Points of Interest
Ports
Cruise Alaska’s Inside Passage
Pristine Wilderness Where the Bigger Ships Can’t Reach
On our Alaska small ship cruises, we explore natural wonders aboard a classic, wooden tugboat designed for the ultimate in guest comfort. Expeditions provide an opportunity to personally connect with the natural and cultural history of Alaska’s rugged Southeast, each day becoming more in tune with the rhythm of the coast. Travel with just a few guests, guided by the expert crew, naturalist, and guides of Maple Leaf Adventures.
Itinerary Details
- Ships: Swell (Converted Tugboat)
- Duration: 10 or 12 Days
- Ports: Sitka, Ketchikan or Petersburg
- Includes a Canadian Geographic Itinerary
Switch between tabs to see itinerary and departures 👇
Alaska Adventure
- Swell
- 10 Days
Sample Itineraries: As with all expedition cruises, the itinerary may change based on weather, wildlife activity, and interests of the guests. This itinerary is to give you a general idea of the trip.
Day 1: Board at Petersburg, cruising Frederick Sound, introduction to Alaskan life, introduction to coastal rainforest on walk. Wilderness anchorage at entrance to fjord.
Day 2: Cruising spectacular fjord to tidewater glacier, ice bergs, wildlife viewing. Option to zodiac, kayak and/or walk, exploring glacier, ice bergs in this awesome ice world.
Day 3: Humpback whales of Frederick Sound, Five Fingers Lighthouse, Windfall Harbour. Explore estuary and look for brown bears.
Day 4: Guided brown bear viewing and rainforest walk up salmon creek at Pack Creek on Admiralty Island, with special access for Swell guests.
Day 5: Frederick Sound marine mammals and islands. Spectacular Baranof inlet and meadow favoured by brown bears.
Day 6: Cruising to Warm Springs Bay. Rainforest / bog walk and natural hot springs. Cruising the waterfall coast of Baranof Island. Peril Strait to Kruzof Island.
Day 7: Hike on Kruzof Island through many ecotypes to spectacular west coast beach. Cruising the west coast, sea otters, seabirds.
Day 8: Weather permitting, exploring by zodiac at St. Lazaria, a spectacular island with thousands of nesting seabirds and rich intertidal life. Vistas of volcanic Mt. Edgecumbe as it sweeps down toward the sea. Hot springs.
Day 9: Cruise to Sitka for disembarkation. Join guide in Sitka for land-based tour. Farewell dinner and night in lodge.
Day 10: Explore Sitka, free time to explore.
Departures
Find ideal trip dates for our Alaska Adventure below. Prices are listed in US Dollars. For other itineraries and departures, switch the tabs above.
| Date | Price | # of Nights | Start Port | End Port | Ship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 4 – 13, 2025 | $12,850, $14,100, $15,550 | 9 | Petersburg | Sitka | Swell |
| July 9 – 18, 2026 | $13,200, $14,450, $15,950 | 9 | Sitka | Petersburg | Swell |
* Prices are all-inclusive, and subject to a $150 USD sustainability fee per person. Prices listed are an approximate conversion of US Dollars and fare paid is in Canadian Dollars. See “Included in Our Price” for the exceptional value included. Fares are per person, based on double occupancy, and in Canadian dollars. For solo travellers, there is no single supplement on the SV Maple Leaf trips (shared accommodation), and there is a 50% single supplement on the MV Swell and Cascadia trips. For full-ship private charters, please contact us. Payment and cancellation policy is available online, in the brochures and by speaking with us. We welcome your contact.
Alaska Supervoyage
- Swell
- 12 Days
Sample Itineraries: As with all expedition cruises, the itinerary may change based on weather, wildlife activity, and interests of the guests. This itinerary is to give you a general idea of the trip.
Day 1: Meet in Ketchikan, historic walking tour, including gold rush history. Welcome dinner.
