Here's Alaska Cruising – 2012!
(Continued from our Home Page)
One of the high points, literally, of many an Alaska visitor's cruise to Alaska is a ride on the Mt. Roberts Tram from the waterfront in downtown Juneau to the upper terminal at the 2,000-foot level. Many riders use the opportunity to take an "aerial" shot of their vessel. This picture displays Princess Cruises' Sapphire Princess in all her nautical glory. (Photo by Mike Miller)
Norwegian
Cruiseline
1-866-234-0292; www.ncl.com2012 Norwegian Cruiseline Preview
Two vessels: Norwegian Jewel (2,376 guests), Norwegian Pearl (2,394)To start the 2012 season Norwegian has scheduled Norwegian Pearl to sail an open-jaw 7-night, 8 day Glacier Bay voyage from Vancouver, B.C. on May 6 to Seattle with port visits in Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Victoria plus cruising in Glacier Bay.
The Norwegian Pearl will then spend the rest of the season sailing to these same ports on Glacier Bay round trips out of Seattle with first departure May 13. Final voyage will embark September 16 on a "Glacier Bay" itinerary that disembarks in Vancouver.
Norwegian Jewel inaugurates its Alaska season May 19 with a a weeklong "7-Day Sawyer Glacier" open jaw voyage from Vancouver to Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Victoria and Seattle with cruising time in awesome Tracy Arm fjord viewing sheer cliffs, lush green valleys, and glistening Sawyer Glacier. On May 26 the vessel then inaugurates a summer series of seven-night “Sawyer Glacier” round trips from Vancouver to Alaska. Cruising areas include Tracy Arm Fiord plus port calls at “First City” Ketchikan, Alaska capital city Juneau, and goldrush Skagway which is part of the Klondike Gold Rush National Monument. The journey also includes a port call at Victoria, B.C. Norwegian Jewel's last Sawyer Glacier trip of 2012 will leave Seattle on September 16 en route to Alaska with return to Vancouver.
Princess
Cruises
1-800-PRINCESS; www.princess.com2012 Princess CruisesPreview
Seven vessels: Coral Princess (1,970 guests), Diamond Princess (2,670 guests), Golden Princess (2,590 guests), Island Princess (1,970 guests),Sapphire Princess (2,670 guests), Sea Princess (1,990 guestst) and Star Princess (2,5,90 guests).
With the addition of Star Princess to its 2012 ship roster, Princess Cruises will deploy no fewer than seven Alaska-bound cruise vessels to Alaska this spring, summer and fall..
Cruises include: One-way "Voyage of the Glaciers" sailing northbound from Vancouver, B.C. to Whittier, Alaska, in seven nights/eight days and "Voyage of the Glaciers" southbound from Whittier to Vancouver, also in seven nights/eight days. Port visits and viewing areas both directions include Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay National Park and the glaciers of Prince William Sound. Vessels sailing this route are: Coral Princess, Diamond Princess, Island Princess, and Sapphire Princess.
Too, the cruiseline also offers the long-time traditional pleaser "Inside Passage" roundtrip from Vancouver in seven nights/eight days aboard the Diamond Princess, Island Princess, and Sapphire Princess. Ports and cruising areas include Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Tracy Arm Fiord with South Sawyer Glacier or Glacier Bay National Park.
A more recent and also popular option is Princess' "Inside Passage Roundtrip from Seattle." Travelers have a choice of two vessels. Golden Princess (2,600 guests) makes the trip in seven nights/eight days, calling at Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Victoria, B.C. plus cruising Tracy Arm Fjord and south Sawyer Glacier or Glacier Bay National Park. Star Princess (2,670 guests) follows the same itinerary of ports plus Tracy Arm Fiord and South Sawyer Glacier.
A longer version of this same cruise, "Inside Passage Roundtrip from San Francisco," runs 10 nights/11 days aboard Sea Princess (1,990guests). Ports of call and cruising areas on this route include Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay National Park, Ketchikan, and Victoria.
Too, for the traveler short on time there's a five-night/six-day "Alaska Sampler" aboard the Star Princess that will embark on an open-jaw voyage May 15 from Vancouver to Juneau and Ketchikan with disembarkation in Seattle.
And, world travelers take special note: At the beginning of the season an Alaska cruise can be combined aboard the Diamond Princess with a trans-Pacfic segment that will depart from Bangkok, Thailand and from Beijing, China en route to Whittier, Alaska followed June 2 by the vessel's first Alaskan 2012 southbound "Voyage of the Glaciers" segment to Vancouver.
At the season's end, passengers embarking on the Diamond Princess either from Vancouver (September 15, for a 23 night/24 day voyage) or from Whittier (September 22 for a 16-night, 17-day cruise), can sail from Alaska to Beijing on an "Alaska & Far East Grand Adventure."
