SMALL VESSEL ITINERARIES

These small, casual ships are usually less than 200 feet long and carry around 100 passengers. These ships offer a more intimate experience and can travel to confined areas like Le Conte Bay and Misty Fjords National Monument. Also, these ships stop at some of the smaller towns that can’t handle the number of people on the larger ships.

There are several small companies operating in Alaska and here are just a few. You can travel on the Discovery, with six private staterooms, a lounge, a library, and a dining salon (www.alaskacharters.com). There’s also a teak deck for viewing wildlife. The ship travels for about 8 hours each day and docks in a peaceful harbor each night. This small operation stops at some of the smaller areas of interest such as towns like Tenakee Springs. The trip focuses on wildlife sightings. The ship carries kayaks and a rowing skiff so that passengers can hop aboard to do some fishing or just relax on the water.

Small customized charters are also available. Board the Good Times for a trip in Prince William Sound. You get to choose your activities and design a customized trip. Choose from glacier viewing, fishing, whale watching, bear viewing, kayaking, shrimping, and other options. If you’d rather let them do the planning, you can choose from a day trip to see Blackstone Glacier or a three or four day cruise that covers several sights

Glacier Bay Cruise Line offers several small vessels with different itineraries and experiences. One trip starts from Anchorage and heads south to Denali National Park and Turnagain Arm, then on to Prince William Sound. A second itinerary includes Glacier Bay National Park, Misty Fjord, and Admirality Island. This company offers different levels of adventures, ranging from low to high. Low-level trips include relaxing and enjoying the scenery from the ship. Medium level itineraries allow passengers to kayak and go on nature walks. For those who enjoy exploring the outdoors, the high-level trips involve hiking for several miles a day or kayaking all day. You’re free to choose what you want to see and how you want to see it with this company.