E-mail a friendShip: Odyssey
Itinerary: Alaska’s Inside Passage
cabins & deck plans | additional itineraries | cancellation policy
| Days | Dates | Deck + Cabin Type |
| Destinations : Alaska Activities : Cultural Activities, Modern History, Nature Viewing, Photography, Whale Watching |
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Explore the rugged coast of Alaska on board the luxurious Clipper Odyssey. Watch for the phenomenon of "glacier calving", the incredible sights of humpback and killer whales, and take in the breathtaking scenery of this northern passage.
Day 1 : Anchorage/Seward/ Embark Clipper Odyssey
Following breakfast at the hotel, take a private tour at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. We depart Anchorage and proceed along picturesque Turnagain Arm onto the Kenai Peninsula. We will stop enroute at Alyeska Resort for a ride on the tram up to the stunning vistas of the Chugach Mountains and a private lunch at the resort. Following lunch, arrive in Seward to board the Clipper Odyssey.
Day 2 : Prince William Sound
The beauty of small ship cruising -- wake up to the site of glaciers as the Clipper Odyssey makes its way amongst the icebergs and coves of Prince William Sound. Have binoculars and cameras handy for the variety of wildlife which is sure to be spotted here.
Day 3 : Hubbard Glacier / Expedition Cruising
Today we will cruise the St Elias Range, crowned by mighty Mt. St Elias at over 18,000 feet. This is the tallest coastal mountain range in the world. Enter Yakutat Bay to view Hubbard Glacier, at over 75 miles long the longest tidewater Glacier in North America, with a face six miles wide. This is one of the few advancing glaciers, and Clipper Odyssey will maneuver a comfortable distance off the face of the glacier and watch for "glacier calving".
Day 4 : Pt. Adolphus Humpback Whales/ Haines / Chilkat River Bald Eagles and Bears
This morning we will awaken at Pt. Adolphus, across from the entrance to Glacier Bay, to observe the congregation of humpback whales who spend their summer feeding in the rich upwelling which occurs here. Then we will cruise north in Lynn Canal to the town of Haines. Haines is the classic Alaskan village, set between the sea and magnificent peaks. We will take a private afternoon float trip in the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve to view the congregation of eagles and bears that frequent the river to feed on spawning salmon.
Day 5 : Chatham Strait / Bubble Net Feeding / Hatchery Tour / South Baranof Is.
Today the Clipper Odyssey cruises southbound in Chatham Strait. All eyes will be toward the Starboard shore as we look for one of nature’s greatest spectacles – humpbacks doing "Bubble Net Feeding”. This complex group feeding involves up to a dozen whales thrusting out of the water with throats full of herring. With our hydrophone we'll broadcast the unique sounds. Later our naturalists will point out the Chatham Cannery which James Michener used as the model for his “cannery in Alaska”. After lunch, we’ll visit Hidden Falls Hatchery, one of the great success stories of Alaskan fisheries. Along the amazing "Waterfall Coast" of South Baranof Island we'll anchor for the night in Hoggatt Bay, one of Alaska’s most beautiful fjord anchorages.
Day 6 : Admiralty Island / Frederick Sound
Today is our day for wildlife viewing. We’ll explore Admiralty Island, which boasts one of the densest populations of brown bears in Alaska. As the Clipper Odyssey cruises Frederick Sound, be on the lookout for humpback whales, killer whales, sea lions, sea otters, seals, and porpoises. This is one of the premier feeding locations for marine mammals in Alaska. Deer are sometimes seen along the edge of the forest in the early morning and late evening.
Day 7 : LeConte Glacier / Kupreanof Island Walk
Early this morning the Odyssey arrives at the entrance to LeConte Glacier. John Muir thought it the most beautiful glacier he had ever seen, and we'd have to agree. Set deep in a steep-sided fjord choked with gigantic icebergs, we’ll approach it in our Zodiacs. Ice conditions permitting, we'll view the massive glacier as it winds it way down from the mighty Stikine Icefield. After lunch we’ll go ashore on Kupreanof Island for a short hike on a fish-net covered boardwalk through beautiful temperate rainforest and muskeg. This evening Odyssey winds its way southbound through the Wrangell Narrows, with over 80 aids to navigation along its serpentine route.
Day 8 : Misty Fjords
This morning we'll retrace a portion of Captain George Vancouver’s voyage through this region, pointing out some of the places mentioned in his fascinating journals. Native Tlingit culture is rich in this part of Alaska, with thousands of years of habitation here. Aboard as guest speaker will be the Mayor of the Ketchikan Borough and President of Saxman Village Joe Williams. Joe is a Tlingit Native and cultural historian. He will point out some historic village sites and tell us of the complex Tlingit culture and daily life. If weather permits, we'll view the striking”Wall of Pictographs" and cruise by the Channel Islands, with their large harbor seal population.
Later the Odyssey steams into Rudyerd Bay, one of the great bays of Misty Fjords National Monument. Gigantic granite domes and huge waterfalls are everywhere in this beautiful spot. We'll be there at the perfect time to view the salmon returning at the mouth of several small streams. If we are lucky, we might glimpse the great Alaskan brown bear, a frequent visitor to these streams. Early evening we’ll dock at Ketchikan, Alaska's gateway city, to clear U.S. Customs as we depart Alaska.