Princess Cruises' website describes the line's programs for Teens and pre-Teens as follows:
Passengers ages three to 17 will enjoy many exciting onboard activities. Our Youth Centers and Teen Lounges are staffed by experienced counselors, who are ready to ensure our youngest cruisers stay happy all day long. There’s everything from art projects and game tables to the latest movies, pizza parties, talent shows, video games, and much more.
All vessels, with the exception of Ocean and Pacific Princess, have dedicated Youth Centers and Teen Lounges. (The two vessels noted offer youth programs when 20 or more children, ages thre to-17 are traveling on a given voyage.) Children under the age of three are welcome to visit the Youth Center if accompanied and supervised by a parent at all times.
“Princess Pelicans” (ages three to seven): Little ones will want to stay all day while counselors entertain them with: Kindermusik® at Sea, kids-only dance parties, movies and cartoons, ice cream and pizza parties, T-shirt coloring, pajama parties,theme nights, fun fairs and art projects.
“Shockwaves” (ages eight-12): Older kids will enjoy a boatload of exciting activities including:, Kids-only dinners, dance parties, movies, PS2/PS3, Wii and the latest games, video games, scavenger hunts, karaoke and talent shows, sports tournaments, California Science Center workshops, Jr. Chef@Sea, Klutz® projects, and theme nights
In our Teens-only exclusive lounges, passengers ages 13-17 can make new friends while enjoying all of the coolest amenities. Our Lounges are packed with PS2/PS3 and Wii games, the latest movies, music, and foosball tables. We also offer exciting events including: teens-only dance parties, late-night movies, sports tournaments, casino night, talent shows, formal dinners, mocktail competitions, DJ workshops, teen makeovers, and hip hop dance classes.
Royal
Caribbean
International
1-800-327-6700; www.royalcaribbean.comTwo Vessels: Radiance of the Seas (2,100 guests)
Rhapsody of the Seas (2,000 guests)
2012 Roybal Caribbean International Preview
RCI will sail into 2012 Alaska-bound cruising on May 4 when Radiance of the Seas embarks on a seven-night/eight-day round trip from Vancouver, British Columbia to award-winning Icy Strait Point, a private center for viewing cultural and historical Tlingit Indian exhibits as well as a base for soft adventure tours and the world's fastest zipline experience. The vessel then continues north to Hubbard Glacier (cruising), followed by port calls in Juneau, Ketchikan, then return to Vancouver.
On May 11 Radiance of the Seas will initiate a full summer schedule of seven-night/eight-day northbound and southbound one-way cruises between Vancouver and Seward, Alaska. En route port visits and cruising areas each direction include Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Skagway, and cruising Hubbard Glacier. Last journey of the year will embark southbound September 7 from Seward.
Rhapsody of the Seas will initiate its season with an open-jaw positioning cruise May 4 from Vancouver calling at Juneau, Skagway, Tracy Arm Fiord with Sawyer Glacier, Ketchikan, and Seattle in seven-nights/eight days.
For the balance of the 2012 season, and embarking May 11, the ship will base in Seattle for a series of seven-night/eight day round trips north to Juneau, Skagway, Tracy Arm Fiord (Sawyer Glacier), Victoria, B.C., and Seattle. Final 2012 sailing will embark August 31.
Mid-Size Cruise Vessels
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
1-800-285-1835; www.RSSC.comOne vessel: Seven Seas Navigator (490 guests)
2012 Regent Seven Seas Cruises Preview
Regent Seven Seas Cruises (1-800—285-1835; www.RSSC.com) has scheduled the luxury-class
Seven Seas Navigator for 13 Alaska cruises in 2012.
The 11-night/12-day season opener from San Francisco on May 1 offers port stops at Astoria, OR, Ketchikan, AK, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, and Victoria, B.C. with journey’s end at Vancouver., B.C. (In addition there’s glacier viewing within Tracy Arm Fiord in Tongass National Forest and at Hubbard Glacier.)
From a May 30 voyage on, and for the balance of the season, the Seven Seas Navigator sails 11 one-way northbound or southbound seven-night, eight-day voyages between Vandcouver and Seward taking in Ketchikan, Tracy Arm, Juneau, Skagway, and Sitka, plus cruising Hubbard Glacier. Last cruise for 2012 (12 nights/13 days) departs Seward August 22 and disembarks in San Francisco September 3.
Silversea
Cruises
1-877-215-9986;
www.silversea.comOne vessel: Silver Shadow (382 guests)
2012 Silversea Cruises Preview
Silversea Cruises will likewise dispatch a luxury-class vessel, Silver Shadow, for a 2012 season of 12 southbound and 12 northbound voyages, including a southbound season-opener May 31 from Seward through southcentral and southeast Alaska waters to Vancouver in seven nights/eight days. (The vessel's arrival in Seward follows a tranoceanic 15-day voyage from Tokyo departing May 17.)
