Your Private Exploration of Alaska’s Inside Passage

Welcome to Juneau, Alaska’s beautiful capital city! Upon arrival, receive a personal greeting from your private driver followed by transfer to your hotel.

Overnight in Juneau

Breakfast is included at your hotel this morning before embarking on your own customized private tour of Juneau.  Highlights may include a visit to Juneau’s crown jewel – Mendenhall Glacier for photo opportunities or a private guided hike.  For the ‘foodies’ in your group your private tour may include a walking visit of several of Juneau’s culinary highlights.

This afternoon board the Safari Quest, where you will meet your crew and shipmates before embarking west on your way toward Icy Strait.

Overnight on the Safari Quest, your home for the next seven nights.

Wake up each morning with a new view and a new set of adventures.  Your private vessel is ready for action and equipped with top-of-the-line kayaks, paddle boards, hiking poles, and binoculars.  And your personal crew is always on standby and ready to assist and ensure you get the most out of your time in beautiful, southeast Alaska.

The small size of your private boat allows your captain to maneuver into a number of hidden coves, providing access to innumerable one-of-a-kind experiences.  Try paddle boarding in a calm cove, or spend some time beachcombing or hiking along a wilderness trail.  The options are limited only by your imagination.

This evening soak in the hot tub aboard the Safari Quest after the day’s adventures as you take in the serene Alaska wilderness landscapes surrounding you.

In addition to your captain and expedition leaders, your private crew also includes a private chef dedicated to preparing gourmet meals with an Alaskan twist.  Fresh and sustainable ingredients are featured in every meal including local produce and seafood pulled from the waters in which you sail.

Dietary restrictions will be provided to the crew in advance of your sailing and will be taken into consideration as the meals are prepared so that you can relax and comfortably enjoy each meal.

As important as the meals are the accompanying beverages and your charter brings all new meaning to the term ‘all inclusive.’  Specialty coffees and teas are always available and wine pairing are common with dinner.  You can even enjoy an Alaskan cocktail out on the deck before dinner.  And nothing says ‘luxury’ like a champagne toast next to a glacier.

Alaska serves as summer feeding grounds for humpback whales, making it one of the most reliable whale watching locations in the world.  Your captain knows these waters well and can help locate these magnificent creatures.  Keep an eye out along the water’s surface for a gush of water spraying in the air from the whale’s blow hole, or a flap of it’s tail as it comes to the water’s surface for a breath. With luck, you may even see whales bubble net feeding or breaching completely out of the water. Keep your binoculars, cameras, and video cameras at the ready to capture these special moments.

Your private vessel also is equipped with submerged bow camera and hydrophone so that even when ocean creatures are not above the water’s surface, you can see – and hear – their underwater movements and communication. Your crew is well versed in these ocean creatures and can help answer questions about the whales or deliver an educational program for younger guests.

While whales are often the featured wildlife attraction of southeast Alaska, many other creatures call this area home.  Marine wildlife includes harbor seals, Steller sea lions, and sea otters.  You may even spot a variety of land animals along the coastlines including brown and black bear, Sitka black-tailed deer, mountain goats, beaver, and moose.  Alaska’s Inside Passage is also an ornithologist’s dream as it is home to bald eagles, common and pacific loons, black oystercatchers, harlequin ducks, red-breasted mergansers, tufted and horned puffins, and more!

The peaceful waters of southeast Alaska provide the perfect backdrop for a time of self reflection.  Whether you are a dedicated ‘yogi’ or a first timer, practice your breaths and relax on the bow or aft deck for a relaxing start to your day.  Or perhaps you prefer a more active start with use of the on-board fitness equipment.  If a focus on nutrition is a priority, schedule a private cooking class with the chef and learn the secrets of creating healthy, yet still delicious meals.

And after each day’s adventure, nothing compares to a relaxing soak in the on-board hot tub, with a glass of wine in hand as you gaze at the star-studded skies above.

While your private expedition will take you to places rarely seen or experienced, your private voyage also includes a number of well-known Alaskan highlights.  At 3.3 million acres, Glacier Bay National Park is an adventurer’s dream.  As its’ name attests, there is no shortage of glaciers in this remote region of Alaska, nor ways to experience them. Whether from the bow of the ship, by kayak, or via a hike among the thick forest, the choices here are as boundless as the scenery.

Other destination highlights you are likely to visit during your cruise include Frederick Sound – frequented by whales, and the glacier-carved valleys of Tracy Arm Fjord.

While Alaskan adventure lies around bend, some may prefer the comforts and amenities found onboard while taking in the magnificent scenery.  The large dining room is inviting and offers a variety of seating configurations.  And the main lounge provides space to relax and watch the scenery go by.  Spend some time on the bridge with your captain and listed to the stories legends are made from.  Perhaps a private tour of the galley and cooking lesson is more your speed.  With other family members out adventuring, you have exclusive use of the observation decks for wildlife viewing while catching up on your favorite novel.  Whatever your dream experience of Alaska’s Inside Passage, you will find it on your private cruise.

Enjoy one last breakfast onboard this morning and say farewell to your new friends. Disembark from your vessel in Juneau and receive a private transfer to the airport for your journey back home, or to begin the next segment of your Alaska vacation.