Alaska Cruises: Excursions

Sit back, strap yourself in,and hit the accelerator for the off-road adventure of a lifetime! Mountain trails through a timber harvested area offer the perfect venue for off-road challenges. Learn about the history and culture of Ketchikan as you are transported by motorcoach to this rainforest wilderness. At the Adventure Kart base camp, you’ll receive a safety briefing and gear up in preparation for the exciting, 1 1/2 hour guided trek. Your caravan of karts sets out to explore the remote back country along several miles of forest trail, with your guide in the lead ATV. Feel the rush of adrenaline at the start of your journey as you navigate an obstacle course in a custom designed Tomcar that tests your ability to traverse through the remaining wilderness. A comfortable pace is maintained as you thread your way around steep curves, climbing to reveal unparalleled views of the Tongass National Forest, Behm Canal and Alaska’s fabled Inside Passage. Stops are made along the way to soak up the grandeur and beauty of this lush land. Enjoy a snack and beverage, then drivers and passengers have the opportunity to switch positions for the return trip. Be prepared to watch for wildlife along the way where eagles, deer or bears are frequently sighted. Note: Participants must be at least 50" tall and weigh between 40 and 300 lbs. All drivers must provide a valid driver’s license. Karts accommodate two guests. Not recommended for guests with neck or back problems or expectant mothers. A damage deposit will be collected at the beginning of the tour by way of credit card or automobile insurance. less

Ketchikan’s finest bear viewing accessible by road! Visit the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary for this unique opportunity to see black bear in their native habitat. Your tour begins with a narrated city tour and eight mile coastal drive to the sanctuary. Your naturalist/guide will bring the rich forest to life as you meander along a trail, leading to a series of elevated bridges and platforms. Watch for bears from the safety of these above ground platforms which maximize your viewing and provide protection. To limit resource impact, only a limited number of small groups have access to this exclusive bear viewing area. Leaving the private elevated wildlife viewing system, the rainforest trail transforms to a boardwalk perched over grassy wetlands alongside Eagle Creek,home to a rich run of spawning salmon. Where bears and seals come to fish for Alaska’s abundant salmon. Bald eagles and other birds wait for scraps in the estuary. After taking in the sights at more choice wildlife viewing locations, your guide will lead you to feed Alaskan reindeer. See a bald eagle and a Great Northern owl up close in the raptor center, where a wildlife specialist explains the habitat and heritage of America’s national symbol. Be guided through the historic Herring Bay Lumber Company Sawmill before you observe a master native carver crafting a large totem pole. Your tour ends with a visit at our General Store for shopping and some complimentary snacks. This is a great tour for photographers and nature lovers. Note: Participants must be at least 12 years of age, must be able to stand for up to 1 ½ hours and negotiate 1 mile of terrain. Layered clothing recommended, rain ponchos available. Bear viewing is guaranteed and you’ll receive a partial refund ($80 per person) if the group does not see at least one bear. A bear sighting is defined as anyone in the group seeing a bear. less

Your excursion begins as you board your motor coach for a scenic, narrated 25 minute drive out of downtown Ketchikan to Knudson Cove, an "off the beaten track" waterfront property in the Tongass National Forest, your playground for the next 2 hours. Before you begin your adventure, professional guides will instruct and outfit you with the best safety equipment in an open air forest pavilion. Then the adventure begins as gravity pulls you along a series of zip lines and connecting elements. You'll catch glimpses of bald eagles and the ocean below as you glide through old growth cedars, break out onto an ocean platform, zip back to a soft forest landing, onto the Eagle’s Nest Platform, traverse a swaying log, swing across rope loops, feel the speed and acceleration of landing on the "Ocean Zip" platform located 50’ over the water, and finally the rush of zipping to the ground. Once back on ground, if you still haven't had enough, head over to the 50-foot climbing tower where guides will show you techniques needed to climb to the top. A circular staircase inside the tower enables others to climb up, take in the mountain and ocean views, and snap photos of climbers proudly ringing the bell at the top of the wall. Don’t worry! These ziplines are easy. There is no hand braking, the braking systems are state of the art. For the less adventurous members of your party, guides can assist you to skip elements. After your adventure, there is time to shop for souvenirs before boarding your motor coach for the return drive back to the pier. Note: participants must be at least 4’6’ tall, weigh a minimum of 70 lbs and maximum of 280 lbs. Not recommended for pregnant women or those who have back, neck or spinal issues. less

