Alaska and British Columbia

Overview

Day 1 An Overview of Vancouver

Day 2 Your Expedition Begins

Day 3 Inside Passage

Day 4 The Preserved Misty Fjords

Day 5 Wrangell’s Petroglyphs

Day 6 Sitka and Its Cultural Mix

Day 7 Icy Bay Glaciers

Day 8 Across the Gulf of Alaska

Day 9 Brown Bears of Kodiak

Day 10 Brown Bears in Katmai

Day 11 Chignik, the Tiny

Day 12 The Ghost Town of Unga

Day 13 Explore Dutch Harbor

Day 14 Learning and Leisure

Day 15 Aleut Life in Saint-Paul

Day 16 Saint Matthew, the Wild

Day 17 Crossing the Bering Sea

Day 18 Nothing Like Nome

Day 19 Return to Vancouver

Highlights of the trip

• Wild Alaska

Explore the pristine wild coast of Misty Fjords National Monument and visit isolated islands on this extraordinary expedition cruise. Keep an eye out for black and brown bears on the famous Kodiak Island and in Katmai National Park, and watch for whales, sea otters, and rare seabirds.

• Fascinating Heritage

Discover the Tlingit and Aleut indigenous cultures, search for petroglyphs in Wrangell, and follow in the footsteps of gold prospectors and explorers. Visit the picturesque ghost town of Unga and uncover ancient stories on moss-covered totem poles at Chief Shakes Tribal House.

Itinerary

DAY 1 | OVERVIEW OF VANCOUVER

DISCOVER THE LARGEST CITY IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

Your expedition cruise begins with a night in Vancouver, a beautiful bustling port city surrounded by steep mountains. The restaurants in various neighborhoods of Vancouver serve world-renowned cuisine prepared with fresh, local ingredients. Don’t miss Gastown, Vancouver’s Victorian neighborhood. There, you’ll find the Vancouver Lookout, a 165-meter tower offering a perfect 360-degree panoramic view of the city. If you have time, consider arriving a few days early and participating in our optional pre-program that will take you through the Rocky Mountains on the famous and luxurious Rocky Mountaineer train. What better way to start your adventure?

DAY 2 | YOUR EXPEDITION BEGINS

EXPLORE MORE OF VANCOUVER AND EMBARK ON YOUR ADVENTURE

After a delightful breakfast at the hotel, we will take you to explore the key sights of the fabulous city of Vancouver. This excursion will conclude at the port, where the MS Roald Amundsen will be awaiting you. Settle in and take the time to familiarize yourself with the ship, noting the Science Center, fitness room, and restaurants, among other facilities.

Our expert expedition team will guide you during excursions and landings. Get to know the team members and enjoy a delicious welcome dinner. Afterward, you can relax as your grand adventure in Alaska is just beginning.

DAY 3 | INSIDE PASSAGE

EXPLORE MORE OF VANCOUVER AND EMBARK ON YOUR ADVENTURE

After a delightful breakfast at the hotel, we will take you to explore the key sights of the fabulous city of Vancouver. This excursion will conclude at the port, where the MS Roald Amundsen will be awaiting you. Settle in and take the time to familiarize yourself with the ship, noting the Science Center, fitness room, and restaurants, among other facilities.

Our expert expedition team will guide you during excursions and landings. Get to know the team members and enjoy a delicious welcome dinner. Afterward, you can relax as your grand adventure in Alaska is just beginning.

DAY 4 | PRESERVED MISTY FJORDS

DISCOVER UNTAMED NATURE WHERE WILDLIFE THRIVES

Located in the Tongass National Forest, Misty Fjords offers a wild and pristine expanse dotted with evergreen trees, deep fjords, and majestic snow-capped peaks. Esteemed naturalist John Muir described this region as one of the most beautiful places he had ever seen.

If weather conditions permit, you will join the expedition team for an excursion into Misty Fjords aboard our small expedition boats. You’ll also have the opportunity for a kayak outing.

Misty Fjords is home to a rich array of wildlife. During your exploration, you may encounter mountain goats, bears, and moose. The waters are teeming with Pacific salmon, otters, sea lions, harbor seals, orcas, and Dall’s porpoises. In the sky, you might spot herons and bald eagles.

DAY 5 | WRANGELL PETROGLYPHS

VISIT ONE OF ALASKA’S OLDEST PORT TOWNS

We will continue our cruise among the islands of Alaska to reach Wrangell. Just over a mile from the town lies Petroglyph Beach, a beach that harbors ancient rock carvings.

Visit the local museum to learn more about Wrangell’s fascinating past. Once governed by Britain, Russia, and the Tlingit people, Wrangell is now part of the United States. Cross over to Shakes Island, where Chief Shakes’ tribal house and totems narrate the story of the indigenous Tlingit people.

Hikers will enjoy the natural trails in this splendid setting at the mouth of the Stikine River and at the foot of Mount Dewey, near the edge of the rainforest.

Optional Excursions

Explore the waters surrounding Wrangell and discover the incredible landscape and towering glaciers of the Alaska Inside Passage by expedition boat.

