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If your idea of a great vacation includes spending quiet evenings anchored in peaceful coves, getting up-close and personal with the native wildlife, and sight-seeing and shopping throughout Southeast Alaska's most popular destinations, then the Alaska Island Spirit Cruise is the perfect Alaska cruise for you. Imagine enjoying humpback whales and marine mammals close enough to hear the "rush" of their breathing. Cruising the rugged shorelines and remote bays of Alaska's Panhandle. Bald eagles, cormorants, tufted puffins, loons, and Pacific sea birds right outside your cabin window. Feeling the need to get even closer to nature? You can enjoy one of the ship's kayaks to explore the "nooks and crannies" of the anchorage, or help a crew member pull in a crab trap to check for the catch of the day.

The Alaska Island Spirit Cruise is true to its name capturing the Alaskan spirit that permeates the islands, wilderness and settlements of Southeast Alaska's Inside Passage. Cruise Alaska aboard the 32 passenger Motor Vessel Island Spirit exploring the Russian and Tlingit heritage of Sitka, the gold rush history of Alaska's capital on Juneau and the Norwegian fishing village of Petersburg. In addition this cruise visits the smaller, more authentic settlements such as Warm Springs Bay, Tenakee Sprints, Eflin Cove, Hoonah, and Pelican. Along the way watch for whales, bears, eagles and glaciers while exploring up close and away from the ship on beach walks, zodiac excursions and kayaking. Each evening anchor in a quite cove, with the engines off to experience true Alaskan solitude. While cruising Alaska aboard the Island Spirit expect delicious cuisine, excellent service and the hospitality of a small ship captain who also owns and operates the ship.

Day 1 - Arrive Sitka and Embark Island Spirit

Arrivals into Sitka, Alaska by 1:00pm will include a Sitka City Tour. The Sitka City Tour includes guided visits to the Alaska Raptor Center, Totem Park and the Sheldon Jackson Museum, with time for shopping. Later arrivals transfer to the Island Spirit for embarkation and a cocktail reception. The Alaska Island Spirit Cruise gets underway in the afternoon for a sunset cruise to the first evening anchorage. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of Sitka Sound, Mount Redoubt and Sergious Narrows as you cruise to Alaskan wilderness.

Accommodations: Island Spirit
Included Meals: dinner

Day 2 - Warm Springs Bay

Cruise through scenic Peril Straight scanning the shores for bears and eagles. The Island Spirit will make its way toward the Baranof Island Wilderness, one of the most remote and beautiful areas of Southeast Alaska. A coastline of deep glacial carved fjords each revealing a waterfall more spectacular than the last. Our destination is the small settlement of Baranof and Warm Springs Bay. Kayak near a huge waterfall, take a hike to a nearby lake through old growth forest and open muskeg, or soak in the natural hot springs overlooking the waterfall.

Accommodations: Island Spirit
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - Tenakee Springs

Cruise North in Chatham Strait watching for whales along the way. Our destination today is the small community of Tenakee Springs population 97. This unique town is built entirely on wooden walkways straddling the thin line between mountains and ocean. Enjoy a stroll to the bakery and the local mercantile mingling with charismatic locals for an interesting Alaskan afternoon. Tonight's anchorage is the Captain's choice as there are numerous quite coves to choose from.

Accommodations: Island Spirit
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Whale Watching and Wilderness Explorations

The Island Spirit continues North in Chatham Strait as passengers and crew scan the water for the trademark spout of humpback whales. This area is well known as a summer feeding ground for these gentle giants. Traverse the shores of Admiralty island on the way to Barlow Cove. There may be time for a shore walk, zodiac excursion or kayaking the calm water.

Accommodations: Island Spirit
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Juneau

Arrive early in the historical gold rush town of Juneau, Alaska. Enjoy time for shopping and exploration before lunch. Back on board the Island Spirit cruises south down Gastineau Channel toward Endicott Arm. Again traverse the shores of Admiralty Island in search of brown bears. Admiralty is known as Kootznoowoo or "fortress of the bears" in the native Tlingit language. Don't be surprised to view some icebergs as we near the entrance to Endicott Arm and our anchorage for the night.

