ATV Expedition
Icy Strait Point, Alaska
Duration 2 1/2 hrs
- Adult from: $309.00 USD
- Child from: $289.00 USD
From | Message | Reservation # | Date | |
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Norwegian Communications Center | Norwegian Communications Center Don’t Lose Your Reservation! | 25422881 | Apr 1, 2014 | |
Norwegian Communications Center | Norwegian Communications Center Reserve your dining now | 25422881 | Apr 1, 2014 | |
Norwegian Communications Center | Norwegian Communications Center Don’t Lose Your Reservation! | 25422881 | Apr 1, 2014 | |
Norwegian Communications Center | Norwegian Communications Center Don’t Lose Your Reservation! | 25422881 | Apr 1, 2014 |
*Terms & Conditions
Package not available on sailings less than 5 days or charter sailings.
Duration 2 1/2 hrs
There is no better way to experience Alaska’s rugged terrain than by driving an ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) through the forests and mountains on Chichagof Island. Following a short orientation on how best to operate an ATV in the Alaskan wilderness, you will set off on your outdoor adventure. The entire island (America’s fifth largest) lies within the limits of the 17-million-acre Tongass National Forest, which has the distinction of being America’s largest national forest. The terrain ranges from seaside estuaries to alpine mountain peaks, and you will have plenty of chances to stop and view the gorgeous scenery. With its remote location and limited accessibility, Chichagof is home to some of the animals most often associated with Alaska. In fact, the island has the world’s largest brown bear population, estimated to be three bears per square mile. You might also see bald eagles soaring above, land otters, Sitka black-tail deer and red squirrels.
Duration 2 1/2 hrs
Spend hours exploring the wilds and roads less traveled on Chichagof Island in a Jeep Wrangler designed for outdoor adventure. You will travel along old logging roads that were built to harvest valuable timber such as hemlock, spruce and cedar trees. The route will cut through some of the most spectacular, undeveloped countryside in Alaska. The fifth largest island in the United States, Chichagof lies within the limits of the 17-million-acre Tongass National Forest, America’s largest national forest. The terrain ranges from seaside estuaries to alpine mountain peaks, and you will have plenty of chances to stop and view the gorgeous scenery. With its remote location and limited accessibility, Chichagof is home to some of the animals most often associated with Alaska, including the world’s largest brown bear population, estimated to be three bears per square mile. You might also see bald eagles soaring above, land otters, Sitka black-tail deer and red squirrels.
Duration 3 1/2 hrs
Explore the avian diversity of Hoonah’s lush temperate rainforest and its surrounding tidal waters with a local expert. Your guide will show you the best places to look for birds such as ducks, gulls and bald eagles, starting with the Port Frederick area. Because the waters are nutrient-rich, seabirds flock here to feed. The nearby ferry terminal is a favorite place for pigeon guillemots, one of the most common diving seabirds in southeast Alaska. A brief stop at an active bald eagle’s nest will reveal how this easy-to-recognize bird of prey lives. More excellent chances to spot birds, especially cormorants, await you along the Long Island causeway. Then, your guide will lead your small group down a forest trail and through grasslands to observe passerines, the huge order of songbirds that includes sparrows, warblers and flycatchers. The feisty rufous hummingbird is also found here, when not following the largest migration route of any American hummingbird.
Duration 3 1/2 hrs
Go fishing for halibut in Icy Strait, where these giant flatfish are voraciously feeding throughout the summer. Meeting at the dock, you will embark your comfortable cabin cruiser and receive a safety orientation before taking the 20–30-minute ride out to the premier fishing area in Icy Strait. These waters are teeming with halibut as they serve as the main migration corridor for halibut traveling from the Pacific to their summer feeding grounds and spawning streams in southeast Alaska. The largest Pacific flatfish, Alaskan halibut are renowned for their mammoth size. The former state record halibut-a 440-pound whopper-was landed near Hoonah, so catching a 100-pounder in Icy Strait isn't unusual. Imagine the thrill of hooking one of these monster fish and reeling it in from the depths. It's an amazing experience because halibut are longer than most flatfishes with a width one third of their length, so that husky girth produces a lot of resistance. You will spend approximately 2.5 hours on the water, fishing with bait that may include herring, salmon and octopus, which is one of the halibut's favorite meals. If you catch one, you'll notice that halibut has smooth scales, a light-colored bottom side and a darker top. The colors are a natural camouflage that mimics the hues of the ocean floor and water. Not only are these waters home to halibut, but they are also filled with whales, sea lion, and seals so come prepared with your camera and binoculars. At the conclusion of your fishing time, you will head back to the pier where your tour concludes.
