Alaska Small Ship Adventure Cruises
If you want to see Alaska by sea but up close—and without having to battle the crowds— then you'll want to set sail on a small ship. Here’s what they offer:
Reach Places Big Ships Can’t
These nimble vessels carry fewer passengers than large ships, offer more frequent and more up-close glacier viewing, and make unplanned stops whenever wildlife appears. Itineraries call on less-visited ports where large ships can't go. You’ll likely explore wild, secluded coves where you can go ashore for nature hikes, custom excursions and intimate wildlife viewing. Ships carry 12-150 passengers.
Personalized Service
Small ships lack the amenities of a big ship. You won’t get big shows or endless buffets. Small ship cruises are more expensive than big-ship cruises, but in return, you get a more personal level of service, and the chance to travel with a typically curious, adventurous group of travelers.
A Hands-On Experience
Take a small ship cruise to immerse yourself in your adventure and maximize your learning. Evening programs include naturalists and speakers who enlighten you about the wildlife, history and culture you’re exploring. During the day, instead of disembarking to, say, go shopping, you may take bikes or kayaks ashore.
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Small Ship Adventure Cruises
Inside Passage
Fly into Juneau or Sitka • same region as large cruises but more intimate ports • Glacier Bay National Park
Explore Alaska by chartering the 90-foot yacht Alaskan Story, out of Juneau. It’s the perfect way to see some of the state’s most stunningly beautiful areas, like Glacier Bay National Park, and enjoy lots of opportunities for fishing, kayaking, hiking, and wildlife viewing along the way.
$6,100+
7 Nights / 8 Days
Ports of Call: Juneau, Hoonah / Icy Strait, Glacier Bay National Park
Cruise Ship Type: Small Ship Cruises
Ship Name: Safari Quest
This itinerary includes two full days in Glacier Bay National Park, including active exploration in the outback. Visit Margerie and Grand Pacific glaciers. Go ashore in Haines for hiking, biking, a float trip and history. Look for wildlife on shore and at sea, with exceptional birding opportunities at South Marble Island.
$4,800+
7 Nights / 8 Days
Ports of Call: Juneau, Petersburg, Wrangell, Ketchikan
Cruise Ship Type: Small Ship Cruises
Ship Name: Wilderness Discoverer
$7,200+
14 Nights / 15 Days
Ports of Call: Juneau, Glacier Bay National Park, Wrangell, Ketchikan
Cruise Ship Type: Small Ship Cruises
Ship Name: Wilderness Explorer
$6,100+
8 Days / 7 Nights
Ports of Call: Juneau, Hoonah / Icy Strait, Glacier Bay National Park
Cruise Ship Type: Small Ship Cruises
Ship Name: Safari Quest, Wilderness Adventurer
Get close to Dawes, Margerie and Grand Pacific Glacier and spend one day in Glacier Bay National Park, guided by an expert naturalist. Explore Fords Terror Wilderness area by skiff, hike inland on Chichagof Island, and Bushwack in the Tongass National Forest. Search for Humpback whales in Frederick Sound and Chatham Straight, and be on the lookout for black and brown bears, eagles, seat otters, harbor seals, sea lions, and sea birds during your ...more
$5600+
8 Days / 7 Nights
Ports of Call: Juneau, Glacier Bay National Park, Hoonah / Icy Strait, Sitka
Cruise Ship Type: Small Ship Cruises
Ship Name: Safari Endeavour
Start your wilderness journey in Juneau, the state capitol of Alaska, and end in Sitka, the perfect spot to view the melding of Russian and Alaska Native cultures. In between, visit Glacier Bay National Park, go bird watching on South Marble Island, look for whales in Icy Strait, hike along intertidal zones, and when your captain sets the course for adventure, slip into your kayak or skiff for a day of guided exploration. (Itinerary also ...more
Bear Paw Charters offers private, all-inclusive day trips and longer tours on its luxury yacht — perfect for whale watching, bear viewing, and experiencing Alaska’s scenic majesty.
$5,850+ (Inside Passage $2,650+)
5 days / 4 nights
Cruise Ship Type: Small Ship Cruises
Ship Name: M/V Sea Star
Set sail for 5 days and 4 nights with the crew of the M/V Sea Star for small ship adventure cruising in Prince William Sound, Kenai Peninsula or along the Inside Passage. The well-appointed yacht accommodates just 12 guests, allowing for a personalized experience where you are the explorer! Unplug from day-to-day life and soak up the wonders of Alaska’s amazing coastline. All meals prepared by an on-board chef and featuring fresh local ...more
$6,100+
13 Days / 12 Nights
Ports of Call: Seattle, San Juan Island, Southeast / Inside Passage, Ketchikan, Tongass National Forest, Sitka, Glacier Bay National Park, Hoonah / Icy Strait, Juneau
Cruise Ship Type: Small Ship Cruises
Ship Name: Safari Endeavour, Wilderness Legacy, Safari Explorer, Safari Quest
Discover Southeast Alaska’s natural wonders aboard a chartered sailboat with Sailing Alaska. Customize your private expedition with experienced captain John Joeright and enjoy all-inclusive meals, comfortable accommodations, and endless adventures on the 46-foot S/V Shamrock. Watch whales, hike, fish, visit local communities, and more — all at your own pace.
Call for Quote
Custom
Cruise Ship Type: Small Ship Cruises
Ship Name: The Sea Mist
Design your exclusive itinerary then set sail into the vast open waters and wildlife-rich shorelines of Prince William Sound aboard your own spacious and private yacht. Up to six passengers can sit back, relax, and experience an intimate tour. Most guests enjoy the 5‑day/4‑night trips, but you can book longer 10-day/9‑night expeditions.
