SHORE EXCURSIONS

OVERVIEW

Drop by the Sitka Sound Science Center to see a sampling of the marine life that inhabits the surrounding waters and get a literal taste of the sea’s bounty by snacking on locally caught salmon. The center is a great place to learn about the area’s marine creatures as its massive aquarium holds an array of fish and invertebrates. They include Dungeness crabs, wolf eels and sculpins, a bottom-dweller so bizarre-looking that its nickname is the “double ugly.” While browsing the exhibits, you will also learn about Sitka’s thriving commercial fishing industry, see the salmon hatchery – the oldest such facility in Alaska – and drop by the touch tank for a hands-on experience. In time, you will head for the center’s private dining room to sample a piece of succulent salmon grilled to perfection. Later, you will pause for photos of the University of Alaska Southeast, which overlooks Sitka harbor and channel.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See indigenous marine creatures in a science center and touch some of them, if you wish.
• Drop by the center’s salmon hatchery, the first one established in Alaska.
• Sample a piece of grilled salmon in the center’s private dining room.
• Pause for photos of the University of Alaska Southeast on the waterfront.
• Hear how World War II influenced Sitka while driving around the city.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Follow an Alaskan trail guide on an enlightening walk through the rain forest on a remote island in the Tongass National Forest. You will reach the island aboard a Seahawk boat that is specifically designed for these waters. A nature walk follows, during which the naturalist guide will describe the forest’s botanical species. For instance, you will learn how the people of the Haida, Tlingit and Tsimshian nations use the red and yellow cedars for shelter, transportation and spiritual enrichment. Following the informative hike, you will cruise back, looking once again for marine life such as whales, Stellar sea lions and harbor seals. Don’t forget to scan the skies for bald eagles and migrating seabirds.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise to a remote island in a national forest.
• Look for marine life such as whales and sea lions.
• Follow a naturalist through a rainforest and learn about the plants.
• Gain an understanding of the Alaska native historic and current use of the forest.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Travel along a wonderfully scenic highway to the historical George Inlet Lodge, where a chef will demonstrate how best to prepare crab cakes, which you will later enjoy for lunch. The road to the lodge winds through the wilds of Revillagigedo Island and passes an old sawmill and several salmon canneries that will offer a glimpse into the area’s past. Once you reach the waterfront lodge – which was originally a cannery bunkhouse – the attention will turn to food, especially seafood caught in the chilly depths of the surrounding sea. While the chef prepares your crab cakes according to a classic local recipe and recounts entertaining stories about Alaskan fishing and crabbing, you will be served a garden-fresh salad and half a Dungeness crab as an appetizer. The crab cakes will be served hot off the griddle and followed by a slice of creamy cheesecake topped with blueberries, another Alaska specialty.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Watch the chef at the George Inlet Lodge prepare crab cakes for your lunch.
• Dine on appetizers, including half a Dungeness crab, during the demonstration.
• Enjoy the waterfront setting of the remote lodge and learn a bit 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

Enhance your shoreside experience with a NCL small group tour. Hosting no more than 16 guests, these tours provide a more intimate experience and allow for more personal engagement with your knowledgeable guide.

