This voyage takes us to fascinating cultures and remote polar waters to sail among glaciers while we scan for rich wildlife. Our cutting-edge hybrid ship explores islands and fjords, seeking out horned puffins, brown bears, shoreline beauty, amazing fossil forests and dramatic volcanoes.
Hurtigruten offers unique expedition cruises to some of the most remote and pristine waters of the world. As with all expeditions; nature prevails. Weather, ice and sea conditions set the final framework for all Hurtigruten’s operations. Safety and unparalleled guest experiences are at all times our top priorities. All our indicative itineraries are continuously evaluated for adaptions, whether this is due to constraints the elements unexpectedly present – or exciting possibilities nature and wildlife offer. That is why we call it an expedition.
Departure 31 May 2020
Departs from
Vancouver, Canada
Vibrant Vancouver boasts waterfront parks, nearby mountains with hiking trails in summer and skiing in winter, multitudes of cafes, shops, galleries, museums, and a diversity of cultural neighbourhoods to explore.
Ship: MS Roald Amundsen.
We sail north to Alaska through the narrow weaving channels and straits of Canada’s Inside Passage. Be on the lookout for dolphins, porpoise, orcas, and whales that frequent the protected inland waters.
Join our Expedition Team for fascinating lectures, spend time relaxing on board or meeting your fellow travellers.
Known as the salmon capital of the world, Ketchikan is a true frontier town, surrounded by towering mountains. Colourful houses on stilts from the gold rush era line the river bank. The city is home to one of the largest collections of standing totem poles and has strong ties to Tlingit culture.
Alaskan Lumberjack show (1 hr)
Learn about Alaska's rich logging history through displays of strength and agility, action, excitement and laughter! World champion lumberjacks compete in 12 athletic events utilizing axes, razor sharp saws and powerful chainsaws. Your cheers will turn to roars of excitement as axes fly, men fall from tall trees, and then run atop spinning logs floating in the water.
Sitka has beautiful scenery with snowcapped mountains, small islands, rich wildlife all around, and even a volcano in sight. A former capital of Russian Alaska, the town has historic streets featuring a Russian Cathedral and ornate totem poles.
Alaska Raptor Centre (45 mins)
Join us on a visit to the Alaska Raptor Center, which rehabilitates injured bald eagles and other birds of prey. See the 24 ‘raptors-in-residence’, including bald and golden eagles, hawks, falcons and owls, and learn about their habitats and how they came to be permanent residents at the Center.
Icy Strait Point offers a glimpse into a life of native settlement. Houses are adorned with intricate carvings, totem poles display stories of the clans, and there are enjoyable cafes, shops, and museum displays.
This waterway that hosts the Hubbard Glacier was named Disenchantment Bay by Spanish naval officer Alessandro Malaspina in 1792, when he was disappointed to discover it was not the Northwest Passage, as he had hoped. We trust that you will be enchanted, maybe even spellbound, by the beautiful icescape here.
A day at sea means you can join the lectures by the Expedition Team, spend time on deck or in the Panorama Lounge with fellow travellers as we sail towards Alaska’s Panhandle.
When visiting bustling Kodiak, take a walk to Fort Abercrombie State Historic Park to combine history with wildlife spotting. Stop for a while on the cliff edge of Miller Point and watch the sea for the chance to see whales.
Town Package with Museum (2 - 4 hrs)
Enjoy a stroll through the city of Kodiak, home to the USA’s largest Coast Guard base, and see the Russian Orthodox Church and Seminary. Visit the Kodiak History Museum and the Alutiiq Museum, with its impressive collection derived from 7,500 years of Alutiiq heritage.
Katmai National Park´s Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes is a dramatic volcanic landscape, with mountains rising to almost 915 meters (3,000 feet). Here we hope to find brown bears as they forage along the shore for clams, and lunch on berries or fish in the clear running waters of the mountain streams.
Enjoy a day at sea as we sail east along the south side of the Alaskan Peninsula. Our Expedition Team will present the plans for the upcoming days.
Unga Village is an eerie ghost town with picturesque village ruins. Settled by Aleuts in 1833, subsistence fishing proved insufficient to support the community, which moved to Sand Point in 1969. Today, a collection of wooden buildings is all that remains, surrounded by a carpet of pink louseworts.
As we sail towards Dutch Harbor, you will see Mount Makushin, a steaming volcano almost 6,000 feet high. The popular TV show `Deadliest Catch´ is based here, featuring local fishing crews. Stroll around the town, stop in at the Museum of the Aleutians and take a look at the local Russian Orthodox Church.
Hop on / Hop off Around the Town (1 - 4 hrs)
Visit the famous fishing town of Dutch Harbor, the scene of a World War II battle in June 1942. Ride local school buses to see such landmarks as the WWII Museum, the Grand Aleutian Hotel, Memorial Park and the Russian Orthodox Church. You can also visit the compelling Museum of the Aleutians with exhibits featuring the varied facets of this fascinating archipelago.
MS Roald Amundsen continues north through the Bering Sea, from the Aleutian Islands and towards our next stop of St. Paul. The Expedition Team will prepare you for our upcoming destinations and continue their lecture series.
This area is a bird lovers’ paradise! Horned and Tufted puffins are found here, along with the rare Red-legged kittiwake. The 400 islanders descend from Aleut slaves forcibly moved to the island by Russian fur traders in 1780’s. Today, the seal population is thriving, around half the world’s northern fur seal population live in the waters around the island.
As we step ashore on the black sand and gravel beaches of St. Matthew Island, we will be the only humans on the isle. St. Matthew has been a nature reserve since 1909 and is home to countless nesting seabirds as well as the native St. Matthew island vole and the Arctic fox.
Enjoy a relaxing last day on board! Take time on deck to look out for whales. Onboard, the Expedition Team will recap your voyage and you can spend time chatting with new friends, or just relax and watch the world sail by!
In 1898, gold was discovered in Nome, at nearby Anvil Creek, and within a year, 10,000 men had arrived to seek their fortune. Our ship expedition ends in this colourful gold rush town. Transfer to the airport and flight to Vancouver for an overnight stay.
Enjoy the sights of this lively city or extend your stay with our Post-Programme before you fly home.
Arrival 18 August 2020
Location Vancouver, Canada
Our brand new, state of the art expedition ship MS Roald Amundsen serves as a comfortable basecamp at sea – bringing you to spectacular destinations in the most sustainable way.
Read moreRead more about what to expect on a cruise with MS Roald Amundsen.
Get to know the practical information before your sailing.
