Cruise/Tour Start Dates:
- May 4, 2007*
- May 5, 2007*
- May 6, 2007*
- May 7, 2007*
- May 9, 2007*
- May 14, 2007*
- August 30, 2007
- September 1, 2007
- September 3, 2007
- September 5, 2007
- September 6, 2007
- September 11, 2007
Dates marked * have reverse itinerary.
May is alive with spring greenery, teeming with wildlife near shore, and filled with sunny days. September gives you the added benefit of spectacular fall foliage peeking out between the evergreens. Our Gold Rush journeys follow the route of the original Klondike Gold Rushers of 1898 between Seattle, Juneau and Skagway. Our Gold Rush Cruise is cruise-only from Seattle to Juneau or reverse. Pre and Post-cruise extensions are available.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1 - Arrive in Juneau. Transfer to your ship to begin the trip of a lifetime sailing down Gastineau Channel. (D)
Day 2 - Skagway and Haines. Relive the Gold Rush of 1898 in the picture-perfect setting of Skagway, the jumping off place for thousands of early gold seekers. Visit charming Haines, renowned for its remote beauty. (B,L,D)
Day 3 - Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve Cruising. First established as a National Monument by presidential proclamation in 1925, Glacier Bay has since enjoyed the honored and highly protected status of National Park, Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site. Glide through this impressive wonderland, closely approaching the "rivers of ice." A National Park Service Ranger and a Native Cultural Interpreter offer insightful narration and help you spot wildlife such as harbor seals, mountain goats, and brown and black bears. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - Sitka. Only small ships can negoatiate Peril Strait and Sergius Narrows, the "inside" route to beautiful Sitka. A walk through Sitka's National Historic Park offers towering totems and thriving wildlife in the forest. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - Frederick Sound and Tracy Arm Fjord. Humpback whales abound in Frederick Sound. Cruise under Tracy Arm's sheer 1,500-foot-high vertical cliffs to the twin Sawyer Glaciers. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - Petersburg. Accept a warm welcome at the Norwegian-heritage fishing village of Petersburg, where no large cruise ships visit. Explore iceburg-filled Leconte Bay or nearby wilderness waterways such as the mysterious Thomas Bay. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - Ketchikan. Cruise into sparkling Alaskan waters and visit Ketchikan, the "Salmon Capital of Alaska," and home of impressive collections of Tlingit totem poles and Native and local art. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - Cruising Northern British Columbia. Along this remote coastline, you will enjoy prisitine and quiet reaches past ancient glacially carved fjords. Cruise by old growth forests, quiet coves, and nutrient-rich waters that support many mammals and seabirds in the Great Bear Rainforest. (B,L,D)
Day 9 - Strait of Georgia. Cruise among pristine islands nestled between Vancouver Island and the mountainous mainland of British Columbia, home to harbor seals, bald eagles, and orcas. (B,L,D)
Day 10 - Cruising the San Juan Islands. Explore the charming resort village of Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, once an important whaling center. (B,L,D)
Day 11 - Arrive in Seattle. Transfer to the airport full of memories to share with your family and friends. (B)
B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner
Trip Notes:
Look for humpbacks breaching in Frederick Sound. Frederick Sound is only accessible by boat or air.
Abundant krill (small, shrimp-like crustaceans), zooplankton and herring thrive in the glacially-fed waters of Frederick Sound, making it one of the premier places in Alaska to observe feeding humpback whales. It is estimated that over 500 of the 1,000 humpbacks that migrate annually to Alaska from Hawaiian breeding grounds head particularly to Frederick Sound to feed in its super nutrient rich waters.
Marine mammal abundance in the sound also includes orcas (killer whales), Steller's sea lions, Dall’s porpoise, and harbor seals. Surrounding the sound are the majestic craggy snow-covered mountains of the Coast Range rising from the sea to grand heights of 10,000 feet.
Enter the surreal world of Tracy Arm and the twin Sawyer Glaciers. This fantastic fjord rivals if not surpasses the fjords of Norway and New Zealand. Completely protected within the Tongass National Forest, this fjord stretches some 25 miles up into the Coastal Range Mountains. These snow- and glacier-filled mountains over 7,000 feet tall drop immediately to sea level. We will be surrounded by sheer 1,500-to 2,000-foot walls of granite falling into the extremely narrow passage, creating countless waterfalls and strange rock formations covered in forest, and trees hanging onto precipices at impossible angles.
