The Sikumi Custom Alaska Cruise is an adventure all its own. Each all-inclusive, 7-day small ship cruise aboard the Sikumi features a distinct itinerary, with the ship sailing where the wildlife and weather are best.
Alaska owned and operated, the Sikumi has the advantage of knowing the ins and outs of coastline Alaska travel. Sikumi’s captain will show you the real Alaska, without the confines of a rigid schedule. If the whales are active in one area, you’ll go there, and hit the next stop as time accords. While there will be time to appreciate each sight, the crew also works to ensure you see everything possible.
Daily excursions may include kayaking, hiking, fishing from the boat for your dinner, whale viewing, visits to sea lion rookeries, a day at the glaciers (unforgettable) and other exciting stops. Common sights are whales, bears (brown and black), seals, sea lions, Dall porpoises and bald eagles. In addition, look for many other forms of marine and wildlife along with a host of iconic Alaska vistas and scenery one can only view best by small ship.
Book your Sikumi small ship Alaska cruise as a private charter for up to 12 guests. Most trips follow the outlined itinerary round-trip from Juneau, but keep in mind that each sailing will be tailored to the conditions of the week. The Captain can also accommodate specific requests by charter to customize a cruise to meet your desires.
Read on for details about this trip, or learn more about AdventureSmith’s Alaska yacht charters, Alaska trips and Alaska small ship cruises.
The Golden Eagle Custom Alaska Cruise is a luxury charter adventure perfect for families and small groups. Each all-inclusive, 7-day small ship cruise aboard the 8-guest Golden Eagle features a distinct itinerary, with the ship sailing where the wildlife and weather are best.
Alaska owned and operated, the Golden Eagle has the advantage of knowing the ins and outs of coastal Alaska travel. Golden Eagle’s captain will show you the real Alaska, without the confines of a rigid schedule. If the whales are active in one area, you’ll go there, and hit the next stop as time allows. While there will be time to appreciate each sight, the crew also works to ensure you see as much as possible.
Daily excursions include kayaking, hiking, fishing from the boat for your dinner, 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. In addition, look for many other forms of marine and wildlife along with a host of iconic Alaska vistas and scenery one can only view best by small ship.
The Golden Eagle is available only as a private charter with accommodation for 8 adults (up to 12 people with 8 adults and 4 children). 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 yacht charters, Alaska trips and Alaska small ship cruises.
The MV Sikumi, a Native Alaskan word for “Among the Ice,” was built tough yet finished for first-class cruising. From her steel hull to her handsome wood-trimmed interior, the 8-guest Sikumi combines the ruggedness of an ocean-going commercial trawler with the deluxe, modern features of a cruise ship. Owned and operated by an Alaska-based family, the Sikumi provides a true insider’s look at this great land.
AdventureSmith Explorations’ Sikumi review includes a detailed description of the small ship including deck plans and a photo gallery. Our small ship cruise experts have been aboard nearly every first-class vessel in Alaska. Please read our Sikumi review below then contact our small ship cruise experts to compare the Sikumi with other small ships to Alaska offering small ship Alaska cruises.
Choose the MV Sikumi if you want one of the most intimate of Alaska charter ship experiences. With only 8 guests, your fellow travelers on board will become your friends. And unique opportunities, like fishing for dinner, really set this ship and its sailings apart. Plus, a very high crew-to-guest ratio (5 crew to 8 guests) ensures the best of first-class service aboard Sikumi. A typical cruise accommodates 8 adults on board, and possibly some young sailors (adult-only cruises may be available). The entire boat can be chartered for up to 12 guests. Young guests are welcome and encouraged to join the cruise, and the Sikumi crew is very experienced in working with children, keeping a full host of games and activities.
The 67-foot Sikumi was custom built expressly for service in Alaska by one of the Northwest’s most renowned ship builders, Hansen Boats, famed for the vessels seen on the “Deadliest Catch” TV show. Her sturdy lines make for a smooth, safe ride in any seas, outperforming many vessels twice her size. From the panoramic views at the galley table to the fully covered upper viewing deck, nothing was spared in creating a comfortable environment.
The interior of the MV Sikumi is as inviting and cozy as a home. On the Main Deck are the entertainment center and salon lounge area, offering a library, television, VCR, CD player and computer equipment for use in editing and sharing photos. Also on the Main Deck is the dining room/galley, with open architecture enabling guests to watch the chef work. Guest rooms and coat storage can also be found on the Main Deck. The Upper Deck features a covered dining lounge, a sun deck, the captain’s room and the wheelhouse. This spacious deck is the spot to sight-see, view wildlife, stargaze, lounge and hone your photography skills. The Lower Deck houses the crew’s quarters, the engine room and the workshop, but there is ample additional storage here for guests’ excess baggage and empty suitcases.
While life on board Sikumi includes spectacular wildlife and scenery viewing, the ship may be best known for her cuisine. Sikumi’s professional chef will prepare one culinary delight after another. Everything is made fresh on board, and with Sikumi’s limited number of guests, the chef is able to cater to any special food needs, diets or allergies. Enjoy learning from the chef too, as the galley is open to guests and the crew encourages interaction.
