Embarkation in stunning Seward

Embarkation in stunning Seward

Embark MS Roald Amundsen in Seward, the gateway to the vast, mountainous Kenai Fjords National Park, home to the largest ice fields in Alaska. It is a spectacular and fitting launch point for the adventures ahead.

After collecting your complimentary expedition jacket, check out your cabin, meet the Expedition Team, and explore the ship as we set sail on this epic expedition cruise through Alaska and British Columbia.

Ivy League glaciers

Prepare 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 deliberately missing, apparently done as a snub.

We’ll get as close to the glaciers as we can, taking our small boats (RIBs) into the fjord if possible, or even exploring by kayak. From the water, you might catch sight of humpback whales, bald eagles, otters, and sea lions, all of which inhabit this icy wilderness.

The glaciers of Icy Bay

Wildlife watching in glacier-fed waters

Today, experience a fantastic expedition day in Icy Bay. Three glaciers (Guyot, Yahtse, and Tyndall) regularly calve into the bay. If conditions allow, explore it in our small boats (RIBs) or by kayak, immersing you in the remarkable beauty of this icy landscape.

Wildlife abounds in the Gulf of Alaska, offering unrivaled photography opportunities. In these waters, you can often see humpback whales, orcas, Steller sea lions, sea otters, and harbor seals loafing around on floating chunks of ice.

William Henry Bay

Ancient forests, wildlife, and whales

In the morning, we’ll pass by Point Adolphus, located on the northern tip of Chichagof Island, across from Glacier Bay National Park. The nutrient-rich waters are famous for attracting humpback whales and other marine life, so be sure to head on deck with your camera ready.

William Henry Bay lies south of Haines, at the edge of the Chilkat Range mountains, and is home to brown bears, black bears, and moose. Under the guidance of an expert local guide, we’ll drop anchor here and explore the shores lined with old-growth forest.

Tlingit crafts in Haines

Discover artistic heritage in the ‘Valley of the Eagles.’

Beside Lynn Canal is the frontier town of Haines, originally home to the Chilkat Tlingit people. Renowned for their weaving skills, you’ll see excellent examples of their work, with mountain goat fur and cedar bark woven into intricate designs.

Haines has a flourishing art scene, with galleries and workshops filled with totem carvings, silverwork, and sculptures. Investing in Alaskan art is a great way to support local creators.

You can practice your photography skills in the incredible landscapes; it’s also ideal for adventurers seeking hiking and wildlife spotting opportunities. Look for bald eagles, bears, and moose.

Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm

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. Both are equally special to explore.

At the end of each fjord, fresh icebergs calve from the glaciers against a stunning backdrop of forested cliffs. Endicott Arm is a breeding ground for harbor seals, often seen on the floating ice. You might also see whales, bears, mountain goats and moose.

Get tips from our onboard photographer before heading out on our small boats (RIBs) to get closer to these unique sights.

Blended cultures of Sitka

Take in Sitka’s views and a unique 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.

Discover Sitka’s fascinating history with our Expedition Team. Inhabited by the Tlingit people for 10,000 years, it was occupied by Russia in 1804 before being sold to the US after the Crimean War. Today, Sitka blends all three cultures.

Visit the Russian Orthodox cathedral and the Russian Bishop’s House. Admire ornate Haida and Tlingit totem poles at Sitka National Historical Park – it’s a real treat. You can also enjoy a walking trail through the forest to the ocean.

Explore the wonders of Southeast Alaska.

Discover Southeast Alaska’s magical waterways.

Explore Alaska in true expedition style, with an exploration day that gives us the freedom to probe this magical corner of the Inside Passage.

We may head to the charming town of Petersburg, with its proud Norwegian heritage and thriving fishing community. Explore the docks and discover the fantastic nature to be found across Frederick Sound, just outside the harbor.

We may also hit the water in our small boats (RIBs) and seek out secluded coves, iceberg-filled bays, and thickly forested shorelines. Try and spot some of Alaska’s most iconic wildlife, including eagles, otters, whales, and even bears, if luck is on your side.

Wrangell’s petroglyphs

Visit one of Alaska’s oldest harbor towns

We will continue cruising the Alaskan islands to Wrangell. Only a mile out of town, the incredible Petroglyph Beach is where you can 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, along with the foot of Mount Dewey, sitting at the edge of the rainforest.

Unspoiled Misty Fjords

Revel in a wilderness where wildlife thrives.

Misty Fjords is part of the Tongass National Forest. It is a pristine wilderness of evergreens, waterfalls, and snow-capped peaks. The revered naturalist writer John Muir described the area as one of the most beautiful places he’d ever seen.

Weather permitting, join the Expedition Team to tour Misty Fjords in our small boats (RIBs) or kayaks.

Misty Fjords is rich in wildlife. Scan for mountain goats, bears, and moose as you explore. The waters are home to Pacific salmon, otters, sea lions, harbor seals, orcas, and Dall’s porpoises. Skyward, you might spot herons and bald eagles.

Canada’s Inside Passage

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 that 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 that you can explore the breathtaking scenery of lesser-traveled channels. Keep your cameras and binoculars close at hand to spot dolphins, porpoises, orcas, and humpback whales.

First Nations encounter

Indigenous culture and heritage in Alert Bay

We arrive at Alert Bay, a scenic village on Cormorant Island, north of Vancouver Island. Here, we’ll have the opportunity to meet and learn from the Kwakwaka’wakw First Nations community. For them to welcome us is a real privilege.

At the U’mista Cultural Center, see elaborate totem poles, paintings, carvings, ceremonial masks, and other meaningful artifacts.

The island’s sheltered waters attract a huge array of wildlife. One highlight is the yellow-billed loon, with its distinctive speckled back. Keep an eye out for orcas and humpback whales close to shore.

A taste of Vancouver

Disembark in British Columbia’s iconic city  

Your expedition cruise ends in Vancouver, a beautiful city at the foot of the Rockies. Visit Gastown, the city's oldest neighbourhood, and climb Vancouver Lookout for a citywide view overlooking neon-lit Granville Street, the West End beaches, and the towering cedars of Stanley Park.   

Vancouver has a flavour all its own – and so does its global cuisine. Before your onward journey,  we recommend you dine out in Chinatown, Punjabi Market or Little Italy for a taste of the city's buzzing atmosphere.