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Have you always longed to see all the highlights of coastal Alaska, but perhaps you are short on time? Spend five or four days in the beautiful remote wilderness of Alaska's Inside Passage including Juneau, Haines and Glacier Bay National Park.

In the soaring sanctuary of Glacier Bay National Park, you'll experience the true meaning of wonder; acres of pristine wilderness invite your senses to explore. Listen to the call of a thousand sea birds as they cluster on tiny islands. Scan the horizon for spouts and flukes of humpback whales. Feel the chill of a glacier on your face. Inhale the clean freshness of an unspoiled world, set apart for generations to treasure. In the space of only a few days, you will build a lifetime of memories.

This cruise is offered as a 5-Day itinerary aboard the 84-guest Spirit of Discovery. Consider combining this cruise with our very popular Denali Land Extension.

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Day 1 - Arrive Juneau Embark Vessel

Transfer to our Goldbelt Hotel hospitality suite in preparation for your cruise. The hotel's waterfront locale is a perfect base for exploring Alaska's beautiful capital city, one of the most popular cruise ship ports in Alaska. Accessible only by air or sea, Juneau sits in a rainforest with the Mendenhall Glacier in its backyard. Once onboard, step out on deck to watch Gastineau Channel glide by as you enter Alaska's true wilderness.

Accommodations: Spirit of Discovery
Included Meals: dinner

Day 2 - Haines

With its strategic location along the Chilkat Trail, the area around Haines has thrived for hundreds of years as an important and integral trade center for the Chilkat band of Tlingit natives, famous for the intricately designed blankets woven with the hair of mountain goats. Haines is also renowned as home to the world's largest autumnal congregation of bald eagles, with the Chilkat Bald Eagle Reserve located 18 miles from the town.

This truly Alaskan town, known for its scenery, military history, numerous artisans, galleries and off-the-beaten-path attitude will allow you to breathe in a taste of life in the "real" Alaska that few have the privilege to enjoy. Take plenty of time to explore on your own or indulge in a wide variety of optional activities that will allow you to take home more than photographs.

Skagway optional excursions - If taking in the Gold Rush spirit is more to your liking, we offer an option of transferring via fast ferry to the bustling town of Skagway where many more optional excursions await.

Accommodations: Spirit of Discovery
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - Glacier Bay National Park

Designated a World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve, you'll enter a 3.3-million-acre nature wonderland with over 200 species of fish are found in Park waters, including all five species of Pacific salmon. About 220 species of birds have been recorded in the Park as well as large populations of land mammals.

In the early morning we'll pick up a Glacier Bay Park Forest Ranger and a local Tlingit Cultural Interpreter in Bartlett Cove. They will provide a comprehensive day of narrative sightseeing. Over 65 miles of pristine terrain and habitat have been revealed in Glacier Bay since its giant rivers of ice began dramatically retreating 200 years ago. Approach Marble Islands and hurry outside to encounter a teeming multitude of seabirds like black-legged kittiwakes, murrelets and puffins, all swooping and swarming above the writhing, barking haul-out of Steller sea lions. We may encounter mountain goats on Gloomy Knob or watch brown and black bears foraging along the shoreline. Look for more harbor seals, sea otters and the humpback whales that call Glacier Bay their summer home.

Accommodations: Spirit of Discovery
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Glacier Bay National Park.

The Glacier Bay National Park Ranger will help you look for mountain goats, brown and black bears, moose, harbor seals, Steller's sea lions and puffins. Enjoy another day of cruising in this spectacular region.

Accommodations: Spirit of Discovery
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Return to Juneau Disembark

Disembark in Juneau. If you have time before your flight we�ll give you ideas for exploring this interesting capital city, like a rainforest hike, the Mendenhall Glacier or glacier flightseeing. Transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast

Extend your Alaska small ship cruise:

Denali National Park pre cruise extension:
Day 1 - Arrive Fairbanks, Alaska
Day 2 - Fairbanks to Denali National Park
Days 3-4 - Explore Denali National Park
Day 5 - Alaska Railroad to Anchorage
Day 6 - Fly Anchorage to Juneau
Day 7 - Board Cruise in Juneau

You may also wish to consider one of our more affordable independent tours Denali Backcountry Explorer or Brown Bears of Katmai. These extensions can be arranged for either pre or post cruise. Our Alaska experts will help you customize your Alaska adventure, call today.

Notes on Itinerary: We may occasionally alter itineraries slightly for safety, or to take advantage of weather, wildlife, and unplanned discoveries. Our ability to be spontaneous makes our style of cruising unique.

Single Travelers: Single cabins are available on the Spirit of Glacier Bay. Singles travel at the twin rate in B Cabins aboard the Spirit of Alaska and the Spirit of Glacier Bay. Also, if you are traveling alone and wish to share accommodations, we will guarantee double occupancy rates in Categories A on the Spirit of Alaska.

Land Cost Includes: $253 per person which covers all taxes, port charges, fees and on board services. On board gratuities are neither required nor expected; all airport/ hotel transfers; Alaska cruise including all meals while aboard and an experienced naturalist guides.

Not Included: Airfare to Alaska, excess baggage charges, taxes and port fees, gratuities to Naturalist Staff and crew, items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages, and insurance of any kind.

Arrival/Departure: This trip begins and ends in Juneau, Alaska. Arrivals into Juneau airport (JNU) should be no later than 1:00pm. On Day 4 or 5, the cruise finishes after breakfast. Please do not schedule return flights until after 12:00pm on the day of disembarkation.

Payment and Cancellation Policy: A deposit of 20% of the cruise-tour is required to confirm a reservation, with final payment due 90 days prior to departure. Cancellations received prior to departure are subject to the following cancellation penalties per person.

Anytime 120+ days prior to departure $200 pp*
Between 119-90 days prior to departure, full deposit (20%)
Between 89-61 days prior to departure, 50% of cruise fare
Between 60-31 days prior to departure, 75% of cruise fare
Between 30-0 days prior to departure, No refund
*A future cruise credit will be made available, to be applied to future bookings.

Please see AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions.

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend our travelers protect their travel investment with comprehensive Trip Cancellation Insurance. For more information about travel insurance policies please visit our partners at Access America.


Accommodations Aboard: Your comfortable home-base throughout Alaska will be aboard the Spirit of Glacier Bay. The Spirit of Glacier Bay accommodates 102 guests. Well-appointed staterooms feature comfortable beds, large view windows and private bathroom. Deluxe and AAA staterooms also have double bed, TV/VCR, desk, chair and a refrigerator. The vessel also has a dining room, lounge, sun deck, viewing platforms and more. The vessel is casual - the food delicious -and the staff friendly and helpful.

Qualifications: This Alaska small ship cruise will be enjoyed by anyone seeking to explore Alaska in style.

Extending Your Trip: Call AdventureSmith Explorations about the possibilities of combining trips to Denali National Park and more.

Photo Credit: Cruise West

General Information: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations 'Terms & Conditions'. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list, extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation. We strongly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance through AdventureSmith Explorations. If purchased within 14 days of sign-up, the pre-existing condition exclusion is waived.

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Call today.

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