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north america: alaska

Island Spirit Cruise

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 sightseeing 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 fly 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 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 and the Gold Rush history of Alaska's capital of Juneau and towns of Skagway and Haines. In addition this cruise visits the smaller, more authentic settlements such as Tenakee Springs and Hoonah, and ventures into the state's treasured Glacier Bay National Park. Watch for whales, bears, eagles and glaciers while exploring up close and away from the ship on beach walks, zodiac excursions and kayaking. 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 - Embark Sitka, Alaska

Arrivals into Sitka, Alaska, by 1:00pm will include a Sitka city tour. Meet at Totem Square at 1:30 for 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 at 5:00pm for a sunset cruise through Peril Strait to the first evening's Captain's choice anchorage.

Accommodations: Island Spirit
Included Meals: dinner

Day 2 - Whale Watching & Wilderness Explorations

The Island Spirit cruises in the rich waters of Chatham Straight and the ABC Islands (Admiralty, Baranof, Chichagof). 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 of the ABC Islands in search of bears and other wildlife. There may be time for a shore walk with the onboard naturalist, zodiac excursion or kayaking the calm water of a secluded cove.

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

Day 3 - Tenakee Springs

Cruise north in Chatham Strait watching for whales along the way. Your 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. Take a wilderness walk and enjoy a stroll to the bakery and the local mercantile mingling with charismatic locals for an interesting Alaskan afternoon. In the afternoon, cruise to the night's port in Hoonah.

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

Day 4 - Hoonah, Alaska

Enjoy your morning in the Native Alaskan village of Hoonah. Enjoy the Tlingit cultural experience arranged for your education and entertainment, including a tribal dance. There is time for a forest walk or a thrilling adventure on the US's largest zip line, at an add-on cost. Depart Hoonah in the afternoon, cruising through Icy Strait to the night's port in Gustavus.

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

Day 5 - Glacier Bay National Park

An early-morning transfer brings you to Bartlett Cove, the gateway to the famous Glacier Bay. Enjoy a full day of cruising and sightseeing through Glacier Bay on a narrated catamaran. A comfortable dinner is served back aboard the Island Spirit, which then heads to the Captain's anchorage of choice.

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

Day 6 - Haines, Alaska

Cruise to Haines, Alaska, where you'll enjoy local tours and learn the history of this town and its people. Highlights include the Sheldon Museum, the Chilkat Indian Cultural Center, Chilkat dancers and totem carving demonstrations. In the evening, Island Spirit cruises north to its Skagway port.

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

Day 7 - Skagway, Alaska

A delicious breakfast is followed by a day of touring and shopping in the historic city of Skagway, considered the northernmost point in Southeast Alaska and once a Gold Rush hub. While its population is now around 850, the town was once home to 20,000 residents in 1897. Lunch on your own and enjoy shopping and sightseeing at your leisure. Depart for the night's anchorage, another Captain's choice, at 5:00pm.

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

Day 8 - Cruising Alaska's Inlets & Channels

Head south from Skagway down Taiya Inlet, through Chilkoot Inlet and Favorite Channel toward your final port in Juneau, Alaska. Enjoy the iconic Southeast Alaska landscape and wildlife along the way.

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

Day 9 - Disembark Juneau, Alaska

Disembark the Island Spirit after an 8:30am breakfast and transfer to the airport for departure. Or take time on your own to explore Juneau. Perhaps you'll decide to ride the tram or visit the famous Red Dog Saloon.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast

Alternative Itinerary: Alaska Island Spirit also sails from Juneau to Sitka; this southbound reverse itinerary is listed below. There are also sailings from Juneau to Juneau and between Seattle and Juneau available aboard the Island Spirit.

Island Spirit Cruise Reverse Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Juneau, embark
Day 2 - Wilderness cruising
Day 3 - Skagway
Day 4 - Haines
Day 5 - Glacier Bay
Day 6 - Hoonah/Gustavus
Day 7 - Tenekee Springs
Day 8 - Whale watching & wilderness cruising
Day 9 - Sitka, depart

Island Spirit Wilderness Cruise: May 17-25, July 2-10, Aug 8-16 (Aug 8, special photo emphasis)
Day 1 - Arrive Juneau, embark
Day 2 - Endicott Arm,Dawes Glacier, Fords Terror
Day 3 - Fords Terror/Tongass National Forest
Day 4 - Kake
Day 5 - Chatham Strait
Day 6 - Tenekee Springs
Day 7 - Hoonah
Day 8 - Kayaking, skiff rides
Day 9 - Juneau, depart

Island Spirit 14-Day Extended Itinerary: May 2-15, 2013 & Juneau to Seattle (reverse) Sept 6-19, 2013
Day 1 - Arrive Seattle, embark
Day 2 - Coupeville, Friday Harbor
Days 3-4 - Canada's Inside Passage
Day 5 - Cross into Alaska
Day 6 - Behm Canal, Misty Fjords National Monument
Day 7 - Punch Bowl Cove
Day 8 - Ketchikan
Day 9 - Wrangell, Stikine River
Day 10 - Wrangell Narrows, Thomas Bay
Day 11 - Frederick Sound, Stephen’s Passage
Day 12 - Fords Terror
Day 13 - Juneau
Day 14 - Juneau, depart

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

Itinerary Notes: This itinerary is only a sample. Anchorages may change due to weather and/or to find wildlife. Being flexible makes this style of small ship Alaska adventure cruising unique.

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

Exclusions: 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. A fuel surcharge may be added due to fuel price volatility.

Room Configurations: There are two single cabins aboard the Island Spirit available at the standard twin per-person rate, booked on a first come first serve basis.

Families & Children: Children under the age of 16 cruise 2 for the price of 1 on dedicated family departures.

Arrival & Departure: The Alaska Island Spirit Cruise begins in Sitka (SIT) and ends in Juneau or reverse. Plan flights to arrive in the departure city no later than 12:00 noon on day 1. Plan flights to depart no earlier than 11:00am on day 9 if you wish to enjoy breakfast and the included transfer. Early departures on day 9 can be arranged by taxi. Many travelers consider arriving at the port of embarkation one day early. If you would like assistance with pre- or post-cruise hotels please contact the Alaska travel experts at AdventureSmith.

Payment & Cancellation: In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of $1000 is required at the time of booking. A Reservation Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Cancellations are subject to the following fees, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 91 days - 50% of deposit
90 to 31 days - 50% of total trip cost
30 to 0 days - 100% of total trip cost

Terms & Conditions: 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 and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation.

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. Click the link below for a selection of policies from our partners at Travelex.



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

Island Spirit Cruise Video: The video below features images taken from a 2009 cruise aboard the Island Spirit.

For additional information and reservations, please contact us:

800-728-2875 | 530-583-1775 | fax 530-583-1711 | travel@AdventureSmithExplorations.com