Three whales breach the water surface of Alaska with their dorsal fins as a deep orange fiery sunset illuminates the sky beyond them.
Two spotted seals lay on a giant white ice berg floating in the waters of Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park.
Shoreline spit of pebbles with shallow, calm water on either side, green hillside in the background and partly blue sky above, seen during a Gulf of Alaska cruise.
A totem pole stands in the dense green forest, seen during a Gulf of Alaska cruise.
A pair of tandem kayakers paddles up to an icy blue iceberg bit during the Glacier Bay Outer Coast Expedition.
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North America Alaska Cruise

Glacier Bay & Outer Coast Expedition

The 6-day Glacier Bay & Outer Coast Expedition is one of the most northern-reaching small ship cruises available in Alaska, combining the Inside Passage and the Gulf of Alaska. Explore the often unseen exterior of Alaska’s famed Inside Passage in this unique outer-shore route. Offshore exploration is facilitated by kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and shallow water expedition craft. These onboard adventure craft are a great way to spot sea otters and whales and they accommodate a variety of activity levels. Exploration by foot includes hikes through enchanted forest, guided walks through fascinating small towns, a visit to a boardwalk “road” and more.

Highlights on this Inside Passage and Gulf of Alaska cruise include a day visit to Glacier Bay National Park, with time to seek out bears, mountain goats and bald eagles; any time in Glacier Bay National Park is a highlight for visitors of all ages and thus why this trip sits on our list of Alaska family cruises. A visit to Lituya Bay offers a look into a famous Alaska earthquake tale, and an uncommon stop on a small ship Alaska cruise. And glacier viewing from the ship as it cruises southeast Alaska is a constant delight, including the Hubbard Glacier—the largest tidewater glacier in North America.

Home base is the 12-guest Alaska small ship Kruzof Explorer. This former Bering Sea crab fishing boat, constructed to have one of the toughest hulls on the planet, capably explores Alaska’s remote areas and rugged outer coast. The Kruzof Explorer offers luxury Alaska cruises and is an ideal ship for private Alaska yacht charters due to her small size.

Read on for details about this trip, or learn more about AdventureSmith’s Alaska trips, small ship Alaska cruise options and Glacier Bay cruise and Inside Passage cruise itineraries.



Itinerary

Glacier Bay & Outer Coast Expedition Itinerary

The main 6-day Glacier Bay & Outer Coast Expedition travels northbound from Sitka to Yakutat, with uncommon visits to Pelican, Lituya Bay and the largest tidewater glacier in North America—the Hubbard Glacier.

Route map of Alaska small ship cruises between Metlakatla and Yakutat, with markers on Pelican, Glacier Bay National Park, Lituya Bay, Disenchantment Bay, Hubbard Glacier, Skagway, Haines, Auke Bay, Juneau, Hoonah, Orca Point Lodge, Angoon, Fin Island Lodge, Sitka, Baranof Warm Springs, Kake, Petersburg, Wrangell, Klawock, Thorne Bay, Kasaan & Ketchikan.
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Day 1
Embark Sitka, Alaska

Explore beautiful Sitka, the only community in Southeast Alaska that faces the open ocean waters of the Gulf of Alaska. Visit fascinating sites that highlight the community’s rich Alaska Native and Russian history on an exclusive tour guided by an Alaskan Dream Cruises expedition leader. Embark for the winding narrows north of town while searching for bald eagles, sea otters, bears, whales and other wildlife.

Accommodations

Kruzof Explorer

Meals

dinner

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Day 2
West Chichagof Island & Pelican

Navigate the remote west coast of Chichagof Island in the West Chichagof-Yakobi Wilderness—a stretch of Southeast Alaska that few travelers have a chance to experience. The pristine coastline is adorned by miles of stunning cliffs, narrow passages and towering rainforest. The vessel’s high-speed Zodiac and kayaks provide an opportunity for in-depth exploration of the region. In the evening, explore along the boardwalk “road” of Pelican, Alaska, during a port call to this unique and charming community in Lisianski Strait.

Accommodations

Kruzof Explorer

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Read More
Day 3
Glacier Bay National Park

Witness the awe-inspiring beauty of Glacier Bay National Park. Highlights include South Marble Island—a nesting area for puffins and myriad other birds, plus a Steller sea lion haul-out; Gloomy Knob—a dramatic rocky outcropping known to be excellent mountain goat habitat; and the mighty Margerie glacier—famous for spectacular displays of calving. During today’s park visit, keep an eye out for bears, wolves, moose, whales and more.