The 2012 Alaska opener is followed by mostly alternating northbound and southbound trips between Vancouver and Seward. Ports of call and cruising areas for both north and southbound voyages include Hubbard Glacier, Sitka, Tracy Arm Fiord, Skagway,Juneau, and Ketchikan. (Two roundtrips out of Vancouver are scheduled July 5 (11 nights/12 days) and July 16 (10 nights/11 days.)
Last Alaska voyage of the season is a cruise Vancouver to Seward embarking August 30.
Small Cruise Vessels
Alaska
Coastal Quest
1-907-225-3498; www.akquest.comOne vessel: Misty Fjord (12 guests)
2012 Alaska Coastal Quest Preview
One of the newer small-ship cruiselines in Southeast Alaska ranks nonetheless as one of the most experienced lines sailing the waters of Misty Fjords National Monument and the Southeast region's Inside Passage. That's because Dale Pihlman of Ketchikan, owner of the line and captain of the company's new cruise vessel Misty Fjord, has logged decades at the helm of commercial fishing craft, research vessels and charter boats within Southeast Alaska. Much of that time was spent within the 2.2- million acres of mountains, glaciers, steep-walled fjords, saltwater bays and inlets that now (since 1976) comprise Misty Fjords National Monument.
The newly constructed 60-foot vessel,M/V Misty Fjord is an expedition-class ship with accommodations for 12 guests in five staterooms.
The cruiseline, now in its second year, offers varied charter and per-cabin booking options throughout Southeast Alaska. Among them: the opportunity to join a small group of professional photographers of international stature on a 10-day trip through most of panhandle region. The cruise will embark from Ketchikan Juy 28 and take in Petersburg and Juneau en route to Chatham Straits and Peril Straits and into Sitka Sound. The vessel will visit St. Lazaria National Wildlife Refuge known for its populations of puffins, sea otters, seals, and sea lions. The trip will end Autust 6 in historic and gorgeously situated Sitka, formerly the Russian America capital then called New Archangel. Another charter, Sitka to Petersburg, has been booked for five on a cruise August 8-13, so has space for five additional passengers.
Alaskan
Dream Cruises
1-855-747-8100;
www.AlaskanDreamCruises.comTwo vessels: Alaskan Dream (40 guests);
Admiralty Dream (78 guests)
2012 All Alaskan Dream Cruises Preview
This may be a relatively new name in the Alaska overnight cruise trade (2012 is only the line's second year as a full-fledged overnight cruise company) but its parent company, Allen Marine of Sitka, can claim a 40-year history in the 49th State's visitor-serving industry.
An Alaska Native-owned ship-building company, the organization expanded into day-cruise tour boat operations in the 1970s.
Starting in May, 2012, two vessels – the Alaskan Dream along with Admiralty Dream – will begin the company's second season of full-fledged overnight cruising throughout Southeast Alaska.
These adventure tours will begin with a deluxe tourboat excursion throughout Sitka Sound aboard one of Allen Marine's small tour boats for a cruise in search of gray, humpback, and orca ('killer") whales plus sea lions, sea otters, American bald eagles and abundant sea birds.
At Peril Staits, about 30 miles from Sitka, guests transfer from the smaller sightseeing boat to their "home afloat" for 10 nights and 11 days cruising through lush forest-rimmed wilderness passages or beside towering fjord cliffs and walls. Wildlife may include brown (grizzly) bears, blackies, wolves (if you're very, very lucky) and deer at the shoreline plus mountain goats aloft. The view continues wtih near-constant sightings of mountaintop glaciers and waterfalls plunging into the sea.
The following days are no less noteworthy with visits to goldrush Skagway and a wondrous mountain-ascending ride on one of the nation's few remaining small guage railroads Then comes Hoonah village (and nearby Icy Strait Point cultural center and soft adventure excursions),and awesme Glacier Bay which features some of the wildest, most spectacular country on earth,
Highlights that follow include humpback whale watching at Point Adolphus and elsewhere, Hoonah village and a visit to the new cultural and adventure base at Native-owned Icy Strait Point, a day's cruise through the wilderness waters of mind-boggling Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, and a day's visit to Alaskan capital city Juneau (with it's state museum, capital complex, mountain-ascending tram, and Mendenhall Glacier). Then it's on to Tracy Arm Fiord and Sawyer Glacier, Hobart Bay (where guests may go ashore for outdoor activities) plus Frederick Sound for more whales and wilderness watching.
Eight-day versions of this same kind of cruise are available aboard the American Dream, taking in Sitka, Red Bluff Bay and Kake, Hobart Bay, Tracy Arm, Petersburg, Wrangell, Thorne Bay and Kasaan, Misty Fjord, and Ketchikan.
Reverse-order cruises from Ketchikan to Sitka are also scheduled.
