Southeast Alaska is home to a number of Alaskan Native groups and this 7-night small ship cruise on the Kruzof Explorer with private guides provides greater insight into their cultural practices and their relationship with the many islands that make up the Southeast. From Sitka to Ketchikan, enjoy fine dining, waterfalls to wildlife, petroglyphs to glaciers, kayaking to Zodiac rides and learning about Alaskan Native Haida culture and traditions on this classic Alaska adventure by small cruise ship.
Welcome to Sitka, a beautiful small community on Baranof Island and your port of departure for your small ship adventure. Upon arrival receive a personal greeting and a private transfer to your hotel. Enjoy the evening exploring downtown Sitka.
Overnight in Sitka.
(c) Matt Hage. All rights reserved.
Spend the morning exploring the historical sites of Sitka with your cruise Adventure Guide before boarding the Kruzof Explorer and setting sail into the Gulf of Alaska. This evening, get to know your fellow shipmates over a gourmet meal featuring fresh-caught seafood such as halibut, king salmon, shrimp, or crab. Relax with a glass of wine in the surrounding tranquility and ambiance of the ship.
Overnight on the Kruzof Explorer, your home for the next seven nights.
Today is all about exploring the island-studded Sitka Sound. Wildlife is abundant here and your captain and crew have knowledge of the movements and habits of the local marine life and wildlife which means they know where to look and when. Keep an eye out for whales, sea otters, sea lions, porpoises, seals, brown bears, and bald eagles. The landscape is studded with volcanic formations and Mt. Edgecumbe volcano sits as an icon of the region.
End the evening with a feast of Alaska king crab, wild-caught salmon, and prime rib at the exclusive Fin Island Lodge.
Cruise up the west coast of Baranof Island and take in the sights of jagged mountain peaks, the rocky coastline, and the pristine Gulf of Alaska. Get close to the shore with the ship’s Zodiac and explore the narrow passages and channels insides these barrier islands in the Gulf. Depending on the weather, the Captain may decide to navigate the east coast of Baranof Island, dubbed “The Waterfall Coast”.
Sumner Strait offers endless possibilities for in-depth adventures. The islands in this area are home to black bear, Sitka black-tailed deer, wolves, and countless bald eagles. Venture out into the wilderness with your knowledgeable guide to explore this wilderness via kayak, paddleboard, or with the ship’s nimble Zodiac. You may want to visit the small community of Port Protection, a place that has gained national notoriety due to a reality show of the same name.
The small community of Wrangell is home to just over 2,000 permanent residents and is the only town in Alaska to have been under the jurisdiction of four nations; the Tlingit, Russia, England, and the United States. Explore the colorful history of this town with a guided tour of the Wrangell Museum and a visit to Petroglyph Beach, a state historic park that contains the highest concentration of petroglyphs in Southeast Alaska. Later in the afternoon board a comfortable high-speed jet boat for a tour through Dry Straight to the spectacular LeConte Glacier, North America’s southernmost tidewater glacier.
Learn more about the Haida culture and visit Kasaan, a beautiful village on Prince of Wales Island. This village is home to the Chief Son-i-Hate Whale House, the only remaining traditional Haida longhouse in the United States. Walk along a rainforest path lined with intricately carved totem poles that tell the history of the local clans.
Today, cruise beneath the 3,000-ft glacier-sculpted cliffs of the Misty Fjords National Monument. Seabirds are aplenty within the Monument as well as wildlife such as brown and black bears, moose, wolves, river otters, sea lions, killer whales, and Dall porpoise. Kayaking the protected coves is an excellent way to get close to the rainforest-covered cliffs, or venture out with your ship’s guide to their favorite locations within the monument. Enjoy one more gourmet meal onboard and a heavenly dessert before retiring for your final night on the Kruzof Explorer.
Arrive in Ketchikan where a transfer will be provided to the airport in time for your departing flight.
Main Ship
The Kruzof Explorer caters to 12 guests at a time making for an exclusive experience in Southeast Alaska. Modern renovations and elegant finishings elevate this previous fishing boat to a luxury experience.
The ship is outfitted with a sport fishing vessel, high-speed zodiac, kayaks, and paddleboards so you can get up-close to the scenery and never miss out on an adventure.
Cabins
The six comfortable cabins on the ship are located on the main deck and five of them have one queen bed and a twin bunk, while the sixth cabin has one queen bed. All cabins are complete with en-suite bathrooms, ample storage space, and a picture window.
This 7-night cruise departs from Sitka, a small city located on the west side of Baranof Island that is originally home to the Tlingit people and was later occupied by Russian settlers and was made the seat of the Russian Orthodox bishop of Kamchatka, the Kurile and Aleutian Islands, and Alaska. While there are no roads to Sitka it can be reached by daily flights on Alaska Airlines.
The fresh seafood that can be found along the Inside Passage is a chef’s dream. Each meal prepared onboard the ship will feature fresh ingredients and locally sourced seafood caught by nearby fishing vessels. Guests will also enjoy daily baked pastries, bread, and desserts, and don’t forget to visit the lounge every afternoon for “Cookie time”. The ship stocks a full-service bar that features Alaska beers, Pacific Northwest wines, and locally distilled spirits. Your daily adventures will work up an appetite and the onboard chef is there to cater to your desires.
The Kruzof Explorer and the onboard team pride themselves in providing hands-on active exploration. The ship itself is nimble and able to access shallow-waters for up-close glacier exploration and access to remote wilderness areas. Kayaks and paddleboards are available for guest use, and the custom-built kayak launchers all for easy and safe loading and unloading. While providing adventure is one of the main goals of the Kruzof crew it is also important for them to share their knowledge of the natural world that surrounds the journey as well as information about the native cultures that can be found along the way. Take in a local dance performance and carving demonstrations, witness families working together to harvest their annual salmon haul in a smokehouse, and end each evening with an educational program in the ship’s lounge.
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