Bears, mountain goats, and other fur-bearing animals live here, on a terrain you would think has to be devoid of such large animals. Twisting and turning, not being able to see what is around the next corner, you will be presented with a continual flow of scenery that could only be compared to Yosemite National Park but filled with over 1,000 feet of water! Here killer whales come to prey upon harbor seals who think they have safely hauled out on the ice to give birth or molt their fur.
At the head of the arm is our true destination, the two Sawyer glaciers that carved out the fjord. As we make our way to the head of the fjord, we will pass through a field of icebergs that will bump into the ship as we push them out of the way. We will be entering a surreal world you could not imagine, with ice more blue than the sky itself.
When we arrive at the face of the glaciers, we will no doubt see hundreds of harbor seals laying on the ice. If we are fortunate, a building-size piece of ice will break off the glacier's face only to crash and thunder into the water below, creating massive waves that will rock our ship as our guests cheer.
Keep your camera poised as we search for wildlife in Glacier Bay. Glacier Bay Park and Preserve is reportedly the most sought after park to visit in the United States and it is no wonder. Where else will you find a 25 mile-long river of ice still carving the land just as it has for the past several thousand years?
When Captain Cook and George Vancouver sailed by in 1879, they saw a 20-mile wide glacier where today the entrance of the park lies, as well the wilderness lodge and park headquarters. Each glacier has its own name and character; our captain will decide which to visit for the day depending on ice conditions and wildlife sightings.
Visiting Glacier Bay Park is also like visiting a wildlife park. Here bears, goats, moose, whales, sea otters, and all the creatures of the water and forest flourish, completely protected from man. A National Park Interpreter will join us on this day for our entire journey. He or she will explain the park's geology, glaciology, wildlife, and its deep roots in Tlingit culture, bringing the park alive on a level that will keep you engaged the entire time we are there.
Explore Tlingit and Russian culture in Sitka. Sitka lies in the shadow of the Mt. Edgecumbe volcano. This dormant volcano is unlikely to erupt in your presence, as it has not done so in 6,000 years. The ancient crater adds to the energy of a landscape that is interwoven with the Tlingit and Russian cultures that make up Sitka’s past and present. Sitka was the Russian Capitol of Alaska before it was sold to the United States in 1867. The remnants of its architecture, also known as the “Paris of the Pacific,” are all still apparent, especially with St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral which dominates the town’s skyline.
In the middle of town, the Tlingit ceremonial long house will also capture your attention. It is these two cultures, the Russian and the Tlingit, that in times past clashed and fought fiercely in Sitka. The Tlingit ultimately were defeated in their right to govern themselves here, however it is the Tlingit who persisted and live here today.
No visit to Sitka is complete without visiting the Sheldon Jackson Museum. This museum represents a vast collection of artifacts from all over Alaska, presented in an intimate and fun way you can explore on your own. Immediately adjoining the museum is the Sitka National Historic Park, where many totem poles stand in the mist-shrouded forest.
While in Sitka, there are options to kayak, hike, bike, and/or visit the world famous Raptor Rehabilitation Center where you can come within inches of bald and golden eagles, just to name a few. These birds are here for medical attention and recovery from injury. Some may not have the ability to re-enter the wild. A guided tour of the facilities and a demonstration showing how magnificent and noble these raptors are will be available, and often leaves our guests speechless.
Surround yourself in Norwegian culture in Petersburg. Visiting Petersburg is like visiting a little bit of Scandinavia. In 1890, Norwegian immigrant Peter Buschmann arrived and saw that he could use the ice from the nearby LeConte Glacier to build a mill and fish-packing plant at the head of Wrangle Narrows on Mitkoff Island. He chose this location because it reminded him of his beloved homeland.
This tiny town, with a population of about 3,300, makes its living off salmon and halibut fishing, and still holds much of the Old World charm and character of a small European town. Homes are decorated with flower boxes and other Scandinavian traditions. Here we will be introduced to Norwegian culture at the Sons of Norway Hall, where we will meet the town children dressed in traditional clothes, and enjoy a performance of time-honored Norwegian dances along with homemade food.
