16 Day Outer Limits Cruise in Canada and Alaska with Captains Choice

Day 1: Australia to Vancouver, Canada – Wednesday 03Aug16

It may be winter in Australia but it’s only a fraction warmer where we’re headed. With expedition gear packed and ready for action, we depart Australia on our Air Canada flight from Sydney non-stop to Vancouver. We’ve organised an express check in to the lavish Four Seasons hotel just in time for our early morning arrival. No doubt after such a long flight, you will make the most of a free day to rejuvenate in your new surroundings. Tonight’s Welcome Dinner promises to be a very special affair.

Day 2: Vancouver, Canada – Join the Silver – Thursday 04Aug16

In the shadow of the North Shore Mountains on a glorious waterfront, Vancouver truly sparkles. A morning tour allows us to appreciate its beauty, but it’s just a teaser for the adventure that begins this afternoon. Transferring to the dock to meet Silver Discoverer, we settle in to our first lunch on board. Then a safety briefing announces our departure as we set sail into the wilderness.

Day 3: Cruising Johnstone Strait and Canada’s Inside Passage – Friday 05Aug16

‘Oh Canada! Where pines and maples grow. Great prairies spread and lordly rivers flow.’ Drifting out to sea, we bring Canada’s national anthem to life as natural wonders bloom before our eyes. As we weave through the islands of the Inside Passage, you have a leisurely day to get acquainted with the ship and our expedition route, attend lectures or simply kick back and relax. Did you know the Johnstone Strait is home to large numbers of orcas during the summer months? Keep your eyes peeled for a ripple on the water or a telltale dorsal fin. Not many people can say they have seen a killer whale in the wild – let’s hope that by the end of today, you can count yourself among the lucky few.

Day 4: Metlakatla, Alaska, US – Saturday 06Aug16

The waters are becoming increasingly icy as we cross into Alaskan waters. It’s time for our first foray ashore. We disembark to Annette Island in the Alexander Archipelago greeted by the Tsimshian people who are keen to show off their hand carved ancestral Totem poles. We will see at least 12 of these emblematic pieces of art and experience a dance performance at the longhouse. Metlakatla, the largest settlement on the island was established by the missionary William Duncan in the 1850s and we will learn of his legacy at the Memorial Museum. Depending on how active you are feeling, you can choose to take one of the many trails around Skaters Lake. Here you will get an insight into the different plants used by the Tsimshian in traditional medical practice. RUDYERD BAY,

Day 5: Misty Fords and Walker Cove – Sunday 07Aug16

When you picture Alaska, the glacial valleys and frosted peaks of Misty Fjords National Monument may well be the wintry landscape you envisage. Affectionately known as the ‘Yosemite of the North’ it’s also a haven for wildlife who roam in abundance. 

You couldn’t ask for a better sight than a large brown bear angling for salmon in the froth by the river mouth; or a group of smaller black bears ambling on the shoreline. Fledgling ornithologists will cast their eyes skywards on the look out for bald eagles diving for their dinner and marvel at marbled murrelets, which unlike most members of the auk family nest in trees. Close encounters with any of these park residents are possible with any luck and our onboard team are experts on where to find them. With the ship chartered exclusively for Captain’s Choice guests, our nature trail can take us anywhere we want. Why not test the mettle of Silver Discoverer’s hardy fleet of Zodiacs with an expedition to Walker Cove? Keep an eye out for ripples on the water – undulating seals and families of sea otters have a penchant for frolicking in the icy waters and have been known to venture close to the boat to say hello. Why not embark on a kayak adventure through Walker Cove to bring you closer to the particular species of marine mammals and birds you’re looking for (at additional cost).

Day 6: Ketchikan – Monday 08Aug16

Opening your curtains to the morning mist, we’ve arrived at Ketchikan today, Alaska’s quaint and charming ‘first city.’ It’s your choice how you explore the former ‘canned salmon capital of the world’ today – we’ve got three unique adventures which are sure to set your pulse racing. If you’re looking for a more serene pace, perhaps a nature walk through a private Alaskan Rainforest Sanctuary is more to your tastes? Covering most of South Eastern Alaska, the Tongass National rainforest is prime wildlife viewing territory. Which of the locals will you meet today? Are you a salty sea dog who’s not afraid to get your feet wet? Take a briny adventure aboard the F/N Aleutian Ballad, a working boat made famous from its unwavering bravery in the Bering Sea on the television series Deadliest Catch. See the brawny crew pull up fishing gear and pots wriggling with rockfish, cod, octopus, halibut and the biggest crabs you will ever cast your eyes on (at additional cost). 

Channel your inner Bear Grylls and earn your stripes with a once in a lifetime Alaskan Wilderness Survival program. Travel by local boat with a wilderness skills instructor to a remote island, learning the tricks of the trade as you trek through the rainforest. If ever you find yourself shipwrecked you’re sure to be safe with the skills you will learn today, including building a shelter, and foraging for wild edibles (at additional cost).

