SHORE EXCURSIONS

OVERVIEW

Cruise the pristine waters off Sitka in search of marine life such as sea otters while listening to a naturalist elaborate on the most intriguing characteristics of the species. You may settle into a comfortable seat in the boat’s main cabin or remain topside on the observation deck. Either way, you will enjoy an uninterrupted view of the sea. As you scan the waters for marine life, the naturalist will describe how humpback whales feed here in the summer and how animals such as sea otters now thrive. The animals were nearly extinct due to aggressive fur hunting in the early 1800s, and their comeback is a wonderful success story. Other creatures commonly spotted include sea lions, porpoise, harbor seals and a huge variety of seabirds. Puffins are particularly easy to identify because of their bright orange beaks.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Scan the waters off Sitka for marine life such as whales and sea otters.
• Look along the shore for brown bears and skyward for bald eagles.
• Listen to the naturalist describe the animals’ unusual habits and habitats.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress warmly in layered, weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes with non-skid soles.

OVERVIEW

Cruise remarkably close to Hubbard Glacier for the ultimate look at this huge river of ice that has the distinction of being North America’s largest tidewater glacier. After boarding the boat directly from the cruise ship in the mouth of Disenchantment Bay, you will settle into the heated cabin with large windows that provide excellent viewing. The vessel also features a shallow draft, allowing it to easily cruise around the icebergs near the face of the glacier, which is hundreds of feet high above the waterline. Hubbard Glacier is nicknamed the Galloping Glacier because at times it advances several feet a day. Few natural sights are quite so spectacular as when large chunks of ice calve – or break off – from the glacier with a thundering roar. The naturalist guide will describe the glacier’s characteristics in fascinating detail, as well as the wildlife, which includes harbor seals, bald eagles, orcas and even humpback whales.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See Hubbard Glacier up close from the comfort of a heated, expedition-style boat.
• Behold the sheer face of the glacier, which soars hundreds of feet above the waterline.
• Hear compelling commentary about Hubbard Glacier from the naturalist guide.
• Look for harbor seals, orcas and humpback whales, which inhabit the surrounding waters.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.

OVERVIEW

Discover the elegance of The Red Collection, where refined touches elevate your tour experience into a memorable journey. Cruise onboard a luxury catamaran to pristine turtle habitats and snorkel in the crystal-clear waters in an area known for green sea turtles. Its gently curving coastline and turquoise waters are absolutely mesmerizing. Although you will be free to do whatever you please, snorkeling should be at the top of your list as green sea turtles are often spotted there. The seagrass beds in the shallow bay provide an ideal habitat for these large turtles that can weigh as much as 350 pounds. Watching one gracefully swim by is always a thrill. Dozens of fish species also thrive in these waters, including yellowtail snapper, French angelfish and colorful parrotfish. Back on board, a gourmet chef curated taco lunch will be served, after which you will enjoy more free time.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise to a local bay where turtles have made their home in the Virgin Islands.
• Snorkel in the crystal-waters, an ideal habitat for green sea turtles.
• Observe a variety of other marine life while snorkeling.
• Enjoy gourmet chef curated menu on board the catamaran.
• Open bar serves soft drinks, beer and wine.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

