A taste of Vancouver

Enjoy British Columbia’s largest city

Our expedition cruise starts with an overnight stay in Vancouver, a bustling and beautiful seaport set among steep mountains and English Bay.

Vancouver's various neighborhoods buzz with world-class, farm-to-table cuisine. Don’t miss Gastown, Vancouver’s Victorian neighborhood. Here you'll find the 553-foot Vancouver Lookout, which offers a perfect 360-degree panorama over the city.

If you have time, why not arrive early and take a luxury train trip through the Rockies with our special Pre-Program. What better way to begin your adventure.

No Place Like Nome

Fascinating history of gold prospectors and explorers

You'll start the day flying from Vancouver to Nome in Alaska. Nome was the end point of three of Roald Amundsen's great polar expeditions, including an aircraft attempt to reach the North Pole in 1926. A fitting place to board our expedition ship—MS Roald Amundsen—and embark on our own epic adventure.

Prospectors first came to Nome in 1898, and people still hunt for gold here today. Famous sheriff Wyatt Earp even opened a saloon here. You'll see evidence of the gold rush all around, including abandoned dredges, turn-of-the century steam engines and old railroad tracks, lending the town a unique atmosphere.

Crossing the Bering Sea

International Date Line—where tomorrow meets today

As we cruise the Bering Sea, you'll have Russia to the east and the United States to the west. We'll also cross the International Date Line, where ‘tomorrow’ is on your right, and ‘today’ is on your left.

Natural wonders abound here so keep an eye out for humpback whales, and spot seabirds wheeling through the skies.

Enjoy a day at sea relaxing on board. The Expedition Team will host lectures and prepare you for your Alaskan adventure. Begin your journey of discovery in the Science Center. Or just unwind in the pool, spa or hot tubs.

Wild St Matthew

Deserted settlements and rare birds on this remote island

Part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, 200 miles from the nearest village, St Matthew Island is wild, remote and isolated. A few hardy souls have tried—and failed—to make a home here. You can see traces of abandoned buildings between black sand beaches and wildflower-dotted tundra.

Today, the only inhabitants are birds, including thousands of puffins, murres and cormorants. If you’re lucky on our included nature landing, you’ll catch sight of the rare McKay’s bunting, which breeds almost exclusively here. And listen out for the sound of the singing vole, named after its unusual warning cry.

Aleut life in St Paul

Culture and wildlife on the largest Pribilof Island

The windswept island of St Paul is home to the largest Aleut community in the US, numbering around 400. You can visit the historical remains of barabaras here—traditional dwellings built half underground to protect against the sea winds.

St Paul is also designated an Important Bird Area. Around 300 species of migrating birds use it as a resting point. Keep a lookout for Horned and Tufted Puffins, the Pribilof Sandpiper and the rare Red-legged Kittiwake.

By the shore, you'll also find northern fur seals waddling and playing—half the world's population of these charming animals live on these islands.

Learning and leisure

Enjoy the moment as we cruise along the coast

Part of being on an expedition is taking time out to connect with the sights and sounds of the world around you. A day at sea lets you do just that. Sit back and take in the panoramic views from our Explorer Lounge, or enjoy the scenery glides by from the infinity pool or the outdoor hot tubs.

Keep scanning the seas and skies for puffins, auklets, and murrelets, especially closer to the coast. If you’re lucky, you might glimpse the Red-legged Kittiwake, only found in this part of the world.

You'll learn more about the region's geography, climate and birdlife from the Expedition Team in the Science Center and in their daily lecture program.

Discover Dutch Harbor

Diverse history and rich wildlife in a vibrant fishing hub

With a volcano as its backdrop, America's largest fishing port Dutch Harbor is a fascinating place to visit. You'll be able to explore to the full with your included hop-on, hop-off shuttle ticket.

Learn about the local indigenous Unungan people at the Museum of the Aleutians. Visit the Russian Orthodox Cathedral, or tour the WWII Museum commemorating the 1942 battle that took place here.

Scout for Bald Eagles and puffins in the skies. Foxes, lemmings and wild horses thrive on land and whales, sea lions and porpoises in the waters. Dutch Harbor is where reality television series ‘The Deadliest Catch’ was filmed, following crab fishers at work under extreme conditions.

The ghost town of Unga

Explore Unga—an Alaskan ghost town

Wild and deserted, Unga Village is a picturesque, abandoned Alaskan town on the southern end of Unga Island in the remote Aleutian Islands.

It was settled by Aleuts in 1833 but was abandoned in 1969 as subsistence fishing proved insufficient to support living here. Today, the handful of wooden buildings that remain are the only evidence that people once lived here.

Pink lousewort, a carpet of wildflowers, and fireweed surround the abandoned shacks as nature has gradually taken over. If weather permits, we'll explore that nature on our included landing.

Fishing town of Chignik

Local life in a small Alaskan fishing town

Our expedition cruise continues to Chignik—where the Aleutian Mountains meet the Gulf of Alaska. You’ll want to head out to the local salmon streams for some fantastic photo opportunities.

An included visit to this small fishing village gives you the chance to learn more about everyday life, where red salmon fishing has supported the local economy for over a century. Stop in at the fish factory or have a chat with the friendly locals at the dock.

This area is a treat for birdwatchers. More than 20 different species of waterfowl thrive in the area. Mighty Bald Eagles roam the skies here, so make sure to bring your binoculars.

