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Alaska Fjords & Glaciers (S.S. Legacy)

Alaska Fjords & Glaciers (S.S. Legacy)

From USD $5,595

Description

Alaska is almost custom made for small ship cruising, with magnificent wildlife, endless opportunities to explore ashore, by zodiac and in kayaks, and countless small inlets and bays that larger vessels can’t get close to.

With snow-clad mountains, tideway glaciers, ancient forests and myrian islands and inlets to explore, the scenery is as dramatic as anywhere.

The extraordinary Glacier Bay is home to dozens of glaciers, including 7 tidewater glaciers, and a great range of wildlife, and forms part of the largest international protected area on the planet. Surrounded by a host towering peaks between 10-15000 metres it is surely one of the most photogenic places on Earth. Every ship that spends time in Glacier Bay has to take on board a National Parks ranger.

Cloud failure or liquid sunshine, our Alaska small ship adventure cruises are perfect for exploration—paddling, hiking, hot tub under the stars, “polar bear plunges,” even playing in the mud with your expert expedition team. Glacier Bay National Park; Native totems; breaching whales; soaring eagles; rainforests; northern lights. Do as much or as little as you like on an unforgettable journey.

Trip Name
Alaska Fjords & Glaciers (S.S. Legacy)
Days
8
Overview
Vessel Type: Small Ship Length: 192 feet Passenger: 86 guests Built: 1983, renovated 2013 The one-of-a-kind Wilderness Legacy—or “whale whisperer” as many will tell you—is the fastest in the fleet. Capable of 15 knots, she sails to the farthest reaches spinning yarns of adventure along the way. Like the crew and guests having the time of their lives, she hums with each new opportunity. It’s no wonder that for many of the crew (and office folk), she’s a first love that never fades. And, a welcoming hub for souls looking for adventure. Onboard Features: Sea Dragon (the launch pad for adventure); kayaks, paddle boards, inflatable skiffs, hiking poles; two on-deck hot tubs; fitness equipment and yoga mats; piano; DVD and book library; wine bar; and elevator (with access to three of the four public decks). Cabin Features: TV/DVD player; hair dryer, bathrobes, conditioning shampoo, body wash; binoculars; reusable water bottles; in-room safe deposit box