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

The ultimate Alaska experience begins as soon as you board our Alaskan-built expedition vessel in Sitka. While you settle into the comfortable cabin, our knowledgeable captain and crew will provide a safety briefing and orientation. Once underway, feel free to move about the vessel, including the spacious outside viewing deck. An onboard naturalist will provide narration regarding the remarkable ecosystem of the area and point out places of interest and wildlife throughout the voyage. Sea otters, whales, harbor seals, brown bears, Sitka black-tailed deer, bald eagles, and a variety of marine birds are all commonly seen in the tour area. Our captains have the local knowledge and experience to deliver the best possible viewing experience on any given day throughout the season. At Fin Island Lodge, you’ll have the opportunity to indulge in a delicious Alaska feast! Alaska crab, wild salmon, prime rib, homemade side dishes, and dessert are all-inclusive with the tour. In addition, coffee, tea, hot cocoa, lemonade and water are complimentary. Soft drinks are available for purchase. A breakfast twist on our signature Fin Island feast is featured for guests arriving before 10am. Vegan and gluten free options are available, regardless of tour time. After the meal, you may beachcomb, explore the beautiful grounds of the exclusive island, or relax next to the cozy beach fire. When the adventure concludes, your vessel will await to provide the short cruise back to Sitka.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise through Sitka Sound on an expedition boat with wraparound windows.
• Look for wildlife such as sea otters, harbor seals, whales, bald eagles and tufted puffins.
• Feast on a meal of traditional Alaskan dishes at a lodge on forested Fin Island.
• Walk the island’s beach and sit around the beachside campfire, if you like.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Jurmala is a resort town west of Riga, with white sand beaches stretching nearly 20 miles and sandwiched between the Gulf of Riga and the Lielupe River. While Latvia was a part of the Soviet Union, Jurmala was a favorite holiday-resort and beloved tourist destination for high-level Communist Party officials. Although many amenities such as beach-houses and concrete hotels remain, some have fallen into disrepair, Jurmala remains a tourist attraction with its long white-sand beach facing the Gulf of Riga and romantic wooden houses built in the Art Nouveau style. The town is well-known for its natural treasures – the mild climate, sea, healthy air, curative mud and mineral water. The allure of Jurmala lies in its almost 20-mile long white sand beach, large pine forests and the natural border of the city – the river Lielupe. A drive of about 30 minutes will take you to Jurmala, where after a short panoramic drive you will pass the Dzintari Concert Hall, built in 1960, where the popular festivals are held in the summer, and the railroad station. Take a walk around town and learn about the most distinguishing architectural feature in Jurmala - the prevalence of wooden houses dating from the 19th and first half of the 20th century. Most of the buildings were built by Baltic German and Latvian architects. The architecture of Jurmala typically falls into classicism, national romanticism, and modern styles. The town has an official list of 414 historical buildings under the protection of the state. There is plenty to do in town; the long, main pedestrian street offers an opportunity to people watch and an assortment of friendly cafes and restaurants as well as shops and green areas. Head to the beach and experience the freshness of the Jurmala sea-side. Perhaps you will want to use your free time to dip your toes in the water and take a walk along the shore.

Your coach will take you inland, passing through Sao Martinho to the Socorridos ravine. Eira do Serrado is reached after a short drive along a winding road, offering spectacular views of the interior of the island. Here, it's a short and easy walk up to the viewpoint on Pico de Serrado at an altitude of approximately 3,592 feet (1,094 meters), for an amazing view down onto the village of Curral das Freiras. Curral das Freiras (Nuns Valley) is a small village nestling between almost perpendicular mountains in the heart of the island. In 1566, the nuns from the Santa Clara convent fled from pirates attacking Funchal and found seclusion here where they also brought the convent’s treasure. Your next stop will be at Monte. This small village, perched up in the hills overlooking Funchal, was formerly a health resort for Europe's high society, including Austrian Emperor Charles I. One of its long-lost features was a rack railway, which connected Monte with Funchal. From here you will board the cable car and see Madeira from the air, experiencing the wonderful views all the way down to Funchal. The cable car is made up of 40 small cabins with a capacity of up to eight people per cabin and it has an approximate duration of 15 minutes. Your last stop will be at an important wine lodge, where a sample of the famous Madeira wine will be offered.