Day 7: Wrangell Narrows, Petersburg and Sail Island – Tuesday 09Aug16

Ready your camera for our morning cruise through the Wrangell Narrows, the channel of water between Mitkof and Kupreanof Islands as we sally forth to Petersburg this morning. Why not become an Alaska aficionado enjoying a lecture from the experts as we sail north? As we advance deeper into the wilderness, it’s time to hop out and get into the thick of it. Sail Island is the territory of humpback whales and stellar sea lions. Let’s hope this afternoon’s Zodiac cruise will lead us straight to them. 

Day 8: Endicott Arm and Frederick Sound – Wednesday 10Aug16

You can’t fully comprehend a glacier’s gleam until you experience it with your own eyes. Our morning Zodiac excursion allows you to get up close and personal with the diamond blue and frosted iridescence of North Dawes and Dawes Glacier. As seals wiggle into balance on passing ice floes, they’re almost close enough to touch. 

And is that a minke whale breaching over yonder? Hold on as our brave Zodiac chases its path. Back aboard Silver Discoverer this afternoon, we keep our cameras poised for more of the sea’s great mammals on a cruise through Frederick Sound, where they are commonly spotted.

Day 9: Point Adolphus, Inlan Islands, Elfin Cove and George Island – Thursday 11Aug16

Bound for the Inian Islands, the excitement of boarding the Zodiac feels like it would never wear off. And the rush you feel when you come face to face with the locals; bald eagles, tufted puffins and sea lions reminds you how good it is be alive. Could you imagine living at the very end of civilisation? This afternoon we meet the residents of Elfin Cove, which recorded a population of just 32 people in the 2000 Census. Breathing in the Arctic air on our steady hike this afternoon, you might meet some of the neighbours; puffins, seals and otters may well pop their heads out to see who is coming past.

Day 10: Yakutat – Friday 12Aug16

Wrap your expedition parka around you tight as we disembark for the humble community of Yakutat. Back on board, it really is something else to skirt the perimeter of the famous Hubbard Glacier like the great explorers. Our Captain skilfully manoeuvres the boat to the places where we are most likely to experience the majestic natural phenomenon known as calving. The natural thunder as the ice creaks and splits is staggering. Being present for the creation of a new iceberg and watching it float away is a surreal and enchanting experience. Want to experience a true birdseye view? We can arrange a breathtaking flightseeing excursion over the colossal Hubbard Glacier (additional cost). Cruising out into the Gulf of Alaska, your expert guides will map out the mountains and glaciers we pass in the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve.

Day 11: Cruising the Gulf of Alaska – Saturday 13Aug16

The exhilaration you feel standing on deck is still as fresh as the day you stepped aboard. This ship and this journey are the stuff of dreams. Our day of cruising allows you to sit back and reflect and really take stock of your experiences. The last week has been incredible, and our adventure is far from over…

Day 12: Kukak Bay and Geographic Harbour – Sunday 14Aug16

If when you think of Alaska, you think of brown bears, you’re in luck today. Kukak Bay and Geographic Harbor are well-known areas for spotting them. Our Zodiacs will trawl the shorelines in search of the front cover photo moments your camera craves. It may not be the last evening of our voyage, but the Captain’s Farewell Cocktail Party and Dinner is a chance to get out of your salt encrusted expedition gear and slip into your finery. Or stay smart casual if you wish – on this ship you call the shots. But one thing’s for certain, after the journey we have had and all the things we have seen, we don’t need an excuse to celebrate.

Day 13: Chiswell Islands and Holgate Glacier – Monday 15Aug16

Make the most of our last day in the wild as we meander around the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge to the Chiswell Islands. We’re professionals of the Zodiac expedition now and savour our very last moments on board as we go in search of sea lions and rare endemic bird species. The ship’s videographer will present the voyage on DVD. It’s like our own private movie premiere, with you and your new found friends as stars of the show. The aftershow party is presented by nature herself as we pass through the Kenai Fjords National Park’s famous Holgate Glacier and experience our last chance to see a calving glacier. Enjoying an aperitif on the outer decks as we leave the area shortly before our final sunset draws the expedition to a close.

Day 14: Depart Anchorage – Tuesday 16Aug16

It’s a rare treat to sail into Seward this morning; it’s the first city we have seen for almost two weeks. But flanked by the Alaskan Mountain Ranges, it still has a strong flavour of the wilderness, so our return to civilisation doesn’t feel like a jolt back into reality. We say goodbye to Silver Discoverer and her crew, ready to become landlubbers once again. We reminisce all we have seen at the Alaskan Wildlife Conservation Centre en route to the city centre, before transferring to Anchorage airport for your flight home.

Day 15: Travelling – Wednesday 17Aug16

Day 16: Arrive in Australia – Thursday 18Aug16

Arriving back into Australia this morning, all that fresh air has made you feel refreshed. Look forward to having a spring in your step and noticeably rosier cheeks for your return home.