Close
Window

Email a Friend




Skip navigation

Alaska's Inside Passage

Cruise West's small ships take you into the hidden nooks and crannies of Alaska's Inside Passage. Explore the natural highlights between Ketchikan and Juneau at leisure, marveling at humpback whales in Frederick Sound, cruising within earshot of sea lion colonies sprawling on the rocks and edging close to cliffside rookeries where murrelets, puffins and other seabirds nest. Alaska’s legendary Inside Passage offers an ideal balance of ports, waterways and wildlife. Explore Glacier Bay National Park, Frederick Sound and Tracy Arm, with onshore visits to Haines, Skagway, Sitka and Petersburg.

SPECIAL GUEST LECTURER: Join Professor Kenneth Johnson on August 14, 2009 departure.

SAVE 25%
on August 20, 2009 departures
Plus $200/person shipboard credit


Arrive In Ketchikan and Set Sail 
Transfer to your ship to beging your cruising adventure. Because of flight arrival times an add-on hotel night in Ketchikan before your cruise is strongly advised. D
Misty Fiords National Monument and Metlakatla
All the important geological and ecological characteristics of Southeast Alaska are found within the 2.3 million acres of Misty Fiords National Monument. Steep-sided mountains become even more magical shrouded in mist. Mountain goats graze on new grasses. Black and brown bears forage on the bounty of the intertidal zone as they fatten up for their dormant phase of winter. Harbor seals frolic near the estuaries. Seagulls and pigeon guillemots find the perfect nesting sites along glacier-carved granite walls in this tranquil, temperate rainforest.

We cruise into the United States largest national forest. At 17 million acres, the Tongass National Forest is the size of West Virginia and covers 80 percent of Southeast Alaska. We’ll cruise past the southernmost islands of the Alexander Archipelago, the 1,000 islands that comprise Southeastern Alaska.

We’ll have the unique opportunity to visit Metlakatla on Annette Island. In a quest for religious freedom, Father William Duncan and a group of Tsimshian Indians moved 100 miles north of Metlakatla, British Columbia to Annette Island, the site of present day Metlakatla. In 1891, the United States government set aside Annette Island for the exclusive use of the Tsimshian Indians and other Alaska Natives and it is now the only such reservation in Alaska. Tour this community and meet residents, including local artisans. Be honored by a dance performance in traditional Tsimshian regalia in their tribal long house. BLD
Petersburg
Arrive in picturesque Petersburg at the northern tip of Mitkof Island and disembark for your shore excursions and adventures in Alaska’s “Little Norway,” with a population of about 3,000. Begin with an included celebration at the Sons of Norway Hall, close to where the vessel moors. The Leikarring Dancers perform traditional Norwegian dances in colorful and authentic dress of bright blues accentuated by red, white and yellow embroidered flowers. You will also be treated to an introduction to the community and sample some homemade Norwegian pastries. Explore this tiny seaside fishing community surrounded by 10,000-foot snowcapped mountain peaks jutting from the sea. BLD
Tracy Arm and Frederick Sound
Travel through Holkham Bay, the mouth of 2 spectacular, glacier-fed fjords. Crossing the bar, look for signs of the strong currents tugging at the red and green navigational markers and for the many birds that feed on the rich nutrients stirred by these currents. Travel up Tracy Arm, a glacially carved fjord filled with deep, emerald-green seawater, bordered by steep cliffs. The fjord twists and turns for 25 miles. We’ll come as close as safely possible to the face of a glacier and hope for a show of thundering ice splashing seawater hundreds of feet high. Arctic terns may buzz close to the bow, their shrill call warning us to stay away from their nests.

