North America Alaska Cruise

Prince William Sound Discovery

The vast marine wilderness of Prince William Sound offers an abundance of tidewater glaciers, wildlife and solitude – ideal for the up-close style of exploration aboard a small ship. This pristine environment is equally as impressive as the famed Inside Passage but much less traveled. Surrounded by the world’s northernmost temperate rainforest, rugged mountain ridges and gentle ocean waters, the Sound is considered a world-class travel destination. Daily excursions provide intimate encounters with Alaska’s marine life and exotic vistas, including leg-stretching strolls along quiet shores and hikes through lush, inland meadows and old-growth forests. 

Join the 12-passenger M/V Discovery yacht to experience the enchanted inlets, fjords, glaciers and wildlife of Prince William Sound. Enjoy a professionally-guided, small-ship cruise based out of Anchorage, Alaska, that is perfect for the entire family. The scenery from the Discovery’s deck is unrivaled and many optional off-ship activities amplify it.

Each departure of 5, 7 or 8 days operates round-trip from Anchorage, offering more or less time spent exploring the Sound. The flexible itinerary follows the seasonal movements of the Sound’s maritime nature and climate, and is also ideal for Alaska family cruises. While traveling in the home of whales, sea lions, sea otters, harbor seals, bald eagles and many more residents of this wilderness sanctuary, the pace is gentle; the scenery epic. Each day offers new opportunities for intimate nature exploration by small ship, foot and kayak. Each night features fine dining, interpretive lectures and comfortable accommodations. 

In addition to the classic routes, find dedicated Adventurer (kayak & hike) and photography themed departures. Special 9-day sailings in August cruise one-way across Prince William Sound to or from Cordova to include brown bear viewing on the eastern side of the Sound. Or, opt for added-cost group trip extensions, available on select departures of the ship’s main sailings. These include: guided tours in Lake Clark National Park to view brown bears in June; bucket-list, guided remote flightseeing, glacier kayaking, rafting and brown bear viewing out of Cordova in July; and guided tours with a photography expert in the Brooks Range, above the Arctic Circle, for the best change to view the aurora borealis in late August and September. Our Adventure Specialists can also arrange private Alaska yacht charters aboard Discovery for your family or special group of 12 or fewer.

Read on for details about this trip, or learn more about AdventureSmith’s Alaska trips and Alaska small ship cruises.