Alaska

Learn how Alaska's indigenous tribes and settler communities shaped its fascinating culture and traditions, in a history stretching back to the Second Ice Age.

Discover Alaska's unique heritage, built around its communities' reliance on the sea. Intriguing remnants from the past are all around, from the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian stories captured on towering totem poles, to Russian settlers' onion-domed churches.

Alaska really is bear country and all species of North American bears flourish here: grizzly, brown and over 100,000 black bears. Further north we may even spot 'The Lord of the Arctic' – the polar bear.

Along the coast, brown bear are common – these giant mammals can weigh from 350 to over 500 kilos. We may spot them fishing for their prized salmon in the Alaskan rivers, against a backdrop of lush forest.

Enjoy a range of optional excursions as well as pre or post-cruise adventures to make the most of your expedition here. Take a romantic catamaran tour to the many bays of Huatulco, Mexico. See spectacular coral and colourful fish while snorkelling in Belize’s famed barrier reef. Scan for Basilisk lizards and crocodiles from a riverboat in Puntarenas, Costa Rica before your cruise.

A fearsome predator of salmon, grizzly bears are common in western Alaska. Besides grizzlies, you might also see other kinds of brown bears, as well as their smaller relative, the black bear. There are even polar bears among the glaciers in the north.

Alaskan waters are ideal for salmon, and five species live here: pink, silver, king, sockeye and chum. Every summer, the rivers swarm as fish swim upstream – an event eagerly anticipated by the salmon's hungry predators, the grizzly bear and the bald eagle.

Arctic Fox are a common sight in the Alaskan tundra and coastal areas. Growing to around two feet tall, they eat almost anything they can find. Often they'll feed on rodents and other small mammals, or forage for scraps larger predators leave behind.

Alaska’s forests are home to a huge array of wildlife, including caribou, moose, over 70% of North America’s brown bears, and many rare birds. The annual salmon run is a prime attraction for tourists and locals alike, as well as bears and bald eagles.

Glide through the water in silence and get close to Alaska's majestic nature. Paddle ocean passages, iceberg lagoons or calm coastal waters with an experienced guide. * Please note this is an optional activity and an additional cost applies.

What better way to explore Alaska's scenery than on foot? Your Expedition Team will guide you on beautiful hikes to places of interest, like Point Adolphus, famous for humpback whale sightings. They’ll pick some of the most scenic spots around for you to enjoy.

Brush up on your photography skills with our programme, where you'll learn tips to help you capture Alaska's spectacular landscapes. Don't worry if you're not an expert – our onboard photographer will soon have you snapping with confidence.

Keen photographers will be happy to know we also offer more intensive one or two-hour Photo Adventures* sessions.

*Please note this is an optional activity and an additional cost applies.

Our small expedition boats will take you off the main routes to hidden corners of Alaska our main ship can't access. Enjoy gliding through the water as you take in stunning views of places like College Fjord and Katmai National Park.

Get closer to Alaska with our optional excursions, from wildlife safaris, to a spot of fishing or visiting fascinating UNESCO World Heritage sites. With exciitng activities onshore almost every day, you won't want to miss out.

Leaving the comforts of our ship for the day, we'll attempt to land in unforgettable spots like picture-perfect Geographic Harbor, or Kukak Bay – an ideal place for bear spotting.

* Please note that this is an optional activity and an additional cost applies.

Explore historic areas, like gold rush towns Nome and Wrangell, and Russia's Alaskan capital Sitka. Discover characterful Haines, home of the indigenous Chilkat Tlingit people, or Petersburg, known as ‘Little Norway’, for its proud Nordic heritage.

Take part in hands-on demonstrations and workshops to learn more about Alaska's ecology and geology, using microscopes and other high-tech equipment. You can also take part in Citizen Science projects, helping support international research and conservation.

From history and animal life, to geology and glaciology, our Expedition Team will give in-depth lectures on a variety of topics, on and off the ship. Their passion and knowledge will draw you in, as you learn amazing facts about Alaskan nature and culture.