Duration 1 1/2 hrs
Hoonah is a lively fishing community, an old logging town and the world’s largest Tlingit village. Your guide will describe how this coastal community came in existence when the rapid glacial advance of the Little Ice Age forced the clans from their ancestral home in Glacier Bay. You will learn the feats of local fisherman, what it’s like to drive on the Alaska Marine Highway, and how the people rebuilt when the village was destroyed by fire during WWII. Upon your return to Icy Strait Point you will gather at the Heritage Center Native Theater for the Tribal Dance and Cultural Legends performance where you will be thoroughly entertained and educated through song, dance, and storytelling. You will be invited to dance with our Tlingit family on stage and will also have an opportunity to have your photo taken with one of the performers.
lessDuration 2 1/2 hrs
Your guide will meet you at the Kayak Center to escort you to the staging area for an orientation and safety instruction. The protected waters of Port Frederick are yours to explore as you set off from the beach at Icy Strait Point in your two person wilderness sea kayak. Led by your safety certified, local guide, you'll paddle along the Hoonah waterfront enroute to quieter waters where bald eagles are often seen. Keep your eyes open and your spirit of adventure high throughout this 2 1/2 hour tour as humpback whales have been known to feed along the very same route you'll be paddling.
Duration 1 1/2 hrs
Learn hands-on how to prepare and grill locally caught seafood and then savor the feast that you have masterfully created. This one-of-a-kind culinary class isn’t just educational and entertaining; it’s immensely satisfying to the palate, as you will dine on the specialties that you have grilled. First, you will learn how to prepare the dishes, using the preferred methods of filleting fish and adding seasonings that bring out the full flavors. Depending on the recipe, you may use freshly picked herbs or traditional sauces concocted from local ingredients. After the dishes are prepared, they will be grilled over alder wood, which imparts a unique smoked flavoring because of the natural sugars stored in the wood. Your mouth will surely be watering as the seafood is expertly grilled. Then comes the moment you have been waiting for: feasting on the grilled bounty of the sea; a delicious meal you now know how to recreate at home.
Duration 1 1/2 hrs
Ride a state-of-the-art window-walled gondola to the top of Hoonah Mountain and then board an open-air tram for an inspiring ride through an old-growth forest. The views will be spectacular in every direction as you ascend the mountain, which rises more than a quarter mile above the sea. The wheeled tram will offer a closer look at the natural world as it winds through the woods for about six miles. The towering stands of Sitka spruce and western hemlock are a wonder to behold. The significance of the forest becomes even clearer as your guide describes the delicate balance of its biodiversity and fascinating geology. Wildlife is abundant and it’s not uncommon to spot Sitka black-tailed deer and bald eagles. You will also enjoy sweeping views of the Port Frederick Inlet, Spasski River Valley, glacially carved reflecting ponds and beautiful bogs known as muskegs.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Take in the breathtaking views while riding an aerial gondola up Hoonah Mountain.
• Ride an open-air tram through a dense forest while the guide describes the flora and fauna.
• Look for wildlife such as Sitka black-tailed deer and bald eagles.
HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.
Duration 2 hrs
Look for wildlife while zipping along the rugged coastline in an open-air, high-speed boat. You will ride in a Rigid Hull Inflatable vessel that is 27 feet long and designed to race through the sea with maximum maneuverability. The exact route will depend on the weather conditions, but you can expect to enjoy close-up views of tidal flats and land animals such as brown bears and Sitka black-tailed deer. The seas here are also teeming with iconic Alaskan animals. You may spot humpback whales breaching the water’s surface, pods of orcas, frolicking sea otters and sleek seals. Be sure to look up, as bald eagles and puffins also make their homes in the area. Along the way, the captain will throttle back and elaborate on the importance of the waterways to the native Tlingit, many of whom still follow a traditional lifestyle around Icy Strait Point.
