Canada’s current cruise ship ban may keep large ships out of Alaska in 2021, but several U.S.-flagged small-ship operators will sail the state’s waters this summer with Covid-19 protocols in place.
Each of the following lines will offer a different Alaska experience, whether it be a focus on native culture, adventure and wilderness or photography and families.
Alaskan Dream Cruises
Bob and Betty Allen launched Sitka-based marine tours in 1970 and expanded into overnight trips with the 2011 addition of Alaskan Dream Cruises.
The Alaska Native-owned company weaves local context into all-inclusive Southeast Alaska journeys.
“We work with naturalists who delve into geology and geography,” said Alaskan Dream spokesperson Zak Kirkpatrick. “We focus on Alaska Native tribes and their inspiring cultures. We couple that with hands-on activities, like kayaking or hiking. Some people want to break a sweat, while others prefer beachcombing, but it’s active exploration, nonetheless.”
New for the company’s 10th year is the North to Alaska Expedition (from $2,695 per person), a shorter alternative to existing tours. The five-day trip stops in Sitka, Skagway and Juneau, visits Glacier Bay and spotlights wildlife in Chatham Strait and Lynn Canal.
Other popular itineraries include the seven-day Last Frontier Adventure (from $3,995), tailored to active travelers, and the eight-day Inside Passage Sojourn (from $5,195), which highlights area history and Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian cultures.
Groups can charter the company’s 12-passenger Kruzof Explorer, a refurbished Bering Sea fishing boat that carries a high-speed Zodiac, sport fishing craft, kayaks and paddleboards.
UnCruise Adventures guests kayaking in Glacier Bay with Wilderness Adventurer.
UnCruise Adventures
UnCruise takes a hub-and-spoke approach to Alaska travel, positioning its ships in scenic spots to serve as roving home bases for hiking, kayaking, paddleboarding, whale-watching, snorkeling and more.
“We’re definitely a cruise company, but we’re on the adventure end of travel,” said Dan Blanchard, UnCruise CEO. “Our ideal guests have an adventuresome spirit. Maybe they went to Europe on $25 a day in the 1970s, and their interest in exploring hasn’t been quelled by age.”
Blanchard lists Glacier Bay as a major draw for first-time passengers. The seven-night Glacier Bay Adventure (from $3,895) spends two days in the national park with additional fjord and tidewater glacier visits, Tongass National Forest outings and opportunities to spot bears, birds, eagles and other wildlife.
Among other 2021 tours are the 14-day Eastern Fjords and Glacier Bay Ultimate Expedition (from $8,545) and the seven-day Alaska Fjords and Glaciers itinerary (from $4,495), each spotlighting Misty Fjords National Monument, Dawes Glacier, the Chief Shakes Tribal House and other destinations.
UnCruise accommodates between 22 and 86 guests per ship. All-inclusive packages cover accommodations, tour activities and regional food and drink.
Lindblad Expeditions passengers viewing wildlife by boat on Chichagof Island in Southeast Alaska. Photo Credit: Michael S. Nolan
Lindblad Expeditions
Lindblad Expeditions partners with National Geographic to build educational experiences into its Alaska itineraries.
Through Lindblad’s National Geographic Global Explorers program, for example, children drive Zodiacs and view plankton with microscopes. Guests learn about sustainability and local food systems while sampling fresh Dungeness crab, Sitka-sourced salt or spirits from local producers.
Photographers can take tips from National Geographic-certified instructors while onboard or during two pretrip photography seminars, new for 2021.
Crew members encourage travelers to follow their interests, whether climbing mountains or exploring tide pools with naturalists.
“This is expedition cruising,” said Lindblad Expeditions development director Craig Moylan. “We’re in Alaska to see the wildlife, to hike, to get off the beaten path and to explore destinations in depth.”
Debuting in 2021 is Wild Alaska Escape: Juneau to Ketchikan, a five-day getaway that can pair with Wild Alaska Escape: Sitka to Juneau for a more comprehensive experience (each leg starts at $4,750). Additional trips showcase Tlingit culture, visit Sitka’s Raptor Rehabilitation Center and cruise the Inian Islands, Icy Strait and Glacier Bay.
Lindblad’s National Geographic Sea Bird and Sea Lion accommodate up to 62 passengers each, while the National Geographic Quest and Venture carry up to 100 each.
A balcony view from American Cruise Line’s American Constellation. Most of the ship’s 90 cabins have private balconies, and all have outward-facing windows, free WiFi and independent ventilation systems.
American Cruise Lines
Connecticut-based American Cruise Lines has introduced two Alaska routes for 2021 that complement a roster of existing eight- to 14-day experiences.
The Alaskan Explorer Cruise (from $8,060) stops at 11 ports on its 10-day, roundtrip voyage from Juneau. An early-season version traces a Ketchikan-Juneau course. Highlights include the Mendenhall Glacier, Frederick Sound and Tracy Arm.
The cruise line’s Alaska outings feature cultural performances, park ranger presentations and onboard entertainment plus regional menus and daily cocktails. Some activities and shore excursions are included in base fares; select experiences are available for an additional fee.
The line’s American Constellation, introduced in 2017, is in Alaska this year. Most of the ship’s 90 cabins have private balconies, and all have outward-facing windows, free WiFi and independent ventilation systems.
“You get the smooth sailing and luxury of a large ocean ship but with the tailored options and up-close views of more casual expedition ships,” said spokesperson Alexa Paolella.