ROUND TRIP FROM ANCHORAGE/WHITTIER
Departures May to August
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Ships which operate this route: | Spirit of Columbia - 78 guests |
| The Spirit of Columbia is perfectly equipped to slip through narrow channels only a few hundred feet wide, to drop anchor in secluded coves inhabited only by curious seals. Her flexible schedule and inquisitive Captain allow you to maximize up-close encounters with whales and other wildlife, as nature provides the opportunity. You’ll want to spend all day on the bow, binoculars in hand, eagerly anticipating the wonders to come, just around the next bend. | ||
Pods of orcas and other whales reside here year-round, bald eagles and myriad seabirds grace the skies, and curious sea otters gaze up at you from their beds of kelp. Many of the shorelines betray no trace of man’s presence; the cliff-lined walls of the fjords will never be scarred by roads. An oyster farm may be tucked into this cove, or a tiny fishing village behind that island – but in general, cruising in Prince William Sound is a vision of a pristine, post-Ice Age landscape like no other on earth.
In this watery realm of rock and ice, glaciers seem everywhere – and you have long days to enjoy them. You will see dozens of these rivers of ice: valley glaciers, hanging glaciers, and most spectacular of all, tidewater glaciers that pour directly from the mountains to the sea.
| Day 1 |   Sail from WhittierIn Anchorage, board a motor coach to travel to Whittier. Your route is along beautiful Turnagain Arm, famous for its sweeping tidal changes, in the shadow of the Chugach Range. Keep watch for the sure-footed Dall sheep that nibble grass on the steep cliffs overhead. Arrive in Whittier, where the crew welcomes you aboard the Spirit of Columbia, your home for four nights. This afternoon, the ship departs for seldom-visited areas of Prince William Sound, starting with an early evening visit to Blackstone Glacier in Blackstone Bay. The ship will anchor this evening in a secluded cove. (Dinner) |
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| Day 2 | College Fjord and Esther Passage This morning, wake up near the face of a glacier in College Fjord. All morning, the Spirit of Columbia eases close to the active faces of the numerous glaciers that calve icebergs into the sea. Continue to narrow Esther Passage, a waterway only small ships can navigate. Playful sea otters live here, and your Captain knows where the most likely sightings may be found. The whiskery otters often may be found placidly floating on their backs in a bed of kelp, dining on crabs. Then in Eaglek Bay, you may welcome on board a local oyster farmer, bringing fresh samples straight from the water. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) |
| Day 3 | Cordova Overnight, cross central Prince William Sound to make a port of call at tiny Cordova. This fishing village, which is inaccessible by highway, has become world famous for its Copper River Salmon. These delicious, oil-rich fish are harvested nearby in the pristine delta of the Copper River. An included sightseeing tour of Cordova highlights area history, including the Russian Orthodox Church, Railroad Row and the Cordova Museum. If you want to burn some energy in the wilderness, optional tours here include sea kayaking, hiking and river rafting. (B L D) |
| Day 4 | Chenega Glacier and Knight Island Today you are exploring southwest Prince William Sound, where sculpted wilderness islands lie offshore from the craggy mountains of the Kenai Peninsula. Narrow Icy Bay leads toward a stunning glacier experience at the head of the fjord. Watch for seals on the icebergs, and mountain goats on the cliff faces. Later, enjoy “gunkholing” around the nearby islands – a term for poking around the next corner just to see what’s there. (B L D) |
| Day 5 | Arrive Whittier After an early-morning cruise past a kittiwake colony, disembark the Spirit of Columbia at Whittier. Transfer via Turnagain Arm to the Anchorage Airport. (B) |
| Day 1 | Sail from Whittier Travel from Anchorage to Whittier via motorcoach. Your route is along beautiful Turnagain Arm, and through tunnels under the Chugach Mountains. Upon arrival, your crew gives you a warm welcome aboard the Spirit of Columbia. Once you’ve settled into your stateroom, come up on deck and get to know your fellow travelers and crew during our bon voyage celebration. Shortly after departure this evening, you’ll be admiring Blackstone Glacier, an awesome hanging glacier in Blackstone Bay. (Dinner) |
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| Day 2 | Chenega Glacier and Island Exploration Narrow Wilderness Waterways – some just 200 feet wide – lead to Knight Island, in the wild southwest corner of Prince William Sound. Winding Icy Bay leads to a spectacular glacier calving icebergs into salt water at the head of the fjord. The rest of the day is a sheer delight, as you indulge in a leisurely exploration of islands with nary a trace of human habitation. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) |
| Day 3 | College Fjord This morning, wake up at the face of Harvard Glacier at the very end of College Fjord. Dozens of glaciers of all types pour from the mountains to the sea here – a landscape straight out of the Ice Age. The most impressive sight you can hope to see is skyscraper-sized pinnacles of ice plunging from the glaciers into the water. Continue to narrow Esther Passage, a waterway only small ships can navigate. Watch for orcas, sea otters and bald eagles here; your Captain knows where the most likely sightings may be found. Continue to Eaglek Bay, you may welcome on board a local oyster farmer, who is eager to share tales of her unique life in the wilderness. (B L D) |
| Day 4 | Disembark, to Anchorage This morning visit a large kittiwake colony before continuing to Whittier for disembarkation. On arrival, transfer to the Anchorage Airport by motorcoach. (B) |
| Departure Dates | Prices From | |
| 3 Nights | 4 Nights | |
| May to August 08 | £585 | £805 |
| May to August 09 | £625 | £840 |