The company's five-night, six-day Tracy Arm Adventure oommences aboard the Admiralty Dream with a departure from Juneau to Orca Point Lodge on Colt Island for a dinner of grilled wild Alaska salmon. Day two takes in Tracy Arm Fiord with its towering cliffs glaciers. Days three through six visit Petersburg, eastern Baranof Island and the village of Kake, with journey's end in Sitka. where the Tlingit Indian and Russian heritages remain strong, vibrant, and visible.
The cruiseline's two-night/three-day "Alaska's Glacier Bay Quest," mostly aboard the 78-passenger Admiralty Dream, features Sitka, Glacier National Park, and Juneau. On day one guests enjoy a guided walking tour exploring Sitka's Russian heritage and a fully-narrated "Sea Otter and Wildlife Quest" in Sitka Sound aboard one of Allen Marine's day boats – after which they transfer to the
Admiralty Dream for the balance of their journey to Glacier Bay and Juneau.
All Aboard Yacht Charters
1-800-767-1024; www.AlaskaCharters.comOne vessel: Discovery (10 guests)
2012 All Aboard Yacht Charters Preview
All Aboard Yacht Charters may have “charters” in its name but in Alaska you can book passage aboard the 10-guest yacht Discovery just as you would any other cruiseship. And if you’re a nautical history buff, take note that Discovery is a historic 1931-vintage yacht created in the rich classic tradition.
For Alaska deployment in 2012, the vessel features seven-night, eight-day Inside Passage cruises north or south between Ketchikan and Juneau as well as roundtrip voyages from each of the two panhandle communities. For southeastern trips the company website touts "humpback whales, bears, sea lions, Tracy Arm, and fishing."
The company also schedules 11-night/12-day northbound and southbound cruises from Seattle to Ketchikan and reverse May 8th and September 25 respectively. For these cruises the company features "Great Bear Rain Forest, orcas, hot springs, and fishing."
For families, Captain John Swanson notes "We have many families join us on group charters and we have many diverse activities from fishing and kayaking to even taking a (supervised) wheel watch."
Sailing schedules for 2012 are posted at the company website.The line has offered Alaska cruises since 1981.
American
Cruise Lines
1-800-460-4518; www.americancruiselines.comOne vessel: American Spirit; 100 guests
2012 American Cruise Lines Preview
American Cruise Lines will inaugurate its maiden Alaska cruising season in 2012. The line has scheduled 13 Inside Passage departures to and within Alaska from June 2 through September 1. First and last sailings are 11-night, 12-day sailings from and to Seattle. Port calls include Anacortes and Friday Harbor in Washington plus Alaska's Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Tracy Arm Fiord and glaciers, Angoon, Icy Strait and Hoonah. (Angoon and Hoonah are Tlingit Native villages.) Journey's end comes with sightseeing in Alaska's capital city Juneau.
Eleven core season cruises within Alaska will feature seven-night, eight-day round trips from Juneau to Skagway, Glacier Bay, Icy Strait, Hoonah, Sitka, Petersburg, Tracy Arm Fiord and Dawes Glacier. The latter is one of Southeast Alaska's less visited but most awesome classic glaciers.
American Safari Cruises
1-888-862-8881; www.amsafari.com
Four vessels: Safari Endeavor, (86 guests), Safari Explorer (36 guests), Safari Quest (22 guests), Safari Spirit (12 guests)
2012 American Safari Line Preview
American Safari Cruises brings the addition of an 86-guest small ship to its fleet of three yachts returning to Alaska in 2012. The vessel, Safari Endeavour, has undergone major renovation to transform it into an upscale vessel sailing Southeast Alaska waters in summer 2012.
Two-week Endeavor cruises from Seattle to Juneau and reverse will be offered in spring and fall highlighted by cruising sites and port visits including San Juan Islands/Friday Harbor (WA), Misty Fjords National Monument, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Baird Glacier, Glacier Bay, Icy Strait, and Alaska's capital city Juneau.
The yacht-style ship will sail the Inside Passage of the state from May to September featuring two days exploration in Glacier Bay National Park and expedition cruising in Icy Strait, Frederick Sound, Thomas Bay, Chichagof Island, Ford's Terror and Endicott Arm.
Core season cruises, June through August, will include Safari Explorer Juneau Roundtrip journeys to Glacier Bay National Park, Icy Strait, Chichagof Island, Frederick Sound, Endicott Arm, and return to Juneau.
Safari Quest will likewise sail the Juneau Roundtrip route in May through August as well as a return to Seattle in late August. The smaller, more intimate Safari Spirit will cruise from Seattle to Juneau in April and return to Seattle in September. In the months between the two vessels also offer the popular Juneau Roundtrip route.