We’ll exit Holkham Bay and enter Frederick Sound, the body of water that hosts a world-renowned humpback whale population. Nutrient-rich waters compel large numbers of humpbacks to return from Hawaii every summer to feed and frolic in this region. Look for these magnificent creatures as well as Steller’s sea lions and harbor seals. BLD
Sitka
On the way to Sitka cruise through a zigzag of beautiful, narrow passageways between Baranof and Chichagof Islands to Sitka, the oldest non-Native settlement in Southeast Alaska. Along the way there is an excellent opportunity to view bald eagles and Sitka black-tailed deer along the shorelines. Also look for sea otters feeding on sea urchins and floating close to protective kelp beds. Sitka is nestled on the shores of Sitka Sound, on the west coast of Baranof Island, protected from the Pacific by lush, forested islands and Mt. Edgecumbe, the “Mount Fuji of the West.” Enjoy a wonderful walk through the Sitka National Historical Park, whose forested beachside trail is lined with a number of finely carved totems. Various optional shore excursions are available in this small coastal community that was once called “The Paris of the Pacific.” BLD
Glacier Bay National Park And Preserve
Entering the park in the early morning we’ll pick up a Glacier Bay Park Ranger and a local Tlingit Cultural Interpreter in Bartlett Cove. They will provide a comprehensive day of narrative sightseeing. Over 65 miles of pristine terrain and habitat have been revealed in Glacier Bay since its giant rivers of ice began dramatically retreating 200 years ago. Approach Marble Islands and hurry outside to encounter a teeming multitude of seabirds like black-legged kittiwakes, murrelets and puffins, all swooping and swarming above the writhing, barking haul-out of Steller’s sea lions. We may encounter mountain goats on Gloomy Knob or watch brown and black bears foraging along the shoreline. Look for sea otters and the humpback whales that call Glacier Bay their summer home. BLD
Skagway and Haines
Cruise the deep and mysterious emerald-green waters of Lynn Canal, bordered by tall, rugged, snowcapped mountain peaks. Disembark in Skagway, the gateway to the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898. Your included tour is a drive and overview in a unique touring car. Tour guides dress in period costumes and are well versed in the raucous stories of this frontier settlement. Wooden sidewalks border historic buildings erected when this boomtown was jammed with thousands of folks lured by gold fever, all eager to ascend the foreboding and treacherous mountain trails to find the elusive mother-lode of gold.

