Journey from Sitka to Ketchikan onboard the Kruzof Explorer for a 9-night luxury cruise into the wilds of Southeast Alaska. This extended Alaska adventure by water will provide guests with endless opportunities to view wildlife, glaciers, and remote Alaskan islands. A professional naturalist and True Alaskan Guides accompany you every step of the way and provide deeper insight into the natural world and Alaskan Native cultures that you discover along your route.
Welcome to Sitka! The town of Sitka sits on Baranof Island and is the only community in Southeast Alaska that faces the open waters of the Gulf of Alaska. Upon arrival, receive a personal greeting from your private driver followed by a transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Sitka.
Sleep in today and enjoy breakfast at your hotel before meeting your cruise expedition leader for a a day spent exploring the town of Sitka. Visit historical sites and get your bearings before boarding your ship, the Kruzof Explorer, a former fishing vessel, now a luxury small ship cruiser. Leave Sitka behind as you make your way into the winding narrows north of town.
Overnight on the Kruzof Explorer, your home for the next 9 nights.
Today, you will get to experience the West Chichagof-Yakobi Wilderness, a part of Southeast Alaska that few travelers get a chance to see. The Kruzof’s expedition team will get you out on a high-speed zodiac or one of the ship’s kayaks to get a closer look at the stunning cliffs, narrow passage, and towering rainforest.
Round out your day by visiting Pelican, a charming Alaskan community that was originally founded as a commercial fish processing operation in 1938. The town is set within Lisianski Inlet, a scenic fjord, and has a central boardwalk that serves as the main thoroughfare for the town.
Cruise through Glacier Bay National Park and get up close to a calving glacier as well as to marine and wildlife within the park. You may have the opportunity to see Stellar sea lions, bears, moose, whales, among other species.
Some of the highlights of Glacier Bay National Park include; South Marble Island, a nesting area for puffins; Gloomy Knob, a rocky outcropping where mountain goats can be seen; and Margerie Glacier. Your onboard naturalist guide will provide insights into the biology and geography of the area while your True Alaskan guides will share information about the lifestyles and legends of Southeast Alaska.
Admiralty Island, known as Kootznoowoo by the local Tlingit translates to “Fortress of the Bear” and is home to one of the highest densities of brown bears in North America. But bears are not the only predator to call this place home, it also boasts a large population of nesting bald eagles, so keep your eyes on the trees. Your adventure guide will choose a prime location with shallow waters along the shoreline to explore via kayak. Guests can also land their crafts ashore and beachcomb along the pristine shoreline.
Sail through Tracy or Endicott Arm into Tracy Arm-Fjords Terror Wilderness. Renowned for its pristine waterfalls, abundant harbor seals, towering icebergs, and granite cliffs, this 653,000-acre preserve has been sculpted by a millennia of ice flows. Both of these dramatic glacial fjords offer stunning views of tidewater glaciers. You’ll be able to hop in a Zodiac or a kayak to make your own up-close discoveries with an unmatched perspective.
Marinelife abounds in Fredrick Sound so keep an eye out for humpback whales and other marine mammals. If you are lucky you can witness some of the behavior that makes humpback whales so wonderful to view and photograph.
Later in the day make your way to the shoreline for a short walk through the rainforest to the Baranof Warm Springs. Relax in a steaming pool and soak away any soreness from the previous day’s adventures while enjoying your favorite beverage. That evening, eeturn to the Kruzof Explorer for a gourmet meal featuring fresh-caught seafood from local fishermen.
Prince of Wales Island is vast and rugged and with 990-miles of coastline, it offers endless opportunities for you to explore from your homebase on the Kruzof. Numerous secluded bays and coves offer the ideal setting for guests to explore via kayak or by zodiac. Your knowledgeable guides will take you to the best places to get a glimpse of the island’s large population of black bear, Sitka black-tailed deer, and Alexander Archipelago wolves.
The charming community of Klawock is located on the west coast of Prince of Wales Island and was once a summer fishing camp for the Tlingit people before becoming a year-round community. Today includes a visit to the town which is known for its remarkable collection of 21 totem poles, you will have the opportunity to learn about the tradition and art of carving totem poles and their significance to the native groups in Southeast Alaska.
Explore the east side of Dall Island today by kayak, zodiac, or paddleboard. Although the island is about 254 square miles, it only hosts about 20 residents. Learn about the abandoned village of Howkan, which was once one of the largest Haida villages and was thought to have been founded as a winter residence. During your last evening on the ship, share your stories with your fellow shipmates over a glass of wine and indulge yourself in one last gourmet seafood dinner aboard the Kruzof Explorer.
Say goodbye to your crew and the Kruzof Explorer as you disembark in Ketchikan, otherwise known as the “Salmon Capital of the world”. Receive a transfer from the dock 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 9-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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