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New for 2012 the 76-guest Wilderness Explorer sails week long adventure cruises between Juneau and Sitka, Alaska with three days spent exploring inside Glacier Bay National Park. More time in Glacier Bay than any other small ship in Alaska. A National Park Ranger stays aboard the ship for the full three days to provide interpretation on the area’s history, culture, geography, flora and fauna. The park ranger, along with shipboard expedition guides, lead guests on hiking and kayaking expeditions within Glacier Bay. Other areas explored include Icy Strait, Chichagof Island and Peril Strait.

Emphasizing on exhilarating explorations in Alaska’s wilderness, expert naturalists lead hiking and kayaking tours of varying lengths and activity levels. Other adventure activities include stand-up paddle boarding, skiff explorations, and whale watching. Snorkeling is available for a fee. Flexible itineraries allow the ships to seek out wildlife and maximize viewing time for guests.

Outside of Glacier Bay the Wilderness Explorer cruises through the largest national forest in the United States - home to grizzly bears, black bears, mountain goats, bald eagles and wolves. View Alaska's massive glaciers, and enter some of the world's deepest fjords to hike and kayak where other ships cannot reach.

The original Wilderness Explorer pioneered Alaska small ship adventure cruises in the 1990's. Now the program is relaunched aboard a new Wilderness Explorer small ship (formerly the Spirit of Discovery) with more amenities, activities and adventure than ever before.

The Alaska Wilderness Explorer Cruise itinerary can be combined with the Eastern Coves or Western Coves itinerary for a two or three week adventure with no repeated landing sites.

Day 1 - Embark, Juneau

Upon boarding, the Captain and crew of the Wilderness Explorer welcome you aboard with smiles and champagne. Within minutes you’ll cruise the scenic channels of the Inside Passage. Relax with hors d'oeuvres and your favorite cocktail while getting to know your new ship mates.

Accommodations: Wilderness Explorer
Included Meals: dinner

Days 2-4 - Glacier Bay National Park

Early morning, enter Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Here, pick up the National Park ranger who will be with you to explore coves and corners of the bay that most visitors miss. One of America’s crown jewel national parks will be yours to explore and marvel at for the next three days. The park itself is 3.2 million acres (a little larger than the state of Connecticut), so there is plenty to see. Cruise close by South Marble Island and linger to find the many species of birds that call this area home. Keep your eyes on the water and the island for brightly-colored puffins.

Tidewater glaciers such as Margerie Glacier sweep like rivers of ice down massive mountain valleys, terminating before you in the waters of Glacier Bay. Enjoy two consecutive evenings in virtual isolation inside Glacier Bay at anchor in a hidden cove as larger vessels have exited the bay. Conditions permitting, enjoy a rare opportunity to hike or kayak or tour via shore boat.

Here in the bay there are sea lions, mountain goats, bears, moose, eagles and spectacular scenic backdrops. After searching for more wildlife along the shores, stop at the Park Service’s Headquarters at Bartlett Cove just inside the park boundaries for a hike through the rainforest or possibly a native cultural presentation.

Accommodations: Wilderness Explorer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Icy Strait Whale Watching

Set your course for arguably the richest whale waters in Southeast Alaska. Join the Captain on the bridge or the Expedition Leaders/Naturalists out on deck in search of marine mammals, primarily in the Icy Strait/Pt. Adolphus area. Ride the skiffs for a closer inspection of the remote coastline with eyes set on the shoreline for possible bear sightings.

Accommodations: Wilderness Explorer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Chichagof Island − the “Waterfall Coast”

Today meander along the “waterfall coast” of Chichagof Island. With no binding agenda, marvel at the grand scenery of Alaska as our crew expertly guides you through those “not in the guide book” areas. This evening might conclude at anchor in a remote shelter, possibly Red Bluff Bay, providing another grand opportunity to lower the kayaks and skiffs, keeping your eyes open for sea otters and bears nearby. Enjoy another delectable dinner onboard and relax in the hot tub before calling it a day.

