Glaciers of Prince William SoundThis getaway cruise offers the best of Prince William Sound. With breathtaking scenery and wildlife, Prince William Sound boasts the largest concentration of tidewater glaciers in the world and offers easy access to Anchorage. Dubbed the “enchanted circle of emerald isles,” the spectacular scenery of Prince William Sound is best explored aboard the Spirit of Columbia. Cruise cliff-walled fjords and narrow passages. Listen for the “white thunder” of massive glaciers calving into nutrient-rich water. And watch for elusive orcas, as brown bears hunt for shellfish and as sea otters and harbor seals play near the shore. Add a land tour including 3 nights in Denali to your cruise for the ultimate Alaska experience.
|
- Cruise Only
4 nights / 5 days - Cruise + Denali
9 nights / 10 days - Cruise + Denali + Kantishna Roadhouse
9 nights / 10 days
Cruise Only
Directions: Round trip from Anchorage/Whittier
Day 01 | Arrive in Anchorage, transfer by motorcoach to Whittier Spend the morning exploring Anchorage on your own before you travel by motorcoach via scenic Turnagain Arm to Whittier to board your ship. Start your voyage with the awe-inspiring Blackstone Glacier. D |
Day 02 | College Fjord and Esther Passage Weather and conditions permitting, we’ll have the opportunity to explore by inflatable craft. Wake up near the face of massive glaciers in College Fjord. You will ease close to the active glaciers that calve icebergs into the tidal waters below. Continue on to narrow Esther Passage, a waterway only navigable by small ship. Playful sea otters live here, often floating placidly on their backs in a bed of kelp, dining on shellfish. Explore serene Eaglek Bay. BLD |
Day 03 | Cordova Make a port call at tiny 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 |
Day 04 | Chenega Glacier and Knight Island Today explore southwest Prince William Sound, where sculpted wilderness islands lie offshore from the craggy mountains of the Kenai Peninsula. Narrow Icy Bay leads toward a stunning glacier experience at the head of the fjord. Later, enjoy “gunkholing” around the nearby islands — a nautical term for poking around the next corner just to see what’s there. BLD |
Day 05 | Arrive in Whittier & Transfer to Anchorage After a cruise past a bustling black-legged kittiwake colony, disembark the Spirit of Columbia at Whittier. Transfer to motorcoaches for your trip via Turnagain Arm back to Anchorage. B |
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
Cruise + Denali
Directions: Fairbanks to Anchorage/Whittier
Day 01 | Arrive in Fairbanks Transfer from the airport to your comfortable hotel. Meet your Exploration Leader and fellow travelers for a casual wine and cheese reception. |
Day 02 | Fairbanks Sightseeing, To Denali National Park Sightsee in the city of Fairbanks, including a ride on Riverboat Discovery or a visit to the home and kennel of Alaskan legend Mary Shields, and a trip to the University of Alaska Museum of the North. Travel by motorcoach to Denali National Park for a naturalist presentation and an overnight at a Denali Park entrance hotel. BLD |
Day 03 | Denali National Park Exploration An expert guide takes you on your chosen bus tour into Denali National Park to look for wildlife and experience summer in the subalpine tundra. Following your park tour, you have time to enjoy the park on your own or venture out on any of the optional rafting, flightseeing or other adventure excursions we can arrange for you. B |
Day 04 | Denali National Park Exploration Experience another full day in the remote wilderness of Denali. Consider hiking or optional excursions like rafting or flightseeing. Enjoy an exclusive dinner and presentation on the effects of climate change on Alaska’s national parks from an Alaska Geographic naturalist. BD |
Day 05 | Denali National Park to Anchorage Via Rail and Motorcoach Enjoy a scenic ride aboard a deluxe domed rail car from Denali to Talkeetna, then travel by motorcoach to Anchorage, where you can enjoy dinner at the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel and Spa or at your choice of one of our selected restaurants. BLD |
Day 06 | Transfer to Whittier Your morning includes sightseeing and a visit to the Anchorage Museum before you travel by motorcoach via scenic Turnagain Arm to Whittier to board your ship. BD |
Day 07 | College Fjord and Esther Passage Weather and conditions permitting, we’ll have the opportunity to explore by inflatable craft. Wake up near the face of massive glaciers in College Fjord. You will ease close to the active glaciers that calve icebergs into the tidal waters below. Continue on to narrow Esther Passage, a waterway only navigable by small ship. Playful sea otters live here, often floating placidly on their backs in a bed of kelp, dining on shellfish. Explore serene Eaglek Bay. BLD |
