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This voyage along the dramatic coastline of Alaska’s Inside Passage is a great adventure for families that want to explore and learn together. We travel aboard the M.V. Sea Bird, an intimate 64-passenger expedition ship that brings you up close to some of the world’s most spectacular scenery and wildlife. Watch for black and brown bears along Tracy Arm Fjord, kayak in pristine fjords, see humpback whales breaching in Frederick Sound, search for nesting bald eagles, and hike along sparkling salmon streams. A special hands-on educational program is designed to encourage children's interest in topics as diverse as the feeding behavior of humpback whales and the identification of bear tracks in the wild.
July 9 Seattle/Sitka, Alaska
Fly from Seattle to Sitka, a unique town with a strong Russian heritage. Visit St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral, a striking testament to Alaska’s roots prior to the U.S. purchase of the territory from Russia; and the Sitka National Historic Park, where totem poles line quiet wooded trails. Embark the Sea Bird in the afternoon.
(D)
July 10 Exploring Alaska’s Islands, Bays, and Fjords
Beachcomb, walk forest trails, explore by kayak, or cruise along Admiralty Island, where the massive brown (or grizzly) bear is found, along with perhaps the world’s highest density of nesting bald eagles. If conditions permit, explore the coastlines of some remote islands by kayak.
(B,L,D)
July 11 Inian Pass/Point Adolphus
Keep an eye out for eagles, which are commonplace in the surrounding Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the U.S. Look for humpback whales at Point Adolphus, a favored feeding area. Cruise along the northern coastline of Chichagof Island, and find playful sea otters.
(B,L,D)
July 12 Glacier Bay National Park
Spend the day exploring magnificent Glacier Bay, seeing the enormous glaciers that flow from the ice fields far above. Watch and hear glaciers calving as tons of ice crash into the sea. Venture near islets that are home to seabirds such as puffins and guillemots, and watch for humpback whales and orcas. Go ashore and walk among towering spruce trees and meadows of wildflowers.
(B,L,D)
July 13 Exploring Chatham Strait and Frederick Sound
These waters are often good for whale sightings. Look for Steller sea lions hauled out on the rocky islands that dot the channels. During the day, walk along a quiet forest trail accompanied by our naturalists or go kayaking in the tiny coves in this area.
(B,L,D)
July 14 Petersburg
Discover the small town of Petersburg on Mitkof Island. Founded more than 100 years ago by rugged Norwegian fishermen, Petersburg’s heritage is evident today in the rosemaling (traditional painting in floral designs) that decorates homes and storefronts. A visit to Petersburg provides some insight into the character of a true Alaska town. There is an opportunity for optional flight-seeing via floatplane or helicopter over nearby Le Conte Glacier (weather permitting) and for hikes on forest trails. Later, we cruise out to look for whales in the south part of Frederick Sound, or we may explore Le Conte Bay, a virtual sculpture garden of grounded icebergs.
(B,L,D)
July 15 Tracy Arm Fjord
Enter Tracy Arm, a spectacular 22-mile-long fjord, with waterfalls cascading from its high, glacially carved walls. We maneuver among large icebergs, keeping an eye on the shorelines for feeding black bears and mountain goats on the cliffs above.
(B,L,D)
July 16 Juneau/Seattle
After breakfast, we disembark in Juneau, Alaska’s state capital. Visit the imposing Mendenhall Glacier and the Alaska State Museum. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for the flight to Seattle.
(B)
Accommodating just 64 guests in 32 outside cabins, Sea Bird is large enough to operate in remote environments in comfort, yet small enough to enter ports and narrow inlets inaccessible to bigger ships. She carries sea kayaks and a fleet of Zodiacs, which can be launched at a moment’s notice, providing easy access to coastlines and other places of interest. Each cabin faces outside. All cabins have windows and are attractively and comfortably furnished with lower berths, private bathrooms, reading lights, and individual climate control.
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