Cruise Overview
Alaska and British Columbia – Inside Passage, Bears and Aleutian Islands (Northbound) 2026/27
Explore Alaska’s rugged coastline and the remote Aleutian Islands on this expedition cruise from Vancouver to Nome.
Scout for bears in Katmai National Park and on Kodiak Island, and look out for whales, seals, sea otters and rare birds such as the Red-legged Kittiwake.
Discover wildlife havens, untouched scenery and fascinating history at the rarely visited, isolated islands of St Paul and St Matthew.
Wild Pacific coastal beauty
Discover the pristine beauty of Alaska’s rugged coast, as well as Canada’s Inside Passage and the Aleutian Islands. In Misty Fjords National Monument and on remote islands you’ll see where nature reigns free. As we go, keep an eye out for brown bears on Kodiak Island and in Katmai National Park, and scout for whales, fur seals and birds including Bald Eagles and rarities like the Kittlitz’s Murrelet as we voyage north.
Discover a living history
Meet people belonging to Indigenous Łingít and Unangan cultures, hunt for petroglyphs in Wrangell and follow in the footsteps of gold prospectors and explorers on your expedition cruise. Visit the picturesque ghost town of Unga and uncover ancient stories on mossy totem poles at Chief Shakes Tribal House, and go home with a profound sense of knowing the culture, ecology and history of this beautiful region.
Know before you go
Practical information you need to know
Departures
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Adults
Available Dates
Itinerary
We'll help you plan where to go, when to visit and how long to stay
A taste of Vancouver
Day 1
A taste of Vancouver
Arrive in Vancouver
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 quarter. Here you'll find the 553-foot Vancouver Lookout, which offers a perfect 360-degree panoramic view over the city.
Your expedition begins
Day 2
Your expedition begins
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 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 adventure is now underway.
Canada's Inside Passage
Day 3
Canada's Inside Passage
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.
Unspoiled Misty Fjords
Day 4
Unspoiled Misty Fjords
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.
Wrangell's petroglyphs
Day 5
Wrangell's petroglyphs
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.
Blended cultures of Sitka
Day 6
Blended cultures of Sitka
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 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.
Icy Strait expedition day
Day 7
Icy Strait expedition day
Embrace the thrill of wild Alaska
Today 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.
Glaciers of Icy Bay
Day 8
Glaciers of Icy Bay
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.
Across the Gulf of Alaska
Day 9
Across the Gulf of Alaska
A day of relaxation and birdwatching at sea
Your 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.
Kodiak's brown bears
Day 10
Kodiak's brown bears
Explore the home of the Alutiiq people
Kodiak 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.
Brown bears in Katmai
Day 11
Brown bears in Katmai
Spot brown bears in Katmai National Park
Your 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.
Remote bays of the Alaska Peninsula
Day 12
Remote bays of the Alaska Peninsula
Explore rugged scenery in an untamed wilderness
The 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.
The ghost town of Unga
Day 13
The ghost town of Unga
Experience a deserted Alaskan town
Wild 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.
Discover Dutch Harbor
Day 14
Discover Dutch Harbor
Learn the fascinating history of America’s biggest fishing port
America's largest fishing port, Dutch Harbor is a fascinating place to visit. As we sail towards it you may see Mount Makushin, a sometimes-steaming volcano reaching almost 6,000 ft.
Here, you’ll learn about the local Indigenous Unangan people at the Museum of the Aleutians. Visit the Russian Orthodox Cathedral or tour the WWII museum commemorating the battle that took place here in 1942.
Scout for Bald Eagles and puffins. Foxes, lemmings and wild horses thrive on land and whales, sea lions and porpoises in the waters. Dutch Harbor is where the reality television series The Deadliest Catch was filmed, following crab fishermen at work under extreme conditions.
Learning and leisure
Day 15
Learning and leisure
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.
Unangan life in St Paul
Day 16
Unangan life in St Paul
Look out for wildlife on the largest Pribilof Island
The 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.
Wild St Matthew
Day 17
Wild St Matthew
Experience this wild, remote and isolated island
Part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, 200 miles from the nearest village, St Matthew Island is wild, remote and isolated. You'll see traces of abandoned buildings between black sand beaches and wildflower-dotted tundra. A few hardy souls have tried – and failed – to make a home here.
Today, the only inhabitants are birds, including thousands of puffins, murres and cormorants. On our nature landing, if we’re lucky, we’ll see the rare McKay’s Bunting, which breeds almost exclusively here — and listen out for the sound of the singing vole, named after its unusual warning cry.
Crossing the Bering Sea
Day 18
Crossing the Bering Sea
Watch for wildlife and relax at sea
As 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.
No place like Nome
Day 19
No place like Nome
Learn about Nome’s golden past
Prospectors 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.
Scenic Seattle
Day 20
Scenic Seattle
End your adventure in the Emerald City
Your 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.
What's included
Flights
- Flight in economy class from Nome to Seattle after the expedition cruise
Transfers
- Transfer from the hotel to the ship in Vancouver, including city tour, before the expedition cruise
- Transfer from the ship to the airport in Nome after the expedition cruise
- Transfer from the airport to the hotel in Seattle after the expedition cruise
Hotel
- Overnight in Vancouver, including breakfast, before the expedition cruise
- Overnight in Seattle, including breakfast, after the expedition cruise
Expedition Cruise
- A stay in a cabin of your choice
- Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Wine, beer and spirits available at meals and throughout the day and evening (subject to licensing laws, excludes premium drinks)
- All day coffee, tea and soft drinks
- Meals and take-away available throughout the day during Fredheim restaurant opening hours
- Fine dining in restaurant Lindstrøm included for suite guests
- A complimentary water bottle to refill on board and take home
- A polar expedition jacket, a backpack, or another piece of HX kit
- Professional photos from your trip taken by our onboard photographer
- Complimentary Wi-Fi. Please note, streaming is not supported
- Use of sauna, hot tubs, pool, fitness room, lounges and more
- Gratuities included. Fantastic service is standard at HX – though if you’d like to leave something extra, it’s always appreciated
- Range of included activities
Onboard Activities
- In-depth lectures and discussions hosted by experts on the Expedition Team
- Full access to the ship’s Science Centre
- Citizen Science Programme allows guests to assist with ongoing scientific research
- Professional onboard photographer gives tips and tricks for the best landscape and wildlife photos
- Informal gatherings with the crew for daily briefings
Landing Activities
- Escorted landings with small expedition boats
- Loan of boots, trekking poles and all equipment for activities
- Expedition photographers on hand to assist you
Notes
- All planned activities are subject to weather and ice conditions
- Excursions and activities are subject to change
- Please make sure you meet all entry and boarding requirements
- Depending on your flight departure from Anchorage an overnight might be needed
What's not included
International flights
Additional overnight(s) if required due to international flight timings
Travel insurance
Luggage handling
Optional shore excursions with our local partners
Optional small-group activities with our Expedition Team
Optional treatments in the onboard wellness and spa area
Special offers
Expedition exclusive cost savings and rare opportunities.
* Certain offers may not be combinable, up to two savings opportunities except where noted otherwise
Exclusive Member Offers
We're excited to offer our loyalty programme members exclusive offers across all future 2026/27 expeditions. Save an additional 5% on your next expedition when you book by 18th December 2024.
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Book your 2026/27 expedition with a deposit of just 15%
Our new season includes adventures to Antarctica, the Galápagos Islands, the Arctic and more.
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