SHORE EXCURSIONS CREDIT

Explore Alaska's wilderness by boat and enjoy a crab feast at George Inlet Lodge. As you leave the cruise ship dock your motorcoach driver will narrate as you pass an old sawmill, totem poles and scenic waterfalls. Arrive at the lodge and meet your Captain and crew as you board the boat. Big windows and a heated cabin will ensure your comfort. Cruise up the inlet while exploring the history and natural beauty of the region. View an old fish cannery, the site of an old gold mine, snowcapped mountains, and 2,000-foot waterfalls. Wildlife often visits the area in search of food. Make sure to volunteer to help pull crab pots, see them up close, and learn about their anatomy and life cycle before returning them to the ocean. Return to the lodge to enjoy a tasty Dungeness crab feast! Be sure to save some room for Cheesecake with blueberry toppings! Following your meal, your tour wraps up with a scenic motorcoach trip in route to the cruise ship dock. Tour may run in reverse order.

OVERVIEW

Follow a guide along a winding gravel trail through the Tongass National Forest and feast on seafood at a waterfront resort afterwards. As you hike the two-mile-long Coast Guard Beach trail – which is considered challenging – the guide will point out and describe the flora and fauna that you encounter in the serene rainforest. You can expect to travel over steep rocky slopes, between outcroppings of jagged rocks and over a wooden bridge. The experience will be well worth the effort as you will be rewarded with stunning views of the beach below. You will also enjoy a waterfront view at Salmon Falls Resort, where you will dine on a three-course seafood lunch from the restaurant’s Taste of Alaska menu. Locally sourced salmon, halibut and crab cakes are typically served along with a local craft beer or wine.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hike a challenging but rewarding coastal trail through the Tongass National Forest.
• Enjoy the tranquility of the rainforest and spectacular views the entire time.
• Learn about the flora and fauna that thrive in the rainforest and along the coast.
• Dine on a bounty of Alaskan seafood at Salmon Falls Resort following the hike.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Enjoy a spectacularly scenic cruise to a lodge on secluded Grant Island for a bountiful seafood lunch. You will board the boat in Clover Pass and then settle in for a leisurely cruise, passing some of the most magnificent scenery in this part of Alaska. Along the way, the guide will point out an active eagle’s nest and one of the area’s few manmade structures, a naval facility used to measure the acoustics from submarines. You might also see seals and porpoise frolicking in the water. Upon arriving at Silverking Lodge in the heart of Grant Island State Marine Park, you will have time to check out the anglers’ fresh catch and stroll the boardwalk that winds through the rainforest. The tallest known red cedar in the Tongass National Park towers majestically at the end of the boardwalk. A family style seafood feast follows, featuring a crab boil that includes Dungeness crab, mussels, shrimp, corn on the cob, baby red potatoes and garlic.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise to Grant Island, admiring the coastal scenery.
• See an active bald eagle’s nest.
• Walk through a rainforest on Grant Island.
• Feast on freshly caught seafood.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress warmly in layered clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Go deep-sea fishing with a captain and crew that know the prime fishing grounds and the best methods to catch plenty of salmon. Although countless species inhabit these waters, Ketchikan is the Salmon Capital of the World, so there is no better place to catch these highly prized sportfish. Once you reach a spot where the fish have been biting lately, you will begin trolling for salmon using a downrigger to ensure that the bait reaches the desired depth. All the fishing tackle is provided so you can just concentrate on landing a big one. Five species of salmon are found in this part of Alaska, including king salmon, which are also called Chinook salmon. Pink salmon are the most abundant species, and they are vigorous fighters. If you want to keep what you catch, it can be processed and shipped anywhere in the United States. Of course, be sure to snap lots of photos first.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Fish for hard-fighting salmon in a small group of not more than six people.
• Enjoy the stunningly beautiful, natural backdrop of the Tongass National Forest.
