Itinerary
Ship Onboard MS Roald Amundsen - Polar Outside Cabin
MS Roald Amundsen is a state-of-the-art vessel featuring new environmentally sustainable hybrid technology and that offers premium expedition comfort.
The stunning scenery is reflected in a rich and comfortable interior design. Scandinavian materials from nature, such as granite, oak, birch and wool are used to create relaxed and stylish cabins and public areas. All cabins are outside cabins, of which 50% have private balconies, and aft suites feature private outdoor hot tubs with spectacular views.
One of the most eye-catching exterior design features is the two-level indoor/outdoor Observation Deck. It is an ideal place to scan the scenery and watch for wildlife with your binoculars.
The Polar Outside cabins are primarily on the middle decks with windows, most are spacious, have flexible sleeping arrangements and TV for excellent and high standard accommodation. Can accommodate two to four passengers.
Day 1 Anchorage
Anchorage is packed with places to explore and enjoy, from restaurants and galleries to sports venues and shops. If you can, it's worth extending your time here. Anchorage Museum and the Native Heritage Center give you a taste of local culture. If you enjoy the outdoors, why not visit the flowering Town Square Park or go salmon fishing in Ship Creek.
Overnight in Anchorage at Hilton Anchorage Hotel.
Day 2 Seward
Your ride to Seward takes you through the Kenai Peninsula and some of the world’s most awe-inspiring backcountry scenery. Look out for the impressively-horned Dall sheep grazing on misty mountain slopes. On the way, we’ll stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to learn about their work rehabilitating orphaned or injured animals, from bears, bison and moose to eagles and owls. Seward's embarkation point is the gateway to the vast, mountainous Kenai Fjords National Park, home to the largest ice fields in Alaska. A spectacular and fitting launch point for the adventures ahead.
Overnight stay onboard in a Polar Outside Cabin.
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Day 3 College Fjord
Your lecture today may well be related to glaciology. You'll visit College Fjord, which holds five tidewater glaciers, five valley glaciers and a dozen others. The 1899 Harriman Expedition team, which charted the fjord, named the glaciers after their alma maters, which include Vassar, Harvard and Yale. Princeton is missing, apparently a deliberate snub. Get as close to the glaciers as you can, taking the small expedition boats on the fjord if possible, or in kayaks as an optional excursion. From the water, you might glimpse humpback whales, bald eagles, otters and sea lions who inhabit this icy wilderness.
Overnight stay onboard in a Polar Outside Cabin.
Day 4 Icy Bay
Experience an amazing expedition day in Icy Bay today. Three glaciers – Guyot, Yahtse and Tyndall – regularly calf into the bay. If conditions allow, the Expedition Team will take you ashore on the 34-mile-long, 8-mile-wide Guyot Glacier or you can explore in kayaks on an optional excursion.
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, can be seen in these waters. Onboard photographer is ready with expert tips on how to get the best from your camera.
Overnight stay onboard in a Polar Outside Cabin.
Day 5 William Henry Bay
In the afternoon, pass Point Adolphus on the northern tip of Chichagof Island, across from Glacier Bay National Park. These nutrient-rich waters are famous for attracting humpback whales and other marine life, so be sure to get out on the deck and have your camera ready.
We'll visit William Henry Bay, on our included excursion. Lying south of Haines, at the edge of the Chilkat mountain range, it's home to brown bears, black bears and moose. We’ll drop anchor here and explore the shores lined with old-growth forests under the guidance of an expert local guide.
Overnight stay onboard in a Polar Outside Cabin.
Day 6 Haines
The frontier town of Haines was originally home to the Chilkat Tlingit people, renowned for their weaving skills. You’ll see examples of their intricately beautiful work in the blankets on display in the Haines Sheldon Museum. We’ll visit Fort Seward while we’re ashore, as well as the flourishing art scene in Haines itself. The galleries and workshops are filled with stunning Totem carvings, silverwork and sculpture. Discover your artistic side – try your photography skills on the incredible landscapes and wildlife. Look out for bears, moose, and the bald eagles for which this town is famous.
Overnight stay onboard in a Polar Outside Cabin.
Day 7 Holkham Bay Fjords
Holkham Bay has two arms – Tracy and Endicott – beautiful fjords that are out of reach for larger cruise ships. Your captain will decide which offers better exploration options on the day, but don't worry, both are equally special.
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 wildlife tips from our onboard photographer before we head out on expedition boats to get closer to these unique sights.