Become a citizen science observer for the day aboard a safari vessel, where you will observe marine animals such as humpback whales and collect data of great scientific value. After departing from the pier, you will soon board a safari vessel specifically designed for wildlife viewing. The custom-built vessel features large-panel windows and sits low in the water to offer the best vantage point from inside the heated cabin or out on the open bow. A naturalist guide will be onboard as you take on the role of a citizen science observer, which entails collecting data and documenting wildlife activities for a local university and regional science programs. During the cruise, you will attempt to track and record the behaviors of various marine creatures, including humpback whales. It will be a hands-on experience that may include invasive species monitoring, humpback whale identification, and recording observations of marine mammals. Your completed data log will be used to help scientists improve their understanding of the marine food chain and environmental factors that affect wildlife populations. You might even spot a humpback whale breaching the water’s surface, as they feed voraciously here to fatten up for their winter migration south. Whatever you observe and record, you can be assured that your effects will contribute to the safeguarding and deepening of our understanding of the delicate marine environments of Southeast Alaska.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Collect data that is contributed to local ongoing research projects.
• Cruise a bay where humpback whales and other marine creatures are commonly seen.
• Receive a free digital publication commemorating your experience.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Take an exhilarating ride in a floatplane over the sprawling Juneau Icefield, a mass of ice the size of Rhode Island that contains dozens of glaciers. Shortly after boarding the floatplane, you will be soaring over some of Alaska’s most beautiful and majestic terrain. From your window seat, you can expect to see snow-capped peaks, roaring waterfalls and lush green rainforests on the way to the icefield. Still, the most stunning sights may be the ancient glaciers within the icefield. In all likelihood, you will fly over the azure meltwater pools of the Hole-in-the-Wall Glacier, advancing Taku Glacier, retreating Norris Glacier, and the East and West Twin Glaciers. Each one is spectacular in its own way, as you will discover by listening to their descriptions on a headset. This excursion also ends with a thrill, as the pilot eases the floatplane down for a smooth water landing.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Fly over the massive Juneau Icefield in a floatplane.
• Enjoy a literal bird’s-eye view of the stunning scenery.
• Soar over four glaciers, each with its own characteristics.
• Watch for bears, mountain goats and moose while flying.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Engage in Alaska’s state sport of dog mushing on special equipment that is modified for the snow-free summer and interact with the huskies that effortlessly pull the sled. The mushers camp is across Gastineau Channel on Douglas Island, a heavily forested wilderness. It’s the ideal environment for the dogs to train for mushing through the snow come winter. You will gain a deep respect for the sport and the huskies by standing on the back of a wheeled sled as the team of dogs pulls it along a trail with ease. Back at the kennel, you will see how the dogs are cared for, perhaps talk with the camp’s veterinarian and play with a retired sled dog. Alaskan huskies are known for their great endurance, power and intelligence. You can’t help but be awed in their presence. The wooded setting is equally memorable, especially when seen from the suspension bridge that spans Fish Creek.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Race through the wilderness at the back of a wheeled sled behind a team of huskies.
• Interact with the dogs and mushers that rely on them for winter travel.
• See how the huskies are cared for like professional athletes, which they are.
• Admire the seemingly endless wilderness from the suspension bridge over Fish Creek.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Ride an amphibious vehicle known as the Duck through the historical streets of Ketchikan and out into the harbor, while the guide entertains you with tales of the city’s past. Being the Salmon Capital of the World, Ketchikan still revolves around fishing, as you will see at the city salmon ladder and spawning grounds. During the land-based half of the tour, you will see the former red-light district along Creek Street, a curious downtown tunnel and beautiful Whale Park, which is dominated by the Chief Kyan Totem Pole. The scenery will change dramatically as the Duck drives straight into the harbor and becomes a seaworthy boat. As you cruise through the Tongass Narrows, you will pass fishing boats, pleasure boats and perhaps even seaplanes. You will discover Ketchikan’s waterfront community and several canneries tucked along the forested shore. You might also catch sight of marine life and bald eagles.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride the amphibious Duck on land and through the harbor.
• See city landmarks and learn their often-notorious history.
• Cruise past coastal canneries while looking for wildlife.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Ride through the wilderness on the outskirts of Juneau in a Jeep with a retractable top that will offer unobstructed views of Alaska’s extraordinary beauty. A short drive along the Gastineau Channel will take you to Mendenhall Glacier, one of North America’s most accessible glaciers. As a bonus, a leisurely walk along the Steep Creek Trail offers an added chance to possibly observe a bear in the forest. Take a memorable drive toward the end of the road system, where the views from Eagle Beach are sweeping and this secluded stretch of sand is a great spot to view the majestic Chilkat Mountains. Also on your journey is the National Shrine of St. Thérèse; the building’s cobblestone exterior on a serene island is particularly memorable. Depending on weather conditions and guest preferences, your host will select a fourth destination that may include a scenic drive on Douglas Island, a visit to the salmon hatchery or a trip into Juneau’s past at historic Gold Creek.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride into the wilds that lie on the outskirts of Alaska’s capital in a 4x4 Jeep.
• Behold Mendenhall Glacier, one of North America’s most accessible glaciers.
• Pause at the Shrine of St. Thérèse, where a short causeway will lead to a quaint cobblestone church nestled in the trees.
• Soak in the beauty of the Chilkat Mountains from the peaceful shores of Eagle Beach.
• Depending on weather, your host will select a fourth location that might include the salmon hatchery, Gold Creek, or a scenic drive along Douglas Island.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Stroll through two botanical paradises after pausing for a sampling of inspired wines at Church & State Wines. The exact selection of wines will be chosen the day of the excursion, but it may include uniquely blended offerings in the Lost Inhibitions collection paired with seasonal foods. Famed Butchart Gardens is named for the family that established the horticultural wonderland in an abandoned rock quarry more than 100 years ago. As you stroll the winding paths, you will see cascading fountains, bursts of brilliant flowers and some of the world’s rarest plants. Certain areas such as the Japanese Garden and Rose Garden are entirely devoted to one region of the world or type of plant. Another serene setting awaits you just around the corner at the Victoria Butterfly Gardens, home to thousands of tropical butterflies and birds. A leisurely stroll through this recreated rainforest makes a fine prelude to the return drive past Victoria’s architectural treasures.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Sample a selection of wines paired with seasonal foods at Church & State Wines.
• Stroll the natural paths of Butchart Gardens, a botanical wonderland.
• Meander through the recreated rainforest in idyllic Victoria Butterfly Gardens.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