Accommodations

Kruzof Explorer

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Read More
Day 4
Lituya Bay

Venture through the narrow entrance of Lituya Bay for exploration by Zodiac, kayak and paddleboard. This bay has a fascinating history and is the site of one of Alaska’s most incredible tales. In 1958, a major earthquake in the area triggered a massive landslide, resulting in a mega-tsunami. The subsequent wave washed out trees and vegetation up to 1,720 feet in elevation. Astonishingly, a local fishing family safely rode the wave. After shooting skyward and looking down from the deck of their fishing vessel at the trees far below, they safely fell back to normal sea level. While exploring Lituya Bay, witness evidence of this catastrophic natural phenomenon.

Accommodations

Kruzof Explorer

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Read More
Day 5
Yakutat Bay, Disenchantment Bay & Hubbard Glacier

Sail north along Southeast Alaska’s outer coast, enjoying the beautiful sight of the Gulf of Alaska to the west and the jagged peaks of the Fairweather Range, including several glaciers, to the east. Enjoy in-depth exploration of the untouched wilderness and abundant wildlife of Yakutat and Disenchantment bays. Cruise in comfort amidst beautiful icebergs en route to close-up views of the massive Hubbard Glacierthe largest tidewater glacier in North America. On a clear day in this temperate rainforest, there may even be the opportunity to view stunning Mount St. Elias, the second tallest peak in the United States. The Malaspina Glacier, a river of ice roughly the size of the state of Rhode Island, will also be in view.

Accommodations

Kruzof Explorer

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Read More
Day 6
Disembark Yakutat, Alaska

Disembark in Yakutat, a small fishing community situated on a glacial moraine and set against an impressive mountain backdrop. Take the complimentary transfer to the airport or your hotel. Yakutat is serviced by flights through Alaska Airlines.

Accommodations

n/a

Meals

breakfast

Read More
Details
Inclusions, Terms & Notes

Included

Selected guest cabin facilities; all meals aboard the vessel or where otherwise indicated; selected shore excursions as indicated in itinerary; ground transportation to and from the vessel and airport or select Sitka and Ketchikan hotels; use of recreational equipment as indicated in itinerary; all standard onboard services.

Exclusions

Airfare to and from Alaska; pre- and post-cruise hotel accommodations; non-complimentary beer, wine or alcohol selections; discretionary gratuities to crew; travel insurance (recommended) or insurance of any kind; all taxes and port fees.

Payment & Cancellation

In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 15% of the total trip cost is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date.  Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 120 days – 50% of deposit
119 to 90 days – 100% of deposit
89 to 45 days – 50% of total trip cost
44 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost

Terms & Conditions

This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.

Arrival & Departure

The main Glacier Bay & Outer Coast Expedition begins in Sitka, Alaska (SIT), and ends in Yakutat, Alaska (YAK). We highly recommend arriving one day prior to your trip start date in case of any flight delay, cancellation or lost luggage issues. Plan flights to arrive to Sitka on day 1 in time for a 10:00am meeting with expedition leaders at the hospitality room for a city tour ahead of the 4:00pm embarkation time. Disembarkation is at 8:00am on day 6 of the main itinerary; plan flights to depart Yakutat no earlier than 10:00am.

Activities

Whether you are looking for light activity options or more challenging outdoor pursuits, the ship’s crew can tailor most any expedition to suit your skill level. Adventure activities may include whale watching, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, Zodiac excursions, land treks, glacier viewing and wildlife observation.

Room Configuration

Single supplement rates are 150% of the double occupancy rate. Single supplement rates are capacity controlled and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Third and fourth guests booking into a stateroom will receive a 15% discount after 2 full-price guests or after 1 full-price adult and 1 discounted child are booked.

Families & Children

Children (15 and under) receive 15% off double occupancy rate when sharing a cabin with 1 or 2 full fare adults. Programming is tailored for children ages 7 and up.

Travel Insurance

Protect your travel investment with insurance. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. Coverage for a pre-existing medical condition is also available if you purchase the Travel Select plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment; refer to plan details. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.

Itinerary Notes

Use the itinerary as a guide only. Itineraries may be altered due to weather, wildlife, national park regulation or at the captain’s discretion. The ability to be flexible makes this type of small ship cruising unique.

Reverse Glacier Bay & Outer Coast Expedition Itinerary

The reverse 6-day Glacier Bay & Outer Coast Expedition travels southbound from Yakutat to Sitka, with uncommon visits to Pelican, Lituya Bay and the largest tidewater glacier in North America—the Hubbard Glacier.

