Alaska and British Columbia – Inside Passage, Bears and Aleutian Islands (Northbound)

Arrive in VancouverYour 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 quarter. Here you'll find the 553-foot Vancouver Lookout, which offers a perfect 360-degree panoramic view over the city.   

Enjoy 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 orcas.  

Revel in a wilderness where wildlife thrivesPart 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 Łingít people. Cross to Shakes Island, where the Chief Shakes Tribal House and totem poles tell the story of the Indigenous Łingít 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.  

Take in Sitka’s views and mix of culturesSurrounded 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  Łingít 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  Łingít totem poles at Sitka National Historical Park and enjoy a walking trail through the forest to the ocean.  

Embrace the thrill of wild AlaskaToday is another day of exploration as we sail into Icy Strait and take a closer look at some of the islands. Possible destinations to explore include George Island, Inian Islands and Idaho Inlet but – as ever – we will gauge the weather conditions and wildlife spotting opportunities to decide upon the best location. Using our expedition boats, we may get close to some of the rocky shores here, with the possibility of a landing and nature walk. The coast in this region grows more rugged the closer we get to the open sea, with rocky pinnacles and sea caves galore. Keep an eye out for whales, as well as sea lions, orcas and Bald Eagles.  

A day of relaxation and birdwatching at seaYour cruise continues across the Gulf of Alaska. It's the ideal time to enjoy onboard facilities such as the infinity pool, hot tubs, and sauna. Go for a run, hit the gym, or enjoy a massage in the spa.  In the Science Centre, the Expedition Team invite you to join lectures about subjects such as Alaska’s wildlife, geology, glaciology, history and culture.  Relax in the Explorer Lounge & Bar and share a drink with your fellow guests, or just sit back and enjoy the view. See if you can spot all three species of North Pacific albatross. The Laysan and Black-footed Albatross are often sighted, but the Short-tailed Albatross is harder to spot.  

Explore the home of the Alutiiq peopleKodiak Island got its nickname the ‘Emerald Isle’, due to its Spruce forests and grasslands, and it's the second-largest island in the US. The island’s most famous inhabitants are Kodiak brown bears. Around 3,500 of them live in the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, which covers two-thirds of the island.  We’ll search for these powerful creatures in their natural habitat, marvelling at their size and grace from the safety of our small expedition boat. This perspective offers a rare glimpse into the lives of these bears against the backdrop of Alaska’s breathtakingly rugged landscape. 

Spot brown bears in Katmai National ParkYour adventure continues in the four million–acre Katmai National Park, which has over a dozen active volcanoes. Katmai is also home to more than 2,000 protected brown bears – the largest concentration in the world.  Accompanied by an experienced bear guard, we'll be safely scouting for them from the deck or in our small expedition boats. They might be foraging for berries, digging for clams or catching fish in the stream. Depending on conditions, we might visit either Geographic Harbor, Kinak Bay or Kukak Bay.  

Explore rugged scenery in an untamed wildernessThe Alaska Peninsula is an untamed wilderness and a haven for wildlife. The region is characterised by its raw coastal landscapes, towering mountains and secluded bays.  Join your Expedition Team for close exploration of hidden bays and inlets along the shoreline, offering the opportunity to scout for bears, Bald Eagles, and marine species like sea otters and humpback whales. Learn about the geological evolution of the region, appreciating how natural forces have sculpted the unique topography around you.  

Experience a deserted Alaskan townWild and deserted, Unga Village is an abandoned yet picturesque settlement on the southern end of Unga Island.  It was settled by Unangax̂ in 1833 but was abandoned in 1969 as subsistence fishing proved insufficient to support living here. Today, the few wooden buildings that remain are the only evidence that people once lived here.  A carpet of pink lousewort, fireweed and other wildflowers surrounds the abandoned shacks as nature has gradually taken over. Experience the eerie beauty of this place during a nature landing with our small expedition boats. 

Relax and reflect as we cruise along the coast Part of being on an expedition cruise is taking time to connect with the sights and sounds of the world around you. A day at sea lets you do just that. Sit back and take in the panoramic views from our Explorer Lounge & Bar, from the infinity pool or from the outdoor hot tubs.  Keep scanning the shores, seas and skies for puffins, auklets, and murrelets, especially closer to the coast. If you’re lucky, you might glimpse the Red-legged Kittiwake, only found in this part of the world. You'll learn more about the region's geography, climate and birdlife from the Expedition Team in the Science Centre. 

Look out for wildlife on the largest Pribilof IslandThe windswept island of St Paul is home to the largest Unangan community in the US, numbering around 480. You can visit the historical remains of barabaras here – traditional dwellings built half-underground to protect against the sea winds.  St Paul is also designated an Important Bird Area, and around 300 species of migrating birds use it as a resting point. Scan for Horned and Tufted Puffins, the Pribilof Sandpiper and the rare Red-legged Kittiwake.  On the shore, you may find northern fur seals waddling and playing – half the world's population of these charming animals live on these islands. 

Watch for wildlife and relax at seaAs we cruise the Bering Sea, you'll have Russia to the west and the United States to the east.  Natural wonders abound here, so keep an eye out for humpback whales, and seabirds wheeling through the skies. This is your last full sea day, so relax and enjoy your time on board. The Expedition Team will recap the highlights of your Alaskan adventure, and you can continue your journey of discovery in the Science Centre. 

Learn about Nome’s golden pastProspectors first came to Nome in 1898, and people still hunt for gold here today. You'll see evidence of the Gold Rush all around, including abandoned dredges, turn-of-the-century steam engines and old railroad tracks, lending the town a unique atmosphere. Nome was the end point of three of Roald Amundsen's great polar expeditions, including an attempt by air to reach the North Pole in 1926.  Naturally, Nome is a fitting place to bid farewell to our own MS Roald Amundsen, before flying back to Seattle, where you’ll enjoy an overnight stay. 

End your adventure in the Emerald CityYour Alaskan adventure comes to an end in Seattle. If you have time before your onward journey, why not head to the Seattle Aquarium to see sea otters and a giant Pacific octopus. Or for incredible views of Puget Sound and the surrounding mountains, take a stroll through the nine-acre Olympic Sculpture Park, admiring the work of renowned artists as you go.  For a feast of the senses, visit the famous Pike Place Market. Operating for over a century, this lively farmer’s market boasts everything from buskers and bars to salmon-throwing fishmongers! If you have the time to go farther afield, we recommend booking a Post-Programme with us and discovering some of the region’s natural highlights.