeable Expedition Team will lead the way on excursions and landings. Get to know them and sit down to enjoy a welcome dinner — your grand Alaska adventure is now underway.
See sublime scenery as we sail the 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.
Our smaller expedition ship allows us 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 whales, including humpback, fin, minke and perhaps even orca.
Revel in a wilderness where wildlife thrives
Part of the Tongass National Forest, Misty Fjords is a pristine wilderness of evergreens, waterfalls and snowcapped 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 our small expedition boats or take kayaks out.
Misty Fjords is rich in wildlife. You’ll scan for mountain goats, black and brown bears and moose as you explore. The waters are home to Pacific salmon, otters, Steller sea lions, harbour seals, orcas and Dall’s porpoises. Skywards, you might spot herons and Bald Eagles.
Visit one of Alaska’s oldest harbour towns
We continue cruising the Alaskan islands towards Wrangell. Only a mile out of town, Petroglyph Beach is where you'll see ancient rock carvings among the sand.
Visit the local museum to learn more about Wrangell's fascinating past. Now part of the United States, it was once governed by Britain, Russia and the Tlingit people. Cross to Shakes Island, where the Chief Shakes Tribal House and totem poles tell the story of the Indigenous Tlingit people.
Hikers will enjoy the nature trails, surrounded by alluring scenery at the mouth of Stikine River, and the foot of Mount Dewey at the edge of the rainforest.
Discover southeast Alaska’s magical waterways
Explore Alaska in true expedition style on today’s exploration day in this magical corner of the Inside Passage.
Conditions permitting, we may take to the water in our small expedition boats, and seek out secluded coves, iceberg-filled bays, and thickly forested shorelines. Try and catch a glimpse of some of Alaska’s most iconic wildlife, including Bald Eagles, Pigeon Guillemots, otters, whales and even bears, if luck is on our side.
See the lesser-known gems of Holkham Bay
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.
Discover an artistic heritage in the 'Valley of the Eagles'
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.
Feel immersed in ancient nature as you explore an old-growth forest
We drop anchor at William Henry Bay, on the edge of the Chilkat Range mountains, for a day of exploration. Local guides will lead you through the old-growth forest. They’ll keep a lookout as you watch for brown and black bears, Sitka black-tailed deer and moose.
Back in the comfort of the ship, we’ll get going again as we cruise towards Sitka. Keep an eye out for humpbacks as we pass Point Adolphus on Chichagof Island — it’s known as one of the best places for whale sightings in North America.
Take in Sitka’s views and mix of cultures
Surrounded by Tongass National Forest, Sitka is only accessible by sea or 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.
Spot wildlife in these glacier-fed waters
Today is an exploration day in Icy Bay. Three glaciers – Guyot, Yahtse and Tyndall – regularly calve into this bay. If conditions allow, you’ll explore in our 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 are often seen in these waters.
Soak up Cordova’s traditional small-town vibe
Located in the Chugach National Forest and only accessible by boat or plane, remote Cordova has retained its traditional small-town authenticity. Only a select number of visitors each year get to admire the town’s spectacular setting between Orca Inlet, Hawkins Island, Mount Eccles, Eyak Lake and the Copper River Delta.
Sadly, Cordova is probably best known for the catastrophic Exxon Valdez oil spill that occurred in 1989. Today, after significant clean-up efforts, its coastline has recovered — a remarkable testament to what can be done to heal damaged ecosystems — and you might spot wildlife such as sea otters, eagles, Tundra Swans, beavers, moose and bears.
Get ready to experience nature’s raw power
Today we visit College Fjord, which features five tidewater glaciers and five valley glaciers, as well as a dozen other types.
The 1899 Harriman expedition team, which charted the fjord, named the glaciers after their alma maters, including Vassar, Harvard and Yale. Princeton is missing, apparently a deliberate snub.
We’ll get as close to the glaciers as we safely can, taking our small expedition boats into the fjord or even exploring by kayak if conditions permit. From the water, you might catch sight of humpback whales, Bald Eagles, otters and sea lions, all of which inhabit this icy wilderness.
Travel inland to Anchorage via spectacular landscapes
Your expedition cruise ends in Seward, the only deep-water, ice-free port with road, rail and air connections to Alaska’s interior. Keep your eyes open as we cruise into Resurrection Bay as the area is known for its population of beluga whales.
Itineraries are subject to change.
Roald Amundsen
| Launched | 2019 |
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Launched in 2019, The state of the art vessel features new and environmentally sustainable hybrid technology that will reduce fuel consumption and show the world that hybrid propulsion on large ships is possible.
MS Roald Amundsen is the first of two hybrid ships to be launched cutting emissions by sailing with electrical propulsion. Hybrid technology, combined with the advanced construction of the hull and effective use of electricity on board will reduce fuel consumption and CO2-emissions on the ships by 20 percent.
The future of shipping will be silent and emission free. MS Roald Amundsen will lead the way towards an even more sustainable way of traveling. Sailing on electrical power is not only a great benefit for the environment, but it will also enhance the impact of experiencing nature for the guests. The ship will be specially constructed for voyages in polar waters and serve as a comfortable basecamp at sea – bringing adventurers from all over the world to the most spectacular destinations in the most sustainable way.
These ships combine state-of-the-art technology together with a premium onboard experience. All cabins are outside, half have private balconies, and aft suites even boast private outdoor Jacuzzis, to soak up the stunning scenery in style.
Facilities on board
One of the most eye-catching exterior design features of the ships will be the two-level indoor/outdoor Observation Deck wrapped around the top of the ships’ raked bow. In a vast area behind it, you’ll find the core of the onboard experience: Amundsen Science Center.
Packed with state of the art technology and high tech gadgets such as touch screens and science equipment, the immersive edutainment area will be the place guests and staff/crew meet, mingle and create a deeper understanding for the areas they explore. The flexible venue will feature lecture spaces, a small library, and speciality areas for workshops in photography, biology, and more.
The stunning scenery will be reflected in a rich and comfortable interior design. Scandinavian materials from nature, such as granite, oak, birch and wool will be used to create relaxed and stylish cabins and public areas. All cabins are outside, 50 % will have private balconies, aft suites will feature private outdoor Jacuzzis with spectacular views.
