SHORE EXCURSIONS

OVERVIEW

The adventure begins even before you hit the trail. Your local guide will share stories of the people and history of Ketchikan on the 15-minute drive from your ship to our secluded and challenging hiking trail. Once you’ve arrived in the trailhead, your guide will lead you on a lush, 2-mile rainforest trail. As you begin your hike, listen closely as your guide gives you an overview of all the flora and fauna surrounding you. Take a deep breath and let the pure mountain air envelop you as you admire the giant cedar, hemlock and spruce trees tower overhead. Salmonberry, blueberry, and huckleberry bushes abound for a delicious understory. Make sure you keep an eye out for bears year-round as they are occasionally spotted nearby. After your hike, you can relax at Ketchikan's popular bar and indulge in a well-earned local brew, draft beer, soda or coffee. This is the perfect place to chat with locals and nature-loving travelers alike. A short van ride takes you back to your cruise ship pier.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a challenging yet invigorating two-mile hike through Tongass National Forest.
• Hear enlightening commentary about the indigenous wildlife and flora.
• Quench your thirst with a beer or a different cool beverage at a pub.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Drive a specially designed off-road adventure kart through a private rainforest preserve in the rugged Alaskan wilderness. After an orientation briefing, you will gear up for a 90-minute guided trek along winding mountain trails and off road. With the guide leading the way, your caravan of adventure karts will set off into the rainforest. A comfortable pace will be maintained as you thread your way around steep curves, climbing to a height that will present unparalleled views of the Tongass National Forest, Behm Canal and the Inside Passage. Stops will be made along the way to soak up the grandeur and natural beauty. Drivers and passengers will have the opportunity to switch positions. Be sure to watch for wildlife the entire time, as eagles, deer and bears are frequently sighted.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive an off-road Polaris RZR through a private rainforest preserve.
• Pause at overlooks to marvel at the incredible scenery.
• Watch for wildlife such as eagles and deer.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Look for wildlife while cruising through the sparkling waters just north of Ketchikan and experience exciting stories told by Alaskans as they share local culture, animal encounters and tall tales, all set to music with exciting sound effects. You will cruise onboard a Bentz boat designed for wildlife viewing as it features a comfortable enclosed cabin and luxury seating. The cold pristine waters are teeming with marine life, and there is no greater thrill than watching a whale breach the water’s surface while feeding. You may also spot seals and sea lions, usually along the coast. Be sure to keep an eye out for bald eagles soaring overhead and perhaps swooping down to pluck an unsuspecting fish from the sea. High quality headphones will enable you to immerse yourself as you listen to tales from Alaskans reflecting on their lifestyle, describing their personal encounters with the local wildlife, and gripping adventures. Sound effects and music will make those stories come to life.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise through the pristine waters of the Pacific Ocean in a boat that is ideal for viewing wildlife.
• Look for whales breaching the water’s surface and seals and sea lions along the coast.
• Watch for bald eagles, which often swoop down to catch fish in their talons.
• Put on the provided headphones to hear Alaskans describe their experiences in the wild.
• Hear outrageous tales and personal stories enhanced with music and sound effects.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Cruise through spectacularly scenic Neets Bay to a bear observatory where you can watch these magnificent animals in their natural habitat. Tongass, the largest national forest in America, blankets the shores of the bay, making for an extraordinary setting. Few places are so wild and pristine, which is why wildlife thrives throughout the area. While cruising the typically calm bay, you may spot whales, sea lions and bald eagles, all of which are prevalent there. Even so, the highlight will surely be the opportunity to observe bears as they feast on spawning salmon. Enjoy a short walk through the rainforest as you keep an eye out for bears. The end of the trail will bring you to the viewing platform, an excellent spot to see bears catching and eating large salmon along the stream. It can be quite the show, especially if the bears are leaning over the water with their mouths open, just waiting for salmon to unknowingly leap within easy reach.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Look for bears along a stream where they typically come to fatten up on spawning salmon.
• Enjoy the rare opportunity to observe animals in their natural habitats, undisturbed by humans.
• Watch for whales, sea lions and bald eagles as you cruise through Neets Bay to the bear locale.
• Admire the gorgeous setting of Tongass National Forest, the largest such forest in America.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Paddle a canoe across a mountain lake and learn about the native flora and fauna while dining on an Alaskan-style snack. Following a short but picturesque drive to the lake, you will board a large, 37-foot canoe patterned after those used by Alaska’s indigenous people. Each canoe holds 20 people and is designed for stability and maneuverability. The guide will point out wildlife along the way and elaborate on the most fascinating aspects of the various species that thrive in the surrounding Tongass National Forest. You will also learn about the peoples that first settled this part of Alaska while pausing lakeside for a snack.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Canoe through the waters of a mountain lake.
• Behold some of Alaska’s most stunning scenery.
• Learn about the native flora and fauna.
• Dine lakeside on Alaskan-style snacks.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Envision the thrill of gliding through the top of a rich rainforest canopy along a series of nine ziplines and a cable suspended bridge between tall spruce, hemlock and cedar trees, all bordering the magnificent Tongass National Forest. This eco-adventure combines the rainforest canopy with a flight over nine ziplines and 2400 feet of high-tension cables guaranteed to thrill all. At Herring Cove, an all-terrain custom 4x4 Unimog will transport you up a steep rain forest hillside to the canopy chalet. Professionally trained guides will outfit you with the state-of-the-art safety equipment and provide a detailed orientation before you mount the first platform. Your rain forest canopy challenge features a ‘flight’ over nine zip-lines. Your guide will progressively ease you into the forest canopy along cables ranging from a short 100 feet up to 750 feet. Eagles and bears are often seen from the platforms. Cross a hanging bridge offering breathtaking views of the forest below. You will be up to 135 feet above the forest floor. Throughout this adventure, you are surrounded by the sights and sounds of the rain forest wildlife preserve. The final zip-line emerges from the rain forest and transports you over lush grassy wetlands to a viewing tower, 55 feet above where you will rappel to the ground. Time permitting, grab a freshly brewed coffee or a cold Alaskan beer and explore our Tsimshian totem park, see a master carver working, check out our historic sawmill and watch our local blacksmiths at work. Stop by the General Store to see photos taken during your zip-line experience and to shop for mementos of your Alaska adventure. Your excursion concludes with a scenic drive back to the ship.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Envision the thrill of gliding through the top of a rich rainforest canopy.
• Explore our Tsimshian totem park.
• Scenic drive back to the ship.

