Starboard exterior of the Kruzof Explorer Alaska small ship, cruising on a blue-sky day.
Group of humpback whales emerges from the water with spray on the Kruzof Explorer Custom Alaska Cruise
Hikers walk down a path through a lush green rainforest during the Kruzof Explorer Custom Alaska Cruise.
A DIB tender vessel brings Alaska charter guests towards a glacier in turquoise waters on a sunny day during the Kruzof Explorer Custom Alaska Cruise.
A family looks through binoculars from on deck with green forest & snowcapped mountains in the background, in calm waters during the Kruzof Explorer Custom Alaska Cruise.
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North America Alaska Cruise

Kruzof Explorer Custom Alaska Cruise

Explore remote Alaska, Glacier Bay National Park and off-the-beaten-path sites along the Inside Passage on an Alaska charter small ship cruise aboard the intimate 12-guest Kruzof Explorer. Immerse in the wild lands and waterways of Southeast Alaska on an exciting itinerary that can be customized to specific interests. 

Alaska owned and operated, the Kruzof Explorer has the advantage of knowing the ins and outs of coastal Alaska travel. A knowledgeable local captain and on-board naturalist will choose the best activities based on each day’s unique circumstances and your interests. The versatility of this small boat creates a photographer’s dream trip, allowing all aboard to view abundant wildlife amid the remarkable beauty of Southeast Alaska.

Daily excursions may include kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, hiking, whale viewing, visits to sea lion rookeries, a day at the glaciers and other exciting stops. Common sights are whales, brown and black bears, seals, sea lions, Dall porpoises and bald eagles. If the wildlife is active in one area, you’ll go there, and hit the next stop as time allows, with aim to see as much as possible.

The Kruzof Explorer offers luxury Alaska cruises and is an ideal ship for private Alaska yacht charters and Alaska family cruises due to her small size of 12 guests. The captain and crew will accommodate specific requests by charter to customize a cruise to meet your desires. Use this itinerary as a guide or speak with one of AdventureSmith’s Adventure Specialists to determine custom embarkation and disembarkation ports on your private Alaska cruise. 

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



Itinerary

Kruzof Explorer Custom Alaska Cruise Itinerary

The Kruzof Explorer Custom Alaska Cruise is an Alaskan-family-owned-and-operated, intimate charter adventure perfect for families and small groups. The Kruzof Explorer can accommodate 12 adults. Take the sample route (shown here), or the captain and crew will customize a cruise per your request.

Route map of Alaska small ship cruise between Sitka & Juneau.
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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. Then embark your private ship for the winding narrows north of town while searching for sea otters, bears, whales, and other wildlife. Anchor for the evening in a protected body of water in Peril Strait or eastern Baranof Island.

Accommodations

Kruzof Explorer

Meals

dinner

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Day 2
Eastern Baranof Island & Hidden Falls

Navigate the remote eastern coast of Baranof Island. This region includes many intimate coves and inlets, making it ideal for exploration by kayak and skiff. As you ply the waters of Chatham Strait, enjoy its abundant marine wildlife and stunning mountain scenery. Venture into Kasnyku Bay on Baranof Island en route to Hidden Falls—the beautiful outlet of Hidden Falls Lake. While there, you may have an opportunity to see coastal brown bears in this remote wilderness.

Accommodations

Kruzof Explorer

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 3
Icy Strait & Glacier Bay National Park

Explore the wildlife-rich waters of Icy Strait, renowned for phenomenal humpback whale viewing. In the afternoon, we’ll sail into beautiful Glacier Bay National Park to begin our first day of extended park exploration. Unique opportunities during our voyage through Glacier Bay include a beach trek near the Reid Glacier (or other remote location), a visit to the new Huna Tribal House and rainforest trails surrounding Glacier Bay Lodge.

Accommodations

Kruzof Explorer

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 4
Glacier Bay National Park

This remarkable national park fjord extends 65 miles, contains eight tidewater glaciers and provides pristine habitat for a wide-array of wildlife, including both brown and black bears, wolves, mountain goats, Steller sea lions and humpback whales. The highlight for many is the Margerie Glacier, known for its dramatic calving displays. The ship provides an opportunity for unsurpassed, in-depth exploration of this UNESCO world heritage site.

Accommodations

Kruzof Explorer

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 5
Lynn Canal & William Henry Bay

Enjoy kayak and skiff adventures in beautiful Lynn Canal then enjoy an exclusive property at William Henry Bay. Nestled against the dramatic Chilkat mountain range, the exclusive area features an expansive beachfront, towering old growth forest, low lying muskeg, and beautiful creek.

Accommodations

Kruzof Explorer

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 6
Disembark Juneau, Alaska

Disembark in Alaska’s capital city of Juneau and be transferred to the airport or your hotel.

Accommodations

n/a

Meals

breakfast

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Details
Inclusions, Terms & Notes

Included

Selected guest cabin facilities; all meals aboard the vessel or where otherwise indicated; all non-alcoholic beverages; all alcoholic beverages onboard the vessel or where otherwise indicated; selected shore excursions as indicated in itinerary; pre- and post-cruise ground transportation to and from the vessel and airport or hotel; use of recreational equipment as indicated in itinerary; all standard onboard services.

Exclusions

Airfare to and from your home city; non-complimentary alcohol or where otherwise indicated; discretionary gratuities to crew; travel insurance and insurance of any kind; all taxes and port fees.

Payment & Cancellation

In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of $750 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 fees, 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 sample Kruzof Explorer Custom Alaska cruise begins in Sitka, Alaska (SIT), and ends in Juneau, Alaska (JNU). 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; plan flights to depart Juneau 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, shallow-water expedition craft excursions, land treks, glacier viewing and wildlife observation.

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 & Details

Charters available weekly late May through early September. Contact us for current rates & availability.

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.

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.

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Kruzof Explorer Custom Alaska Cruise

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