Alaska Travel Guide

Accommodations Review

The Admiralty Dream offered a comfortable lounge, a separate dining area, and plenty of deck viewing to watch wildlife. Our room was quite small, but well designed with under-bed storage, a deep closet, sink, and a shower/toilet combo. We didn't spend much time there, however, and we appreciated how quiet the room was at night.

Meals Review

Wonderful selection of delicious foods for breakfast and supper, including many fresh Alaskan seafood options. Lunch was a little more limited but always very good. Ample seafood choices, and so many irresistible desserts that I'm amazed I didn't gain ten pounds during my week aboard. There was also a fresh-baked cookie time at 3:00 p.m., a social hour with hors d'oeuvres and available drinks before dinner, and snacks available at all time--though I don't know how anyone would ever have the chance to get hungry!

Crew & Guides Review

Heather was so personable and enthusiastic, interesting to talk to and so knowledgeable and passionate, especially about the humpback whales. Sarah, an expert on ethnobotany, clued us in on native plants and their many uses and told us so much about her travels documenting the lives of native Alaskans. I really enjoyed speaking to her. Joe shared stories from his Tlingit culture and many interesting details about growing up in Alaska. We were delighted with all three.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

We appreciated Aaron's help and love the kinds of trips AdventureSmith offers.

Traveler Advice

Pack for comfort, focusing on layers. Weather can change quickly. A camera with a good zoom lens will come in handy for wildlife photography.

Accommodations Review

The room had adequate space and except our having it made up into a queen, the bed was the only detriment.  Other passengers had their room made up as twin beds and said they had more space.

Meals Review

Having the entire 60 complement of travelers eat at the same time was fabulous! We were able to eat with and get to know most of the travelers due to open seating. We loved everything about the food, service (Kyle and Sharron were wonderful and welcoming each meal), and dining room. They should not serve one of the best dinners of the trip the first night, the salmon that night was superb!!!  This is not to say the other meals were subpar, it is simply to say I LOVED the salmon served that night.

Crew & Guides Review

Kim, Dawn, and Emily were extremely knowledgeable, happy to be doing what they do, and sharing information about the flora and fauna. The National Park ranger, Russ, who accompanied us was great in these areas as well, the Park ranger who was the liaison for the local tribes was wonderful too.

Transportation Review

Everything went smoothly, I chose to not take advantage of the travel insurance though she suggested it. We traveled the day prior and the day following to reduce the problems of delays causing challenges for the cruise and/or getting home.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Leslie did an excellent job of preparing us for the cruise, her understanding of our needs and expected experiences was very much appreciated. Having to not purchase items which we would not likely use again (rubber boots) was most appreciated.

Traveler Advice

The weather is highly unpredictable, ours was unseasonably sunny but we would have enjoyed it (mostly) had it been rainy as expected.  Our rain gear was inexpensive as it only needed to last the week, it was definitely needed though.

We recommend having the beds made up as twins vise queen, as it provides greater utilization of space and keeps one of you from having to crawl over the other to get out of bed.

Accommodations Review

Very happy with all. Special shoutout to cruise hotel manager, who immediately moved us to a different cabin when our shower wasn't working (glad they had space) -- a slightly larger cabin at no extra charge to us. Handled promptly and professionally. Also, in the "over the top" department, when we arrived the steward pointed out the distilled water for my husband's cpap.  He actually doesn't use the water part, but the fact they thought of it/knew about it and provided it was quite the touch.

Meals Review

Food was awesome everywhere, stellar at Kantishna, but even more stars on the cruise. OMG. Really loved always having a meat option since I'm not a fish eater. Loved the open bar on the cruise.

Crew & Guides Review

The bus driver to Kantishna was superb (Krysten). Knew SO much and was so enlightening and entertaining. Guides at lodge all great.  Guides on the cruise to a person who fantastic; so knowledgable and so much fun.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

A million questions always answered, thank you! You suggested a land trip which was so fantastic, really glad we splurged for that. I wore the BUFF that AdventureSmith sent every day, have never had one, what a perfect thing.