DAY 6 | SITKA AND ITS BLEND OF CULTURES

ENJOY VIEWS OF SITKA AND ITS UNIQUE BLEND OF CULTURES

Surrounded by the Tongass National Forest, Sitka is only accessible by sea or air. Step out onto the deck to take in the views of the Sisters Mountains and the volcanic Mount Edgecumbe.

Discover the fascinating history of Sitka with our expedition team. Inhabited by the Tlingit people for 10,000 years, the town was occupied by Russia in 1804 before being sold to the United States after the Crimean War. Sitka now blends these three cultures.

Visit the Russian Orthodox Cathedral and the Russian bishop’s house. Admire totems carved by the Haida and Tlingit peoples at Sitka National Historical Park, a particularly remarkable site, or take the hiking trail through the forest to reach the ocean.

Near the entrance to the village of Kjøllefjord, look for Finnkirka, an impressive rock formation shaped like a building. This former sacrificial site was once used by the indigenous Sámi people. You can participate in an optional excursion to meet local Sámi, learn about their reindeer herding life, and listen to joik folk songs.

Heading North

We will reach Mehamn, our northernmost port of call, in the evening. If you visit in February and March, you may see tons of cod drying outdoors on wooden racks called hjell, mainly for export.

The ship will then set sail for Berlevåg. Along the way, we will pass by the grand Slettnes Lighthouse, the northernmost mainland lighthouse on the planet.

DAY 7 | ICY BAY GLACIERS

WILDLIFE OBSERVATION IN GLACIER-FED WATERS

A fantastic day of expedition awaits you today in Icy Bay. Portions of three glaciers – Guyot, Yahtse, and Tyndall – regularly calve into the bay. If conditions allow, you will explore the bay aboard our small expedition boats or by kayak to better appreciate the beauty of the area.

Wildlife is abundant in the Gulf of Alaska, providing unparalleled photography opportunities. Humpback whales, orcas, Steller sea lions, sea otters, and harbor seals lounging on floating ice are common sights in these waters.

DAY 8 | THROUGH THE GULF OF ALASKA

A DAY AT SEA DEVOTED TO WELLNESS AND BIRD WATCHING

Your cruise continues through the Gulf of Alaska. It’s the perfect time to enjoy the onboard facilities, including the infinity pool, hot tubs, and sauna. Run on the deck, work out in the fitness center, or indulge in a massage at the spa.

The expedition team also invites you to join them at the Science Center for lectures on wildlife, geology, glaciology, history, and culture of the region. Treat yourself to a relaxing time at the Explorer Lounge & Bar and share a drink with fellow passengers or simply sit back and enjoy the view. Keep an eye on the sky to spot the three species of North Pacific albatross. Laysan and black-footed albatrosses are common in the region, but the short-tailed albatross is more challenging to spot.

DAY 9 | KODIAK BROWN BEARS

DISCOVER THE HABITAT OF THE ALUTIIQ PEOPLE

Kodiak Island earns its nickname, the Emerald Isle, with its spruce forests and meadows. As the second-largest island in the United States, there is much to explore.

Learn about the island’s rich indigenous heritage at the Alutiiq Museum or visit the Kodiak History Museum, housed in the oldest building in the state, constructed in 1808. You may also explore the Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park, home to a 1939 naval fort and strategic bunkers from World War II.

Kodiak’s most famous residents are the brown bears. Around 3,500 of them inhabit the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, covering two-thirds of the island.

DAY 10 | BROWN BEARS IN KATMAI

OBSERVING BROWN BEARS IN KATMAI NATIONAL PARK

Your adventure continues in Katmai National Park, covering nearly 16,687 square kilometers and featuring over a dozen active volcanoes. Katmai is home to more than 2,000 protected brown bears, the largest concentration in the world.

Guided by an experienced “bear guard,” we will safely observe the bears from the deck or in our small expedition boats. We might witness them foraging for berries, digging for clams, or catching fish in the streams. Depending on conditions, we may visit Geographic Harbor, Kinak Bay, or Kukak Bay. Keep an eye out for sea otters, seabirds, and humpback whales.

DAY 11 | CHIGNIK, THE TINY

DISCOVER LOCAL LIFE IN A SMALL ALASKAN FISHING TOWN

Located on the south coast of the Unalaska Peninsula, Chignik is one of Alaska’s most charming small communities. Venture ashore to explore the village, and the local fishing community will be delighted to welcome you. During the summer months, salmon swim upstream in Chignik’s rivers, and you might have the chance to see fish leaping over obstacles to spawn upstream.

Don’t forget to look up: sheltered and rich in fish, Chignik provides ideal conditions for a plentiful population of bald eagles. Also, look for traces of the local bear population, which often comes close to the village.

Optional excursions

Explore the small community of Chignik in Alaska.

