Alaska is the ultimate place for adventure. Off the beaten track is the general rule and remote is at its core. The breathtaking blend of dramatic fjords, icebergs and glaciers, and deep forests are Alaska’s signature, maybe only topped by the region’s wildlife. So be prepared for an epic journey. Alaska is huge and wild, but surprisingly accessible. Especially when you visit by ship.

• Bear Country: All North American bear lives in Alaska: grizzly, brown and black bears. Up north, the polar bears roam.
• The wonders of nature: See a landscape of raw natural beauty made up of snowy mountains, fjords, and glaciers
• Amazing wildlife: Look for a wealth of wildlife, such as brown and black bears, whales, caribou, and eagles
• Rich History: The people who live here are more than willing to share their heritage with visitors.

 

Day	Ports
1	Anchorage
2	Seward
3	College Fjord
4	Icy Bay
5	William Henry Bay
6	Haines
7	Holkham Bay
8	Sitka
9	Southeast Alaska
10	Wrangell
11	Misty Fjords
12	Inside Passage (Cruising)
13	Alert Bay
14	Dover

 

Day 1: Adventures in Anchorage

Explore Alaska’s capital, or see wildlife in Denali

Your Alaskan adventure starts with an overnight stay in Anchorage, a city brimming with restaurants, galleries and shops. If you can, it’s worth extending your time here.

The Anchorage Museum and the Alaska Native Heritage Center give you a taste of local culture. If you prefer the open air, why not visit the flowering Town Square Park, or go salmon fishing in Ship Creek.

The incredible Denali National Park is home to North America’s highest peak and a high density of Alaskan wildlife. Animal lovers will love our optional Pre-Programme, which takes this in.

Day 2: Seward

Enjoy a drive through spectacular scenery

After breakfast you’ll enjoy a scenic drive to Seward. Our route goes through the Kenai Peninsula and some of the world’s most awe-inspiring backcountry scenery.

On the way, stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and learn about their work with orphaned and injured animals, including eagles, owls, bison, bears and musk oxen.

Our embarkation point, Seward, is the gateway to the vast, mountainous Kenai Fjords National Park, home to the largest ice fields in Alaska. It’s a spectacular and fitting launch point for the adventures ahead.

Day 3: College Fjord

Get ready 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 missing, apparently a deliberate snub.

We’ll get as close to the glaciers as we can, taking our small expedition boats 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 who inhabit this icy wilderness.

Day 4: Icy Bay

Wildlife watching in glacier-fed waters

You’ll experience a fantastic expedition day in Icy Bay today. Three glaciers – Guyot, Yahtse and Tyndall – regularly calve into the 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.

Day 5: 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 get out on deck and have 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.

Day 6: Haines

Discover an 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, here 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 out for Bald Eagles, bears and moose.

Day 7: Holkham Bay

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 harbour 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 expedition boats to get closer to these unique sights.

Day 8: Sitka

Take in Sitka’s views and 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 America after the Crimean War. Today, Sitka blends all three cultures.

Visit the Russian Orthodox cathedral and Russian Bishop’s House. Admire ornate Haida and Tlingit totem poles at Sitka National Historical Park, a real highlight, or enjoy a walking trail through the forest to the ocean.

Day 9: Southeast Alaska

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 some of the fantastic nature to be found across Frederick Sound, just outside the harbour.

We may also take to the water in our small expedition boats, and seek out secluded coves, iceberg filled bays, and thickly forested shorelines. Try and catch a glimpse of some of Alaska’s most iconic wildlife, including eagles, otters, whales and even bear if luck is on our side.

Day 10: Wrangell

Visit one of Alaska’s oldest harbour towns 

We continue cruising the Alaskan islands to Wrangell. Only a mile out of town, the incredible Petroglyph Beach is where you’ll seek out the 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, and the foot of Mount Dewey to the edge of the rainforest.

Day 11: 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 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, 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, bears and moose as you explore. The waters are home to Pacific salmon, otters, sea lions, harbour seals, orcas and Dall’s porpoises. Skywards, you might spot herons and Bald Eagles.

Day 12: Inside Passage (Cruising)

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 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 dolphins, porpoises, orcas and humpback whales.

Day 13: 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 – to be welcomed by them is a real privilege.

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

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

Day 14: Vancouver

Arrive at British Columbia’s largest city

Your expedition cruise ends in this beautiful city at the foot of the Rockies. Visit Gastown, the city’s oldest neighbourhood, and climb Vancouver Lookout for a citywide panoramic 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. Dine out in Chinatown, Punjabi Market or Little Italy for a taste of the city’s buzzing atmosphere.