lessDuration 1 1/2 hrs
Ride the world’s largest and longest zip-line high above the treetops and down a mountain at hair-raising speeds. This exhilarating adventure on the ZipRider is for the thrill-seeker, not the faint-hearted. Available to virtually everyone, your fun starts with a mesmerizing ascent on the Mountain Top Gondola. You will find the views of Icy Strait, your ship, and maybe even a glimpse of the Glacier Bay National Park breathtaking. Upon reaching the staging area at 1,300 feet above sea level, the real thrill begins as you are strapped into the harness seat and step off the zip-line platform into thin air. Traveling at speeds up to 60 miles per hour, you will zoom along over the dense forest. As you look down, the scenery will zip by. The ride is more than a mile long with a plummeting vertical drop. It is just like flying but without the airplane. As you approach the landing zone on the beach, the ZipRider will automatically brake, easing you onto the soft sand. Incudes unlimited Gondola rides!
Duration 1 hr
Watch a traditional tribal performance that reflects the long and fascinating history of the Tlingits as a prelude to a feast of fresh seafood and other classic Alaskan dishes. After departing from the pier, you will soon arrive at the Native Heritage Center Theater to watch the local Tlingits perform an inspiring tribal interpretation. The Tlingits have lived in this part of southeastern Alaska for thousands of years and their traditions run deep. They express them beautifully through interpretive songs and storytelling. The performers will be dressed in full regalia, including masks and headdresses. The entertainers will share their history from the time when advancing glaciers forced them out of their original homeland in Glacier Bay. They called their new settlement Hoonah, a word that means “where the north wind doesn’t blow.” With their rich history of harvesting resources from the sea and land, the Tlingit have always had great respect for the environment. Many of their performances express the significance of indigenous animals such as the raven, seal and eagle. Others tell of the tribe’s struggles with the harsh environment and poignant social issues. Following the performance, you will dine on a sumptuous meal of classic Alaskan dishes. The menu will include seasonal shrimp and crabs, Andouille sausage and all sorts of sides. Afterwards, you can make s’mores around the campfire. This is a set menu and accommodations cannot be made for special diets.
Duration 1 hr
OVERVIEW
Savor a sumptuous meal of Alaskan favorites while enjoying spectacular views from the waterfront. Icy Strait Point was first developed in 1912 around a salmon cannery that operated until the fire of 1944 destroyed nearby Hoonah. The cannery was eventually converted into a support facility for the area’s fishing fleet, which thrives today. All the seafood for your feast will have been located caught in the deep cold waters off Icy Strait Point, so you can be sure that it will be fresh and flavorful. The menu includes shrimp and crab, which depending on the season may be king crab, which is prized for its sweet meat. The seafood is traditionally boiled in Southern seasoning, a preparation that really enhances the flavor. Other specialties include Andouille sausage – which has a sharper, smokier taste and a chunkier texture than most other sausages. For dessert, head for the campfire to roast marshmallows and make s’mores.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Feast on a classic Alaskan seafood lunch that includes shrimp and seasonal crab.
• Enjoy an array of side dishes made with locally sourced ingredients.
• Roast marshmallows and make s’mores around the campfire.
HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.
*Prices vary by ship and sail date. See Terms & Conditions
NCL makes arrangements for Guests for shore excursions solely for the convenience of the Guest; NCL does not act on behalf of or supervise the parties or persons who own, furnish, or operate such excursions, and the same are provided by independent contractors. NCL assumes no responsibility for, nor guarantees the performance of, any such excursion provider, and Guests acknowledge that NCL shall not be liable for losses or injuries arising from the acts or omissions of such provider.
Participation in activities and excursions may involve physical exertion, and may be potentially hazardous or dangerous. It is the responsibility of each individual to determine whether you are capable of engaging in any activity. Participation in any activity or excursion is at your own risk.
Photographs are for illustration purposes only used to represent the excursion experience and may not accurately depict the excursion, location, or activity indicated.
Our group shore excursions are offered in English. Depending on the booking situation, various excursions are also offered in German, Spanish, French, Italian or Russian (minimum number of 30 participants). The tours offered may vary from cruise to cruise. Please see the detailed information for your shore excursion on board.