Day 2-3: Breakfast at hotel, free time to explore, Tlingit history experience, board ship. Cruising Clarence Strait. Visit remote, off-the-grid community of Meyer’s Chuck and rainforest walk ashore. South Etolin wilderness exploration by boat and ashore. Exploring intertidal life, islets, black bears. Cruising north.
Day 4: Scenic Wrangell Narrows cruise, with a view of Alaskan water-based lifestyle. Marine mammal viewing in Frederick Sound to Cascade Creek. Rainforest and waterfall hike.
Day 5-9: Cruising Frederick Sound, watching for whales. Visit sea lion haul out, small island beach walk. Visit Five Fingers Lighthouse. Beach wildflower walk at a glacier’s terminal moraine. Cruising spectacular fjord to tidewater glacier, icebergs, wildlife viewing. Exploring glacier, icebergs in this awesome ice world. Guided brown bear viewing and walk up salmon creek at Pack Creek on Admiralty Island, with special access for Swell guests.
Day 10-11: Cruising the waterfall coast of Baranof Island. Visit hot springs and small community of Baranof. Shore walks, whale watching, bear viewing, sea otter viewing.
Day 12: Cruise to Sitka, watching for wildlife.
Departures
Find ideal trip dates for our Alaska Supervoyage below. Prices are listed in US Dollars. For other itineraries and departures, switch the tabs above.
| Date | Price | # of Nights | Start Port | End Port | Ship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 13 – 24, 2025 | $15,750, $17,200, $19,000 | 11 | Sitka | Petersburg | Swell |
| August 6 – 17, 2025 | $11,000, $12,000, $13,200 | 11 | Ketchikan | Sitka | Swell |
| August 17 – 28, 2025 | $15,750, $17,200, $19,000 | 11 | Sitka | Ketchikan | Swell |
| June 28 – July 9, 2026 | $16,150, $17,650, $19,500 | 11 | Ketchikan | Sitka | Swell |
| July 28 – August 8, 2026 | $16,150, $17,650, $19,500 | 11 | Sitka | Petersburg | Swell |
| August 8 – 19, 2026 | $16,150, $17,650, $19,500 | 11 | Petersburg | Sitka | Swell |
| August 19 – 30, 2026 | $16,150, $17,650, $19,500 | 11 | Sitka | Ketchikan | Swell |
* Prices are all-inclusive, and subject to a $150 USD sustainability fee per person. Prices listed are an approximate conversion of US Dollars and fare paid is in Canadian Dollars. See “Included in Our Price” for the exceptional value included. Fares are per person, based on double occupancy, and in Canadian dollars. For solo travellers, there is no single supplement on the SV Maple Leaf trips (shared accommodation), and there is a 50% single supplement on the MV Swell and Cascadia trips. For full-ship private charters, please contact us. Payment and cancellation policy is available online, in the brochures and by speaking with us. We welcome your contact.
Alaska Sailing Ship Tour
- Maple Leaf
- 11 Days
Sample Itineraries: As with all expedition cruises, the itinerary may change based on weather, wildlife activity, and interests of the guests. This itinerary is to give you a general idea of the trip.
Day 1: Depart at Ketchikan, Alaska, to wilderness anchorage, wildlife viewing, shore excursion with introduction to the Easter Pacific Ocean and the Wester coastal temperate rainforest.
Day 2: Motor-sailing on route and wildlife viewing. Birdwatching, look for whales. Shore excursion in zodiacs to explore and discover the intertidal, wilderness anchorage.
Day 3: Cruising and exploring ashore in South Etolin Wilderness. Bears, intertidal life, island & islet exploration. Visit remote coves and estuaries. Evening kayaking.
Day 4: Sailing, Wrangell, Wrangell Narrows.
Day 5: Rainforest hike/walk, whale watching, sea lions. Anchor at fjord entrance with view of ice bergs. Beach time.
Day 6: Cruising spectacular fjord to tidewater glacier, ice bergs, wildlife viewing. Option to zodiac, kayak and/or walk, exploring glacier, ice bergs in this awesome ice world.
Day 7: Explore from aboard, around Admiralty Island’s Glass Peninsula and into wild brown bear habitat, estuary shore excursion and Brown Bear viewing.