• Ship your catch home fully processed if you want to eat it later.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Enjoy a spectacularly scenic cruise to a lodge on secluded Grant Island for a bountiful seafood lunch. You will board the boat in Clover Pass and then settle in for a leisurely cruise, passing some of the most magnificent scenery in this part of Alaska. Along the way, the guide will point out an active eagle’s nest and one of the area’s few manmade structures, a naval facility used to measure the acoustics from submarines. You might also see seals and porpoise frolicking in the water. Upon arriving at Silverking Lodge in the heart of Grant Island State Marine Park, you will have time to check out the anglers’ fresh catch and stroll the boardwalk that winds through the rainforest. The tallest known red cedar in the Tongass National Park towers majestically at the end of the boardwalk. A family style seafood feast follows, featuring a crab boil that includes Dungeness crab, mussels, shrimp, corn on the cob, baby red potatoes and garlic.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise to Grant Island, admiring the coastal scenery.
• See an active bald eagle’s nest.
• Walk through a rainforest on Grant Island.
• Feast on freshly caught seafood.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress warmly in layered clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Try your luck fishing for halibut, a species of flatfish that gets massive and feeds voraciously in the summer. You will head out to the fishing grounds in a group of no more than six guests, which ensures that the captain and crew can provide exceptional personal attention to increase your chances of catching one of these behemoths. Once the boat anchors, you will fish with a vertical rigging to reach the bottom of the ocean floor where halibut live. The larger fish are usually females and can grow up to eight feet in length and five feet in width, which is why they are often called “barn doors.” Imagine what a thrill it would be to reel in one of these lunkers. If you catch one, you will notice that it has smooth scales and a light-colored bottom and a darker top, which acts as a natural camouflage that mimics the hues of the ocean floor and water.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Fish for halibut on a private boat with just five other guest’s maximum.
• Follow the crew’s advice and tips to increase your chance of catching a huge halibut.
• Ship your catch home fully processed if you want to eat it later.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Race through the wilderness on a utility task vehicle and then cruise along the gorgeous shoreline to a waterfront lodge for a hearty crab feast and beer pairing. After taking the wheel of the UTV, you will tear through mountainous terrain and along old logging roads at adrenaline-pumping speeds that will make this driving adventure even more memorable. Upon reaching the coast, you will board a vessel and cruise down an inland arm of the sea. The views will be spectacular, especially while passing the Mahoney Glacial Cirque, an amphitheater-like valley that ancient glaciers carved through the rugged landscape. Wildlife is abundant throughout this remote area, especially bald eagles. A sumptuous meal awaits you at George Inlet Lodge, a former 1940s bunkhouse for a fish cannery. It is a beautiful setting to dine on the lodges crab chowder and Dungeness crab s paired with five unique craft beers from two local breweries.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive a utility task vehicle off-road through densely forested, mountainous terrain.
• Cruise past the gorgeous Mahoney Glacial Cirque.
• Feast on Dungeness crabs and local craft beers at the historical George Inlet Lodge.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat, closed toed, comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Discover the art and science of distilling on a behind-the-scenes tour of Uncharted Alaska Distillery and then custom-blend your own bottled spirit in a hands-on class. Located in a former Ketchikan fire station, the distillery handcrafts gin, vodka, whiskey and agave spirits that capture the essence of the Alaskan wilderness. Samples will be offered that best express each product’s characteristics, a tasting that will inspire you to create your own signature spirit. Upstairs in the laboratory, you will find everything necessary to start the process. The instructor will help you choose the flowers, herbs, spices and other ingredients to infuse and blend your signature creation. For the final touch, you will design a personal label for the bottle. It could be silly or serious, depending on the image you wish to convey. The bottled spirit is yours to keep.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a private tour of Uncharted Alaska Distillery in Ketchikan.
• Sample some of the unique spirits that the distillery produces.
• Create your own spirit and label during a hands-on class in the distillery laboratory.