With its strategic location along the Chilkat Trail, the area around
Haines has thrived for hundreds of years as an important and integral trade center for the Chilkat band of Tlingit natives, famous for the intricately designed blankets woven with the hair of mountain goats. Haines is also renowned as home to the world’s largest autumnal congregation of bald eagles, with the Chilkat Bald Eagle Reserve located 18 miles from the town. BLD
Arrive In Juneau
Alaska’s capital city is in the northern heart of the United States’ largest National Forest. Juneau is the only state capital that is inaccessible by roadways. Even though it is located on the mainland, the surrounding imposing mountains and massive icefield create a community accessible only by air or water. And it takes only minutes to cruise along Gastineau Channel into the wilderness. Explore the capital city of the great state of Alaska. A vast array of optional activities includes flightseeing, hiking, and glacier viewing. Overnight at the Goldbelt Hotel near the waterfront. B
Depart from Juneau
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
Arrive in Ketchikan and Set Sail
Transfer to your ship to begin your cruising adventure. Because of flight arrival times an add-on hotel night in Ketchikan before your cruise is strongly advised.  D
Misty Fiords National Monument and Metlakatla
Visit magical Misty Fiords National Monument boasting sheer cliffs, narrow waterways, and awe-inspiring stillness. Make an exclusive port call at Metlakatla on Annette Island, Alaska’s sole Tsimshian community. BLD
Petersburg
Enjoy a warm welcome at the fishing village of Petersburg, a true cannery town. The Leikarring Dancers perform for you in the Sons of Norway Hall. Explore wilderness waterways around Petersburg, like the iceberg-filled Thomas Bay. BLD
Tracy Arm and Frederick Sound
Humpback whales abound in Frederick Sound. Cruise under Tracy Arm’s sheer 1,500-foot vertical cliffs toward the twin Sawyer Glaciers. BLD
Sitka
Only small ships can negotiate Peril Strait and Sergius Narrows, the “inside” route to Sitka on Baranof Island. A guided walk through Sitka’s National Historic Park reveals towering totems keeping watch over the forest. You may see playful otters, Sitka black-tailed deer, and eagles. BLD
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
First established as a National Monument by presidential proclamation in 1925, Glacier Bay has since enjoyed the honored and highly protected status of National Park, Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site. Glide through this wonderland approaching up-close to the “rivers of ice.” A National Park Service Ranger will be onboard helping you spot the abundant wildlife such as mountain goats, whales, and brown and black bears. BLD
Skagway and Haines
Relive the Gold Rush in the picture-perfect setting of Skagway, the starting place for many early gold seekers. Just down mountain-lined Lynn Canal visit Haines, famed for attracting artists, its bald eagle population and for its picturesque beauty. BLD
Arrive in Juneau
Spend the day exploring Alaska's capital city, inaccessible by road. Overnight at the Goldbelt Hotel near the waterfront. B
Fly to Anchorage
Transfer to the Juneau Airport for your included flight to Anchorage and transfer to the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel. Enjoy an Anchorage City Orientation and time to explore the Anchorage Museum. Dinner will be enjoyed at the Sheraton Hotel or your choice of one of our selected Anchorage restaurants. D
Anchorage to Denali National Park via Motorcoach and Rail