Grizzly bears in Katmai

Grizzly bears and volcanoes in Katmai National Park

The bear spotting continues today in the four million acre Katmai National Park, with over a dozen active volcanoes. Katmai is home to communities of brown bears, and more than 2,000 protected grizzly bears—the largest concentration in the world.

Accompanied by an experienced bear guard, we'll be safely scouting for grizzlies from on deck or in small expedition boats. The bears might be foraging for berries, diving for clams, or catching fish in the stream.

Depending on conditions, we'll either visit Geographic Harbor, Kinak Bay or Kukak Bay. Keep your eyes open for sea otters, seabirds and humpback whales too.

Kodiak's brown bears

Home of the Alutiiq people and Kodiak brown bear

Spruce forests and grasslands earned Kodiak Island its nickname: ‘the Emerald Isle’. It's the second largest island in the US, which means there's plenty to see.

You'll discover the island’s rich indigenous heritage at the Alutiiq Museum. Visit the 1808 Baranov Museum, the oldest standing building in the state. Your included excursion today takes you to Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park, with its strategic WWII 1939 naval fort and bunkers.

The island’s most famous inhabitants though are the Kodiak bears. Around 3,500 of these mighty creatures live in Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, which covers two thirds of the island.

Across the Gulf of Alaska

A day of discovery, wellness and birdwatching at sea

Our cruise continues across the Gulf of Alaska. It's the ideal time to enjoy onboard facilities like the infinity pool and hot tubs or sauna. Hit the gym, go for a run, or enjoy a massage in the spa.

In the Science Center, the Expedition Team invite you to join lectures about the region’s wildlife, geology, glaciology, history and culture, preparing for our next landings.

Relax in the Explorer Lounge and share a drink with your fellow shipmates or just enjoy the view. See if you can spot all three species of North Atlantic albatross. Laysan and Black-footed Albatrosses are fairly common but Short-tailed Albatrosses are a rare sight.

The glaciers of Icy Bay

Wildlife watching in glacier-fed waters

You'll experience an amazing expedition day in Icy Bay today. Three glaciers—Guyot, Yahtse and Tyndall—regularly calf into the bay. If conditions allow, the Expedition Team will take you ashore on the 34-mile-long, 8-mile-wide Guyot Glacier or you can explore in kayaks on an optional excursion.

Wildlife abounds in the Gulf of Alaska, offering unrivaled photography opportunities. Humpback whales, orcas, Stellar sea lions, sea otters and harbor seals lazing on floating chunks of ice, can be seen in these waters. Our onboard photographer is ready with expert tips on how to get the best from your camera.

Blended cultures of Sitka

Stunning scenery and a unique mix of cultures

Surrounded by Tongass National Forest, Sitka is only accessible by sea and air. Get out on deck for stunning views of the Sisters Mountains and Mount Edgecumbe Volcano.

Discover Sitka's fascinating history with our Expedition Team. Inhabited by the Tlingit for 10,000 years, it was occupied by Russia in 1804, before being sold to America after the Crimean War. Today, Sitka blends all three cultures.

Visit the Russian Orthodox cathedral and Russian Bishop's House. Sitka National Historic Park is a real highlight, where you'll see ornate Haida and Tlingit totem poles. Or enjoy a walking trail through the forest to the ocean.

Wrangell’s Petroglyphs

Visit one of Alaska’s oldest harbor towns

Our cruise of the Alaskan islands takes us to Wrangell. A mile out of town you’ll find the ancient rock carvings of Petroglyph Beach. Bring paper and take some stone rubbings as a unique souvenir. Learn more about Wrangell's fascinating past in the local museum. Now part of the US, it’s been governed by Britain, Russia and the Tlingit people. On Shakes Island, the Chief Shakes Tribal House and totem poles tell the Tlingit story. Your visit includes a trip on the waters in our small expedition boats. On land, hikers will enjoy the nature trails from Stikine River and Mount Dewey to the rainforest.

Beautiful Misty Fjords

Alaskan wilderness where wildlife thrives all around

Part of the Tongass National Forest, Misty Fjords is a pristine wilderness of evergreens, waterfalls and snow-capped peaks. Influential mountaineer John Muir described it as one of the most beautiful places he’d ever seen. Weather permitting, you'll join the Expedition Team to tour Misty Fjords on small expedition boats or take kayaks out for an optional excursion.

Look out for mountain goats, bears and moose. In the water, you'll find Pacific salmon, along with otters, sea lions, harbor seals, orcas and Dall porpoises. And look skywards for hummingbirds, herons and Bald Eagles.

Canada's Inside Passage

Up close to nature as we explore islands and channels

Our smaller style of expedition ships give you an unrivaled intimate experience of the protected North American Pacific Fjordland. As we navigate the lesser-travelled channels, you’ll get close to the beautiful and fascinating scenery. Keep your binoculars close at hand. As always, there’s plenty to see and learn in the Science Center, with insightful lectures from your Expedition Team, and opportunities to swap memories of your adventures. This is also a great time to wind down, with a little pampering in the spa or sitting up on deck with your new-found friends as the stunning scenery slips by.

Back to Vancouver

Explore more of Vancouver or extend your adventure

Our expedition ends where it began, giving you another chance to enjoy Vancouver’s galleries, museums, exhibitions and shows, or simply relax on Kitsilano Beach. If you're not ready for the adventure to end, why not join our optional Post-Program to the mountain resort of Whistler. We’ll take in Howe Sound fjord and the Coast Mountains, stopping at Shannon Falls for a ride on the Sea to Sky Gondola. We'll visit the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, then some shopping or sightseeing in Whistler before heading back.