Alaska Inside Passage Cruise

Day 1: Juneau, AK

Settle into your hotel and enjoy time to explore Juneau. Downtown, peruse unique shops, excellent museums, and native heritage sites. Ride the enclosed tramway up the steep mountainside for spectacular views of forested islands, quiet coves, and rugged coastal mountains.

Day 2: Afternoon of Cruising

Before boarding, enjoy a guided exploration of the city of Juneau which concludes at the ship. Be treated to a Welcome Reception as you begin your Alaska journey.

Day 3: Haines, AK

Nestled at the northern end of the Lynn Canal, the mountains rise steeply from the shoreline and seem to wrap around Haines. Along a river on the edge of town, view the bears that regularly feed on salmon.

Bald eagles are the stars of more than 260 species of birds in the adjacent Chilkat Valley. Enjoy a variety of activities, including a guided wildlife expedition, a private kayaking and rafting tour, or a visit to bald eagle rehabilitation center.

Day 4: Skagway, AK

Located at the northernmost point of the Inside Passage, the small town of Skagway became known as the “Gateway to the Yukon” and grew rapidly as 100,000 adventurous Americans traveled north in hopes of striking it rich. Learn more about this amazing story at the National Park Service’s Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Antique streetcars with colorful guides still offer tours of the old frontier and gold-rush-era buildings.

Take a vintage locomotive up the breathtaking mountain pass on your way up to Canada aboard the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad which was completed in 1900. Explore the town’s the false-front buildings which house a charming array of shops, restaurants, bars, and museums.

Day 5: Glacier Bay National Park

There is no place in the world quite like Glacier Bay National Park. The park sprawls majestically over 3.3 million acres of dynamic topography. Thousands of glaciers descend toward the bay, which is surrounded by the Fairweather Mountain Range, known to collect more than 200 feet of snow annually.

American Cruise Lines is one of a few cruise lines allowed privileged access into this natural wonder. Savor a day cruising through this 60-mile bay as you delight in the diverse and stunning surroundings. Sip on cocoa as the ship floats beneath massive glaciers. Gaze in amazement at hundreds of seals hauled out on floating icebergs and massive chunks of ice breaking off and collapsing into the water. Enjoy awe-inspiring sights as your onboard presenter shares stories about the unique aspects that make this place so remarkable.

Day 6: Cruising the Alaska Inside Passage

This day of cruising offers an array of scenic highlights as our small ship meanders the narrow channel of the Tracy Arm Fjord. Throughout the 25-mile journey, the waterway averages only about a mile wide, framed by steep vertical cliffs stretching more than 3,000 feet high. Pockets of valleys reveal views of larger, snow-capped peaks featuring mountainsides adorned with ancient forest and swaths of sparkling glaciers.

Hundreds of waterfalls cascade down the cliffs and tumble into the water. The miraculous journey is further heightened as the ship arrives at the faces of the stunning twin Sawyer Glaciers that once combined to carve out this incredible waterway. Seals lounge with their young on small ice floes. During glacier viewing, the crew prepares a delicious hot-chocolate bar with an array of toppings and liqueurs.

The area is almost unchanged since naturalist John Muir visited in 1879 and described this special place as “shut in by sublime cliffs, nobly sculptured, and adorned with waterfalls and fringes of trees, bushes, and patches of flowers.”

Day 7: Petersburg, AK

As your ship docks in Petersburg, admire the surrounding mountains which rise to the sky, white and gleaming. Founded more than 100 years ago by Norwegian fishermen, Petersburg is an authentic Alaskan fishing town, with most families making their living from the sea. Be warmly welcomed by locals and excursion guides who are proud to share the treasures of their hometown and honor the culture of those who first settled here.

For a spectacular view, take a flightseeing excursion and soar over massive glaciers, majestic valleys, and mystic bays. Explore the charming shops and quaint museums of downtown or hike along the waterfront to enjoy the surrounding wilderness. Charter a fishing boat for the afternoon in the adjacent Frederick Sound or delight in a jet boat adventure to nearby LeConte Glacier Bay.

Day 8: Wrangell, AK

Wrangell’s cozy little bay offers a broad view of the attractive town and along the long valley descending from the backdrop of coastal mountains. To the north of town, the Stikine River empties into the ocean in braided rivulets across a wide delta. Salmon runs attract wildlife and observation areas enable you to safely watch eagles, seals, black bears, and brown bears feasting on the spawning fish.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take a jet boat ride up the river, an important route during the Gold Rush. On your exploration of the town, savor the flavors of fresh salmon and halibut, participate in native Tlingit culture, or stop and pick from the wild bushes of blueberries and huckleberries.

Day 9: Ketchikan, AK

Located in the midst of the Tongass National Forest, Ketchikan, Alaska is truly the beginning of the last frontier, with a glacier-carved wilderness of snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, and wildlife. Here, animals may actually outnumber people, as the densely wooded surrounding landscape of the Tongass National Forest is home to black bears, mountain goats, Sitka black-tailed deer, bald eagles, and more.

