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Journey Beyond the Edge: Alaska's Ultimate Small Ship Cruise

Best Alaska Cruise Itinerary

Embark on an extraordinary 7-day adventure with Alaska Uncharted, where the majestic beauty of Alaska’s Inside Passage is your playground. Aboard our intimate small ships, you’ll navigate the serene waters between Juneau and Petersburg, exploring secluded coves, witnessing awe-inspiring glaciers, and coming face-to-face with Alaska’s vibrant wildlife. Each day offers a new opportunity to capture breathtaking scenes, from the surreal blue glow of icebergs to the enchanting sunsets that grace the Alaskan sky. With personalized itineraries designed around your desires, this isn’t just any cruise—it’s your gateway to the untamed wilderness of Alaska, crafted to deliver an unparalleled experience of discovery and luxury. Set sail with us and transform your dream of the ultimate Alaskan adventure into a vivid reality.

MY Golden Eagle alaska small ship cruise
Capturing Alaska's Untouched Beauty

Why Choose Alaska Uncharted?

With Alaska Uncharted, you’re not just a passenger; you’re an explorer. Our small boat cruises offer a unique, intimate journey through Alaska’s legendary Inside Passage, tailored to your preferences for exploration and luxury.

  • Where We Cruise: Experience the Inside Passage up close, with access to hidden coves and secluded spots that larger ships can’t reach.
  • Free Excursions: Enjoy complimentary whale watching, glacier tours, fishing, and crabbing—right off the boat.
  • Our Boats: Choose from our fleet of two cozy, well-equipped boats for your journey.
  • All-Inclusive Experience: From gourmet meals to engaging activities, everything is included. You’ll disembark with memories, not a bill.
Inside Passage Exploration: Journey Through Alaska's Heart
Cruise Itinerary Outline

alaska wildlife cruise tour excursion whale tale

What is the best Alaska cruise itinerary?

The best Alaska cruise itinerary is the one that you select. So an itinerary that meets all of your exploratory and luxury needs. A small boat cruise in Alaska will provide a custom itinerary around what you want and not just what the company says you will do. Here at Alaska Uncharted we can customize a cruise itinerary based upon what you want to see and do.

Alaska’s Inside Passage is a photographers dream. Every day brings new opportunities for amazing pictures, from wild life up close to majestic mountain scenery, from the incredible scale of the glaciers to the beautiful surreal blue ‘glow’ of the icebergs, from the ever changing light to the stunning end seemingly everlasting sunrises and sunsets you’ll never be short of subjects for your photos.

Alaskan Wonders Through the Eyes of Our Explorers
Sample Cruise Itinerary

**NOTE: The following itinerary is a sample itinerary to show you what you can do on a cruise with us. However, our cruise itinerary is completely customized based upon what you want to do. Contact us to talk about what you want in your custom Alaska cruise.

MY Golden Eagle alaska small ship cruise
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You’ll Meet the vessel in Auke Bay Harbor in Juneau, Alaska at Noon.

After a welcome aboard drink and safety briefing, We’ll show around the boat, stow your luggage and depart for Auke Bay northbound to round Point Retreat lighthouse and set sail southbound to Chatham Straights.

The Boat will stop and look for bubble netting whales, a frequent occurrence in the areas north of Juneau. Bubble netters are rare elsewhere so we try to find some in the Juneau/Northern Chatham area for guests to enjoy the spectacular phenomenon.

humpback whales bubble net feeding watching tours alaska

The boat will anchor that night in Funter Bay, a small sanctuary on the northern end of Admiralty Island, or Kootznwoo as the indigenous people in the area refer to it, meaning “Fortress of The Bears’.

Admiralty Island boasts the highest density of brown bears in the world. Funter Bay has a small settlement, but was most known as an internment camp during World War II.

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Depart Funter Bay southbound for Pavalof Harbor enjoying breakfast along the way.

We’ll stop in Pavlof for bear viewing at the waterfall, there is a fish ladder up the falls, and lots of salmon congregate in the area, making it easy fishing for the bears, close to saltwater.

This area is a well known bear viewing spot for these reasons. We either view from shore or the tender or possible paddle in the kayaks.

We then will have lunch and cruise from Pavlof to Kadashan Bay in Tenakee Inlet, possibly stop and fish for salmon or halibut along the way. Set the crab pots in Kadashan, and plan to overnight in Crab Bay. There is great bear viewing, paddling, and fishing for the kids. Discuss options of visiting Tenakee with guests. Discuss the history of Tenakee as a major crab cannery and now small local non-native village. 

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We will wake up early to pull in the crab pots! It’s a fun thing to try if you never have- or at least watch how it’s done. 

Then we’ll head south to Lake Eva for a beautiful hike to the lake. There is excellent bear viewing, and possible fishing along the way.

We tend to keep day three very fluid, if guests are having fun we extend activities, or if ahead of schedule we make tracks for the Warm Springs that afternoon.

We are usually in Warm Springs that afternoon and overnight there or in nearby Takatz Bay. We often use Takatz as it is very private and beautiful. We can have Crab Night and feast like Kings!

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We then will head to South Admiralty to explore the Carroll Island sea caves (weather/tide dependent).

We might fish, bounce around and play in the area with plans to overnight in Eliza Harbor.

One of our favorite nights is our Beach Bonfire and cookout! 

