Ship:  Spirit of Columbia

Itinerary:  Glacier of Prince William Sound Wilderness Option

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Day 1 : Arrive in Fairbanks
Day 2 : Fairbanks Sightseeing
Day 3 : Fairbanks to Denali National Park
Day 4 : At Kantishna Roadhouse
Day 5 : Kantishna to Anchorage
Day 6 : Kayaking in Whittier. Begin Cruise
Day 7 : College Fjord
Day 8 : Chenega Glacier and Island Exploration
Day 9 : Transfer to Anchorage
 Click for full itinerary
Days Dates Deck + Cabin Type
C B A AA AAA Deluxe
9 Jun 7, 2009
Jun 14, 2009
Jun 21, 2009
Jun 28, 2009
Jul 5, 2009
Jul 12, 2009
Jul 19, 2009
Jul 26, 2009
Aug 2, 2009
Aug 9, 2009
Aug 16, 2009
$3,799 $3,849 $4,199 $4,299 $4,499 $4,749
Includes $306 per person which covers taxes/port charges/fees and onboard services. Single-Triple rates available upon request.
Destinations : Alaska
Activities : Nature Viewing, Photography, Sea Kayaking, Whale Watching

Prince William Sound lies just south of the rugged Chugach Mountains-a breathtaking maze of forested islands, glacier-carved fjords and wildlife-filled waterways. This area is every bit as spectacular as the traditional Inside Passage, but far less traveled, giving you a hint of what the world looked like after the last Ice Age. Choose this wilderness option for a multisport adventure like no other - hiking, kayaking, and optional horseback riding in some of the most remote wilderness areas on the planet!

Day 1 : Arrive in Fairbanks

Upon arrival you will be transferred to Pike’s Waterfront Lodge for a wine and cheese reception.

Day 2 : Fairbanks Sightseeing

Enjoy a day of sightseeing including a delightful riverboat cruise followed by lunch at the historic Pumphouse Restaurant. Visit the University of Alaska Museum. BLD

Day 3 : Fairbanks to Denali National Park

Board a deluxe domed railcar and enjoy breakfast as you travel south to Denali National Park. At the Park entrance, board a bus to travel 90+ miles deep into the Park to the Kantishna gold mining area, and your home for two nights, the Kantishna Roadhouse. BLD

Day 4 : At Kantishna Roadhouse

Experience the Denali that most never see, with three nights and two full days deep within Denali. Kantishna Roadhouse offers guided hikes and opportunities for trail rides and wildlife spotting. When the weather is clear, viewpoints in this area enjoy unparalleled sweeps of the Alaska Range, including 20,320-foot Mt. McKinley. Delicious home-cooked meals are included at the Roadhouse. BLD

Day 5 : Kantishna to Anchorage

Drive Denali National Park’s sole road to the Park entrance. Along the way, watch for Alaska’s big mammals – grizzly bears, moose, caribou, and Dall sheep. From Denali travel back to Anchorage via deluxe domed railcar. Dinner is included onboard. Overnight at the Sheraton Hotel. Ask about optional bush planes out. BD

Day 6 : Kayaking in Whittier. Begin Cruise

From Anchorage, travel by motorcoach down beautiful Turnagain Arm to Whittier. After brief paddling instructions, enjoy a spectacular time kayaking in Prince William Sound. You will glide past waterfalls and visit an active bird rookery, then land at a secluded beach for a hearty picnic lunch. Return to Whittier to board the Spirit of Columbia The ship departs for seldom-visited areas of Prince William Sound, starting with a visit to Blackstone Glacier in Blackstone Bay. BLD

Day 7 : College Fjord

Wake up near the face of Harvard Glacier at the very end of College Fjord. Dozens of glaciers of all types pour from the mountains to the sea here. The most impressive sight you can hope to see is skyscraper-sized pinnacles of ice plunging from the glaciers into the water. Continue on to narrow Esther Passage, a waterway only small ships can navigate. Watch for orcas, sea otters, and bald eagles here; your Captain knows where the best sightings will be found. Explore the serene Eaglek Bay. BLD

Day 8 : Chenega Glacier and Island Exploration

Narrow wilderness waterways – some just 200 feet wide – lead to Knight Island in the wild southwest corner of Prince William Sound. Winding Icy Bay leads to a spectacular glacier calving icebergs into salt water at the head of the fjord. The rest of the day is a sheer delight, as you indulge in leisurely exploration of islands with hardly a trace of human habitation. BLD

Day 9 : Transfer to Anchorage

Visit a large kittiwake colony before continuing to Whittier for disembarkation. Transfer by motorcoach back to Anchorage. B


Please note an additional fuel surcharge of $15 per person per night on ship.

Ship Description: Spirit of Columbia

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Spirit of Columbia | slide show
Previous Image   Next Image Spirit of Columbia

The Spirit of Columbia is a cozy vessel perfect for shared adventure in Prince William Sound. With her shallow draft and stately pace of cruising, you won't miss a thing as she lingers among the back channels, bays and wilderness islands.

The range of cabin categories is one of the widest in our fleet, ranging from lower-deck inside cabins to Deluxe and AAA categories with picture windows and a TV monitor/VCR. All staterooms offer private facilities and air conditioning.

C
80.5 sq. ft. Two single beds and no windows on lower deck. Category C stateroom is slightly more narrow than a Category B stateroom.
B
80.5 sq. ft Two single beds and no windows on lower deck.
A
110 sq. ft. Two twin beds, TV monitor/VCR
AA
92 sq. ft. Two single beds and large view window.
Spirit of Columbia - Deluxe Cabin AAA
104 sq. ft. Two single beds and large view window.
Deluxe
126 sq. ft. One queen bed (Willamette only) or two twins, writing desk, chair, TV monitor/VCR, refrigerator and large view window.
Spirit of Columbia - Deck Plan

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