Traveler Advice

Cruise did (as you mentioned) have tons of rain boots that fit (granted, there were only 49 passengers on our trip).  They also had plenty of trekking/hiking poles, so we could have left those at home. 

Definitely take warm clothes, there was one day I wore almost everything.  Another day I kayaked in a tshirt, so go figure. There was one guy on the cruise who "didn't know I needed a raincoat."  Jeepers. Also: splurge and take the cruise, yes very expensive, but truly the trip of a lifetime - you see so much in Alaska that you won't see other places. 

Accommodations Review

Cabin was small, but we knew this when we booked, and it worked well. Overall quality of the vessel was exceptional. We had enough space that we could choose to engage with others, or just sit quietly.

Meals Review

The food on Catalyst was exceptional. Fresh produce from a local farm, an herb garden in containers on the top deck of the boat, and berries picked on our hikes as a garnish for meals and deserts were just some of the features. Chef Michael was a real treat! Meals were healthy, imaginative, well portioned, and very tasty. The only thing I would have liked, as an early riser, is some type of self-serve breakfast (granola or a muffin) that I could eat when I got up, rather than having to wait for breakfast. Juice would also have been a welcome addition to breakfast.

Crew & Guides Review

We were glad to put ourselves in their hands and enjoy the experience. The crew had a really good sense of where we should go each day - keeping in mind tides, currents, and weather. Sarah, our naturalist, was knowledgeable, personable, and really keen for all of us to have an excellent experience. Captain Paul was also knowledgeable, personable, and eager to share his experiences with us, as well as answer any questions we had. Shane, the engineer, knew every inch of his boat. He was also a delight to have on shore or kayak expeditions.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Good selection of cruises, good advice, and the carbon-free cruising program. I got questions answered promptly and thoroughly.

I'm really glad that Nick recommended the Catalyst. It was exactly what we hoped for - and more. I don't think that I would have found this option without Nick's input. We also value AdventureSmith's carbon-free cruising program.

Traveler Advice

Come prepared to enjoy whatever you see and experience, and make sure you have lots of layers of clothing so that you can enjoy sitting outdoors during the cruise.

The only thing I wish I had known about before I booked was the tipping requirement. I know it's not supposed to be a "requirement", but it seems to be expected. Because we were at the top of our price range when we booked, the need to tip put us over budget. We aren't experienced cruisers (this was the first time we had ever been on a cruise) so it wasn't something we knew about.

Accommodations Review

Beautiful lodges, well-equipped for the outdoor adventures, which included canoes and kayaks in Kenai or mountain bikes in Kantishna.  It was really nice that the Kenai Lodge had giant boots and very water-proof pants for all. Our primary interest was to see the wildlife and natural beauty of the Kenai Peninsula and Denali National Park, and we saw everything we had hoped for, and more. The Kenai Glacier Wilderness Lodge delighted us with its isolated lagoon and Pedersen Glacier, otters, seals, black bear and eagles. The road through Denali to Kantishna provided us with many sightings of caribou, moose, 5 grizzlies, a red fox with a squirrel in its mouth, and the lodge was charming. We did not spend much time in Seward or Talkeetna, but the accommodations in both were great.

Meals Review

Lovely little appetizers were a nice treat before dinner. All meals were outstanding!

Crew & Guides Review

Leigh L. and driver Jeff were fantastic!  Well-prepared, interesting, fun, patient, knowledgeable, warm: they made the trip even more memorable and special! We all hated to say goodbye to them at the end of the trip! The guides in Kenai (Taylor, Riley, Randy, Rainy, Dina, Mia,) were all enthusiastic, interesting, well-prepared, and willing to quickly look up anything on the slight chance that we asked an unusual question.

Emmet, in Kantishna, spoke of his father's winning Iditarod teams, and showed us how the dogs train in the summer time. His presentation was really interesting and fun.  Everyone was very engaging and clearly loves being there!

Traveler Advice

We were not able to spend more than 10 days, but if you can stay longer in Denali it would help to break up the long travel days!  Be prepared for any kind of weather since it can change quickly.