An all you can eat mouthwatering assortment of warm and cold dishes awaits your arrival in Skagway. Feast on wild Alaskan caught salmon grilled over an open alder wood fire as part of this feast in the forest. Enjoy Chilkoot Chicken, Panners Pasta, Prospector Pete’s Reindeer Beans, Liarsville Rice Medley, Sluice Box Slaw and other fresh salads, plus cornbread and blueberry cake for dessert. Beer and wine are available for purchase.

This delicious meal also includes a visit to an 1898 replica campsite located in the historic Liarsville region. During your visit, take time to reflect on how the prospectors of yesteryear survived. Chat with the colorful characters and gold-digging madams as you enjoy a glimpse back at life during the Klondike gold rush. Visit the Fancy Goods Gift Shop to find that special souvenir.

OVERVIEW

Hop aboard the vintage White Pass & Yukon Route Railway for an immensely picturesque train ride high into the mountains, following a path blasted out of the rocks in 1898, during the height of the Klondike Gold Rush. As soon as the narrow-gauge train begins its ascent, you will understand why the beloved WP&YR is known as “The Scenic Railway of the World.” The train will climb almost 3,000 feet in just 20 miles and present one breathtaking view after another, from thundering Bridal Veil Falls to the rugged peaks at Inspiration Point. You will also pass over the soaring bridge that spans precipitous Dead Horse Gulch, named for pack animals loaded with prospecting gear that fell to the bottom of the gorge. It will be an exhilarating ride on a railway so ingeniously constructed that it is recognized as an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride a narrow-gauge train on a route used during the Klondike Gold Rush.
• Climb high into the mountains and behold Alaska’s majestic scenery.
• Admire the ingenious engineering behind the railway’s construction.
• Receive a collectible magazine that details the railway’s history.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Soar by Goldbelt Tram up 1,800 feet above the city to take in one of the most expansive and beautiful views in Alaska. Once at the top of Goldbelt Tram, you'll find that the Tr’ale house is the starting point of an extensive trail system, be sure to stop in and get the latest information about the trail conditions, plant life and wildlife. Your optional hike includes observation platforms in the rainforest and Alpine meadows. At the Mountain House, you can watch a complimentary film, Seeing Daylight. Shop at the Goldbelt Tram Gifts & Gallery, a unique shop that includes all your souvenir needs as well as those one of a kind, handcrafted, museum-quality jewelry and artwork. Refreshing food and beverages are available for purchase at the Timberline Bar & Grill. The Goldbelt Tram is a family, friendly attraction, suitable for all ages and abilities.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Soar 1,800 feet above the city for stunning views of Alaska.
• Shop for unique souvenirs, handcrafted jewelry, and artwork.
• Watch the complimentary film Seeing Daylight.

HELPFUL HINTS

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