American Safari offers special "Kids in Nature" departures catering to families with children of all ages. These fun and educational sailings will embark on June 22 and July 20 sailings in 2012. For more information see the cruiseline's website.
The Boat Company
1-360-697-4242; www.theboatcompany.comTwo vessels: Liseron (20 guests), Mist Cove (24 guests)
2012 Boat Company Preview
The Boat Company emphasizes environmental awareness while offering programs from Juneau and Sitka that combine wildlife viewing on land and sea, shore excursions, fishing, and kayaking. Two vessels (20-guest Liseron a now-upscale converted 1940s minesweeper, and 24-guest Mist Cove, a decidedly upscale replica) sail seven-night, eight-day voyages between Sitka and Juneau.
Following is a summary of The Boat Company experience, from the company website:
The Boat Company, incorporated in Alaska in 1979 by the McIntosh Foundation, is a non-profit educational organization offering luxury eco-cruises through Southeast Alaska. (This allows for a portion of reservations to be tax deductible). The itinerary of Boat Company trips is flexible and spontaneous. With a skilled and capable crew on the M/V Liseron and M/V Mist Cove – featuring a ratio of two guests per one crew member – the needs and wishes of each guest can be accommodated without difficulty.
Hikers can spend as much time off the boat as they like – hiking the forest service trails, beachcombing the tide flats, walking the stream beds and taking leisurely strolls along the beaches in the company of trained naturalists. Fishermen can stream fish or take out skiffs with guides and try their luck. Canoes and kayaks can explore hidden covers and scenic shorelines.
Features of the trip include all meals and snacks prepared by a gourmet chef, wines with dinner, and an open bar. For fishers, the crew will clean and pack salmon, halibut, and other catches for shipment home.
Discovery Voyages
1-800-324-7602; www.discoveryvoyages.comOne vessel: Discovery (12 guests)
2012 Discovery Voyages Preview
Discovery Voyages operates the comfortably refurbished former missionary vessel Discovery throughout Prince William Sound, offering a wide variety of active options which include glacier viewing, whale and wildlife watching, birding, hiking, kayaking, and photography.
Time magazine had this to say about the vessel and the voyage: "A cruise on the Discovery would be the prize of anyone's trip to Alaska." The company has earned similar accolades from USA Today, Alaska Magazine, New York Times travel section, Outdoor Photographic, and other national publications.
Two new voyages will be offered for the first time during the 2012 season: They are:
"Grand Prince William Sound," a six-night/seven-day journey aboard the Discovery, two nights B&B accommodations in Anchorage and the possibility of a visit to the picturesque fishing community of Cordova. This option will be available only once during the season.
"Three-Day Discovery Voyage," featuring two nights/three days aboard the Discovery and two additional nights in Anchorage, has been designed for travelers on a tight time budget. It will be offered three times in 2012;
The line's traditional passenger pleasers include:
"Hike and Kayak Voyage," three sailings with four nights/five days aboard
Discovery, two nights B&B in Anchorage;
"Adventure! Voyage," featuring five nights/six days aboard ship, two nights B&B in Anchorage;
"Grand Alaska Voyage" features a four-night/five-day classic Discovery voyage plus
land-based travel to and within interior Alaska's Denali National Park and travel to Fairbanks. (Escorted by naturalist Hugh Rose; the trip includes welcome dinner in Anchorage on day one.
Three "classic" voyages will be offered: once as a five-night/six day" Classic journey aboard Discovery; another time as a Grand Classic Voyage in four nights/five days aboard ship; and to close the season in September as the "Autumn Classic Voyage. Each option includes two nights B&B in Anchorage.
For families, the line offers a child rate (25% of adult rate) for children 11 years and under at time of travel.
Fantasy Cruises
(1-800-234-3861); www.smallalaskaship.com2012 Fantasy Cruises Preview
One vessel: Island Spirit (32 guests)
Fantasy Cruises has scheduled a full 2012 summer season of mostly eight-night/nine-day voyages aboard the Island Spirit. The line will initiate the season with a slightly longer two-week northbound trip May 5 to May 20 from Seattle to Juneau, Alaska's capital city. Following this, the ship will begin sailing a series of alternating southbound or northbound trips between historic Sitka and "Little Norway" Petersburg, each in eight nights, nine days.
All of Fantasy Cruises trips include glacier viewing, beach hikes, exploring small coves, forest trail walks, and other outdoor activities.
About the ship: Each of 17 staterooms features private bath and shower and a minimum of one full size opening window for maximum viewing and ventilation. Binoculars are provided in each room. Other features include a cozy lounge with full-service bar, open bow area with cushioned seating, outdoor back deck with tables and chairs, single and double kayaks, and touring skiffs.
"On the Island Spirit," says the company's website, "all of our ship's liquids are treated prior to discharge – even shower and sink water. All galley sinks are also treated."