Whittier & Prince William Sound View All
Fly into Anchorage • 1.5 hr drive to Whittier • largest concentration of tidewater glaciers • calm waters
From $9500*
5 days / 4 nights
Ports of Call: Anchorage, Whittier, Prince William Sound, Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Cruise Ship Type: Small Ship Cruises
Ship Name: Discovery
Explore a wildlife rich slice of Alaska, set in the scenic wilderness settings of Lake Clark National Park, and the Chugach National Forest Wilderness of Prince William Sound.
Call for Quote
Custom
Cruise Ship Type: Small Ship Cruises
Ship Name: The Sea Mist
Design your exclusive itinerary then set sail into the vast open waters and wildlife-rich shorelines of Prince William Sound aboard your own spacious and private yacht. Up to six passengers can sit back, relax, and experience an intimate tour. Most guests enjoy the 5‑day/4‑night trips, but you can book longer 10-day/9‑night expeditions.
From $3,295
3 Days
Ports of Call: Anchorage, Whittier
Cruise Ship Type: Small Ship Cruises
Ship Name: Discovery
Explore the natural wonders of northwestern Prince William Sound Alaska in this 3‑day version of our Classic Discovery Voyage. This is the perfect cruise for those who don’t have time to do the whole Inside Passage or wish to combine their Alaska cruise with more shore-based activities.
$5,850+ (Inside Passage $2,650+)
5 days / 4 nights
Cruise Ship Type: Small Ship Cruises
Ship Name: M/V Sea Star
Set sail for 5 days and 4 nights with the crew of the M/V Sea Star for small ship adventure cruising in Prince William Sound, Kenai Peninsula or along the Inside Passage. The well-appointed yacht accommodates just 12 guests, allowing for a personalized experience where you are the explorer! Unplug from day-to-day life and soak up the wonders of Alaska’s amazing coastline. All meals prepared by an on-board chef and featuring fresh local ...more
From $4,950+
5 days/4 nights or 6 days/5 nights
Ports of Call: Anchorage, Whittier, Cordova
Cruise Ship Type: Small Ship Cruises
Ship Name: Discovery
Perfect for the adventurous traveler, the Hike and Kayak voyage sees all the same sites as on our Classic voyage, but with more excursions. Kayak among icebergs, hike through mountain meadows, and take in the scenery on this unique trip. Activities can be customized to suit the interests and activity level of those on board.
5 to 7 Days
Ports of Call: Anchorage, Whittier
Cruise Ship Type: Small Ship Cruises
Ship Name: Discovery
Our Classic Discovery Voyage is the perfect wilderness sampler. We take in the most spectactular sights of Prince William Sound — mountains, fjords, glaciers and wildlife — with the number of daily excursions (ashore or by kayak) tailored to the interests and activity level of the group.
Seward & Kenai Fjords View All
Fly into Anchorage • 2.5 hr drive to Seward • Private charters
Charter a sailboat out of Seward and hit the waters of gorgeous Resurrection Bay! Choose an afternoon tour if you’re just in Seward for the day, or opt for a multi-day cruise. Your charter comes with a seasoned captain, or experienced sailors can rent the boat and take the helm themselves. Surrounded by mountains, the bay offers ideal sailing conditions, and you’ll have plenty of chances to see wildlife and glaciers.
$5,850+ (Inside Passage $2,650+)
5 days / 4 nights
Cruise Ship Type: Small Ship Cruises
Ship Name: M/V Sea Star
Set sail for 5 days and 4 nights with the crew of the M/V Sea Star for small ship adventure cruising in Prince William Sound, Kenai Peninsula or along the Inside Passage. The well-appointed yacht accommodates just 12 guests, allowing for a personalized experience where you are the explorer! Unplug from day-to-day life and soak up the wonders of Alaska’s amazing coastline. All meals prepared by an on-board chef and featuring fresh local ...more
Homer View All
Fly into Anchorage • 1 hr flight or 5 hour drive to Homer • Private charters
A fully customizable expedition that showcases Alaska’s beauty by land, sea, and air. The trip starts with a private flight from Anchorage to Homer, where guests stay in a premium log chalet. Choose from various activities including driving an amphibious vehicle, bear viewing, fishing, hiking, and kayaking. On the fourth day, board the M/V Peregrine and explore Kenai Fjords National Park, glaciers, ice caves, and waterfalls while looking for ...more
Charter their private, live-aboard, 60’ yacht. Wake up each day in the middle of untouched wilderness and go sea kayaking, hike through boreal forests, fish for trophy halibut and salmon, or spend a quiet day on the water photographing wildlife
Set sail on a luxurious 70-ft yacht out of Homer for 3+ days of fishing, hiking, kayaking, and wildlife viewing while indulging in mass amounts of seafood. Your itinerary will depend on the interests of the group, and the experienced local crew can fulfill those interests.
Kodiak and Coasts of Katmai & Lake Clark National Parks
Kodiak Island • Bears of Katmai National Park • Sailing on Lake Clark
You’ll spend either 4 or 7 days sailing around Lake Clark, experiencing all the natural majesty this national park has to offer, with its many craggy mountains set close to the water. Anchor each night in a new location. Look for wildlife, hike, explore with kayaks and paddleboards, and enjoy bonfires on the beach.
Immerse yourself in a multi-day Alaskan adventure that promises incredible views and jaw-dropping bear viewing in Katmai National Park, along with a warm camaraderie that only a small group expedition can create. Explore from your home base on the Island C, a research vessel that gets you close to the action while providing comfortable lodging and delicious meals.