While you’re here, you might want to join our optional Post-Programme tour to the historic and beautiful mountain resort of Whistler. What better way to end your adventure?

Hurtigruten Group is the leader in the travel industry towards a greener future.
Committed to taking care of our guests, wildlife, nature, and the communities we visit, we’re setting a new standard of sustainability for the travel industry.
Exploring our blue planet for more than a century has taught us the importance of being green.

We are now supporting 41 environmental, cultural and social projects in 11 different countries. These range from helping endangered orcas in the Pacific Northwest and protecting Galápagos seabirds, to securing safe spaces for vulnerable Greenlandic children and enabling community storytelling for the Itquamavit elders in Canada’s frozen north. We hope that the ripples we create today will one day turn into the waves of the future. With the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals as our compass, our cruises to the planet’s most stunning corners are where explorers can truly feel at home. After all, it’s not about us, it’s about all of us.

Saying Goodbye to Plastic

We announced our war on plastics in 2018 when we were the first expedition company to ban non-essential single-use plastic throughout our entire operation. That means you won’t find items like plastic cups, plastic straws or plastic cutlery on board our ships. You also won’t see our shops selling microplastic-made fleeces but stocking natural wool clothing instead. Absent too are plastic water bottles. We provide all our guests on an expedition cruise with a complimentary high-quality reusable bottle for use at water refill stations dotted around the ship. This simple act saves at least 1,000 plastic bottles a day on some of our larger ships.

 

Inspiring Environmental Ambassadors

Witnessing the beauty of our planet is sure to leave a lasting impression on you, and you’ll talk enthusiastically about these stunning destinations with friends and family for decades to come. To make sure you can speak informatively when you return home, every one of our expedition cruises has a focus on the environment.

The Expedition Team give lectures that raise awareness of climate change, ocean plastic, and the measures we can all take to help ease these issues. It is our hope that engaging with nature on our expedition cruises will inspire you to do all you can to cherish and protect the precious world we all share.

 

Connecting With Communities

We are dedicated to supporting the local communities we visit, and to creating beneficial ripple effects that continue long after we’ve left. By trading locally and sourcing services such as food produce and excursions from local suppliers, we contribute to the livelihood and welfare of people.

We strive not only to connect with these communities, but to share genuine friendship with them while always respecting their values and customs. As guests in their home, our emphasis is on appreciating their unique culture and ensuring our interactions are positive and upbuilding for all. You can therefore enjoy authentic experiences knowing your visit is doing good, both for you and for them.

 

A Footprint We’re Proud Of

You’ll likely encounter a range of wildlife during your expedition, doing so from a safe distance. We’ll be sure to never get too close to them, out of respect for their welfare as much as yours. By not disturbing wildlife with our presence, you’ll be able to observe their natural behavior, in their natural habitat. We want to leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but pictures! In fact, in many of the areas we visit in Antarctica, we even specifically wipe out our footprints so as to prevent penguins tripping and falling into them.

 

Working Together As One

Sustainability isn’t something we can do alone. Everyone in our industry needs to work together for a greener future. We are therefore founding members of the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) and members of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO). These trade member organisations work to establish sustainable tourism in polar regions, fighting mass tourism by limiting ships and shore visits, and creating guidelines that protect fragile environments and rare wildlife.

We’ve also committed ourselves to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. These guiding principles will take us steps ahead of current regulations to offer you greener and more sustainable expedition cruises on and for the planet.

 

Serving Planet-Friendly Plant-Based Food

We offer full menus of delicious plant-based dishes that will impress even those yet to be convinced by this way of eating. These meals not only have low or even zero CO2 footprints, they also promote healthier living and prove conclusively that vegan and vegetarian cuisine can still taste great. We’ve also put in place food management waste programmes on all our ships, aiming to reduce food waste by at least 30%.

 

Investing in Green Tech

Building our two new hybrid-powered expedition ships, MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen, represents the biggest investment in our almost 130 years of history. They are packed with ground-breaking green technology, such as battery packs, heat recovery systems, and a cutting-edge hull design. These innovations combined reduce carbon emissions by more than 20 %, compared to other cruise ships of the same size.

Hurtigruten stopped using heavy fuel oil more than a decade ago and campaign for its worldwide ban. To set a new standard, we are also considering a range of new, green fuel options, including biofuels made from organic waste.