DAY 12 | EXPLORE THE GHOST TOWN OF UNGA

DISCOVER UNGA, AN ABANDONED VILLAGE IN ALASKA

Wild and deserted, the village of Unga is an abandoned yet picturesque settlement located at the southern end of Unga Island. Occupied by the Aleuts in 1833, it was abandoned in 1969 as subsistence fishing proved insufficient to sustain its inhabitants. Today, the few remaining wooden buildings are the only evidence that people once lived here. A carpet of pink pedicularis, fireweed, and other wildflowers surrounds the abandoned cabins, as nature has gradually reclaimed its space. Experience the mysterious beauty of this place during a wilderness landing with our small expedition boats.

DAY 13 | DISCOVER DUTCH HARBOR

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN HISTORY AND NATURE IN THIS FISHING PORT

With a volcano as a backdrop, Dutch Harbor, America’s largest fishing port, is a fascinating place to visit. At the Aleutian Museum, you’ll learn about the local indigenous people, the Unangan. Visit the Russian Orthodox Cathedral or the World War II museum commemorating the 1942 battle that took place here. Keep an eye on the sky for bald eagles and puffins. Foxes, lemmings, and wild horses are abundant on land, while whales, sea lions, and porpoises inhabit the waters. Dutch Harbor is where the reality TV series “Deadliest Catch” was filmed, showcasing the challenging work of crab fishermen in extreme conditions.

DAY 14 | KNOWLEDGE AND LEISURE

ENJOY A MOMENT OF RELAXATION AND REFLECTION AS WE ALONG THE COAST

Embarking on an expedition cruise is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the world around you. And that’s exactly what a day at sea allows you to do. Relax and enjoy panoramic views from the Explorer Lounge & Bar, the infinity pool, or the outdoor hot tubs. Scan the waters and skies for puffins, auks, and guillemots, especially near the coast. If you’re lucky, you might spot the elusive fork-tailed storm petrel, found only in this part of the world. Learn more about the geography, climate, and avian wildlife of the region by joining the expedition team in the Science Center.

DAY 15 | ALEUT LIFE ON SAINT PAUL ISLAND

WILDLIFE AND CULTURE ON THE LARGEST OF THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS

Saint Paul Island, swept by the winds, is home to the largest Aleut community in the United States, numbering around 400 people. You can visit the historical remains of barabaras, traditional dwellings built half underground to protect against sea winds. Saint Paul has also been designated an Important Bird Area. As an ideal resting place for migratory birds, the island attracts nearly 300 different species. Try to spot horned and tufted puffins, Aleutian sandpipers, and rare fork-tailed storm petrels. On the shore, you may see Northern fur seals frolicking and cavorting. Half of the global population of these charming animals lives on these islands.

DAY 16 | WILD SAINT MATTHEW ISLAND

DISCOVER THIS WILD AND ISOLATED ISLAND

Saint Matthew Island is part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, the national marine wildlife reserve of Alaska. Located 322 kilometers from the nearest village, the island is both wild and isolated. You will see remnants of abandoned buildings between the black sand beaches and tundra dotted with wildflowers. Some daring individuals have tried to settle there, without success. Today, the only inhabitants are birds, including thousands of puffins, guillemots, and cormorants. When we disembark for a nature walk, you may have the chance to spot the rare snowy owl, which breeds almost exclusively here. And pay attention to the sound of the song vole, which gets its name from its unusual alarm call.

DAY 17 | CROSSING THE BERING SEA

CROSS THE LINE THAT DIVIDES TODAY FROM TOMORROW

As we sail across the Bering Sea, Russia extends to the east, and the United States to the west. We will cross the International Date Line: “tomorrow” will be on your right, and “today” on your left. There are many wonders of nature here, so keep an eye out for humpback whales and seabirds soaring in the sky. This is your last full day at sea, so enjoy and relax. The expedition team will recap the highlights of your Alaska adventure, and you can continue your journey of discovery in the Science Center.

DAY 18 | NOTHING BEATS NOME

DISCOVER THE GOLDEN AGE OF NOME

While Nome attracted its first gold prospectors in 1898, some are still searching for gold today. Remnants of the gold rush are scattered everywhere, including abandoned dredges, steam engines from the early 20th century, and old railroad tracks, giving the city its unique atmosphere. Nome was also the destination of three of Roald Amundsen’s great polar expeditions, notably during his attempt to reach the North Pole by air in 1926. Nome naturally becomes the ideal place to bid farewell to MS Roald Amundsen before taking a flight back to Vancouver, where you will spend the night.

DAY 19 | RETURN TO VANCOUVER

EXPLORE MORE OF VANCOUVER OR EXTEND YOUR ADVENTURE

Your expedition cruise concludes in Vancouver, offering you another opportunity to explore this picturesque metropolis. Enjoy the café culture in Granville Island or visit the famous multicultural night market in Richmond to savor delicious specialties from various stands.

Here, galleries, museums, events, exhibitions, and performances abound. If you prefer relaxation, head to Kitsilano’s sandy beach.

Extend your adventure with our optional post-program in the nearby ski resort of Whistler. We’ll make a stop at Shannon Falls and board the Sea to Sky Gondola, taking you on a panoramic tour over 900 meters above sea level.