This excursion gives you the best opportunity to view moose and other Alaskan wildlife in their natural setting. Although wildlife sightings are not guaranteed, they are frequent. Your tour begins with a 45 minute ferry to Haines aboard a comfortable 150 passenger catamaran. The naturalist will guide you through this adventure from the gold rush town of Skagway to the quaint community of Haines with access to miles of different channels of the Chilkat River in a specially designed, flat-bottom riverboat. Most of the 48,000 acre preserve is untouched wilderness, with towering mountains, hanging glaciers and unspoiled nature.

The boat is uncovered for better wildlife and photo opportunities but extra jackets and large waterproof, windproof lap blankets will you keep you dry and warm. Join your hosts, the Hess family at their private property with modern restroom facilities and a covered and heated lunch pavilion. Enjoy a meal of hot dogs, vegetarian chili, chicken noodle soup, chips,cookies and beverages. Afterwards you’ll have time to sit by the campfire or watch for mountain goats on the nearby mountains.

Note: Although wildlife sightings are frequent, they’re not guaranteed. Outdoor wear, hats, gloves, and blankets are provided at the site. Your lunch may be served either before or after the river portion of the tour, mealtime appropriate.

Hike the historic Chilkoot Trail, the centerpiece of Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. This world famous trail was the main route to the riches of the Klondike during the gold rush. Enjoy the exercise, fresh air, beautiful scenery, pristine forest, and history of a bygone era as the trail takes you up and over the 350' tall Saintly Hill. When the trail reaches the banks of the Taiya River you’ll board an 18-foot inflatable raft for a scenic float (no whitewater) back down the tidal estuary, where the forest gives way to fields of beach greens, wild iris and the granite walls of the fjord rise steeply to snow- capped peaks and hanging glaciers. Enjoy a riverside snack and countless picture perfect moments before making the return journey back to your ship.

Note: Participants must be at least 7 years of age, weigh no more than 350 lbs, be in good physical condition and must be able to hike approximately 2 miles with an elevation gain and descent of 350'. We recommend you dress in layers. Ponchos and boots are provided. The float trip has no white water and can be enjoyed by anyone.

See the very best of the Tracy Arm wilderness area and an exciting close-up view of the majestic twin Sawyer Glaciers. Relax in the warm, spacious cabin, surrounded by large windows on a luxurious, high-speed catamaran as you depart Juneau harbor before your ship. Enjoy a variety of complimentary snacks and beverages while watching for gleaming, blue icebergs, which often mark the shallow-water entrance to Tracy Arm. Explore this ice-carved fjord, tracing the bases of cliffs that rise 4,000 feet above the jade-colored sea, as the onboard naturalist provides information about the area. There will be frequent stops to view wildlife. Feel the mist on your face as your Captain skillfully guides the vessel almost directly under a plunging waterfall. The catamaran’s extraordinary maneuverability will allow you to get close to North Sawyer Glacier, which cannot be approached by larger ships. You’ll then cruise slowly past seals resting atop recently-carved icebergs en route to a viewing stop near the face of spectacular South Sawyer Glacier. From the topside observation deck, you’ll be able to fully experience 'white thunder,' as immense spires of ice break from the glacier and crash into the sea. Following an extended drift near the glacier’s face, the catamaran will maneuver back into open water to pull alongside your awaiting cruise ship. Note: We recommend participants bring a warm jacket, hat and gloves to wear on the observation deck. In the event that unpredictable and ever-changing ice conditions preclude the vessel from entering the upper reaches of Tracy Arm fjord, the tour will be modified to explore Endicott Arm, an adjacent fjord and tidewater glacier of equal beauty. Due to diminishing daylight and ice condition this tour is not available in early May and mid to late September. This tour is available for guests on Norwegian Jewel only. less