OVERVIEW

Follow a natural trail around Godley Head, an incredibly scenic wild landscape at the entrance to Lyttleton harbor. The terrain will vary throughout, starting with open farmland with views of the deep-blue Pacific in one direction and the Southern Alps in another. High above the seaside cliffs, you will pause at the observation deck on Scott’s Cabin, a historical landmark with ties to explorer Robert Falcon Scott’s failed Antarctic expedition in the early 1900s. You will pass a WWII-era coastal defense battery before descending to Boulder Bay, a beautiful cove dotted with rustic cottages known as baches. Following a delightful break for tea, you will continue to an area that offers spectacular views of the harbor, Pegasus Bay and the volcanically formed Banks Peninsula. Throughout the walk, the guide will point out and describe the headland’s flora and fauna, which will likely include nesting white-flippered penguins, a species only found in the Canterbury region. On your way back to the port enjoy travelling through the historic Lyttleton Tunnel.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk along the mostly coastal trail that winds through Godley Head.
• Gaze out over a gorgeous landscape of seaside cliffs and open farmland.
• Pass a World War II defensive battery decorated with local artwork.
• Enjoy local snacks overlooking the sea at a cabin associated with an Antarctic expedition.
• Hear fascinating commentary about the headland’s indigenous flora and fauna.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Behold the natural beauty of the surrounding area from a unique water perspective while cruising the waters off Hobart. It will be an exhilarating experience as you will cruise on a state-of-the-art Rigid Inflatable Boat, which unlike most RIBs features enclosed cabins with leather seating and expansive windows. There is also abundant space out on deck if you prefer to view the coastline in the fresh sea air. As you travel down the Derwent River and on into Storm Bay, you will see luxurious residences dotting Battery Point and landmarks such as the Iron Pot Lighthouse, which convicts constructed in 1832. The peak looming in the distance is Mount Wellington, which is also known by its Aboriginal name – Kunanyi. Circling the natural reserve of Betsey Island will be another highlight as it is a haven for seabirds such as gulls, cormorants and white-bellied sea eagles, the second-largest bird of prey Down Under.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise the island-dotted waters off Hobart in a remarkably modern Rigid Inflatable Boat.
• Observe the landmarks while out on deck or from the comfort of the enclosed cabins.
• See affluent residential areas, a historical lighthouse and Mount Wellington in the distance.
• Look for a variety of seabirds while cruising off Betsey Island, a natural reserve.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Sail on a sleek catamaran to beautiful Kealakekua Bay and snorkel its sheltered waters, which are teeming with colorful marine life. The bay lies off the western shore and holds the Big Island’s only underwater state park, a marine sanctuary renowned for the clarity of its waters. The cruise will be immensely pleasurable as the 50-foot catamaran offers plenty of room to stretch out in the sun and relax in the shaded but open-air cabin. On the way, you will enjoy a light lunch of turkey with Havarti on Hawaiian rolls, served with pasta salad and chips. Hear about the island’s history, especially while passing the spot where legendary British explorer Captain James Cook was killed in 1779. Still, the underwater wonders are the star attractions, including marine life found nowhere else in Hawaii such as lizardfish and flame angelfish, a flashy species often seen grazing on coral reef algae. Feel free to enjoy the open bar on the return cruise.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise to Kealakekua Bay on a 50-foot catamaran with spacious sunny and shaded areas.
• Snorkel the bay’s crystal-clear waters, which are teeming with brightly colored marine life.
• Look for species of fish not found anywhere else in Hawaii.
• Enjoy a picnic style lunch and an open bar onboard.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a towel and reef safe sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Cruise to the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula in a spacious semi-submersible that offers panoramic views from the open deck and through large windows in the climate-controlled cabin just a few feet below the surface. Along the way, you will pass Neptune’s Finger, a thin rock formation that rises straight up out of the sea. The sights will be equally spectacular underwater as the rock attracts all sorts of colorful tropical fish. Before long you will reach Land’s End, the peninsula’s appropriately named terminus. Its dramatically rocky landscape is so photogenic that it has become a Cabo San Lucas icon, especially the huge arch that the sea and wind have carved out of the granite at Land’s End. The only inhabitants are sea lions, which you can expect to see frolicking on shore and swimming in the sea. An open bar and nachos on board will enhance the experience.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise in a semi-submersible to the iconic rocky arch at the end of the Baja Peninsula.
• Watch frolicking sea lions from the vessel’s open deck and enjoy the panoramic views.
• Observe the marine life underwater through the windows below the water’s surface.
• Snack on nachos while enjoying the open bar.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Join your captain and crew on a cruise through the waters surrounding the naturally beautiful islands around Ketchikan. Once onboard, relax inside the heated main cabin or out on the observation deck, as you prepare for your first sighting of the iconic American bald eagle Along the way, you will be treated to panoramic views of the historic lighthouse on Guard Island and the Tlingit and Haida hand-carved totem poles and clan house at Totem Bight State Park. You will also witness a diversity of ecosystems as you cruise past coastal residential areas on Revillagigedo Island and along the undeveloped shoreline of Gravina Island, much of which is blanketed by the Tongass National Forest, our world’s largest temperate rainforest. Wildlife is abundant, so keep an eye out for not just bald eagles, but harbor seals, sea lions, seabirds, and whales. While taking in the scenery, enjoy a hot chocolate, freshly brewed coffee, or soda of your choice alongside a snack sampler plate of Alaskan specialties, including a traditional alder-smoked salmon.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Admire Alaska’s natural beauty while cruising to and from Guard Island.
• Relax in the boat’s heated main cabin or out on the observation deck.
• See the colorful, carved Tlingit and Haida totem poles at Totem Bight State Park.
• Look for wildlife such as bald eagles, harbor seals and humpback or orca whales.

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