Alaska’s Inside Passage: Where the Mountains Meet the Sea
Cruise Overview
Alaska Cruise | Alaska’s Inside Passage: Where the Mountains Meet the Sea 2026 & 2027
Experience the wilderness of Tongass National Forest with your knowledgeable Expedition Team.
Witness nature’s power first-hand with three days of glacier exploration in our small expedition boats.
Learn about Łingít and Kwakwaka’wakw culture directly from the source while visiting native communities in Alaska and British Columbia.
Sail from Seward to Vancouver on this epic expedition cruise through the southeast region of Alaska. Famed for its incredible scenery, our route takes us into Prince William Sound and Icy Bay, and along the way we’ll be on the lookout for wildlife species as diverse as orcas, whales, bears, and bald eagles. Activities such as kayaking, hiking, and expedition boat cruising will bring you into close contact with nature.
Seeking out culture, just as much as nature, will be our aim as we experience a warm welcome from the local native peoples of Klawock and Alert Bay. We’ll see Alaska’s largest collection of totem poles here, and we’ll watch a Kwakwaka’wakw dance performance by the T’sasala Cultural Group. We’ll also explore historic Haines, which is framed by the mighty Chilkat and Takshanuk Mountains, as well as the immense Tongass National Forest before ending our journey in British Columbia’s Vancouver.
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A First Taste of Awesome Alaska
Day 1
A First Taste of Awesome Alaska
Embarkation in Seward
Our embarkation point, Seward, is the only deep-water ice-free port with road, rail and air connections to Alaska’s interior. Once you board MS Roald Amundsen, locate your cabin and explore this spacious and comfortable expedition ship which will be your home for almost two weeks.
Tidewater Glaciers of Prince William Sound
Day 2
Tidewater Glaciers of Prince William Sound
Get ready to experience nature’s raw power
Today is a day all about glaciers. Prince William Sound is home to 150 of these amazing rivers of ice, including 17 incredible tidewater glaciers. Your captain will choose the best location for the day based on the conditions.
We’ll get as close to the glaciers as we safely can, taking our small expedition boats into the fjord or even exploring by kayak if conditions permit. From the water, you might catch sight of humpback whales, bald eagles, otters, and harbor seals, all of which inhabit this icy wilderness.
Glaciers of Icy Bay
Day 3
Glaciers of Icy Bay
Spot wildlife in these glacier-fed waters
Today is an exploration day in Icy Bay. Three glaciers—Guyot, Yahtse and Tyndall—regularly calve into this bay. If conditions allow, you’ll explore in our small expedition boats or by kayak, immersing you in the remarkable beauty of this icy landscape.
Wildlife abounds in the Gulf of Alaska, offering unrivaled photography opportunities. Humpback whales, orcas, Stellar sea lions, sea otters and harbor seals lazing on floating chunks of ice are often seen in these waters.
Icy Strait Expedition Day
Day 4
Icy Strait Expedition Day
Embrace the thrill of wild Alaska
Today is another day of exploration as we sail into Icy Strait and take a closer look at some of the islands. Possible destinations to explore include George Island, the Inian Islands, and Idaho Inlet, but—as always—we will gauge the weather and other conditions to decide on the best location.
Using our expedition boats, we may get close to some of the rocky shores here, and it’s possible we may land and take a nature walk. The coast in this region grows more rugged the closer we get to the open sea, and there are rocky pinnacles and sea caves galore.
In the evening, well pass by Point Adolphus, which is located on the northern tip of Chichagof Island, across from Glacier Bay National Park. The nutrient-rich waters are known for attracting humpback whales and other marine life, so be sure to get out on deck and have your camera ready.
Łingít Crafts in Haines
Day 5
Łingít Crafts in Haines
Discover a flourishing artistic heritage
Near the head of the Lynn Canal lies the frontier town of Haines, which was originally home to the Chilkat Łingít people. They are renowned for their weaving skills, with mountain goat fur and cedar bark woven into intricate designs, and you’ll see excellent examples of their work here.
Haines has a flourishing art scene, with galleries and workshops showcasing totem carvings, silverwork, and sculptures. Taking home some Alaskan arts and crafts is a great way to support local creators. The beautiful landscapes here are also ideal for hiking and wildlife spotting.
Southeast Alaska Exploration Day
Day 6
Southeast Alaska Exploration Day
Witness ancient forests and abundant wildlife
Explore Alaska in true expedition style on today’s exploration day in this magical corner of the Inside Passage. This is an area where old-growth forest dominates, meaning there’s abundant wildlife and a spine-tingling feeling of wild nature.
Conditions permitting, we’ll take to the water in our small expedition boats and seek out secluded coves, iceberg-filled bays, and thickly forested shorelines. Try and catch a glimpse of some of Alaska’s most iconic wildlife, including bears, bald eagles, Sitka black-tailed deer, and moose. If it’s safe to do so, we might land and explore the shore.
Tracy Arm or Endicott Arm
Day 7
Tracy Arm or Endicott Arm
See the lesser-known gems of Holkham Bay
Holkham Bay is home to two beautiful fjords: Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm. Our aim is to visit either of the two, depending on the changing ice conditions. The captain will decide which offers better exploration options on the day, but in either case, we can expect jaw-dropping scenery and bountiful opportunities for spotting wildlife.
At the end of each fjord, fresh icebergs calve from the glaciers against a stunning backdrop of rocky cliffs. This area is a breeding ground for harbor seals, who are often seen on the floating ice. You might also see whales, bears, and even mountain goats, so keep your camera at the ready.