Day 9 : Prince Rupert / Expedition Cruising British Columbia
In one of the finest natural harbors in the world lies Prince Rupert, Canada's northern gateway. After clearing Canadian Customs, we can stroll through historic "Cow Bay" a charming area of galleries and shops and visit the Museum of Northern British Columbia. This museum details the Tshimshian Culture's rich history
After departure, the Clipper Odyssey sails through the stunning Grenville Channel, a ram-rod straight channel almost sixty miles long. This part of the coast is home to the famous Kermode or "Spirit Bear", a black bear (Ursos Americanus) with a completely white coat. Our naturalists will scan the stream mouths for a glimpse of this remarkable animal as it forages for fish and intertidal "goodies".
Day 10 : Fjordland / Expedition Cruising British Columbia
Off the beaten path on a waterway far to the east of the usual ship route is one of the newest Canadian Parks, Fjordland. Seldom visited and truly magnificent, this area is packed with wildlife. Humpback whales, wolves, deer, eagles and bear are often seen here. In magnificent Kynoch Inlet the Odyssey will maneuver close to a dramatic waterfall dropping directly into the fjord. Deep in Kynoch is an extraordinary place called Culpepper's Lagoon. If tide and time permit we'll lower our Zodiacs for an excursion into this seldom visited paradise. Afternoon finds the Odyssey crossing magnificent Queen Charlotte Sound, a mecca for sea-birds and marine mammals.
Day 11 : Alert Bay, BC / Johnstone Strait
Today we visit a true gem, the Umista Cultural Center and Big House in Alert Bay on northern Vancouver Island. After breakfast we'll visit the village and see the colorful totem park and cemetery. For those wanting a brisk walk, we’ll hike on a boardwalk trail through a drowned cedar forest which rises on a forested hillside and then drops down to the Cultural Center.
In the Cultural Center we’ll view the famous “Potlatch Collection” display of masks and regalia. We'll learn the rich history of these people and the amazing story of the collection’s removal by Canadian authorities and eventual return to the village. Then we’ll walk the short distance to the “Big House” to watch a dance presentation by some Kwakwaka’wakw Dancers. In this beautiful traditional building we’ll watch several dances performed by the Kwakwaka’wakw people for hundreds of years, including the famous “Hamatsa” dance. Native carvers will display their art outside the center and in the gift shop in the Museum. This is one of the best stops for purchase of authentic Native art.
Day 12 : Vancouver, BC/Home Flights / Extensions
This morning, disembark the Odyssey in Vancouver, B.C. and transfer to the airport for homebound flights.
NOTE: Due to rising fuel costs, a $20/night fuel surcharge will be assessed to your shipboard account onboard for departures starting in July 2008.
Prices are based on a 3% cash discount.
Ship Description: Odyssey
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Odyssey
The Odyssey was built in 1989 in Tsu, Japan, by Japanese craftsmen to the design of a master Dutch yacht designer, Studio Acht, and is eminently suited for the year-round itineraries in the Pacific. These range from as far south as New Zealand and Australia's Great Barrier Reef, to as far north as Japan, the Kuril Islands, and the Russian Far East, including the Kamchatka Peninsula.
The Odyssey measures 340 feet long, 51 feet wide, and has a draft of 14 feet. Staterooms are all outside and average a generous 186 square feet in size, and are furnished with either twin or queen-size beds and a sitting area with a sofa. Each cabin features a spacious bathroom with tub baths and shower, individually controlled air-conditioning, in-room music system, ample wardrobe space, three-sided mirrors, personal safe, refrigerator, and television.
A fleet of Zodiac landing craft can be launched in minutes to take passengers ashore in places where no infrastructure exists. The vessel is equipped with state-of-the-art satellite navigation and communication equipment including telephone, fax, and email.
An outdoor swimming pool, dedicated jogging track, and two sun decks offer ample opportunities for outdoor recreation. Inside, the spacious public areas of the ship include two lounges, a small library, and a single seating dining room.
An experienced cruise staff, physician, and onboard lecturers accompany all voyages to enhance the passengers’ enjoyment of the places visited.
All meals are prepared to order on board. The ship's chefs, graduates of the finest American culinary schools, combine the highest quality American ingredients with the influences and spices of the places the Odyssey visits. The resulting "fusion cuisine" provides a taste of the destinations visited.
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Category 1/ A-Deck A Deck Outside Double Cabin with sitting area, portholes Approx. 185 sqft |
Category 2/ Main Forward Main Deck Outside Double Cabin with sitting area and a window Approx. 175 sqft |
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Category 3/ Main Main Deck Outside Double Cabin with sitting area and a window Approx. 175 sqft |
Category 4/ Lido Lido Deck Outside Double Cabin with sitting area and a window Approx. 175 sqft |
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Category 5/ Bridge Bridge Deck Outside Double Cabin with sitting area and a window Approx. 230 sqft |
Category 6/ Balcony Suite Bridge Deck Outside Suite with private veranda Approx. 230 sqft |
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Owners Suite Bridge Deck Outside Suite with separate bedroom and private veranda Approx. 310 sqft |