InnerSea Discoveries
1-877-901-1009; www.InnerSeaDiscoveries.com
2012 InnerSea Discoveries Preview
Three vessels:Wilderness Adventurer (66 guests), Wilderness Discoverer (80 guests), Wilderness Explorer (76 guests)
This company – a sister brand to American Safari Cruises – calls their journeys "uncruises" and a glance at the itineraries and maps at their website shows why. Aside from embarkation cities Juneau and Ketchikan on their respective seven-night, eight-day voyages there's precious little time spent in urban settings.
Instead the recently refurbished vessels Wilderness Adventurer, Wilderness Discoverer, and Wilderness Explorer (a new addition for the 2012 season) carry their passengers "off the beaten path" in unabashed comfort to hidden coves, beauteous bays, glaciers, lakes, and river places treasured by Alaskans.
Activities are no less varied and numerous. Among them: No fewer than two dozen kayaking/canoeing/fishing/caving/hiking and – for the not faint of heart – "polar bear" swimming and snorkeling options.
For the seeker of Alaska Native culture there are totem parks to be seen, studied, and photographed at Klawock, an Alaska Native community on Prince of Wales Island along the course of the northbound "Inner Reaches Western Coves" journey. And, at Chief Shakes Island in Wrangell Harbor along the south-traveling route of the "Inner Reaches Eastern Coves" itinerary, the poles are similarly authentic and colorful. In Ketchikan at least three parks comprise the largest collection of Alaska totem poles anywhere.
Another "uncruise" option, the "Alaska Inside Passage Ultimate Adventure" operates round trip from Juneau to Ketchikan and return to Juneau in 14 nights, 15 days.
The newly acquired Wilderness Explorer will sail weeklong un-cruise adventures from Juneau to Sitka (or reverse) with three days spent exploring within Glacier Bay National Park. And, notes the company,the Wilderness Explorer Northern Passages & Glacier Bay National Park itinerary can be combined with an Eastern or Western Coves itinerary for a two-week itinerary. Or when paired with the two-week Ultimate Adventure roundtriip Juneau itinerary the experience becomes an all-encompassing three-week voyage.
Positioning journeys north from Seattle May 1 and south from Juneau September 10 offer much the same of the "uncruise" genre, including less-visited Endicott Arm, Ford’s Terror, and spectacular Dawes Glacier.
First of the season’s southeast alaska cruises between juneau and ketchikan will be eastern coves option aboard the>Wilderness Discoverer departing May 19 from Juneau. Last southeastern cruise, aboard the same vessel, will embark from Juneau to Ketchikan September1.
The line's Family Discoveries program is a special feature geared toward entertaining and educating kids of all ages. Sailings departing on June 22 and July 20, 2012 will include this option. For more details see the company's website.
Lindblad Expeditions
1-800-EXPEDITION www.expeditions.com2012 Lindblad Expeditions Preview
Two vessels: National Geographic Sea Lion and National Geographic Sea Bird (62 guests each)Lindblad Expeditions will return its twin vessels to Alaska in 2012 with the passenger-pleasing cruise options the line has offered for years. The 2012 season opens with an 11-night, 12-day northbound positioning cruise from Seattle to Juneau (called “Alaska, British Columbia, and San Juan Islands”) on May 1, 2012 aboard the National Geographic Sea Lion. Southbound season closer is scheduled for Sitka departure September 1 aboard the National Geographic Sea Lion.
The positioning cruises extensively explore the Inside Passage between Seattle and Juneau.
The company’s season-long staple is a seven-night, eight-day one-way cruise between Juneau and Sitka (or reverse) called “Alaska's Coastal Wilderness.” The twin vessels travel the same route but in opposite directions each week. These journeys feature Tracy Arm fjord and twin Sawyer glaciers, Ford's Terror wilderness, a Petersburg port visit, whale watching in Frederick Sound, Chatham Strait, Point Adolphus, and Inian Pass plus cruising a full day in Glacier Bay National Park. Activities on all cruises include kayaking among icebergs, beach hikes, and listening to actual below-the-surface “whale songs” on the ships' hydrophones. The cruise ends at historic Sitka where travelers may visit St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedrel and Sitka National Historical Park (featuring one of Alaska's premiere totem collections) before air departure to Seattle.
Young travelers participate in specia kids' activities such as scavenger hunts, special hikes, hands-on lessons, and Zodiac expeditions. The crew also schedules special kids' walks such as a Petersburg dock and shore excursion where, using a magnifying glass, the guide might show young guests itty bitty marine life around the area. During a Glacier Bay visit the youngsters may work with a U.S. Park Ranger and in the process get an instructive coloring book and earn a Junior Ranger badge. The crew also gives each youngster a journal in which to write about the wildlife they see and the activities they experience.
Maple Leaf Adventures
1-888-599-5323; www.MapleLeafAdventures.comOne vessel: Maple Leaf (8 guests)
2012 Maple Leaf Preview
The Maple Leaf generally accommodates eight guests and offers something unique among lines in the Alaska cruise trade: The vessel is an authentic “tall ship” sailing schooner more than a century old.
In 2012 Maple Leaf will make two one-way Alaska voyages (under sail whenever possible), one trip northbound and one southbound between Prince Rupert, B.C. and Sitka, Alaska’s history-laden Tlingit Indian community, last headquarters of “Russian America,” and first capital city of the then-District of Alaska, USA. These are 11-night/12-day voyages.
Ports of call and wilderness shore visits include Ketchikan, Petersburg, tiny Baranof (in Warm Springs Bay), remote hot springs, beach and forest sites for hikes, whale and bear viewing, and, of course, close-up glacier viewing. The ship’s first Alaska sailing will depart Prince Rupert, B.C. July 7 with journey's end in Sitka July 14. Reverse trip will leave Sitka July 19 with arrival in Prince Rupert July 31.
New last yar and continueing in 2012 are 8-night/9-day charter trips for families (all generations). These are north country adventure cruises. Depending on departure dates, the sailings feature Gulf Islands, British Columbia; Alaska's Inside Passage; the Haida Gwaii (called by some the "Canadian Galapagos"), and the Whales and Totems of Vancouver Island.
Sea Wolf Adventures
1-907-957-1438; www.seawolfadventures.netOne vessel: Sea Wolf (12 guests)
2012 Sea Wolf Adventures Preview
This small-ship cruiseline specializes in five-night/six-day cruises through the wilderness waters of Glacier Bay National Park, exploring in depth the arms, bays, and inlets of an American national treasure in 15 Sunday-through-Friday cruises. All the Sea Wolf Adventures offer the opportunity for hikes and beachwalks ashore and kayak-paddling within picturesque bays and inlets.
And, notes the Sea Wolf website: "While we explore the wilds of Glacier Bay and Icy Strait we'll learn to identify and taste dozens of wild foods that sustained the First People for 1000s of years. Nagoon berries, Sea Asparagus, Salmon, Blueberries, Sea Lettuce, and Licorice Fern and are just a few of the edibles we'll seek out. During the week, between kayaking, hiking and natural history walks, as opportunity allows, we'll gather wild-foraged treats from sea and land."
Embarkations aboard the Sea Wolf throughout the core summer season are from Bartlett Cove within the park. During their cruise visitors have the opportunity to view an incredible collection of glaciers, old-growth forests and lush vegetation newly exposed and made possible by the receding of massive glaciers. Plus, there are wild critters to view such as black bears,brownies, moose and deer on the beaches and mountain goats at the craggy peaks that abound along the routes that the Sea Wolf travels.
World Cruise Vessels Visiting Alaska
In addition to the scheduled Alaska-bound cruiseships listed on page one and two of this website, at least three additional vessels will call at Alaska port cities and cruise some of Alaska's most scenic glaciers, fjords, and forest attractions as part of longer international world cruises from Asia and elsewhere.
For 2012 the lines and their ships include:
Asuka Cruises
Tokyo Telephone Contact: 81-3-3284-6001: Email inquiries: information@asukacruise.co.jp;www.asukacruise.co.jp
One vessel: Asuka II ( 800 Guests); Length 790.5 feet
2012 Asuka Cruises Preview
This vessel, formerly the Crystal Harmony, will visit Alaska as part of a 2012 Around the World Cruise embarking from Yokohama, Japan April 2 and ending July 8 in Kobe. Alaska ports of call on the trip will include Juneau, Skagway and Seward.This is a highly regarded vessel, having earned 4 stars+ by the prestigious Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruiseships. A representative from the cruise company advised Alaska Cruising Report some years back that "Asuka accepts international guests, but it will be very difficult if they do not speak and/or read Japanese. The information in English, especially in writing, is very limited." The same representative advised that an Asuka cruise is basically "from-Japan-to-Japan. We offer segments only if and when the ship is not full."
Crystal
Cruises
1-888-799-4625;
www.crystalcruises.com
One vessel: Crystal Serenity (1,100 guests); Length 820.2 feet
2012 Crystal Cruises Preview
A reading of Crystal Cruises' website indicates the line does not plan to dispatch a vessel for season-long cruises to Alaska in 2012 as it did in 2011. It does indicate, however, that the company has scheduled Crystal Serenity for a "Great Northern Adventure" cruise departing from Osaka, Japan on March 31, 2012 for a 94-day cruise to Los Angeles. Port visits and scenic cruising en route will include Petropavlovsk, Russia, then Alaska ports Dutch Harbor, Kodiak, Seward, Glacier Bay (cruising) and Ketchikan, followed by Vancouver, B.C., Victoria, B.C., San Francisco and Los Angeles.The following year, 2013, the company plans a single 18-day international cruise aboard the Crystal Symphony (960 guests; length 777.8 feet). The ship will depart April 12, 2013 from Kobe, Japan to Petropavlovsk, Russia then sail on to Alaska ports Dutch Harbor, Kodiak, Seward, Glacier Bay and Ketchikan with journey's end in Vancouver.