The water’s edge and the rainforest surround this tiny town, making you feel as if you are in a tiny slice of Europe. Remnants of old Tlingit fish traps and ancient petroglyphs lie just outside of town. There will be opportunities for free time, sightseeing, and rainforest walks. As we cruise our way up to the towns of Skagway and Haines, we will be within one of the largest fjords in the world, Lynn Canal. Lynn Canal stretches many miles and provides a very dramatic backdrop that makes it appear as if we are taking our ship through the Swiss Alps.
We will also pass the Eldred Rock Lighthouse, a lonely sentinel surrounded by jagged peaks of snow, rock, ice, and green-silted waters, and one of the most scenic lighthouses anywhere.
When we finally see Haines, it will be at the base of the mighty Chilkat mountain range, with glaciers seemingly flowing down to the edge of town. The setting in Haines is breathtaking. This sleepy little village is dominated by Fort Seward and its colonial structures at the center of town. Haines provides a very real look at small town life in Alaska.
During the winter, up to 4,000 bald eagles congregate in just a few square miles to snatch spawning salmon from the Chilkat River.
Follow the gold prospectors of old through scenic Lynn Canal. Lynn Canal is a spectacular fjord in Southeast Alaska, 90 miles long. This navigable passageway connects Skagway, Haines, and Juneau, Alaska, and was the last leg of the voyage north to the gold fields in 1896. Lynn Canal remains an important water transportation highway within northern Southeast Alaska, with stunning scenery of jade-green water lined with jagged mountain peaks topped by icy blue hanging glaciers.
Step back in time to the Gold Rush days of Skagway. As you sail into Skagway, you are immediately transported back to 1898. You gaze from the bow of the ship and can just imagine the bustling streets teeming with Stampeders buying last-minute supplies from the multitude of false-fronted businesses that line the boardwalk. In 1898, Skagway was a destination hot spot for over 20,000 men and women with dreams of hiking either the Chilkoot Trail or White Pass to reach their final destination, the gold fields of the Klondike.
Today, Skagway is again a preferred destination, popular with history buffs wanting to explore parts of the Klondike Gold Rush International Historical Park, one of the longest in the world, encompassing the whole Inside Passage from Pioneer Square in Seattle all the way to Dawson City in the Yukon Territory. Skagway is also a hit with train enthusiasts who dream of riding the narrow gauge rails of the White Pass & Yukon Route railroad, an International Historical Civil Engineering Landmark, built in 1898 and completed 110 miles later in 1900.
Cruise the “Christmas Tree Lane” of Wrangell Narrows. Wrangell Narrows is one of the two narrowest waterways in Southeast Alaska, with Peril Straits near Sitka being the other. Depending on tide activity, Wrangell Narrows is one-half mile to 100 yards wide, with its snakelike path winding around 46 total course changes. More than 70 navigational aids mark this course, giving Wrangell Narrows its nickname of “Christmas Tree Lane,” reminding folks of the red and green holiday lights when all the buoys are lit at night. This waterway averages just 19 to 22 feet deep, depending on the tide.
Walk among historic totem poles in Ketchikan. Ketchikan has a rich and diverse history, all of which you can see elements of today. This includes its beginning as a fish saltery and salmon cannery - the salmon still spawn in the river that runs through the middle of town.
Hanging above this salmon stream are the pilings supporting the buildings that once housed the red light district and helped bootleggers move their whisky unseen at high tide. Today, these same structures hold souvenir shops, bookstores, and restaurants, and await your exploration. In the surrounding hills, gold, copper, and molybdenum were mined. Ketchikan was crucial during WW II for supplying lightweight cedar for the construction of airplanes. For the next half century, Ketchikan was synonymous with the timber industry.
Within the city limits of Ketchikan is the Tlingit village of Saxman, a historical town site that still displays totem poles and a proud sense of its past. You may choose to visit the multimedia center or clan house for an in-depth introduction to the Tlingit culture, including dancing and storytelling.
There are also a number of museums that tell the history of this town from a pioneer, native, and modern perspective. Ketchikan is also a favorite for shoppers. Here you will find one of the largest selections of jewelery, native carvings, art, souvenirs, and folk art.
The most unique point of interest in Ketchikan is the Tongass National Forest Discovery Center. This first-class education center has true-to-life displays of temperate rainforest, salmon streams, and native structures. It's as if you are stepping into the temperate rainforest! You will leave with an understanding of just how complex an ecosystem the temperate rainforest is.