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sea lions alaska cruise

We will have a morning departure to Brothers Island to visit the sea lion rookery (nursery), incredible whale watching and visit Five Finger LightHouse for a tour.

We can anchor at Wood Spit in the mouth of Tracy Arm or Wyndham Bay depending on timing. Both beautiful and set us up for…… our favorite day!

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alaska glacier calving cruise excursion tour

Glacier Day!!! Words can not describe the immense beauty and awe of this experience!

We will do a fire and lunch on the boat in front of the glacier, more waterfalls than you can imagine, paddle among the ice, fish for icebergs for cocktails, maybe even try a Polar Plunge! 

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Last day with transit back to Juneau for debarkation at Auke Bay Harbor around noon. 

Want to know where we cruise?
7 Day Itinerary Map

As every cruise is customized to what you want to view, here is a sample 7 day Inside Passage cruise itinerary .

small ship alaska cruise itinerary map

Hawk Inlet

The Tlingit called this area "where herring spawn" and used the inlet for its abundance of salmon, halibut, clam, and shrimp. It is located on northern Admiralty Island and allows quick access from Stephens Passage to Chatham Strait. It is still used today by commercial, recreational, and subsistence fisherman. The area was home to Hawk Fish Company cannery from 1868-1920 and it now houses Green Creek Mine, the fifth largest silver producer in the world. The mine was established in 1989 and has been grandfathered in to be the only mine allowed to operate in a national monument. It is the largest private employer in Juneau with 440 employees that can only commute by ferry.

Taku Harbor

Former home of the San Juan Fish & Packing Company, a major salmon cannery, which was established in 1901. Now it is part of an Alaska state marine park. It was named after the Taku natives that lived in the area. In 1840 it was known as Fort Durham and was a trading post for Hudson Bay Co. There is an original cabin here that gold miner and trapper Henry “Tiger” Olson lived in that is now available for rent.

 

North Sawyer

North and South Sawyer Glacier are located at the end of Tracy Arm Fjord. They are active tidewater glaciers, which means they are actively calving. The North Sawyer Glacier wall is over 1,000 feet high and 1/2 mile wide. The glacier is 25 miles long and has been receding to the spot it lies now for more than 250 years. 
 

Pavlof Harbor

A state designated bear viewing area where you’ll often see bears gracefully fishing in streams for salmon. You can kayak paddle upstream for safe bear viewing.

Tenakee Springs

A small community on Chichagof Island that was founded in 1910. The total population as of 2020 is 116 people. There is a grocery/general store, school, post office, and museum. There are no roads or cars, and the only way in and out is by seaplane or boat. Beautiful anchorages, great crabbing, brown bear viewing, and nature walks. Take a stroll through the quaint town while watching float planes navigate the waterway as the primary mode of transportation.

 

Wood Spit

We will typically anchor here for the night prior to entering the spectacular fjords leading to the glaciers. We’ll set crab pots for the night while enjoying beautiful sunsets

Lake Eva

A beautiful hike to a secluded lake tucked away in the quiet of the forest.

 

Brothers Island

Kayaking & sea lion rookery

5 Finger Lighthouse

This was the first US-governed lighthouse opened in Alaska, which was first lit on March 21, 1902. The original lighthouse burned down, and the now-standing lighthouse was built two years later in 1935. It sits on a small island between Stephens Passage and Fredericks Sound. In 2004, it was listed as a historic place in the National Register.

LeConte Glacier

This glacier can be seen outside of Petersburg. It is a 21-mile long tidewater glacier and is the southernmost tidewater glacier in the Northern Hemisphere. It is known for its “shooters,” which are icebergs that calve underwater and shoot out of the water due to their buoyancy.

 

Carroll Islands

Exciting adventures await you on your kayak paddle around these rugged islands. (Weather permitting)

 

Eliza Harbor

Hiking & Kayaking

Baranof Warm Springs

A great place to take a stroll along the boardwalk and soak in a private tub filled fresh with hot springs water or take a dip in the natural springs a short hike from the dock. Another great paddle is into a salt water chuck for bear viewing.

 

Embark on the Adventure of a Lifetime
Discover Pricing & Availability Now

Alaska Awaits: Discover the journey that awaits you aboard the MV Sikumi. With exclusive excursions and personalized experiences, your Alaskan dream is just a click away. Explore our availability and pricing options to tailor your perfect escape.

Visions of Alaska: A Photographic Showcase
Best Alaska Cruise Photos

Inside Passage Cruise
Alaska Cruise Itinerary FAQ

What is the best alaska cruise itinerary

How to choose an Alaska Cruise Itinerary

Deciding whether to rent camera gear for an Alaska cruise largely depends on your personal preferences and existing photography equipment. If you already own gear that meets your needs for the varied environments and subjects you’ll encounter, such as wildlife and landscapes, it’s beneficial to use your own equipment with which you’re familiar.

However, if you don’t own suitable gear or don’t want to risk damaging your equipment, renting can be a good option. Rental gear is often high-quality and tailored to the specific conditions of Alaskan photography. It allows you to try out different lenses and cameras without the commitment of a full purchase. Always check in advance with the cruise provider about the availability and range of rental gear options.

When is the best time to cruise Alaska?

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Alaska Cruise Excursions

Many large cruise lines will make you pick an activity for your trip and charge you if you want to experience more. We want our guests to have new and fantastic experiences without the added pressure of an additional bill at the end of the cruise.