Route map of Alaska small ship cruises between Metlakatla and Yakutat, with markers on Pelican, Glacier Bay National Park, Lituya Bay, Disenchantment Bay, Hubbard Glacier, Skagway, Haines, Auke Bay, Juneau, Hoonah, Orca Point Lodge, Angoon, Fin Island Lodge, Sitka, Baranof Warm Springs, Kake, Petersburg, Wrangell, Klawock, Thorne Bay, Kasaan & Ketchikan.
Read More
Day 1
Embark Yakutat, Alaska

Embark in Yakutat, a small fishing community situated on a glacial moraine and set against an impressive mountain backdrop. Yakutat is serviced by flights through Alaska Airlines.

Accommodations

Kruzof Explorer

Meals

dinner

Read More
Day 2
Yakutat Bay, Disenchantment Bay & Hubbard Glacier

Sail south along Southeast Alaska’s outer coast, enjoying the beautiful sight of the Gulf of Alaska to the west and the jagged peaks of the Fairweather Range, including several glaciers, to the east. Enjoy in-depth exploration of the untouched wilderness and abundant wildlife of Yakutat and Disenchantment bays. Cruise in comfort amidst beautiful icebergs en route to close-up views of the massive Hubbard Glacierthe largest tidewater glacier in North America. On a clear day in this temperate rainforest, there may even be the opportunity to view stunning Mount St. Elias, the second tallest peak in the United States. The Malaspina Glacier, a river of ice roughly the size of the state of Rhode Island, will also be in view.

Accommodations

Kruzof Explorer

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Read More
Day 3
Lituya Bay

Venture through the narrow entrance of Lituya Bay for exploration by Zodiac, kayak and paddleboard. This bay has a fascinating history and is the site of one of Alaska’s most incredible tales. In 1958, a major earthquake in the area triggered a massive landslide, resulting in a mega-tsunami. The subsequent wave washed out trees and vegetation up to 1,720 feet in elevation. Astonishingly, a local fishing family safely rode the wave. After shooting skyward and looking down from the deck of their fishing vessel at the trees far below, they safely fell back to normal sea level. While exploring Lituya Bay, witness evidence of this catastrophic natural phenomenon.

Accommodations

Kruzof Explorer

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Read More
Day 4
Glacier Bay National Park

Witness the awe-inspiring beauty of Glacier Bay National Park. Highlights include South Marble Island—a nesting area for puffins and myriad other birds, plus a Steller sea lion haul-out; Gloomy Knob—a dramatic rocky outcropping known to be excellent mountain goat habitat; and the mighty Margerie glacier—famous for spectacular displays of calving. During today’s park visit, keep an eye out for bears, wolves, moose, whales and more.

Accommodations

Kruzof Explorer

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Read More
Day 5
Pelican & West Chichagof Island

In the morning, explore along the boardwalk “road” of Pelican, Alaska, during a port call to this unique and charming community in Lisianski Strait. Then navigate the remote west coast of Chichagof Island in the West Chichagof-Yakobi Wilderness—a stretch of Southeast Alaska that few travelers have a chance to experience. The pristine coastline is adorned by miles of stunning cliffs, narrow passages and towering rainforest. The vessel’s high-speed Zodiac and kayaks provide an opportunity for in-depth exploration of the region.

Accommodations

Kruzof Explorer

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Read More
Day 6
Disembark Sitka, Alaska

Disembark in Sitka following navigation along the winding narrows north of town, having watched for bald eagles, sea otters, bears, whales and other wildlife. Take the complimentary transfer to the airport or your hotel.

Accommodations

n/a

Meals

breakfast

Read More
Details
Inclusions, Terms & Notes

Included

Selected guest cabin facilities; all meals aboard the vessel or where otherwise indicated; selected shore excursions as indicated in itinerary; ground transportation to and from the vessel and airport or select Sitka and Ketchikan hotels; use of recreational equipment as indicated in itinerary; all standard onboard services.

Exclusions

Airfare to and from Alaska; pre- and post-cruise hotel accommodations; non-complimentary beer, wine or alcohol selections; discretionary gratuities to crew; travel insurance (recommended) or insurance of any kind; all taxes and port fees.

Payment & Cancellation

In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 15% of the total trip cost is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date.  Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 120 days – 50% of deposit
119 to 90 days – 100% of deposit
89 to 45 days – 50% of total trip cost
44 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost

Terms & Conditions

This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.

