Cruise Line |
Lindblad Expeditions |
Ship |
National Geographic Quest |
Destination |
Alaska & Canada West |
Nights |
7 |
Departure Date |
28 Aug 2021 |
Description |
7 Night Cruise sailing from Juneau to Sitka aboard National Geographic Quest.
DAY 1: Juneau, Alaska/Embark Ship
Embark the ship and take the time to settle into your cabin before dinner. After dinner onboard, take a few hours to yourself and explore the port of Juneau. (D)
DAY 2: Tracy Arm Fjord—Fords Terror Wilderness
Voyage into Tracy or Endicott Arm, both spectacular glacially carved fjords. We’ll also pass the Sawyer Glacier, which has been described as bluer than any blue on earth, or the towering Dawes Glacier. If conditions permit, we'll use our expedition landing craft to provide unparalleled up close views of the glacier. Keep an eye out for harbor seals, porpoises and arctic terns. (B,L,D)
DAY 3: Petersburg
Search for humpback whales as we head towards the small, true Alaskan town of Petersburg on Mitkof Island. Explore a unique Southeast Alaskan ecosystem, the "muskeg," with stunted trees and carnivorous plants. There is an opportunity for optional flightseeing or bike riding. Enjoy a Dungeness crab feast this evening. (B,L,D)
DAY 4: Frederick Sound and Chatham Strait
These waters are prime areas for both killer whales and humpback whales. It's not uncommon to observe their fascinating behavior — breaching, tail-slapping and variations on feeding — as we fill the deck and listen to the play-by-play from our expert naturalists. We'll explore spectacular bays and inlets, following bear trails and salmon streams. Once ashore, we’ll have the opportunity to walk along a quiet forest trail. The still waters are excellent for kayaking, offering another option for up close exploration. (B,L,D)
DAY 5: Icy Strait and the Inian Islands
Hike and kayak among the Inian Islands, where an abundance of Steller sea lions and sea otters reside. We’ll search for whales in the rich waters of Icy Strait and, conditions permitting, lower the ship’s hydrophone to
listen in on the whales’ communication. (B,L,D)
DAY 6: Glacier Bay National Park
We spend the entire day amidst the coves, fjords, tidewater glaciers and majestic mountains of Glacier Bay National Park. You’ll see glaciers that end abruptly at the water’s edge and observe them “calving†— tons of ice crashing into the sea — accompanied by an exhilaratingly thunderous sound. Mountain goats scaling the peaks as well as harbor seals, Steller sea lions and puffins are some of the creatures we may observe. A visit to Tidal Inlet may bring the sight of brown bears lumbering up the hillside. A native Tlingit interpreter joins us onboard to share the legend of the area. (B,L,D)
Please note: Departures aboard National Geographic Sea Bird visit the outer bays of Glacier Bay National Park and do not enter the permitted part of the Bay.
DAY 7: Southeast Alaska’s Islands, Bays and Fjords
Today, nature is our guide as we set forth with the flexibility to take advantage of wildlife and weather conditions. We may stop at an isolated beach to take a closer look at tide pools, beachcomb, and hike stunning forest trails. Keep an eye out for old bear tracks worn into the soil as you move from forest to meadow. This area is home to the highest density of nesting bald eagles in the world, so sightings are very common. If conditions permit, we'll do some kayaking, always watching for marine and terrestrial life. (B,L,D)
DAY 8: Sitka/Disembark Ship
After breakfast we disembark in Sitka, southeastern Alaska’s only oceanfront town. Sitka has a strong Russian heritage, which is readily apparent as you visit the onion-domed St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Church. Gaze up at the grand totem poles that line the wooded trails through Sitka National Historic Park. At the Raptor Rehabilitation Center, we have close views of species normally seen at a distance in the wild — bald eagles, hawks, falcons and owls. After our visit, our Alaska Cruise ends. (B)
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Sailing Dates |
- 22 May 2021
- 05 Jun 2021
- 19 Jun 2021
- 03 Jul 2021
- 17 Jul 2021
- 31 Jul 2021
- 14 Aug 2021
- 28 Aug 2021
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Itinerary |
Cruise Itinerary
Day | Date | Activity | Arrive | Depart |
1 |
28/08 |
Juneau, Alaska |
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2 |
29/08 |
Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska |
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3 |
30/08 |
Petersburg, Alaska |
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4 |
31/08 |
Frederick Sound, Alexander Archipelago, Alaska |
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5 |
01/09 |
Icy Strait Point, Alaska |
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6 |
02/09 |
Glacier Bay, Alaska |
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7 |
03/09 |
At sea |
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8 |
04/09 |
Sitka, Alaska |
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All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.
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