Visit the most beautiful capital in the U.S. Although Juneau is the state capital of Alaska, it seems to be situated in the middle of nowhere. Juneau is only reachable by plane or boat. This small, isolated city must be the most picturesque state capital in North America, with mountains and waterfalls visible right behind downtown and the Capitol building. Only a few minutes walk from the Capitol building and you are in the woods on a mountain slope. Bears have been spotted in downtown Juneau at night--note that all the downtown garbage receptacles are “bear proof.”
There is much excitement in Juneau as it is the hub for state politics, cruise ships, and still has the taste of an old mining frontier town. This allows a number of services to exist in Juneau like no other town you will visit. Kayaking, hiking, nature walks, salmon bakes, and flight seeing combined with ice climbing, glacier trekking, dog mushing, and bear viewing are just some of the things you can explore.
Or perhaps you would like time on your own to visit one of the many museums, cafes, and bookshops downtown. If you want to get away from it all, the tram up Mt. Robert's will whisk you out of town to the mountain tops. There is so much to do in this small city in the middle of the Alaskan wilderness.
Watch the famous "flying fish" in Seattle's Pike Place Market. Sip a latte in the heart of coffee culture at Pike Place Market and watch the "flying fish" while inhaling the colorful array of fresh-cut flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Local artisan stalls offer their interpretation of arts and crafts, while all through the market casually-clad folks in their Seattle-based REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.) and Eddie Bauer sportswear are looking for that special gift or perhaps deciding on what to have for dinner.
Many have moved to Seattle to enjoy the attributes of the city while being close to the ocean or an hour away from skiing, hiking, or biking the beautiful Cascade or Olympic Mountains.
Visit Seattle’s first neighborhood, Pioneer Square, with historical brick buildings brimming with art galleries, boutiques, and the large Elliot Bay Bookstore.
Friday Harbor is located on the eastern side of San Juan Island, the second largest island in the San Juan Islands group. Originally, this and many other San Juan Islands were temporary summer fish camps for the Coast Salish. Utilizing cedar canoes, they would travel to key locations such as San Juan Island and set up camp to capture and preserve salmon traveling to their spawning grounds from the open ocean.
The Strait of Juan de Fuca is the main thoroughfare from the Pacific Ocean to the Salish Sea, making San Juan Island an ideal location to capture salmon. The Lummi, a Coast Salish people, lived on San Juan Island but were subsequently moved to Orcas Island and then to a reservation at Gooseberry Point on the mainland north of Bellingham.
Spanish explorers named some of the islands and waterways in this area, but the British and Americans were the primary non-native settlers on San Juan Island, providing colorful accounts for the history books.
The big story here is about the “Pig War” that was started in 1859, significant in many ways although rooted in what some would consider insignificant circumstances. It all started when a pig owned by Englishman Charles Griffen broke into the tasty garden of American Lyman Cutlar one too many times. Cutlar shot the pig, admitted to shooting the pig, refused a trial by the British, and sought the United States’ protection.
Since it was unclear at that time exactly where the U.S./Canadian border really was, a 12-year standoff ensued. The English garrison was established on the northwestern side of the island; an American garrison was set up on the southern tip. In 1872, a German arbitrator, Kaiser Wilhelm, settled the debate by establishing the U.S./Canadian boundary and “gave” the San Juan Islands to the United States.
The San Juan Islands therefore came to be the last currently-American soil held by Britain. But this would not be the last colorful story to be told. The islands were settled in an initial bawdy “wild west” fashion. Even into the 1930s, as some communities claimed to be "civilized," the islands had plenty of bootleggers who were utilizing the intricate waterways around the islands to trade their goods during Prohibition.
Ship navigators would refer to this protected harbor after its first settler, Joe Friday, and the name stuck – “Friday’s Harbor.” One local legend, however, tells of how the harbor got its name through a misunderstanding of the question, “What bay is this? misinterpreted as, “What day is this?" However it got its name, Friday Harbor was incorporated in 1909 and is now the county seat for the islands. It is a small, charming community with public access via Washington State Ferries and floatplanes.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
- Pricing shown is based on the minimum category cabin and includes cruise, meals and land excursions as noted, inclusive of all taxes, fees and gratuities.
- The staterooms available at these prices are limited. All itineraries and prices are current at time of posting and subject to change without notice. Pre and post-cruise land packages are available at additional cost.
- Book and deposit by December 8, 2006 and Save $600 per person.
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British Columbia
Boating and Sailing
Cultural Journey
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