A variety of excellent museums share the cultural stories of the three main tribes have lived in Southeast Alaska – Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian. In Saxman’s Totem Park, view 25 totems, each authentic replicas of poles abandoned in native villages as people moved to towns and cities. Go flightseeing to admire the nearby magical Misty Fiords National Monument. Cheer at a lumberjack demonstration show highlighting the region’s logging industry. Stroll along Creek Street’s wooden boardwalks and shops perched on wooden pilings above the stream.

Day 10: Cruising the Inside Passage & Frederick Sound

Relish a day of scenic cruising along the Inside Passage. Savor delicious cuisine, enjoy festive onboard activities and illuminating presentations, or just relax and be spoiled by the gracious hospitality of our all-American crew. As you glide smoothly aboard the new American Constellation, the only fully stabilized small cruise ship in the region, enjoy every modern comfort and convenience.

Nestle beside the large windows in one of our many lounges to revel in the scenery as you make new friends. Relax in the luxury of your stateroom, featuring a wall of windows, or sit out on your private veranda as the captain maneuvers the ship beside churning waterfalls, backcountry lodges, or into magical coves.

Thousands of humpback whales migrate for the nutrient-rich waters, as do orcas, sea lions, seals, dolphins, and porpoise. Watch for gliding or breaching whales, or even an incredible sighting of “bubble-net feeding” as the whales work to feed in tandem. Along the shoreline, you may also spot black and brown bears as well as Sitka black-tailed deer.

Day 11: Cruising Queen Charlotte Strait

Delight in a relaxing day sailing alongside the majestic beauty of the 150 miles of the narrow Strait of Georgia between Vancouver Island and the mainland coast of British Columbia. With less than 180 guests onboard, everyone has an incredible view of the natural wonders and majestic beauty of the region. From the comfort of your furnished private balcony, discover the unique and biologically rich characteristics of this estuary system where hundreds of rivers flow into the sea.

Along the way, delight in the locally inspired cuisine prepared by our team of master chefs and enjoy the a wide variety of onboard activities and presentations. Or, just relax and be spoiled by the gracious hospitality of our all-American crew as you glide along aboard the only fully stabilized small cruise ship in the region.

Day 12: Cruising Strait of Georgia

Enjoy a relaxing day of cruising along the Queen Charlotte Strait, a part of the Inside Passage of sheltered waters behind a series of island chains that stretch from Washington State to the Great Land of Alaska. Cruise in spacious comfort onboard the region’s newest small cruise ship as you gaze awestruck at the breathtaking scenery and abundant wildlife. Bask in the ever-changing beauty of the Broughton Archipelago with its variety of marine mammals, including orcas, harbor seals, and sea lions. Gaze skyward to watch for soaring bald eagles.

Enhance your experience with onboard enrichment programs presented by the area’s finest historians, naturalists, and entertainers. Roam the comfortable onboard lounges to share the days adventures with fellow travelers and savor the chef’s delicious regional creations.

Day 13: Friday Harbor, WA

You will be enchanted by the beauty and laid-back charm of San Juan Island’s Friday Harbor. The town is adorned with historic storefronts, picturesque turn-of-the-century houses, and Coast Salish native carvings. Ramble through the walkable historic district of this secluded coastal fishing village. Browse the friendly local shops and restaurants. Explore excellent museums to learn more about the region’s marine life, history, cultural arts, and more.

Discover the bizarre story of the 1859 “Pig War” that almost hurled the U.S. and Britain into war. Venture out on your own or enjoy guided excursions to additional attractions. Delight in this quaint town, its rich history, and the area’s diverse topography, from pebbly beaches to magnificent mountains and lush valleys.

Day 14: Anacortes, WA

Anacortes is a lovely waterfront town located on Fidalgo Island in Northwest Washington State. This vibrant coastal community is home to one of the world’s largest whale watching fleets, as well as Deception Pass, one of the most photographed places in the Northwest.

More than 50 miles of trails run through Anacortes and Fidalgo Island, where you can enjoy views of Mount Erie, four fresh-water lakes, old growth forest, and a variety of wildlife, including bald eagles. Explore the downtown, just a few steps from our dock, and peruse its sophisticated boutiques, art galleries, and antique shops.

Day 15: Seattle, WA

Welcome to Seattle. Relax on the sun deck as the famous skyline of the city draws near. Once we arrive, make the most of your time in Seattle with an excursion to the Seattle Center or allow American Cruise Lines to assist with transportation arrangements home.

Day 16: Seattle, WA

End your magnificent journey in this incredible destination. Stay an extra day or two to explore the original Starbucks in Pike Place Market, before exploring the iconic Space Needle, a 1962 World’s Fair legacy.

Included

• Cruise passage
• All gourmet meals
• Breakfast room service
• Snacks
• Cocktail hour each evening
• Entertainment aboard the ship
• Acclaimed enrichment program
• Wi-Fi throughout the ship
• Personalized service from a dedicated crew

Not Included

• Air transport to/from embarkation/debarkation destinations
• Most shore tours (unless otherwise noted)
• Port charges and fees

American Constellation

The 175-passenger American Constellation is uniquely designed to navigate the inland waterways of the Pacific Northwest, bringing guests to beautiful ports the larger ships can’t access.

American Constellation Details …

American Constitution

The 175-passenger American Constitution is designed with elegance in mind. This coastal cruise ship is uniquely designed to navigate the inland coastal waterways of the East Coast.

American Constitution Details …