Alaska’s Inside Passage – Where the Mountains Meet the Sea

Embarkation in Whittier

Your voyage begins in charming Whittier, a small, picturesque fishing town of just a few hundred residents, nestled between towering mountains and the deep blue waters of Prince William Sound.

Surrounded by dramatic glaciers, cascading waterfalls, and lush temperate rainforests, it serves as a gateway to the sound – a haven for kayakers, photographers, and adventurers drawn to its pristine fjords and abundant wildlife.

Once you board MS Roald Amundsen, settle in and take your time to get to know the ship before listening to the safety briefing. Your adventure is underway!

To get the most out of your stay, we recommend joining our optional Pre-Programme.

Get ready to experience nature's raw power

Today is a day all about glaciers. Prince William Sound is home to 150 of these amazing rivers of ice, including 17 incredible tidewater glaciers. Your captain will choose the best location for the day based on the conditions.

We'll get as close to the glaciers as we safely can, taking our small expedition boats into the fjord or even exploring by kayak if conditions permit. From the water, you might catch sight of humpback whales, bald eagles, otters, and harbor seals, all of which inhabit this icy wilderness.

Spot wildlife in these glacier-fed waters

Today is an exploration day in Icy Bay. Three glaciers – Guyot, Yahtse and Tyndall – each feed ice into the bay's waters to give it its name. If conditions allow, you'll explore in our small expedition boats or by kayak, immersing you in the remarkable beauty of this icy landscape.  

From Icy Bay, you can admire striking, jagged Mt. St Elias. Known for its steep vertical relief, it is the second tallest peak in the US and third tallest in the US and Canada at over 18,000 ft. 

In the Gulf of Alaska, we'll scout for humpback whales, orcas, sea otters and harbour seals which are often seen in these waters. 

Embrace the thrill of wild Alaska

Today is another day of exploration as we sail into Icy Strait and take a closer look at some of the islands and islets. As ever – we will gauge the weather and other conditions to decide upon the best location.  

Using our expedition boats, we may get close to some of the rocky shores here, and it's possible we may land and take a nature walk. The coast in this region grows more rugged the closer we get to the open sea, and there are rocky pinnacles and sea caves galore.  

In the evening, well pass by Point Adolphus, which is located on the northern tip of Chichagof Island, across from Glacier Bay National Park. The nutrient-rich waters are known for attracting humpback whales and other marine life, so be sure to get out on deck and have your camera ready.

Discover a flourishing artistic heritage

Near the head of the Lynn Canal lies the frontier town of Haines, which was originally home to the Chilkat Łingít people. They are renowned for their weaving skills, with mountain goat fur and cedar bark woven into intricate designs, and you'll see excellent examples of their work here. 

Haines has a flourishing art scene, with galleries and workshops showcasing totem carvings, silverwork, and sculptures. Taking home some Alaskan arts and crafts is a great way to support local creators. The beautiful landscapes here are also ideal for hiking and wildlife spotting.

Witness ancient forests and abundant wildlife

Explore Alaska in true expedition style on today's exploration day in Lynn Canal, a magical corner of the Inside Passage. This is an area where old-growth forest dominates, meaning there's abundant wildlife and a spine-tingling feeling of wild nature.  

Conditions permitting, we'll take to the water in our small expedition boats and seek out secluded coves and thickly forested shorelines. Try and catch a glimpse of some of Alaska's most iconic wildlife, including bears, Bald Eagles, Sitka black-tailed deer, and moose. If it's safe to do so, we might land and explore the shore. 

See the lesser-known gems of Holkham Bay

Holkham Bay is home to two beautiful fjords: Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm. Our aim is to visit either of the two, depending on the changing ice conditions. The captain will decide which offers better exploration options on the day, but in either case, we can expect jaw-dropping scenery and bountiful opportunities for spotting wildlife.  

At the end of each fjord, fresh icebergs calve from the glaciers against a stunning backdrop of rocky cliffs. This area is a breeding ground for harbor seals, who are often seen on the floating ice. You might also see whales, bears, and even mountain goats, so keep your camera at the ready.

Embrace the thrill of wild Alaska

Today is an exploration day, so the Captain and Expedition Team will use their expertise to choose the best destination. End your day looking out for whales in the pristine waters of Frederick Sound.

We might take to the water in our expedition boats and investigate the secluded coves and forested shorelines of the 150-mile-long Chatham Strait, or perhaps opportunities for kayaking will present themselves if the conditions are right. Wherever we explore, keep a lookout for wildlife as Bald Eagles, bears and humpback whales can be spotted in this region.

Discover Klawock's Native heritage

Today we visit Klawock, which is beautifully situated on the western shore of Prince of Wales Island. The small town has a population of around 700 and is known for its array of totem poles.

A center for Łingít culture, the island's original name was “Taan,” meaning sea lion. At the Totem Park you'll see 21 exquisitely carved examples, some of them replicas of the originals that stood in the winter village of Tuxecan.

Revel in a wilderness where wildlife thrives

  Part of the Tongass National Forest, Misty Fjords is a pristine wilderness of evergreen trees, roaring waterfalls, and snowcapped peaks. The revered naturalist John Muir described the area as one of the most beautiful places he'd ever seen.  

Weather permitting, you'll join the Expedition Team to tour Misty Fjords in our small expedition boats, or you'll explore in a kayak. 

Misty Fjords is rich in wildlife. As we explore, scan the shores and forests for black and brown bears, as well as moose. These waters are home to Pacific salmon, otters, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, orcas, and Dall's porpoises. Skyward, you might spot herons and bald eagles.

See sublime scenery as we sail the Inside Passage

The Inside Passage coastal route takes us through the great North American Pacific Fjordland, a protected stretch of water over 930 miles long.

Our smaller expedition ship allows us to reach areas that larger vessels can't, meaning you'll get to explore lesser-traveled channels with breathtaking scenery. Keep your cameras and binoculars at the ready to catch sight of whales, including humpback, fin, minke and perhaps even orca. In Princess Royal Channel, keep a lookout for the elusive Kermode bear.

Receive a warm welcome in Kwakwaka'wakw

We'll arrive at Alert Bay, a scenic village on Cormorant Island, north of Vancouver Island. Here we'll have the opportunity to meet and learn from the Kwakwaka'wakw First Nations community—to be welcomed by them is a real privilege.  

At the U'mista Cultural Center, you'll see elaborate totem poles, paintings, carvings, ceremonial masks, and other meaningful artifacts 

The island's sheltered waters attract a huge array of wildlife; the yellow-billed loon, with its distinctive speckled back, is a particular highlight. Keep an eye out for orcas and humpback whales close to shore.

Disembark in British Columbia's iconic city

Your expedition ends in Vancouver, a beautiful city at the foot of the Rockies. Wander Gastown, Vancouver's Victorian quarter or walk around beautiful Stanley Park, which offers a view of the city and a glimpse of the stunning nature you'll see on the voyage. 

Vancouver has a flavor all its own—and so does its global cuisine. Before your onward journey, we recommend you dine out in Chinatown, Punjabi Market or Little Italy for a taste of the city's buzzing atmosphere.