• Take home your custom-blended spirit as a souvenir of the experience.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Discover how Alaska’s cold, nutrient-rich waters are ideal for growing oysters and kelp by touring a floating farm and then sampling both sustainable products. The tour offers a unique and very exclusive experience with local guides and a maximum of 14 guests. After departing from the pier, you will enjoy a picturesque coastal drive along the Tongass Narrows to Bonfire Bay. From here, you will cruise to Clover Pass, all the while watching for humpback whales, seals and sea lions, which frequent these pristine waters. Be sure to look overhead too, as eagles are also abundant. Upon arriving at Hump Island Oyster Company’s floating oyster farm, you will tour the family-owned floating facility. The deep, nutrient-rich tidal waters of Clover Pass are ideal for farming oysters in trays suspended from cedar floats. The oysters are nurtured as they grow from thumbnail size to market size, and as you will discover it’s a fascinating process. The company was also the first in Alaska to grow kelp at a tour site, another sustainable endeavor only possible because of the bay’s extraordinary water conditions. To delve even deeper into the challenges of aquaculture, your guide will explain the threats to the industry along with the sustainable operation. Next, your inner-child will be delighted with our on-site touch tank featuring critters from the local waters. Make sure to bring your camera as the views are amazing offering great photo opportunities. Still, there is no better way to understand how conditions affect oysters and kelp than to taste the final products in a true farm to table experience. A sampling will reveal that the plump oysters have a unique briny flavor that finishes with a hint of melon. The kelp harvested in Southeast Alaska is used liberally in products such as salsa and seasonings.

Take a spectacular scenic coastal road to the historic George Inlet Lodge where you will experience the world-famous George Inlet Lodge Alaskan crab feast. Being one of the few highways in this part of Revillagigedo Island, it is surrounded by natural beauty that makes the drive even more memorable. Upon reaching the waterfront George Inlet Lodge, you will be served an entrée of steaming-hot Dungeness crab. s These tasty crustaceans are caught in the chilly waters of the Pacific Ocean and have become synonymous with Alaskan dining. The meal includes plenty of other local specialties including an Asian Romaine salad with homemade dressing, smoked salmon dip and cheesecake topped with seasonal blueberries. Afterwards, you might browse the remote lodge, which has quite the history. It was originally built in the 1940s as a salmon cannery bunkhouse. When the cannery closed decades later, the bunkhouse was transported about 90 miles up the George Inlet waterway to its present location, which was once the site of a gold mine.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Feast on Dungeness crabs and other Alaskan delicacies at the George Inlet Lodge.
• Enjoy the waterfront setting of the remote lodge and learn about its history.
• Drive along a coastal road and admire the stunning natural beauty.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Fish the waters off Ketchikan in a state-of-the-art boat and then dine on your fresh catch, which will be cooked to perfection at Salmon Falls Resort. The boat is well-equipped to get you to the prime fishing grounds, so you will have the best chance of catching your limit. Ketchikan is renowned as the Salmon Capital of the World so you can expect to reel in some of the five types of salmon found in these waters – chum, sockeye, king, silver and pink salmon. But you may also catch halibut, Pacific cod, rockfish. It all depends on the water conditions, currents, time of year and what fish happen to be running the day of your adventure. Your catch, along with tasty side dishes that best pair with the fish, will be prepared at Timbers Restaurant within the resort.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Fish the nutrient-rich waters off Ketchikan, the Salmon Capital of the World.
• Try to reel in salmon, cod, halibut, rockfish and other iconic Alaskan species.
• Dine on your fresh catch at Timbers Restaurant in the Salmon Falls Resort.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress warmly in layered clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Go crabbing in a cove teeming with Dungeness Crab and enjoy the gorgeous scenery while cruising along the coast. You will cruise north from Salmon Falls Resort onboard the Commander, the resort’s largest and most comfortable vessel. Along the way, you will gaze out over a coastline that is largely undeveloped, densely forested and sheltered by islands in many areas. The scenery will leave a lasting memory as will crabbing in Traitors Cove. The captain will show you how to bait and drop the crab pots so that they rest on the bottom of the cove. While waiting for the crabs to take the bait – which may take an hour or so – you can drop a line and try to catch rockfish. Once you pull up the crab pots, the captain will identify the creatures inside.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise along the beautiful coastline north of Ketchikan.
• Drop crab pots in Traitors Cove, a large, sheltered waterway teeming with crabs.
• Fish from the boat while waiting for the crabs to take the bait.
• Behold the different species in the crab pots once they’re pulled up.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.