Your Tour Director will accompany you for the rest of your journey. Board a motorcoach to travel through scenic wilderness areas paralleling the Susitna River and the Talkeetna Mountains. In Talkeetna, board a deluxe domed railcar to continue your journey. Take in the sweeping views as you cross Hurricane Gulch and Broad Pass. Upon arrival in Denali hear an exclusive presentation on Sub-Arctic Climate from the Denali Education Center. Enjoy dinner at your choice of several Denali locations and overnight at a Denali Hotel. BD
Denali National Park Exploration
Denali National Park’s wild landscape is the natural habitat of bears, Dall’s sheep, moose, and a variety of other animals. Catch elusive views of Mt. McKinley, the highest peak in North America. After breakfast at your Denali Hotel, tour Denali Park on one of three tour options you chose at the time of booking your cruise. The Denali Natural History Tour is a 4-5 hour tour that travels 20 miles into the park and leaves time for other optional tours later. The Tundra Wilderness Tour is a 6-8 hour trip 55 miles into the park that leaves limited time for optional tours later. The Kantishna Wilderness Trails Tour is a 12-13 hour, 90-mile trek into the park that does not allow enough time for any additional optional tours. Optional adventures include flightseeing, whitewater rafting, float trips, and more. Overnight at your Denali Hotel. B
Denali National Park to Fairbanks
Breakfast at your Denali Hotel before boarding a motorcoach to Fairbanks, Alaska's second largest city. Sightseeing features a delightful riverboat excursion on the Chena and Tanana Rivers, a tour of the city, admission to the University of Alaska Museum of the North and a farewell dinner at Pike’s Waterfront Lodge. Overnight at a Fairbanks Hotel. BLD
Fairbanks
Transfer to the Fairbanks Airport for your flight home.
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
Arrive In Fairbanks
Transfer from the airport to your Fairbanks hotel. Meet your traveling companions and your Tour Director at a casual wine and cheese reception and get an overview of your upcoming journey. Overnight at a Fairbanks Hotel.
Fairbanks Sightseeing, To Denali National Park
Breakfast at your Fairbanks Hotel. Sightseeing includes a city tour, an authentic sternwheeler cruise, lunch and admission to the University of Alaska's Museum of the North. Travel by motorcoach to Denali National Park and enjoy an exclusive presentation on Sub-Arctic Climate from the Denali Foundation. Overnight at a Denali hotel. BLD
Denali National Park And Preserve
Breakfast at your Denali Hotel before boarding a motorcoach to tour Denali National Park. You selected 1 of 3 tours at the time you booked your cruise. The Denali Natural History Tour is a 4-5 hour tour that travels 16 miles into the park and leaves time for other optional tours later. The Tundra Wilderness Tour is a 6-8 hour trip 62 miles into the park that leaves limited time for optional tours later. The Kantishna Wilderness Trails Tour is a 12-13 hour, 90-mile trek into the park that does not allow enough time for any additional optional tours. Overnight at your Denali Hotel. B
Denali National Park To Aanchorage Via Rail And Motorcoach
Breakfast at your Denali Hotel before transferring to the Denali Depot via motorcoach. One of the many highlights of this day is the opportunity to take in the breathtaking scenery aboard your luxury domed railcar. This segment of the Alaska Railway is considered by far the most scenic portion of the trip and takes travelers farther away from the Parks Highway and deeper into the virtually untouched wilderness. Moose, bears and bald eagles can often be sighted along the route. Of the many spectacular sights along the way, perhaps the most magnificent is Hurricane Gulch, where a bridge spans 914 feet and rises 296 feet above the creek below.