You can expect the freshest seafood, and you might just be helping out with the harvest of the daily special! This is something you will not find on virtually any other boat. Conditions allowing, experience setting shrimp and crab traps, hauling them in and harvesting the ocean’s bounties. Head out for an afternoon kayak, then come back to dine on your catch! It cannot get any fresher. Sikumi’s crew also fishes for salmon, halibut and other delectable Alaska seafood.
Beer and wine are included on all cruises. Spirits are welcome aboard, and there will be mixers, but the liquor license does not allow the Sikumi to supply hard liquor.
One of the highlights of a cruise aboard the Sikumi is fishing for your meals (state fishing license required for ages 16 and up). From setting shrimp and crab traps to fishing for halibut, you may just experience the origin of one of the freshest meals of your life. Typically, a few nights of the trip will feature guest-caught halibut, salmon, crab and shrimp on dinner plates. And Sikumi’s captain boasts that they’ve had a 100-pound halibut caught by a traveler as young as 6 and as old as 92.
When not fishing or cruising, Sikumi’s highly trained crew will take you on many other adventures. From kayaking in hidden caves to hiking to remote waterfalls, there are activities for all. All of the adventures are custom tailored to meet the needs of each guest. Not a hiker? No worries, go for a shoreline exploration in a skiff while others hike. Never kayaked? Great! That will just make it that much more fun as Sikumi’s head guide with years of kayak experience, takes you out and shows you the way to paddle. Sikumi guests from age 6 to 90 have set out in kayaks, and have all come back smiling.
The MV Sikumi boasts four guest rooms, each offering a double bed and optional “pullman-style” third berth, as well as a private toilet, sink and full-sized shower. Each cabin is fully made daily with fluffy comforters (your choice of goose down or synthetic), special Baudelaire toiletries and a full host of linens and towels. There is ample storage and several regular household (110 volt) power outlets.
The 100-foot custom Motor Yacht (M/Y) Golden Eagle was originally built in 1989 by Broward shipyard in the United States for the Budweiser Brewing Company for use by corporate staff and clients. She was originally called the Double Eagle and you will still notice the bronze eagle statue placed in the dining room.
Golden Eagle features a semi-displacement aluminum hull and aluminum superstructure, with aluminum and teak decks, allowing her to cruise smoothly through rough waters. The yacht has an incredible 20 foot beam (width) ensuring lots of space and a small 6 foot draft (depth) ensuring she can cruise close to shore and into coves unreachable by other ships. With a crew of 5, the Golden Eagle ensures a high crew-to-guest ratio and is able to offer first-class service. The yacht can accommodate 8 adults or up to 12 guests with 8 adults and 4 children. The Golden Eagle is available for Alaska charter cruises only.
AdventureSmith Explorations’ Golden Eagle review includes a detailed description of the small ship including deck plans and a photo gallery. Our Alaska experts have been aboard nearly every small ship sailing in Alaska. Please read our Golden Eagle review below then contact our Alaska cruise experts to compare the Golden Eagle with other ships offering small ship Alaska cruises.
Choose the Golden Eagle if you are looking for a luxurious small ship on which to explore Alaska up close and in style with groups or families.
The Golden Eagle is a spacious yacht with multiple outdoor areas including a large forward observation deck perfect for watching whales and wildlife. A covered flybridge on the top deck offers 360-degree views and ample seating with a table off the stern to enjoy the fresh sea air and gorgeous views. There is also a large open aft deck with a seating area shaded by a teak roof leading down to the swim platform. The steady swim platform makes loading into shore craft or kayaks a breeze.
The yacht’s focal point is the large comfortable lounge with comfortable leather couches and huge view windows. A small bar and sitting table complete the lounge, which is located adjacent to the dining room. This area is reminiscent of a luxurious mega yacht and maintains a comfortable charm where guests feel at home. The modern galley has a large counter that encourages interaction with the chef and a dinette for additional seating.
The focus of a cruise aboard Golden Eagle is on spectacular wildlife and viewing scenery; however, the ship is also well known for her delicious cuisine. The large dining area comfortably accommodates all guests in an elegant setting. The professional chef prepares everything fresh on board, and with a small number of guests can accommodate any special dietary requests with advance notice. The galley is open to guests and the crew encourages interaction so culinary-minded travelers can learn from the chef. Expect the freshest seafood and if you enjoy fishing then you might even help with the catch of the day. When conditions allow, the crew will set out shrimp and crab pots for guests to enjoy the ocean’s bounty. The crew and guests can also fish for salmon, halibut or other delicious Alaskan seafood. It doesn’t get any fresher.
Beer and wine are included on all cruises. Spirits are welcome aboard, and there will be mixers, but the liquor license does not allow the Golden Eagle to supply hard liquor.
The interior of the Golden Eagle accommodates 8 guests in four gorgeous staterooms (up to 12 with 8 adults and 4 children), each with walk-in closets and built-in dressers with 12 drawers to comfortably settle things into, making yourself at home. Three staterooms have queen beds with ample walking room while the fourth stateroom has two twin beds and a third fold-down twin bed if needed. Each cabin has a spacious private bathroom with full vanity and walk-in showers.