Trip Highlights
Spend two consecutive full days inside Glacier Bay National Park, more time in the park than most Alaska cruise itineraries.
Get close to major tidewater glaciers, including Margerie and Lamplugh, in a way large cruise ships cannot.
Watch for humpback whales in Frederick Sound, one of Southeast Alaska's richest whale-feeding grounds.
About This Trip
A popular Southeast Alaska itinerary, and the reason is straightforward: it's the only route in the fleet built around two full days inside Glacier Bay National Park, rather than a single pass-through. This expedition is operated by our partner, UnCruise Adventures, and offered to Oceanic Society travelers with an exclusive discount and a portion of proceeds supporting our ocean conservation work. Sailing aboard either the Wilderness Discoverer or Wilderness Adventurer, the week moves through a dramatic tidewater fjord (Tracy Arm or an alternate glacier, chosen for safety by the expedition team given recent landslide activity in the area), into the whale-rich waters of Frederick Sound, and through prime brown bear habitat on Chichagof Island, before settling into Glacier Bay itself for extended exploration by kayak, skiff, and on foot.
Because each day offers a flexible menu of activities rather than a single fixed excursion, this itinerary suits travelers who want to shape their own pace, whether that's an all-day paddle through kelp-lined channels, a guided hike into the Tongass, or a slower day of wildlife watching from the ship. Wildlife highlights include mountain goats, Steller sea lions, puffins, humpback whales, and coastal brown bears, with birding at South Marble Island rounding out the week.
Conservation Impact
As America’s oldest 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to ocean conservation, Oceanic Society designs each expedition to deepen connections between people and nature while empowering travelers to play a direct role in preserving marine ecosystems. Through the Expedition Impact Program, your participation supports local ocean conservation projects in visited destinations, coral restoration, and plastic pollution offset initiatives.
Dates & Prices
Weekly Sunday Departures: May–Sep, 2027
Inquire NowWhat's Included
All activities listed in the itinerary, meals onboard, port fees and taxes, kayaking, hiking, skiff excursions, and other scheduled expedition activities, as well as a $250 onboard credit.
What's Not Included
Airfare, travel insurance, gratuities, and personal expenses.
Itinerary
Sample Itinerary
Board in Juneau, settle into your cabin, and depart for a week of secluded wilderness and scenic channels.
A dramatic fjord of floating ice, steep cliffs, and tidewater glaciers. The expedition team selects the safest, most rewarding glacier to visit given current conditions.
Prime humpback whale territory, with options for kayaking, hiking into the Tongass, skiff tours, and snorkeling.
A day dedicated to tracking coastal brown bears via shoreline walks, kayaking, and skiff-based viewing.
Spend two full days exploring Glacier Bay National Park by kayak, skiff, and on foot, with opportunities for glacial ridge hikes, moraine walks, forest treks, and all-day paddles to quiet inlets. Watch for mountain goats, sea lions, and puffins along the way.
A flexible final full day with kayaking, shore walks, bushwhack hikes, and skiff rides, capped with a Captain’s Dinner.
Ship
Wilderness Discoverer
The Wilderness Discoverer accommodates up to 76 guests in 38 outside cabins across three decks. At 174 feet long with a 54-foot beam and shallow draft, the ship can access remote waterways that larger vessels cannot reach. A 2.2:1 guest-to-crew ratio p…
Naturalist(s)
Your expedition will be led by one or more of the following expert naturalist guides:
