Glacier Bay National Park Adventure Cruise

Glacier Bay National Park Adventure Cruise on Wilderness Discoverer

8 Days & 7 Nights

Sail on 76-guest expedition ship through Southeast Alaska
Unique itinerary with two full days at Glacier Bay National Park
Whale and wildlife viewing during this Alaska small-ship cruise
Daily guided shore excursions with hiking options along coast and bushwhacking
Sea kayaks and paddleboards for both beginners and experts

This Alaska cruise is unique by offering two full days in Glacier Bay National park to explore and experience the glaciers, old-growth forests, and sea life. Kayak and paddleboard among the glacial ice while scanning the calm waters for signs of whales, sea lions, otters, and porpoises. Activity options ranging from easy walks to challenging hikes are offered, such as bushwhacking in the Tongass National Forest with your naturalist guide. Return to the ship after each excursion to relax in the comfort of your private cabin, enjoying a drink on the deck, and sampling the cuisine prepared each meal.

What To Expect

This small-ship cruise has a focus on wildlife viewing and exploring the Alaskan scenery. The trip is listed as "Easy", but there is a range of activity options for hiking, kayaking, and paddleboarding for more active travelers. Good option for groups, families, couples, and solo travelers interested in exploring the fjords and waterways of Southeast Alaska by small ship with daily excursions, returning to the ship to gourmet meals and relaxing accommodations.

Tour Style:

Small Group Guided | Benefit from an expert leader and join a group of like-minded adventurers.

Activity:

Walking, Wildlife Watching, Sea Kayaking | Walking as part of a multi activity trip., Trip includes wildlife watching as part of the itinerary, Sea Kayaking as part of a multi-activity trip

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travelers, Families, Multi-Generational, Mixed Abilities, Groups > 10, First Timers, Avid Adventurers

As a guide, we would suggest that the minimum age of traveler this tour would be suitable for is: 8 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Wildlife
Coastal & Island
National Parks & Trails
Mountains

Activity Level & Terrain

The trip is graded easy with the option to participate in a range of hikes and paddling excursions of varying activity levels. Great for travelers wanting a slower-paced stroll or travelers wanting to stretch legs and bushwhack through Tongass National Forest.

Navigation

You are in the hands of an experienced captain, crew, and expedition staff that will adjust the route based on sea conditions and wildlife locations.

Experience & Fitness

In Southeast Alaska, the wilderness areas explored on foot can get pretty muddy, plus most skiff landings are wet landings where there’s no dock at all. So having proper footwear and ankle support is absolutely essential. Both hiking and rubber boots are good, but many guests add insoles for support and hike all week in their rubber “mud” boots (Wellingtons, gum boots, Xtratufs).

For the best fit and availability, bring your own rubber boots, although there may be a limited supply for shared use on board (but there’s no guarantee).

Youth-size boots are not available aboard any of the vessels, so bring your own children's boots.

Accommodations

Wilderness Discoverer

Inviting, and oh so cared for by her crew, the 76-guest Wilderness Discoverer delivers big adventure with top-of-the-class style. Wild, remote, and at the edges of the map, she carries a bit of Alaska wherever she sails—the beautiful bar top and tap tower are made from a yellow cedar log found in Peril Strait. But looks aside, she doesn’t hold back when it comes to exploration. Her shoal draft allows access to waters that are off-limits to bigger boats, where she can slip right in. An instigator of action, she was the first “Wilderness” boat in the family and set us on a path toward greater adventures—you will be too.

Onboard Features: EZ Dock kayak launch platform; bow-mounted underwater camera; kayaks, paddle boards, inflatable skiffs, hiking poles, snorkel gear/wetsuits; two on-deck hot tubs; fitness equipment and yoga mats; DVD and book library

Cabin Features: TV/DVD player; hair dryer, conditioning shampoo, body wash; binoculars; reusable water bottles

38 outside cabins with private bath with shower:

Navigator cabin - Main Deck with option for one queen or two twin beds
Trailblazer cabin - Observation Deck with option for one queen or two twin beds
Pathfinder cabin - Observation Deck with option for one queen or double bed with twin. Cabins have outside entry
Explorer cabin - Sun Deck with option for one queen or two twin beds. Sitting area

Single Travelers

Solo travelers can book Navigator Cabins at a single-occupancy rate.

Meals

All onboard meals are included in your fare:

Early-riser breakfasts of fresh fruit and baked-on-board pastries
Full breakfasts with hot and cold options
Lunches featuring salads, sandwiches, homemade soups, and regionally influenced dishes
Varied hors d’oeuvres during cocktail hour
Dinners with a choice of entrées including fresh, local seafood, meats, and vegetarian dishes
Made-from-scratch desserts

Attention is always paid to your personal preferences. The atmosphere and dress code in each ship's dining room is casual. And seating is open so you can join new friends and choose a different table at every meal.

Your galley crew pays close attention to how food options meld with the activities and conditions of the day. Belly-warming soups are perfect after a chilly glacier adventure. At mealtimes, there are vegetarian, meat, and fish options to choose from. And if you can’t decide, try a sampling—just ask for half-and-half!

Included

Onboard guides and guest experts
Exclusive activities and shore visits
From-the-vessel adventure activities and equipment
Port taxes/fees
Entry fees to national parks/preserves
Group transfers and baggage handling between airport/vessel on embark/disembark day
All meals aboard the vessel
Premium wine, beer and liquor (excludes super-premium wines)
Non-alcoholic beverages
Wellness amenities
Information Pack via your "My Account"
24/7 Emergency telephone support from our UK & US office

Excluded

Airfare to and from your home city
Discretionary gratuities to vessel’s crew
Optional excursions and land tours
Pre or post accommodations
Travel insurance

Extras

Pre or post accommodations in Juneau

When To Go

This cruise has select start dates between April and September. Prices vary depending on the ship, cabin, and season. Please note that this itinerary operates in reverse from Sitka to Juneau on alternating weeks.

Travel early in April or late in September to experience the northern lights (Aurora Borealis). Crew is on duty 24 hours a day, and will awaken any guests if they spot the northern lights.

Whales are in this area from May through September. Humpbacks are more common June-July, and orcas are hunting these waters throughout the season.

Getting to the Start

This roundtrip route starts and ends in Juneau. Specific instructions for joining your ship will be provided.

By Air: Travelers are advised to spend one pre-cruise night in the port city in case of delays. Juneau International Airport is serviced by major commercial airlines with direct flights from Anchorage and Ketchikan as well as other US cities (notably Seattle) and then serviced by bush planes and floatplanes from other Alaskan cities/towns. Many hotels offer shuttle service (complimentary or fee), and there are taxi and ride-hailing services as well as car rentals available.

By Ferry: Juneau is disconnected from other Alaskan cities by road, but there is ferry access with the Alaska Marine Highway System that link communities in Southeast Alaska and connecting to Bellingham, Washington, and carry passengers with and without vehicles.

Getting from the End

By Transfer: The cruise operator will transfer you to the airport at the end of the cruise. Your flight should leave no earlier than 11:30 am on the disembarkation day.

How far in advance do I need to book?

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