Accommodations: Island Spirit
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Endicott Arm and Fords Terror

Endicott Arm is a dramatic glacially carved fjord with steep granite walls towering thousands of feet above the narrow channel. At its end is the dramatic Dawes glacier. Explore close to the glaciers face, among cobalt blue icebergs as big as the ship. If we are lucky we will witness a huge spire of ice crash from the glaciers face into the icy waters. Watch harbor seals as they haul out on the ice. If the tides are right we will explore a dramatic inlet known as Fords Terror.

Accommodations: Island Spirit
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Frederick Sound Whale Watching

Cruising south in Stephens Passage be on the lookout for Humpback Whales as they feed an play in the waters of Frederick Sound. If the seas allow we may have a chance to visit the oldest lighthouse in Southeast Alaska. Tonight anchor in Farragut Bay or Portage Bay and explore up close on a beach walk or tranquil paddle. Or just relax on deck enjoying the silence and solitude of true Alaskan wilderness.

Accommodations: Island Spirit
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - Petersburg

This morning cruise into the Norwegian fishing community of Petersburg. Visit a local fish cannery (in season) and explore town with more time for shopping. Enjoy a traditional banquet dinner at the Sons of Norway hall, complete with local entertainment. Overnight aboard the Island Spirit.

Accommodations: Island Spirit
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9 - Depart

Disembark the Island Spirit after breakfast and transfer to the airport for departure.

Accommodations: Island Spirit
Included Meals: breakfast

The Island Spirit may operate the following alternative itineraries:

Petersburg to Sitka:
Day 1 - Arrive Petersburg, embark Island Spirit
Day 2 - Petersburg and wilderness cruising
Day 3 - Frederick Sound whale watching
Day 4 - Endicott Arm and Fords Terror
Day 5 - Juneau
Day 6 - Tenakee, wilderness explorations
Day 7 - Warm Springs Bay
Day 8 - Sitka
Day 9 - Depart

Juneau to Sitka:
Day 1 - Arrive Juneau, embark Island Spirit
Day 2 - Juneau and wilderness cruising
Day 3 - Endicott Arm and Fords Terror
Day 4 - Frederick Sound Whale Watching
Day 5 - Petersburg
Day 6 - Warm Springs Bay
Day 7 - Tenakee
Day 8 - Sitka
Day 9 - Depart

15 day Itinerary:
Day 1 - Friday harbor
Day 2 - Nanaimo, British Columbia
Day 3 - Campbell River
Day 4 - Ford's Terror
Day 5-7 - Green Inlet & Lowe Inlet
Day 8 - British Columbia's Prince Rupert
Day 9 - Ketchikan
Day 10 - Petersberg
Day 11-12 - Dawes Glacier
Day 13-14 - transit various bays and inlets
Day 15 - Depart

2010 Schedule
May 8 - May 22, 2010 Seattle to Sitka
May 27 – June 4, 2010 Sitka to Petersburg
June 6 – June 14, 2010 Petersburg to Sitka
June 25 – July 3, 2010 Petersburg to Sitka
July 12 – July 20, 2010 Juneau to Sitka
July 21 - July 29, 2010 Sitka to Petersburg
August 8 – August 16, 2010 - Sitka to Petersburg

Photo Emphasis Cruise
Aug.8 - Aug.16, 2010 Sitka to Petersburg
This Photo Emphasis Cruise provides live demonstrations and instruction from professional photographer John Greengo, while giving the chance to see and encounter what Southeast Alaska is well known for: the abundance of wildlife in the forests, on the beaches and in its waters.



Notes on Itinerary: This itinerary is only a sample. Included in every tour are visits to Wrangell, Petersburg, Juneau and Sitka, as well as all included land tours. Anchorages may change due to weather and/or to find wildlife. Other Southeastern Alaskan towns we may visit include Elfin Cove, Hoonah, Kake, Pelican and Tenakee Springs.

Single Travelers: There are two single cabins aboard the Island Spirit booked on a first come first serve basis.


Land Cost Includes: Meet and greet services and transfers, all meals aboard, onboard professional naturalist or escort, all taxes, port charges and fees.

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

Payment and Cancellation Policy: A deposit of $1000 per traveler is due at the time of booking. Please see AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and 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.

General Information: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms 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.

The video below features images taken from an actual 2009 cruise aboard the Island Spirit.




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