Alaska Small Ship Adventure Cruises

Overview

An adventure cruise through the enormous wilderness of southeast Alaska will open your eyes to leviathan whales, countless eagles, bears catching wild salmon, sea lions, porpoises and various seabirds too numerous to count. ROW works with four adventure yachts in Alaska and has crafted multiple trips of varying length. Highlights of Alaska adventure cruises include seeing calving glaciers, walking through old growth rain forests, strolling along secluded beaches and incredible land, air and sea wildlife.

   

• Trip Duration: 6-10 Days
• Trip Length: Varies
• Intensity: Easy
• Season: May - September
• Closest Airport: Depends on itinerary
• Highlights: Incredible and abundant wildlife and marine life, remote passages that larger cruise ships cannot access, glaciers, native cultures, sea kayaking, gourmet food.

Details

ROW Adventures is pleased to offer you a choice of Alaska adventure cruise options that explore southeast Alaska's Inside Passage. Thousands of islands and the imposing coastline form a natural wonderland that's woven together by an intricate network of waterways. Our small yacht tours allow intimate exploration of the many coves and inlets unreachable by traditional cruise ships.

Rather than merely gazing upon the scenery from the rail of a large commercial cruise ship, ROW's adventure cruises drop anchor often to explore the Alaskan coastline and glaciers. Cruising only three to four hours each day leaves plenty of time for walking secluded beaches, exploring dramatic ice fields, wandering through old growth rain forests, and paddling sea-kayaks through misty fjords where jagged peaks tower above.

Whether your interest is wildlife, sea kayaking, active exploration or relaxing on the deck of the "mothership" and watching for whales, you'll find this adventure cruise a life-enriching experience. Wildlife, weather, tides and your group's interests all play a part in the making of an Alaska adventure cruise. We follow general itineraries, but each trip is unique.

Alaska cruise Itineraries by ROW vary. Some of the yachts cruise in the Frederick Sound area while others travel further west near Sitka. However, each trip immerses you in different part of Alaska's awe-inspiring Inside Passage. No roads intrude this isolated wilderness. It's one of the few places in North America that remains largely unpopulated and unspoiled.

The sea teems with a rich variety of life. Humpback and Orca whales abound. Playful Dall porpoises commonly visit our adventure cruise ships. Sea lions are as common as sparrows and the highest density of brown bears and bald eagles in the world is found here. Wolves, beavers, foxes, martens and moose also make this area their home.

Inaccessible to most, the wonders of this vast wilderness are experienced first-hand aboard the yacht of your choice. Accommodating four to twelve guests, life onboard an adventure cruise ship includes comfortable private cabins with shared bathrooms, a large and roomy deck and fresh gourmet meals prepared for you in the galley. ROW's adventure cruises are joined by an expert naturalist guide who will share knowledge of the local flora and fauna, and the natural and cultural history of this remarkable place.

Choosing your Alaska Adventure Cruise

Our goal is to match you with the yacht and adventure cruise itinerary that best meets your interests and desires. If your departure dates aren't very flexible, call or email for availability. Weather is another consideration for Alaskan adventure cruises. June is drier than other months. Salmon start to run up the creeks in early July, so bear sightings are more common.

Many people ask us to compare this cruise area to Glacier Bay further north. Glacier Bay is very popular with the large ships because the area is deep enough and wide enough to accommodate them. By contrast, our adventure yachts travel through remote waters that the big ships are unable to navigate. We feel the remoteness contributes to a unique and more authentic Alaskan adventure. Finally, many people consider Tracy Arm more spectacular than Glacier Bay. However, we do now offer an early season cruise to Glacier Bay aboard the M/V Sea Wolf.

The bottom line - Alaska is an incredible, enormous and beautiful area. If you're having trouble deciding which trip is right for you, call us and we'll be happy to help you discover the adventure cruise that's right for you.

Itinerary

ROW offers multiple Alaskan adventure cruise itineraries on multiple small group ships. Below are adventure cruise ship details. Please request a full itinerary for more detail about our individual Alaskan adventures.

M/V Catalyst:
The Catalyst is a classic wooden cruiser that was built in 1932 as a University of Washington research vessel. It's been completely updated and has a warm and casual ambiance. Its trip itinerary has less actual cruising time so there's plenty of time for hiking, sea kayaking or just relaxing onboard. Options are Juneau to Petersburg or vice versa; Ketchikan to Sitka; Bella Bella to Ketchikan; or Friday Harbor. Trip length is 7 days / 6 nights. Catalyst details:

• 74 feet long
• 5 cabins/ 2 heads
• Sleeps up to 12
• Trip Highlights: Sea kayaking Ford's Terror, cruising near Dawes Glacier, sea lion haul out near Brother's Islands. Has both double and single kayaks, and enough for all passengers to paddle at same time.
• Other Tenders: Rowing skiff, motorized inflatable dinghy.
• Price: $2,725 to $3,190 depending on cabin and season.
• Availability: Whole boat charters and cabin rentals are available. Call for current availability.

Alaskan Song / Alaskan Story:
Flexible itineraries: 7 days/6 nights. Ship details:

• 90 feet long
• 4 cabins / 5 heads
• Sleeps up to 10
• Sea Kayaks: 2 doubles and 2 singles.
• Other Tenders: Two 15' Aluminum skiffs
• Price: $26,000 for up to 4 people. $2,500 for each additional person. Singles $5,000 when available
• Availability: Weekly departures.

M/V Explorer:
Built in 1976 with a Norwegian Hull and Irish interior. Completely updated. Captain of Explorer is also the owner and educated as a naturalist. A great boat for small charters of 4-6 people. Itineraries include: Juneau/Sitka or Sitka/Sitka or vice versa. Trip Length: 7 days / 6 nights. Explorer details:

• 60 feet long
• 3 cabins/ 2 heads
• Sleeps up to 6.
• Highlights: High success rate whale viewing in Chatham Strait. Visiting coast of Chichigof Island. Soak at White Sulphur Hot Springs. Visit to town of Pelican. Good fishing. Best wildlife area of our featured yachts, but no glaciers except on Juneau itineraries. Gourmet fare is featured.
• Sea Kayaks: 2 doubles and 1 single.
• Other Tenders: 15' Aluminum skiff with outboard.
• Price: $26,000 for up to 4 people. $2,500 each additional person.
• Availability: Weekly departures.

M/V Sea Wolf:
Built in 1941 as a U.S. Navy Harbor Minesweeper, refitted as a charter vessel in 2003. Itineraries include: Routes in Glacier Bay, Alaska and the British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest & Inside Passage from Port McNeill to the San Juan Islands. The Inside Passage cruise offers a visit to the oldest community on North Vancouver Island - Alert Bay. Then continue on to Johnstone Strait where you will visit the ecological reserve at Robson Bight. Trip Length: 6-10 days. Sea Wolf details:

• 97 feet long
• 6 cabins with private heads
• Sleeps up to 12.
• Highlights: Alaska's Glacier Bay itinerary follows the fastest glacial retreat in history where you will have the opportunity to see bears, whales, and more! In British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest you will visit the home of the 'Spirit Bear' as well as ancient forests, orcas, bald eagles, whale and dolphin sightings and immeasurable natural beauty.
• Sea Kayaks: 6 doubles.
• Other Tenders: 2 skiffs - a 21' skiff with a drop down bow for easy beach access and one inflatable.
• Price: $2,725 - $3,190 per person. All prices based on double occupancy, the itinerary chosen and the date of departure.
• Availability: Weekly departures.