Overnight stay onboard in a Polar Outside Cabin.
Day 8 Sitka
Surrounded by Tongass National Forest, Sitka is only accessible by sea and air. Get out on deck for stunning views of the Sisters Mountains and Mount Edgecumbe Volcano.
Discover Sitka's fascinating history with the Expedition Team. Inhabited by the Tlingit 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. Sitka National Historic Park is a real highlight, where you'll see ornate Haida and Tlingit totem poles. Or enjoy a walking trail through the forest to the ocean.
Overnight stay onboard in a Polar Outside Cabin.
Day 9 Petersburg
Continue to cruise to Petersburg, perched at the edge of stunning Frederick Sound. Settled by a Norwegian in the 1800s – and fondly known as 'Little Norway' – its shallow, bustling harbour houses Alaska's largest home-based halibut fishing fleet. Ships are small enough to enter, and shared Norwegian heritage makes for a great talking point with the local community as we explore this charming town. You can watch icebergs float down the sound from the waterfront and look across to North America’s biggest rockface, the Devil’s Thumb. In summer, the waters attract feeding humpback whales.
Overnight stay onboard in a Polar Outside Cabin.
Day 10 Wrangell
Your cruise of the Alaskan islands takes you to Wrangell. A mile out of town you’ll find the ancient rock carvings of Petroglyph Beach. Bring paper and take some stone rubbings as a unique souvenir. Learn more about Wrangell's fascinating past in the local museum. Now part of the US, it’s been governed by Britain, Russia and the Tlingit people. On Shakes Island, the Chief Shakes Tribal House and totem poles tell the Tlingit story. Your visit includes a trip on the waters in our small expedition boats. On land, hikers will enjoy the nature trails from Stikine River and Mount Dewey to the rainforest.
Overnight stay onboard in a Polar Outside Cabin.
Day 11 Misty Fjords
Part of the Tongass National Forest, Misty Fjords is a pristine wilderness of evergreens, waterfalls and snow-capped peaks. Influential mountaineer John Muir described it as one of the most beautiful places he’d ever seen. Weather permitting, you'll join the Expedition Team to tour Misty Fjords on small expedition boats or take kayaks out for an optional excursion.
Look out for mountain goats, bears and moose. In the water, you'll find Pacific salmon, along with otters, sea lions, harbour seals, orcas and Dall porpoises. And look skywards for hummingbirds, herons and bald eagles.
Overnight stay onboard in a Polar Outside Cabin.
Day 12 Canada's Inside Passage
On smaller expedition ships, you'll get an unrivalled intimate experience of the protected North American Pacific Fjordland. As we navigate the lesser-travelled channels, you’ll get close to the beautiful and fascinating scenery. Keep your binoculars close at hand. As always, there’s plenty to see and learn in the Science Center, with insightful lectures from your Expedition Team, and opportunities to swap memories of your adventures. This is also a great time to wind down, with a little pampering in the spa or sitting up on deck with your fellow explorers as the stunning scenery slips by.
Overnight stay onboard in a Polar Outside Cabin.
Day 13 Alert Bay
Arrive in Alert Bay, a scenic village on Cormorant Island, north of Vancouver Island. Here you'll have the opportunity to meet and learn from the Kwakwaka’wakw First Nations community – to be welcomed by them is a real privilege. Experience more at the U'mista Cultural Centre, where you'll see elaborate totem poles, paintings, carvings and ceremonial masks. The island’s sheltered waters attract a huge array of wildlife – the Yellow-billed Loon, with its distinctive speckled back, is a particular highlight. You might even see orcas and humpback whales close to shore.
Overnight stay onboard in a Polar Outside Cabin.
Day 14 Vancouver
Your expedition cruise ends in the beautiful city of Vancouver at the foot of the Rockies. Visit Gastown, the city's oldest neighbourhood, and climb Vancouver Lookout for a citywide panorama overlooking neon-lit Granville Street, West End beaches and 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 as you soak up the city's buzzing atmosphere.
Accommodation
Hilton Anchorage Hotel
Anchorage
Located in the heart of downtown, within three blocks of the Egan and Dena'ina convention centers, 5th Avenue Mall, and the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts. The hotel lobby features an extensive collection of Alaskan art. Visit the fitness center and relax in the indoor pool and steam room. Enjoy American favorites and local specialties, such as wild Alaskan salmon caponata and seared Alaskan halibut in the restaurant.
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