Day 8: Cruising to Warm Springs Bay, visit small Alaskan coastal hamlet. Rainforest / bog walk and natural hot springs. Cruising the waterfall coast of Baranof Island.
Day 9: Chatham Strait & Fredrick Sound humpback whales. Wilderness anchorage.
Day 10: Cruising and sailing through Tongass National Forest. Seabird viewing.
Day 11: Cruise to Petersburg for disembarkation.
Departures
Find ideal trip dates for our Alaska Adventure below. Prices are listed in US Dollars. For other itineraries and departures, switch the tabs above.
| Date | Price | # of Nights | Start Port | End Port | Ship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 8 – 18, 2026 | $11,200 | 10 | Ketchikan | Petersburg | Maple Leaf |
| August 19 – 29, 2026 | $11,200 | 10 | Petersburg | Ketchikan | Maple Leaf |
* Prices are all-inclusive, and subject to a $150 USD sustainability fee per person. Prices listed are an approximate conversion of US Dollars and fare paid is in Canadian Dollars. See “Included in Our Price” for the exceptional value included. Fares are per person, based on double occupancy, and in Canadian dollars. For solo travellers, there is no single supplement on the SV Maple Leaf trips (shared accommodation), and there is a 50% single supplement on the MV Swell and Cascadia trips. For full-ship private charters, please contact us. Payment and cancellation policy is available online, in the brochures and by speaking with us. We welcome your contact.
Alaska with Canadian Geographic
- Swell
- 11 Days
Sample Itineraries: As with all expedition cruises, the itinerary may change based on weather, wildlife activity, and interests of the guests. This itinerary is to give you a general idea of the trip.
Your 2025 Canadian Geographic Ambassadors: Daisy Gilardini and David McEown, both renowned for their work in polar regions, bring their unique talents to enrich your journey. Daisy, an acclaimed conservation photographer will share her expertise and stories through engaging lectures and one-on-one sessions. David, a celebrated watercolor artist, will guide guests in capturing the beauty of the Alaskan coast through painting sessions, offering a truly immersive artistic experience.
On this special trip with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, you will explore the same areas as our regular supervoyage itinerary, but with special extra experiences, benefits from the Geographical Society, and a VIP resource person.
Day 1: Board ship. Weather permitting, explore by zodiac at St. Lazaria, an offshore island with thousands of seabirds. Cruising Kruzof Island and Salisbury Sound watching for sea otters.
Day 2: Free time to explore Sitka in the morning. Board ship. Weather permitting, explore by zodiac at St. Lazaria, an offshore island with thousands of seabirds. Cruising Kruzof Island and Salisbury Sound watching for sea otters.
Day 3: Morning rainforest trail to scenic lake. Wildlife viewing (bears, otters) along the way. Cruising the waterfall coast of Baranof Island. Marine mammal viewing. Warm Springs Bay halmet, bog walk, and natural hot springs.
Day 4: Cruising Frederick Sound, watching for whales. Visit sea lion haul out, small island anchorage beach walk. Anchorage Admiralty Island.
Day 5: Guided brown bear viewing and rainforest walk up salmon creek at Pack Creek on Admiralty Island, with special access for Swell guests.
Day 6: Cruising spectacular fjord to tidewater glacier, icebergs, wildlife viewing. Option to zodiac, kayak and/or walk, exploring glacier, icebergs in this awesome ice world. Beach walk at a glacier’s terminal moraine. Lecture.
Day 7: Stephen’s Passage and Frederick Sound whales. Waterfall and rainforest hike. Glacier anchorage.
Day 8: Petersburg visit. Scenic Wrangell Narrows cruise, with a view of Alaskan water-based lifestyle. Cruising south.
Day 9: South Etolin wilderness exploration by boat and foot. Exploring intertidal life, multiple islets, black bears.
Day 10: Morning visit to off-the-grid community of Meyer’s Chuck. Cruising Tongass Narrows to Ketchikan. Land-day tour with Joe Williams, his hometown. Farewell dinner. Overnight in lodge.
