Your Expedition Begins

Set sail from Vancouver

Your expedition ship MS Roald Amundsen awaits you in Vancouver. 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.   

Cruising Queen Charlotte Sound

L****ook out for marine wildlife as we cruise 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.  

We’ll be transiting outside of the protected fjords, up Queen Charlotte Sound and Hecate Strait. This is a day at sea, and our passage is somewhat protected from the open ocean by the island of Haida Gwaii. As we sail, look out for wildlife, including humpback whales, orcas, fin whales, minke whales, and Pacific white-sided dolphins.

Into the Misty Fjords

Venture deep into a beautiful and wild realm

Part of the Tongass National Forest, Misty Fjords is a pristine wilderness of evergreen trees, roaring waterfalls, and snowcapped peaks. The revered naturalist 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 you’ll explore in a kayak. 

Misty Fjords is rich in wildlife. As we explore, scan the shores and forests for black and brown bears, as well as moose. These waters are home to Pacific salmon, otters, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, orcas, and Dall’s porpoises. Skyward, you might spot herons and bald eagles.

The Totems of Klawock

Discover Klawock’s Native heritage

Today we visit Klawock, which is beautifully situated on the western shore of Prince of Wales Island. The small town has a population of around 700 and is famed for its collection of totem poles—the largest in Alaska.  

A center for Łingít culture, the island’s original name was “Taan,” meaning sea lion. At the Totem Park you’ll see 21 exquisitely carved examples, some of them replicas of the originals that stood in the winter village of Tuxecan.

Fjords of Southeast Alaska

Explore the scenic bays of Chatham Strait

Start your day looking out for whales in the pristine waters of Frederick Sound. Today is an exploration day, so the captain and Expedition Team will use their local knowledge to choose the best destination.  

We might take to the water in our expedition boats and investigate the secluded coves and forested shorelines of the 150-mile-long Chatham Strait, or perhaps opportunities for kayaking will present themselves if the conditions are right. Wherever we explore, keep a lookout for wildlife like bald eagles, bears, and humpback whales, which can be spotted in this region.

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, the Inian Islands, and Idaho Inlet, but—as always—we will gauge the weather conditions and wildlife spotting opportunities to decide on the best location.  

Using our expedition boats, we may get close to some of the rocky shores here, and it’s possible we may land and take a nature walk. The coast in this region grows more rugged the closer we get to the open sea, and there are 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

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 unrivaled photography opportunities. Humpback whales, orcas, Stellar sea lions, sea otters and harbor seals lazing on floating chunks of ice are often seen in these waters.

Historic Valdez

Learn about the rich history of Valdez

Today you’ll see a region that was in the news for all the wrong reasons when the Exxon Valdez oil spill occurred in 1989, but which today has made a remarkable recovery. After significant clean-up efforts, the coastline has recovered—a remarkable testament to what can be done to heal damaged ecosystems. 

On a visit to the Valdez Museum, you’ll see exhibits of Native Alaskan art and culture, as well as artifacts from the Gold Rush era, and you’ll learn about the history of Alaska’s Bush Pilots. As we travel around this region, look out for wildlife such as beavers, moose, and bears.

Tidewater Glaciers of Prince William Sound

Get ready to experience nature’s raw power

Today is a day all about glaciers. Prince William Sound is home to 150 of these amazing rivers of ice, including 17 incredible tidewater glaciers. Your captain will choose the best location for the day based on the conditions. 

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 harbor seals, all of which inhabit this icy wilderness.

Seward’s Stunning Beauty

Travel inland to Anchorage through spectacular scenery

Your expedition cruise ends in Seward, the only ice-free deep water 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. 

To get the most out of your stay, we recommend joining our optional Post-Program to the incredible Denali National Park, home to North America’s highest peak and a huge range of Alaskan wildlife.