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.
Jump to Section: Seward / Kenai Fjords National Park | Whittier / Prince William Sound | Inside Passage
Seward / Kenai Fjords National Park//Fly into Anchorage • 2.5 hr drive to Seward • Private charters
60 Degrees Adventure Charters
Spend a few days or more exploring the waters of Resurrection Bay and Prince William Sound aboard the M/V Caroline, a beautiful custom-built yacht set for adventure! It’s the perfect setting for a family or small group vacation, guided by the energetic team at 60 Degrees Adventure Charters. Fill your days lounging on the flybridge, fishing, kayaking, strolling beaches and cruising to your next fantastic destination – all on a relaxed timetable.
Alpenglow Charters
April - September
Hop aboard the M/V Gambler and cruise out to Resurrection Bay for a relaxing and personalized outing with locally-owned Alpenglow Charters. Couples and families will relish their time together exploring Seward’s enchanting coastline, guided by an engaging and knowledgeable crew. Options fit into the busiest of schedules: from a 4 hour lunch cruise, a remote overnight, to a 2-day land and sea journey.
Alaska Fjord Charters - Private Multi-Day Adventures
Early May - September
Explore Alaska’s Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park fully with a three-day/two-night custom adventure perfect for families or couples. Alaska Fjord Charters guides you to the best mix of kayaking, glacier viewing, whale watching, and fishing, all in one leisurely tour.
North Pacific Expeditions
May - Septmeber
Set sail for 7 days and 6 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 ingredients.
Whittier / Prince William Sound//Fly into Anchorage • 1.5 hr drive to Whittier • largest concentration of tidewater glaciers
Discovery Voyages Grand Alaska Journey (Fairbanks Departure)
The Grand Alaska Voyage, guided by naturalist and photographer Hugh Rose, is the ultimate Alaska land and sea adventure featuring the very best of Alaska’s scenery and wildlife. The journey begins in Fairbanks and includes a 5 to 7-day cruise in world-famous Prince William Sound aboard the small ship M/V Discovery. Then, travel by road into Alaska’s interior for an intimate three-day tour of Denali National Park.
Discovery Voyages Hike & Kayak Voyage
Cruise Ship Type: Small Ship Cruises, Discovery Voyages
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.
Northern Explorer Adventures Private Yacht Cruises
All-inclusive, multi-day cruises in Prince William Sound, Alaska, just an hour south of Anchorage. You'll feel right at home on this 68-foot yacht. Your cabin—whether you choose the one with twins, a queen, or king beds—comes with roomy closets, flat-screen TVs and en suite bathrooms. During the trip, you have access to any outdoor gear that you’d need—like sea kayaks, an inflatable boat, fishing poles, and even gold pans for trying your luck in the streams! Meals are thoughtfully prepared by onboard chefs, using a lot of local ingredients. Dine while looking at glaciers or orcas out in front of the boat, and sipping your coffee or, in the evening, a glass of wine or an Alaska microbrew.
Discovery Voyages 3 - Day Classic Voyage
Cruise Ship Type: Small Ship Cruises, Discovery Voyages
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.
Discovery Voyages Land and Sea Voyage (Prince William Sound & Denali National Park)
Cruise Ship Type: Small Ship Cruises, Discovery Voyages
Ship Name: Discovery
Enjoy the best of land and sea with Discovery Voyage's 3-Day Classic Voyage plus a 3-4 night stay at Camp Denali or North Face Lodge in the heart of Denali National Park. Separate reservations required.
North Pacific Expeditions
May - Septmeber
Set sail for 7 days and 6 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 ingredients.
Discovery Voyages Classic Discovery Voyage
Cruise Ship Type: Small Ship Cruises, Discovery Voyages
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.
Discovery Voyages Grand Alaska Journey (Anchorage Departure)
The Grand Alaska Voyage, guided by naturalist and photographer Hugh Rose, is the ultimate Alaska land and sea adventure featuring the very best of Alaska’s scenery and wildlife. The journey begins in Anchorage and includes a 5 to 7-day cruise in world-famous Prince William Sound aboard the small ship M/V Discovery. Then, travel by road into Alaska’s interior for an intimate three-day tour of Denali National Park.
Inside Passage//Fly into Juneau or Sitka • same region as large cruises but more intimate ports • Glacier Bay National Park
UnCruise Alaska Fjords & Glaciers
Cruise Ship Type: Small Ship Cruises
Ship Name: Wilderness Adventurer, Wilderness Discoverer, Wilderness Explorer, Safari Quest, S.S. Legacy
Wind your way between Juneau and Ketchikan on a 8-day cruise full of scenic wonders, spectacular wildlife viewing, and wilderness adventures. The blue face of Dawes glacier, the whale-rich feeding grounds of Stephens Passage, the diverse ecosystem of Misty Fjords National Monument, and the Kiksetti Totem Park in Wrangell will all captivate you for different reasons. Hike among More...
UnCruise Northern Passages & Glacier Bay
Cruise Ship Type: Small Ship Cruises
Ship Name: Wilderness Discoverer, Wilderness Explorer
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 available in reverse, starting in Sitka and ending in Juneau).
North Pacific Expeditions
May - Septmeber
Set sail for 7 days and 6 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 ingredients.
UnCruise Alaska’s Inside Passage & San Juans Cruise
Cruise Ship Type: Small Ship Cruises
Ship Name: Safari Endeavour, Wilderness Discoverer, Wilderness Explorer
Explore the coastline from Seattle to Juneau or vice versa in this extravaganza of fjords, forests, and wilderness adventure. This 15-day cruise showcases the best of the Pacific Northwest and the Inside Passages of Canada and Alaska, including Glacier Bay National Park, Olympic National Park, the Tongass National Forest and Misty Fjords National Monument. Watch for whales and More...
UnCruise Alaska’s Glacier Country
Cruise Ship Type: Small Ship Cruises
Ship Name: Safari Endeavour; Safari Quest, S.S. Legacy, Wilderness Explorer
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 journey.
UnCruise Whales, Wildlife & Glaciers
Cruise Ship Type: Small Ship Cruises
Ship Name: Safari Endeavour
Leaving from charming Sitka, this cruise takes you along a rugged coastline up to Glacier Bay National Park, famed for its massive tidewater glaciers. Journey on through wildlife-rich waters, searching for whales, porpoises, and sea lions. You may also spot black bear or five along shore. More wildlife and glittering waterfalls await in Lynn Canal, North America’s deepest fjord More...
UnCruise Alaska’s Glaciers & Whales
Cruise Ship Type: Small Ship Cruises
Ship Name: Safari Endeavour
The glacier-packed cruise from Juneau to Sitka features visits to LeConte, Sawyer, South Sawyer, and Baird Glaciers. Hike along Baird’s terminal moraine, a lunar landscape of ice and shimmering rocks. Visit the village of Kake and count the many totems on their 132-foot pole, dancing, and telling stories that reveal a new perspective of the natural world around you. Watch More...
Alaska Adventure Sailing
This Southeast Alaska-based tour operator will leave you with a new definition of what it means to have a once-in-a-lifetime Alaska cruise: You sail on an intimate vessel—often getting to steer yourself, under the supervision of an experienced licensed captain—while exploring away from the crowds, and getting a wonderfully up-close view of the wildlife and scenery. Sailings from Juneau and Sitka.