Chatham Strait Expedition Day
Day 8
Chatham Strait Expedition Day
Explore the scenic bays of Chatham Strait
Start your day looking out for whales in the pristine waters of Frederick Sound. Today is an exploration day, so the captain and Expedition Team will use their local knowledge to choose the best destination.
We might take to the water in our expedition boats and investigate the secluded coves and forested shorelines of the 150-mile-long Chatham Strait, or perhaps opportunities for kayaking will present themselves if the conditions are right. Wherever we explore, keep a lookout for wildlife like bald eagles, bears, and humpback whales, which can be spotted in this region.
The Totems of Klawock
Day 9
The Totems of Klawock
Discover Klawock’s Native heritage
Today we visit Klawock, which is beautifully situated on the western shore of Prince of Wales Island. The small town has a population of around 700 and is famed for its collection of totem poles—the largest in Alaska.
A center for Łingít culture, the island’s original name was “Taan,” meaning sea lion. At the Totem Park you’ll see 21 exquisitely carved examples, some of them replicas of the originals that stood in the winter village of Tuxecan.
Unspoiled Misty Fjords
Day 10
Unspoiled Misty Fjords
Venture deep into a beautiful and wild realm
Part of the Tongass National Forest, Misty Fjords is a pristine wilderness of evergreen trees, roaring waterfalls, and snowcapped peaks. The revered naturalist John Muir described the area as one of the most beautiful places he’d ever seen.
Weather permitting, you'll join the Expedition Team to tour Misty Fjords in our small expedition boats, or you’ll explore in a kayak.
Misty Fjords is rich in wildlife. As we explore, scan the shores and forests for black and brown bears, as well as moose. These waters are home to Pacific salmon, otters, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, orcas, and Dall’s porpoises. Skyward, you might spot herons and bald eagles.
Canada’s Inside Passage
Day 11
Canada’s Inside Passage
See sublime scenery as we sail the Inside Passage
The Inside Passage coastal route takes us through the great North American Pacific Fjordland, a protected stretch of water over 930 miles long. Unlike other cruises, which pass through at night, you’ll be able to view the sublime scenery in all its glory during the day.
Our smaller expedition ship allows us to reach areas that larger vessels can’t, meaning you’ll get to explore lesser-traveled channels with breathtaking scenery. Keep your cameras and binoculars at the ready to catch sight of whales, including humpback, fin, minke and perhaps even orca. In Princess Royal Channel, keep a lookout for the elusive Kermode bear.
Meet the Kwakwaka’wakw
Day 12
Meet the Kwakwaka’wakw
Receive a warm welcome in Alert Bay
We’ll arrive at Alert Bay, a scenic village on Cormorant Island, north of Vancouver Island. Here we'll have the opportunity to meet and learn from the Kwakwaka’wakw First Nations community—to be welcomed by them is a real privilege.
At the U'mista Cultural Center, you'll see elaborate totem poles, paintings, carvings, ceremonial masks, and other meaningful artifacts
The island’s sheltered waters attract a huge array of wildlife; the yellow-billed loon, with its distinctive speckled back, is a particular highlight. Keep an eye out for orcas and humpback whales close to shore.
A Taste of Vancouver
Day 13
A Taste of Vancouver
Disembark in British Columbia’s iconic city
Your expedition cruise ends in Vancouver, a beautiful city at the foot of the Rockies. Visit Gastown, the city's oldest neighborhood, and climb Vancouver Lookout for a citywide view overlooking neon-lit Granville Street, the West End beaches, and the towering cedars of Stanley Park.
Vancouver has a flavor all its own—and so does its global cuisine. Before your onward journey, we recommend you dine out in Chinatown, Punjabi Market or Little Italy for a taste of the city's buzzing atmosphere.
What's included
Transfers
- Transfer from the airport in Anchorage to the ship in Seward, including English-speaking guide
Expedition Cruise
- A stay in a cabin of your choice
- Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Wine, beer and spirits available at meals and throughout the day and evening (subject to licensing laws; excludes premium drinks)
- All day coffee, tea, and soft drinks
- Meals and takeout available throughout the day during Fredheim restaurant opening hours
- Fine dining in restaurant Lindstrøm included for suite guests
- A complimentary water bottle to refill on board and take home
- A polar expedition jacket, a backpack, or another piece of HX gear
- Professional photos from your trip taken by our onboard photographer
- Complimentary Wi-Fi. Please note that streaming is not supported.
- Use of sauna, hot tubs, pool, fitness room, lounges and more
- Gratuities included. Fantastic service is standard at HX (though if you’d like to leave something extra, it’s always appreciated).
- Range of included activities
Onboard Activities
- In-depth lectures and discussions hosted by experts on the Expedition Team
- Full access to the ship’s Science Center
- The Citizen Science Program allows guests to assist with ongoing scientific research
- An onboard professional photographer will give tips and tricks for taking the best landscape and wildlife photos
- Informal gatherings with the crew for daily briefings
Landing Activities
- Escorted landings with small expedition boats
- Loan of boots, trekking poles and all equipment for activities
- Expedition photographers on hand to assist you
Notes
- All planned activities are subject to weather and ice conditions
- Excursions and activities are subject to change
- Please make sure you meet all entry and boarding requirements
- Depending on when your flight departs from Anchorage, an overnight stay might be necessary
What's not included
International flights
Travel insurance
Luggage handling
Optional shore excursions with our local partners
Optional small-group activities with our Expedition Team
Optional treatments in the on-board wellness and spa area
Special offers
Expedition exclusive cost savings and rare opportunities.
* Certain offers may not be combinable, up to two savings opportunities except where noted otherwise