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.

OVERVIEW

Want to learn about a place? Drink with the locals! This fun and informative walking tour is sure to please anyone who wishes to immerse themselves in the culture of Alaska’s First City. You will embark on your pub crawl with a true Ketchikan local who will share the colorful history of days gone by through infamous stories and vintage photographs. At each of the 3 pubs you will enjoy your choice between some of the bars highest selling drinks and meet genuine characters who make Ketchikan unique. Belly up to the bar and get a real sense of what life is like in this unique rainforest town.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk to three of Ketchikan’s liveliest pubs for drinks.
• Interact with the locals at the pubs for an authentic feel of the lifestyle in Ketchikan.
• Hear stories that earned Ketchikan the title of Alaska’s Wickedest City during Prohibition.

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.

Join this bear-viewing opportunity, which is accessible by road. You'll begin with a narrated eight-mile coastal drive to the forested area of Herring Cove located within the Alaska Rain Forest Sanctuary. Meet your guide and set out on a walking expedition to locate some of the black bears that call this area home. You will pass through tall stands of hemlock, spruce and cedar as you explore the sanctuary. An elevated boardwalk trail leads you to private viewing platforms overlooking Herring Creek, where bears often come to fish for salmon in the stream. The nearby Whitman Hatchery ensures that the river is teeming with salmon every summer. Typically, large numbers of black bears gather here to feed on these huge runs of salmon that are returning to spawn in the stream. Bald eagles perch in the trees, waiting patiently for scraps left by the bears. Mink and marten often frequent the area, and seals often hang out near the mouth of the stream feeding on the bountiful fish runs. You will have ample time to observe the wildlife activity. Walk through the historic Herring Bay Lumber Company sawmill established by legendary pioneer Ben Fleenor. Transportation to and from the sanctuary is by motorcoach.

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

You’ll spend the day in a state-of-the art fishing vessel with a seasoned guide who will bring you to the fishing grounds Alaskans have been returning to generation after generation. No matter your skill level, you will fish like a local, working the sandy flats or sea floor pinnacles with your rod in hand, drifting with the current and jigging in waters as deep as 300 feet. Species availability changes throughout the season, and daily factors such as tides and wind affect your fishing opportunities. This multi-species Alaskan fishing expedition allows you to head out with the confidence that you will catch fish. Down there in the twilight of the deep, rockfish, cod, flounder, sharks, skates and mighty halibut find their way to your bait. No matter what the conditions or the catch, this trip offers the best chance of exposing you to the strange and alien species found on the Southeast Alaskan deep-sea floor.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Fish in protected, relatively remote waters away from other anglers.
• Use the crew’s advice and fishing tips to increase your chances for landing a big fish.
• Watch for breaching whales, seals and eagles when cruising to and from the fishing grounds.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress warmly in layered clothing and light rain gear.
• Wear flat comfortable shoes with non-slip soles.