Accommodations: Wilderness Explorer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Peril Strait

Peril Strait runs a total of 50 miles from Chatham Strait to Salisbury Sound. This haven for small ships is scenically highlighted by a very narrow connecting passageway called Sergius Narrows and an opening at Hoonah Sound as it reaches north and then west toward Sitka. Have the bulk of the day to explore the shoreline for bear and the waters for otters, whales and more. This wildlife-rich waterway separating Chichagof and Baranof islands is a great place to watch for eagles perched on trees along the shore. The passage narrows to only 300 feet in one spot (24 feet deep.) After an adventurous, but “non-perilous” day, toast your voyage with a festive Farewell Dinner. Before turning in, your Expedition Leaders will share a “photo journal” of your trip together.

Accommodations: Wilderness Explorer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - Disembark Sitka

Gather for breakfast this morning as you cruise the final leg of your journey to Russian-influenced Sitka, Alaska for disembarkation. A transfer will be provided to your hotel or to the Sitka airport for your flight home.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast

Reverse Itinerary
Day 1 - Sitka, Embark
Day 2 - Peril Strait
Day 3 - Chichagof Island
Day 4 - Icy Strait
Days 5-7 - Glacier Bay National Park
Day 8 - Juneau, disembark

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: available in designated cabins at 150% of the per person double rate: Trailblazer #103, #104, #105, #106. All other cabins are available at 175% of double rate.

Family Travelers: Children are welcome on all departures, but if they're not on one of the "Family Discoveries" departures, then they won't benefit from the additional savings we offer. We have no age restrictions, but parents need to maintain guidance of children at all times. The staff and crew are not on board to serve as babysitters.

Land Cost Includes: Meet and greet services and transfers, exclusive shore excursions, all meals aboard, kayaking and small boat explorations, onboard professional naturalist or escort, all taxes, port charges and fees.

Not Included: Airfare to Alaska, excess baggage charges, discretionary gratuities to vessel's crew - typically 10-15% of fare, items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages, and insurance of any kind.

Arrival/Departure: This cruise begins and ends in Juneau or Sitka, Alaska depending on departure date. Plan to arrive at the airport (JNU) by 2:30pm on Day 1. Cruise departs 6:00pm. On Day 8, the final day of the cruise, please do not schedule return flights until after 11:30am.

Payment and Cancellation Policy: A deposit of $600 per person is required to secure a reservation. The deposit/payment must be received within three business days of your reservation. Reservations are not confirmed until a deposit is received. If you choose to purchase our Travel Protection Plan, the premium payment must be paid within 14 days of the initial deposit/payment (see Travel Insurance).

Final payment must reach our office 60 days prior to your cruise departure or in full at the time reservations are confirmed if less than 60 days prior. If this payment is not received in time, your space may be released; rebooking will then be subject to final availability. Deposits may be made by personal check, wire transfer, money order or credit card with final payment preferred in the form of a check, wire transfer or money order.

Cancellations: Guests who must cancel their cruise for any reason, including medical or family reasons, are subject to the following cancellation fees:
Up to 91 days - 50% of initial deposit
90 to 61 days - Forfeiture of full deposit
60 to 46 days - 50% of gross fare
45 to 31 days - 75% of gross fare
30 to 0 days - 100% of gross fare
Please see AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions.

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with Travel Insurance. Please note that you must purchase your Travel Insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions.


Qualifications: This trip is available to any traveler with a love of nature and sense of adventure.

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

Accommodations Aboard: The 76-guest Wilderness Explorer, formerly known as the 84 passenger Spirit of Discovery, offers three cabin categories consisting of 21 Trailblazer, 13 Pathfinder and 4 Explorer cabins. Bed configurations include twin or queen. Cabins feature flat screen televisions with DVD players, iPod docking stations, and eco-friendly bath amenities. All cabins aboard the Wilderness Explorer feature a large, view window. Onboard amenities include two hot tubs (one on the bow and one on the aft sun deck), sauna, and exercise equipment. The lounge bar will offer 10 taps serving a selection of microbrews and cask wine. To ensure ample space for included adventure activities, there is a swim step on the ship’s main deck aft. The space serves as a launch pad for excursions and hosts a state-of-the-art kayak launch platform able to quickly and safely launch five kayaks at a time.

Qualifications: These trips will be enjoyed by anyone with a love for nature and the outdoors.

General Information: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith ExplorationsTerms and 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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