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1 Juneau, Alaska – Embarkation
Arriving in Juneau and met with a warm welcome, that’s a good start. You have time to take in a bit of the city once you check in at the hospitality area. But after boarding, grab a glass of bubbly as you push off the dock. Set sail for the Endicott Arm wilderness.
Day 2 - DAY 2 Endicott Arm / Fords Terror
Take an early peek out your window. Fjord cliffs reach skyward. Floating ice. And deep u-shaped valleys. There’s no abracadabra here. Mother Nature’s magic is real. Cruise past harbor seals and their pups lounging on chunks of ice. At the end of Endicott, the blue face of Dawes Glacier is stories high. Will it calve? Listen for a crack and unmistakable white thunder. The name Fords Terror originated from a trick of the tides on an early mariner. And tides permitting, your skiff driver knows its character and guides you along. It’s a mashup of towering walls, temperamental currents, and the Coastal Mountains. So many waterfalls. Mountain goats show off fancy foot work on the cliffs. Look for them.
Day 3 - DAY 3 Stephens Passage
Yoga stretches on-deck jump start the day. Humpback and orca are frequent visitors of this Southeast passage. A misty spout is a sure sign they’re in the neighborhood. Your captain navigates Stephens Passage to Port Houghton. And you’re in for a boot-sucking, paddle-smacking day of adventure with your guide team. The routes are all picked out. Make your choice and make your move. Slip off the kayak launch and take it slow spotting sea stars and shore birds. Hard chargers take a long wild paddle to the salt chuck at the back of the inlet. Or, hike into the Tongass. It’s a landscape of hanging waterfalls and shades green.
Day 4 - DAY 4 Thomas Bay / Wrangell Narrows
When you come this far, you might as well go all in. This is way back backcountry of Alaska's wilderness. Glacial landscapes marked by moraines, muskegs, and mud. In this playground, it’s all an option today. Kayak and skiff in water almost clear as glass. The mirror image of fjord walls plays on the surface. Hike through the outwash of Baird Glacier. Or keep it green tromping through a grassy meadow into the forest. Later, pass by the fishing town of Petersburg and wind into the Wrangell Narrows. Abundant bright red and green navigation lights guide the way. It’s “Christmas Tree Lane”, of course.
Day 5 - DAY 5 Wrangell
Native culture and wildlife have gotten along just fine for centuries. Wrangell is one of the oldest towns in Alaska. It’s also the only one ever governed by four nations. The Tlingit cultures have deep roots here. And local islanders come aboard this morning with a presentation that brings their stories and legends to life. Venture into town for a view of recently carved totem poles at Kiksetti Totem Park. See how many totems you can pick out on each pole. Step inside famed Chief Shakes Tribal House. Can you feel the history in this historic community house?
Day 6 - DAY 6 Behm Canal
Wildlife abounds. Black bears, mink, eagles. In Behm Canal, it’s all remote waterways and the isolated Tongass National Forest. On Cleveland Peninsula, your expedition team leads a low-elevation hike with wide-stretching views. Good opportunities for panoramic shots of Southeast. In the water orca, porpoises, seals, and otters go about their business. Go about yours on a guided paddle along the canal. An intertidal shore walk circles a tall sea stack covered in green.
Day 7 - DAY 7 Misty Fjords National Monument
Its affectionate nickname, “The Yosemite of the North,” is deserved. There are places on the planet that completely overcome you. This is one of them. The beauty. The peace. The sense of place you feel. Misty Fjords National Monument represents nearly every ecosystem found in Southeast Alaska. And that alone is a lot to consider. Glacial valleys filled with sea water. Sheer 3,000 foot cliffs. Sea birds, brown and black bears, mountain goats, Sitka black-tailed deer, all find safe haven here. Kayak in Walker Cove or Rudyerd Bay and you find it’s just as easy to paddle and go, as it is to sit and float and take it all in. Or skiff to the base of a waterfall for fjord-released shower. It’s an amazing wrap to your week. Your captain joins you tonight for a Farewell Dinner. Celebrate and reminisce about your Alaskan journey with a “photo journal” by your crew.
Day 8 - DAY 8 Ketchikan, Alaska – Disembarkation
After breakfast this morning, bid adieu to your new pals before you disembark and transfer to the Ketchikan airport or begin your extended UnCruise hotel stay or land tour.
Day 9 - Please Note:
Itineraries are guidelines; variations in itinerary and the order of days may occur to maximize your experience.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
14-08-202021-08-2020USD $6,295Master Stateroom
14-08-202021-08-2020USD $6,895Commander Stateroom
14-08-202021-08-2020USD $7,395Captain Stateroom
14-08-202021-08-2020USD $8,185Single
14-08-202021-08-2020USD $8,395Admiral Stateroom
14-08-202021-08-2020USD $9,295Jr. Commodore Suite
14-08-202021-08-2020USD $12,995Owners Suite
14-08-202121-08-2021USD $7,275Single
14-08-202121-08-2021USD $7,495Admiral Stateroom
14-08-202121-08-2021USD $8,295Jr. Commodore Suite
14-08-202121-08-2021USD $11,395Owners Suite
14-08-202121-08-2021USD $5,595Master Stateroom
14-08-202121-08-2021USD $5,995Commander Stateroom
14-08-202121-08-2021USD $6,595Captain Stateroom

Inclusions

    • Dawes Glacier and ice-rich Endicott Arm
    • Whale watching in Stephens Passage
    • Adventure exploration in Misty Fjords National Monument
    • Tlingit cultural presentation
    • Kiksetti Totem Park and Chief Shakes Tribal House visit
    • Tongass backcountry by kayak, paddle board, skiff, and hike
    • Search for wildlife—bears, Sitka black-tailed deer, sea lions, eagles, mink, porpoises, and mountain goats
    • Navigate winding Wrangell Narrows and Behm Canal

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