Arrival & Departure

The reverse Glacier Bay & Outer Coast Expedition begins in Yakutat, Alaska (YAK), and ends in Sitka, Alaska (SIT). We highly recommend arriving one day prior to your trip start date in case of any flight delay, cancellation or lost luggage issues. Plan flights to arrive to Yakutat on day 1 in time for a 12:00pm meeting with expedition leaders at the hospitality room ahead of the 4:00pm embarkation time. Disembarkation is at 8:00am on day 6 of the reverse itinerary; plan flights to depart Sitka no earlier than 10:00am.

Activities

Whether you are looking for light activity options or more challenging outdoor pursuits, the ship’s crew can tailor most any expedition to suit your skill level. Adventure activities may include whale watching, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, Zodiac excursions, land treks, glacier viewing and wildlife observation.

Room Configuration

Single supplement rates are 150% of the double occupancy rate. Single supplement rates are capacity controlled and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Third and fourth guests booking into a stateroom will receive a 15% discount after 2 full-price guests or after 1 full-price adult and 1 discounted child are booked.

Families & Children

Children (15 and under) receive 15% off double occupancy rate when sharing a cabin with 1 or 2 full fare adults. Programming is tailored for children ages 7 and up.

Travel Insurance

Protect your travel investment with insurance. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. Coverage for a pre-existing medical condition is also available if you purchase the Travel Select plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment; refer to plan details. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.

Itinerary Notes

Use the itinerary as a guide only. Itineraries may be altered due to weather, wildlife, national park regulation or at the captain’s discretion. The ability to be flexible makes this type of small ship cruising unique.

Rates & Dates

Cruise Rates & Dates

Jul 02 - Jul 07, 2023
Kruzof Explorer • 6 days
From $6095USD
Per Person
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Jul 07 - Jul 12, 2023
Kruzof Explorer • 6 days
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From $6095USD
Per Person
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Accommodation

Learn About the Small Ship on Your Itinerary

Yacht
Kruzof Explorer

The 12-guest Kruzof Explorer, a former Bering Sea crab fishing boat, has been refurbished into a premier small ship Alaska cruiser, ready for charter to bring groups into the remote Alaska wilderness.

Deal

Current Deals on This Trip

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Offer expires March 31st, 2023
Save Up To 15% On Select 2023 Alaska Cruises

Dreaming of Alaska? Save up to 15% when you book your select 2023 departure aboard Kruzof Explorer, Chichagof Dream, Admiralty Dream, or Alaskan Dream.

Book with the confidence that comes from experience.

100+ combined years of experience, 7 continents explored, decades of expedition cruising around the world & here to help you find & book your dream trip.

Extend Your Trip

Additional Travel Options Before or After Your Cruise

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8 Day Cruise
The Great Alaskan Grizzly Encounter

The most intimate and up-close Alaska bear viewing available is aboard the 8-guest Ursus cruising to remote reaches of Katmai National Park. View the largest coastal grizzlies in the world, Alaskan brown bears, as they feed on summer's bounty of spawning salmon!

From $9995USD
Jun Jul Aug Sep
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8 - 9 Day Land Tour
Denali Backcountry Explorer

Spend 3-4 nights at a remote backcountry lodge situated 90 miles inside Denali National Park. Unbeatable wildlife viewing, landscape photography, guided hikes, fishing, dog sleds and an Alaska railroad ride can be customized to complement any Alaska small ship cruise.

From $6630USD
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12 Day Land Tour
Ultimate Alaska Wildlife Safari

On this 12-day Alaska wildlife safari, travel farther afield from standard routes, for a genuine Alaskan wilderness adventure. With only 14 or fewer fellow travelers and in the company of top naturalist guides, sample some of Alaska's highlights—with a few by private excursion. Along the way, stay at vetted, authentic Alaskan lodges and hotels.

From $14495USD
Jun Jul Aug Sep
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8 Day Cruise
Ultimate Glacier Bay, Wilderness & Wildlife Cruise

Enjoy 3 days in and around Glacier Bay National Park and active exploration of the Inside Passage on this 8-day cruise aboard 12-guest Kruzof Explorer.

Special Offer
From $8495USD
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10 Day Cruise
Remote Alaska Adventure

This 10-day cruise between Ketchikan and Sitka offers native Alaskan culture, time in Glacier Bay National Park and an off-the-beaten-path route featuring western Prince of Wales Island. Cruise aboard 12-guest Kruzof Explorer, a premier expedition vessel with a unique history.

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Kruzof Explorer Custom Alaska Cruise

The 12-guest Kruzof Explorer offers an intimate and active Alaska charter cruise. Customize your Alaska Inside Passage experience with the knowledge and access provided by an Alaskan owned and operated small ship.

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Glacier Bay & Outer Coast Expedition

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