Day 11: Free time to explore Ketchikan.
Departures
Find ideal trip dates for our Alaska with Canadian Geographic below. Prices are listed in US Dollars. For other itineraries and departures, switch the tabs above.
| Date | Price | # of Nights | Start Port | End Port | Ship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 25 – August 5, 2025 | $11,640, $12,700, $14,000 | 11 | Petersburg | Ketchikan | Swell |
| July 18 – 27, 2026 | $13,700, $14,950, $16,450 | 9 | Petersburg | Sitka | Swell |
* Prices are all-inclusive, and subject to a $150 USD sustainability fee per person. Prices listed are an approximate conversion of US Dollars and fare paid is in Canadian Dollars. See “Included in Our Price” for the exceptional value included. Fares are per person, based on double occupancy, and in Canadian dollars. For solo travellers, there is no single supplement on the SV Maple Leaf trips (shared accommodation), and there is a 50% single supplement on the MV Swell and Cascadia trips. For full-ship private charters, please contact us. Payment and cancellation policy is available online, in the brochures and by speaking with us. We welcome your contact.
Experience Alaska
See our Alaska Supervoyage Tour through the eyes of our guests.
Alaska Tour Highlights
Go Where the Big Cruise Ships Dare Not Sail
Discover Alaska’s Beauty Aboard a Century-Old Restored Tugboat.
Alaska’s Most Unique Cruise
Experience Alaska from the decks of a ship that has traversed its natural wonder for more than a century.
Adventure Set to Glacial Pace
Journey through sheer-sided glacial fjords, reaching the foot of tidal glaciers. Witness spectacular calving events.
Giants of the Deep
Cruise into Fredrick Sound, a renowned feeding ground for whales. Look out for breaching humpbacks or the playful splash of an orca calf.
World-Class Bear Viewing
Enjoy special access to remote and protected areas like Salmon Creek & Pack Creek, where brown bears gather to feed.
Related Stories
Follow our coastal expeditions with notes from the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to your questions about our Alaska itineraries. Refer to our Frequently Asked Questions for more general trip and booking information.
To reach Sitka, Petersburg, or Ketchikan, you can fly Alaska Airlines through Seattle-Tacoma Airport. Please note guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements. Taxis are readily available upon arrival at each airport, and we will arrange a taxi pick-up at the marina for your departure. For more detailed information and personalised recommendations, please refer to the welcome aboard email you will receive from us. We are happy to assist with any travel guidance you may need.
Our schedule is designed to accommodate incoming flights on the day of departure and most guests will arrive on the day. But, if you would like to arrive a little early to avoid the stress of possible flight delays, you will find recommendations for local hotels, lodges and activities in your welcome aboard package.
You can expect mild to warm temperatures with average highs ranging from the 50s to the 70s Fahrenheit (10-25°C). However, it’s important to note that weather conditions in Alaska can be changeable. We recommended packing layered clothing, including light jackets and sweaters, as well as rain gear, as rain is common in this region. Be sure to check the weather forecast closer to your travel dates for more accurate information.
With peak wildlife phenomena from June until August, there’s no better time to explore the stunning natural world of Alaska’s inside passage than in summer. Earlier in the season, we have opportunity to see brown bears in their mating displays, foraging, browsing or clamming in the low tide. Later in the season, a bounty of salmon fill the creeks drawing out more brown bears. Special permits and careful people management provide us with exclusive access into their lives as they fish for salmon and go about their day. No matter when you choose to travel, we’re confident you’ll have an enjoyable experience.
Yes, your tour includes a land portion on the first or last day and a half of your trip, including hotel stay and local tour. Your land day will take place in either Sitka or Ketchikan, a colorful tapestry of Alaskan history from Tlingit and Haida to American.
We do not cross international borders during a trip. If you are travelling from outside of the US you will need a valid passport and possibly a visa, depending on the country you are traveling from. It’s important to check the entry requirements for your destination well in advance of your trip.