In Talkeetna board a motorcoach for the drive to Anchorage, following the Talkeetna Mountains on our way to the town of Wasilla. We will be tracing the first leg of the world-famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Look for bald eagles and other birds of prey soaring above the flats or perched in trees.

Arrive in Anchorage, the largest city in the largest state in the union. Choose between Anchorage’s finest dining establishments and overnight at the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel. BD
Transfer To Whittier
Breakfast at the Sheraton. Travel by motorcoach along scenic Turnagain Arm. Pass through tunnels under the Chugach Mountains to the port of Whittier. Board your ship to begin your Prince William Sound exploration. BD
College Fjord
Dozens of glaciers tumble from the steep walls of College Fjord, most of which were tributaries of Harvard Glacier before its present-day retreat. Look for bears foraging along the shorelines, identify various seabirds and keep an eye out for Alaskan sea otters peacefully floating on their backs. A few hundred otters thrive in nutrient-rich Port Wells at the confluence of College Fjord. Explore scenic and narrow Esther Passage. BLD
Cordova
Make a port call at tine Cordova. This fishing village, inaccessible by highway, has become world famous for its Copper River salmon. These delicious fish are caught in the pristine delta of the Copper River. Upon your arrival enjoy an included cultural experience highlighting the area's rich Native history. Optional wilderness tours include sea kayaking, hiking and river rafting. BLD
Chenega Glacier / Knight Island
Explore the more remote wilderness region in the southwestern part of the Sound. Beautiful coves, inlets and steep rocky cliffs demarcate the mainland and various islands. Cruise narrow passageways, peaceful and abundant with bursts of birdcalls or languorously swimming sea otters. Knight Island Passage and Montague Straits support an extraordinary abundance of marine mammals, including humpbacks, orcas, seals and sea lions. Visit the Chenega Glacier, dramatically descending nearly 600 feet in its last quarter mile to its terminus in the saltwater. Its tall ice cliffs are over 100 feet high and dominate Nassau Fjord. BLD
Whittier To Anchorage To Juneau
Disembark your ship and travel by motorcoach to Anchorage. This scenic drive follows a significant portion of Turnagain Arm, named by Captain Cook in 1778. Watch for Dall’s sheep, a variety of birds and grazing moose. In mid to late summer, the beluga whales are sometimes seen making their way up the arm. Transfer to the Anchorage airport for your included flight to Juneau. Overnight at your Juneau hotel. B
Sail From Juneau
Your small ship sails in the late afternoon. Once onboard, step out on deck to watch Gastineau Channel glide by as you enter Alaska’s true wilderness. D
Skagway And Haines
Relive the Gold Rush in the picture-perfect setting of Skagway, the starting place for many early gold seekers. Just down mountain-lined Lynn Canal visit Haines, famed for attracting both artists and bald eagles. BLD
Glacier Bay National Park And Preserve
First established as a National Monument by presidential proclamation in 1925, Glacier Bay has since enjoyed the honored and highly protected status of National Park, Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site. Glide through this wonderland approaching up-close to the “rivers of ice.” A Park Service Ranger and a Native Cultural Interpreter will be onboard helping you spot the abundant wildlife such as mountain goats, whales, and brown and black bears. BLD
Sitka
Only small ships can negotiate Peril Strait and Sergius Narrows, the “inside” route to Sitka on Baranof Island. A walk through Sitka’s National Historic Park reveals towering totems keeping watch over the temperate rainforest. You may see playful otters, Sitka black-tailed deer, and bald eagles. BLD
Frederick Sound And Tracy Arm
Humpback whales abound in Frederick Sound. Cruise under Tracy Arm’s sheer 1,500-foot vertical cliffs toward the twin Sawyer Glaciers. BLD
Petersburg
Enjoy a warm welcome at the village of Petersburg, a true Alaska fishing town. The Leikarring Dancers perform for you in the Sons of Norway Hall. Explore wilderness waterways around Petersburg, like the mysterious Thomas Bay. BLD
Misty Fiords National Monument And Metlakatla
Visit magical Misty Fiords National Monument boasting sheer cliffs, narrow waterways, and awe-inspiring stillness. Make a port call at Metlakatla on Annette Island, Alaska’s sole Tsimshian community. BLD
Arrive In Ketchikan
Transfer to the airport to return home. B
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
Arrive in Fairbanks
Transfer from the airport to your Fairbanks hotel for a wine and cheese reception. Overnight at your Fairbanks Hotel.
Riverboat Cruise
Breakfast at your Fairbanks Hotel. Today's activities include an authentic riverboat experience on the Chena River, a city tour and admission to the University of Alaska's Museum of the North. Dinner and overnight at a Fairbanks Hotel. One optional activity is a flight above the Arctic Circle, barely 125 miles away. BLD
Fairbanks to Denali's North Face Lodge
Board a deluxe domed railcar to Denali, with breakfast included onboard. Enjoy sweeping views on all sides as you approach the Alaska Range. Board a bus to North Face Lodge, located deep in the heart of the park. BD
Denali Exploration
Experience the Denali that most never will – 4 full nights within the expansive park boundary. All meals are included at the lodge as you dine family-style in relaxed comfort with your companions. BLD
Denali Exploration
A 2nd day at Denali Park. Enjoy lodge activities and optional tours. BLD
Denali Exploration