Day 08 | Cordova Make a port call at tiny 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 |
Day 09 | Chenega Glacier and Knight Island Today explore southwest Prince William Sound, where sculpted wilderness islands lie offshore from the craggy mountains of the Kenai Peninsula. Narrow Icy Bay leads toward a stunning glacier experience at the head of the fjord. Later, enjoy “gunkholing” around the nearby islands — a nautical term for poking around the next corner just to see what’s there. BLD |
Day 10 | Arrive in Whittier & Transfer to Anchorage After a cruise past a bustling black-legged kittiwake colony, disembark the Spirit of Columbia at Whittier. Transfer to motorcoaches for your trip via Turnagain Arm back to Anchorage. B |
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
Cruise + Denali + Kantishna Roadhouse
Directions: Fairbanks to Anchorage/Whittier
Day 01 | Arrive in Fairbanks Transfer from the airport to meet your fellow travelers at a wine and cheese reception. Overnight at a Fairbanks hotel. |
Day 02 | Fairbanks Sightseeing Today’s activities include a visit to the home and kennel of Alaskan legend Mary Shields or an authentic riverboat experience on the Chena River, and a city tour and admission to the University of Alaska’s Museum of the North. Dinner and overnight at a Fairbanks Hotel. An optional activity is a flight above the Arctic Circle, barely 125 miles away. BLD |
Day 03 | Fairbanks to Denali and Kantishna Roadhouse Transfer to the train station to board a deluxe domed railcar to Denali National Park. Enjoy breakfast on the train. On arrival at Denali Park, you will be met by a guide for the drive deep into the wilderness along the park’s sole road. The Moose Creek district and Kantishna Roadhouse are nearly 100 miles from the park entrance. Dinner and overnight at Kantishna Roadhouse. BD |
Day 04 | Exploring Around Kantishna Enjoy the unique wonders of Denali National Park’s backcountry from the privileged perspective of Kantishna Roadhouse. Hiking, wildlife observation, bird watching and botanizing in a variety of the park’s landscapes create the foundation for your wilderness experience. Built in 1993, the log lodge is surrounded by 32 full-service cabins. Educational activities are offered every day and each evening after dinner the Roadhouse staff helps plan activities for the following day. Guided hikes provide an opportunity to learn about the area from the naturalists at the Roadhouse. Mountain bikes are available to ride to Wonder Lake or on the old mining roads in the area. Gold panning, fly-fishing, dogsled demonstrations or flightseeing tours are other optional activities. BLD |
Day 05 | 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 lunch and dinner onboard the train. Overnight at the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel and Spa. BLD |
Day 06 | Anchorage to Whittier Travel by motorcoach down Turnagain Arm to Whittier. After brief paddling instructions, kayak in Prince William Sound. Glide past waterfalls, visit an active bird rookery, then land at a secluded beach for a hearty picnic lunch. Return to Whittier to board the Spirit of Columbia. Sail into Prince William Sound to begin your 4-night cruise. BLD |
Day 07 | College Fjord and Esther Passage Weather and conditions permitting, we’ll have the opportunity to explore by inflatable craft. Wake up near the face of massive glaciers in College Fjord. You will ease close to the active glaciers that calve icebergs into the tidal waters below. Continue on to narrow Esther Passage, a waterway only navigable by small ship. Playful sea otters live here, often floating placidly on their backs in a bed of kelp, dining on shellfish. Explore serene Eaglek Bay. BLD |
Day 08 | Cordova Make a port call at tiny 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 |
Day 09 | Chenega Glacier and Knight Island Today explore southwest Prince William Sound, where sculpted wilderness islands lie offshore from the craggy mountains of the Kenai Peninsula. Narrow Icy Bay leads toward a stunning glacier experience at the head of the fjord. Later, enjoy “gunkholing” around the nearby islands — a nautical term for poking around the next corner just to see what’s there. BLD |
Day 10 | Arrive in Whittier & Transfer to Anchorage After a cruise past a bustling black-legged kittiwake colony, disembark the Spirit of Columbia at Whittier. Transfer to motorcoaches for your trip via Turnagain Arm back to Anchorage. B |
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