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
One Vessel: Hanseatic (184 guests)2012 Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Preview
A bookable Alaska cruise segment of a Hapag-Lloyd international world cruise will embark from Seward July 16 en route to Vancouver, B.C. with en route visits and cruising at Chenega Glacier, Yakutat Bay (for Hubbard Glacier), Pelican, cruising off whale-rich Point Adolphus, Juneau, Skagway, Petersburg, Ketchikan, and cruising through British Columbia's Inside Passage to Vancouver for journey's end on July 29.
A second voyage will generally retrace the first voyage (but in northbound, reverse, order) from Vancouver to Seward. Then it will extend southerly around the Alaska Peninsula and sail northerly between Unga and Akutan islands (of the Aleutian Islands chain) to St. Paul in the Bering Sea. From there the journey will continue northerly to Norton Sound with journey's end at Nome of storied goldrush lore.
A third Hanseatic 2012 cruise segment will embark from Nome on August 14, 2012 sailing through U.S. and Canadian Arctic Ocean waters and ending September 8 in Reykjavik, Iceland. The German website "CruiseTricks" has chosen this Hanseatic Northwest Passage segment as one of its "Top Ten Most Unusual Cruises of the Year."
More information at www.HLKF.com; the website lists seven cruise sales agencies located
in different regions of the U.S.
Cruising by Ferry
ALASKA MARINE HIGHWAY SYSTEM
1-800-642-0066; www.FerryAlaska.comThe State of Alaska will, in 2012, continue its operation of an extensive fleet of 11 large and small passenger and vehicle ships serving Southeast, Southcentral, and even (in summer) Aleutian Islands communities. The vessels range from the 931-passenger
Columbia (serving Southeastern Alaska, Southcentral, and even Bellingham, Washington) to the 149-passenger Lituya which operates between Ketchikan and nearby Metlakatla on Annette Island..
In between are the Southeast-based ferries Malaspina (745 passengers), Matanuska (701), Taku (370), and Kennicott (748). The latter vessel also provides connecting voyages between Southeast and Southcentral Alaska. One ship, the Columbia, offers connections to Bellingham, WA. The ocean-going Tustumena (220) connects Kodiak with the Southcentral Alaska mainland and, in summer, with ports in the Aleutians.
Newest additions to the fleet are the speedy passenger and vehicle catamaran ferries Fairweather (250), serving Southeast Alaska and the Fairweather’s sister ship Chenega, which operates from Cordova into Prince William Sound. Smaller ferries Aurora (300) and LeConte (300) provide service for locals and Alaska visitors from Southeast and Southcentral mainline ports to smaller towns and villages. The Alaska Marine Highway System accepts reservations for summer ferry trips starting in the preceding December of each year.
For do-it-yourself cruisers these ships provide comfortable, wide-ranging, modern vessels (most with staterooms) that open up areas for cruising that are not accessible by traditional cruiseships.
Ferry schedules for both winter 2010-2011 and spring-summer-fall 2011 are now accessible at www.FerryAlaska.com. For printed brochures containing each of these schedules you can place your name of the list to receive each or both schedules as they become available.
BC FERRIES
1-888-BCFERRY, 1-866-308-4848; www.bcferries.comFor Alaska-bound visitors the BC Ferries' new Northern Expedition has replaced the older Northern Adventure on the northern ferry route that provides service between Vacouver Island's highway-accessible Port Hardy)and the city of Prince Rupert. At Prince Rupert travelers can connect with Alaska state ferries bound for Ketchikan and other Alaska port cities. The 150 metre (493 foot) Northern Expedition has 55 modern staterooms and can accommodate 600 passengers and 130 vehicles.
INTER-ISLAND FERRY AUTHORITY
1-866-308-4848;
www.interislandferry.com
The IFA operates two ferry vessels – the 200-passenger Stikine, which entered service in 2006, and the 160-passenger Prince of Wales that inaugurated IFA service between Prince of Wales Island and Ketchikan in 2002. For 2012 the Stikine will sail daily throughout the year between Ketchikan and Hollis on Prince of Wales Island.
Sprawling POW Island offers a prime and promising destination, especially for travelers seeking an "off the beaten path" experience. It is the second biggest island in Alaska and is largely uninhabited but boasts an extensive highway network of former logging roads. A number of small communities, lodges, fishing camps, and camping/RV sites are located there as well. Wildlife is abundant. For more extensive coverage, see our "Cruise Alaska by Ferry" page.