Alaska’s Glacier Wilderness

Day 1: Juneau
Day 2: Icy Strait or Neka Bay
Day 3: Glacier Bay National Park
Day 4: Glacier Bay National Park
Day 5: Chichagof Island 
Day 6: Frederick Sound
Day 7: Tracy Arm & Sawyer Glaciers
Day 8: Juneau

The planned itinerary is subject to change due to nautical, technical, or meteorological reasons and other unforeseen circumstances. The captain reserves the right to change the route in view of your safety, even with no advance notice. 

Day 1: Juneau
Arrive in Juneau and transfer from the airport to the designated check-in area. Upon boarding, you are welcomed by the crew with smiles and a glass of champagne. Set sail and begin a week of exploration through scenic channels and secluded wilderness. (D)

Day 2: Icy Strait or Neka Bay
Start the morning with on-deck yoga stretches and a strong cup of coffee. Once energized, slip into your kayak and glide through remote bays off Icy Strait, weaving among towering bullwhip kelp that can grow more than 100 feet long. Join a skiff excursion to a rocky outcropping to watch sea lions at play, or pull on mud boots for a guided forest hike with knowledgeable naturalists who share insights into Alaska’s marine life, plant species, and geology. Back on board, relax and reflect on the day’s discoveries while soaking in the hot tub. (BLD)

Day 3: Glacier Bay National Park
This crown jewel of America’s national parks covers 3.3 million acres (that’s a tad smaller than the state of Connecticut). Most visitors see the same sliver of the park as everyone else. Not you. You’re going the furthest and exploring parts that 99% of visitors never go to. Taylor Bay sea stacks and rocky shores make for a good adventure. You could hike the outwash field of glaciers winding down the Fairweather Mountain Range. The cool breeze off the nearby snow and ice fields is energizing. If you motor over to Dundas Bay, keep your eye out for bears, humpbacks, and if you’re lucky, a wolf sighting. There are several options for activities today such as kayaking in the bay, and trekking into the forest. (BLD)

Day 4: Glacier Bay National Park
Today features South Marble Island with its significant seabird colony. Rare sea birds, black oystercatchers, and orange-beaked tufted puffins can be sighted as well as the federally endangered species, the Stellar sea lions. As you tuck into the silent Tidal Inlet - the stomping grounds for bears, wolves, mountain goats, and eagles - the backdrop is spectacular. At the end of the westernmost arm of the bay sits Margerie and Grand Pacific Glaciers. (BLD)

Day 5: Chichagof Island 
Begin the day on the top deck, taking in the sunrise or enjoying a gentle morning stretch. Cruise through glacier-carved fjords along the rugged Chichagof Island coastline before dropping anchor in a prime exploration area. Kayaks and skiffs are lowered, inviting you to head out with a camera in hand for adventures on both land and sea. From the skiff, moss-draped trees stretch all the way to the shoreline, and with one of the world’s highest bear populations on the island, wildlife sightings are always possible. Search for towering old-growth trees and explore tidal pools during a hike through the Tongass National Forest, guided by your attentive expedition team leading the way and keeping watch from behind. (BLD)

Day 6: Frederick Sound
The glacier-fed waters of Frederick Sound, surrounded by the majestic mountains of the Coast Range, are abundant with krill, zooplankton, and herring. Humpback whales migrate here from Hawaii to feed on its nutrient-rich water. Watch for whales feasting in these abundant glacial waters. Hang out and enjoy the show. You will cruise past Five Fingers Lighthouse, Alaska’s oldest light station, and The Brothers Islands, where sea lions nap on rocky nobs. (BLD)

Day 7: Tracy Arm & Sawyer Glaciers
Start the day with an early look out your window as towering fjord cliffs rise skyward above floating ice and deep, U-shaped valleys. This dramatic landscape is nature at its most powerful. Cruise past harbor seals and their pups resting on drifting ice, and, tides permitting, join a skiff excursion led by an experienced driver who expertly navigates the currents beneath the towering Coastal Mountains. Waterfalls cascade down steep rock walls, and mountain goats may be spotted displaying remarkable agility high on the cliffs. In the evening, conclude your week with a Captain’s Dinner, followed by post-dinner cocktails and a photo journal presentation by the crew, celebrating the journey’s unforgettable moments. (BLD)

Day 8: Juneau, Alaska Disembarkation
Linger over breakfast as the ship cruises into Juneau this morning. Say goodbye to the crew and the new friends you have made along the way, then transfer to the airport or continue your journey with an UnCruise hotel stay or land tour. (B)

Take a look at our Alaska and Pacific Northwest cruises here for more options!

• Wilderness Discoverer

  Comfort

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  Comfort Class Boat

  The maiden vessel in the ‘Wilderness’ boat fleet, the Wilderness Discoverer was built in 1992 and renovated in 2012. Designed to get you into remote places, off-limits to bigger boats, this small boat is all about getting out and about. Read More
• Wilderness Adventurer

  Comfort

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  Comfort Class Boat

  The 60-guest Wilderness Adventurer is everything a large cruise ship is not. A small boat, big on adventure, she sails quiet waters - inaccessible to big ships - docking overnight in small bays and coves. Explore beyond the boat on daily guided activities with expert guides and naturalists. Back on board, the informal and unpretentious spaces welcome relaxation. With three cabin categories, all cabins are above deck with large view windows. Read More