A 3rd day at Denali Park. Enjoy lodge activities and optional tours. BLD
Denali to Anchorage via Rail
Enjoy your final panoramas of Denali as you transfer to the rail station via bus. Board a deluxe domed railcar to travel south to Anchorage, with dinner onboard the train. Overnight at the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel. BD
Fly to Juneau / Begin your Cruise
Transfer to the airport to fly to Juneau. Board your ship to begin your Alaska’s Inside Passage. BD
Skagway and Haines
Relive the Gold Rush in the picture-perfect setting of Skagway, the starting place for many early gold seekers. Just down mountain-lined Lynn Canal visit Haines, famed for attracting both artists and bald eagles. BLD
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
First established as a National Monument by presidential proclamation in 1925, Glacier Bay has since enjoyed the honored and highly protected status of National Park, Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site. Glide through this wonderland approaching up-close to the “rivers of ice.” A Park Service Ranger and a Native Cultural Interpreter will be onboard helping you spot the abundant wildlife such as mountain goats, harbor seals, and brown and black bears. BLD
Sitka
Only small ships can negotiate Peril Strait and Sergius Narrows, the “inside” route to Sitka on Baranof Island. A walk through Sitka’s National Historic Park reveals towering totems keeping watch over the temperate rainforest. Look for playful otters, Sitka black-tailed deer, and bald eagles. BLD
Frederick Sound and Tracy Arm
Humpback whales abound in Frederick Sound. Cruise under Tracy Arm’s sheer 1,500-foot vertical cliffs toward the twin Sawyer Glaciers. BLD
Petersburg
Enjoy a warm welcome at the village of Petersburg, a true Alaska fishing town. The Leikarring Dancers perform for you in the Sons of Norway Hall. Explore wilderness waterways around Petersburg, like the mysterious Thomas Bay. BLD
Misty Fiords National Monument and Metlakatla
Visit magical Misty Fiords National Monument boasting sheer cliffs, narrow waterways, and awe-inspiring stillness. Make an exclusive port call at Metlakatla on Annette Island, Alaska’s sole Tsimshian community. BLD
Arrive in Ketchikan
Transfer to the airport to return home. B
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
Arrive in Fairbanks
Transfer from the airport to Pike’s Waterfront Lodge on the banks of the Chena River for a wine and cheese reception.
Riverboat Cruise
Our excursion on the Chena and Tanana Rivers mirrors the original river route of access to the Fairbanks Gold Rush a century ago. Along the riverbanks, original log cabins intersperse with elegant waterfront homes, some of which have floatplanes tethered in front. Stay overnight at Pike’s Waterfront Lodge. An optional activity is a flight above the Arctic Circle, barely 125 miles away. BLD
Fairbanks to Denali's Camp Denali
Board a deluxe domed railcar bound for Denali National Park. Breakfast is included onboard. Enjoy sweeping views on all sides as you approach the Alaska Range. Board a bus to Camp Denali, located deep in the heart of the park. BD
Denali National Park Exploration
Experience the Denali that most never will – 3 full nights within the expansive park boundary. You may hike the backcountry and observe wildlife with staff naturalist-guides who are trained on the park’s flora, fauna, geology, and cultural heritage. All meals are included at the lodge as you dine family-style in relaxed comfort with your companions. BLD
Denali National Park Exploration
A second day at Denali Park. BLD
Denali Park to Anchorage via Rail
Enjoy your final panoramas of Denali Park as you transfer to the rail station. Board a deluxe domed railcar to travel south to Anchorage and overnight at the Sheraton Hotel. B
Anchorage Sightseeing
You'll begin with highlights of downtown Anchorage followed by a docent tour of the Anchorage Museum of History and Art. Enjoy lunch at the museum and dinner at the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel or at one of a select few great restaurants downtown.  BLD
Fly to Juneau
Transfer to the airport to fly to Juneau, Alaska’s state capital. You will transfer on arrival to the Goldbelt Hotel on the waterfront. Numerous options may be available, from kayaking tours to helicopter and floatplane flightseeing. B
Embark on your Cruise
Board your ship to begin your Alaska’s Inside Passage cruise to Ketchikan. D
Skagway and Haines
Historic Skagway at the northern tip of Lynn Canal was the route to the Yukon for the Klondike Gold Stampeders. Just down the fjord, visit breathtaking Haines, known for its bald eagle population. BLD
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
A Park Service Ranger joins you onboard to help you spot puffins and murres, mountain goats, and bears in this beautiful setting. BLD
Sitka
Sitka is a treasure house of art and history. Admire the evocative totem poles of Sitka National Historic Park. BLD
Tracy Arm and Frederick Sound
Tracy Arm’s winding, cliff-lined channel leads to two spectacular glaciers. Use your binoculars to watch for humpbacks in the deep waters of Frederick Sound. BLD
Petersburg
Cruise through rarely visited LeConte Bay or other wilderness fjords near Petersburg. Visit the Norwegian fishing village of Petersburg, and see the Leikarring Dancers. BLD
Misty Fiords National Monument and Metlakatla
This Tsimshian community welcomes you with a dance at the tribal long house. A Forest Service Kayak Ranger joins you onboard as you explore Misty Fiords National Monument, and venture deep into Rudyerd Bay. BLD
Arrive in Ketchikan
Transfer to the airport to return home with lifetime memories. B
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner