Vancouver is often rated at the top of lists for liveability and quality of life.  The city grew from a humble tavern by a river, expanding upon the arrival of the railroad in 1884. Despite its large size today, this city retains the laid-back charm typical of Canada. Take your time to explore some of this young and energetic city’s cultural institutions. Enjoy an overnight here.

Enjoy a relaxing first day on board!  MS Roald Amundsen sets course to the south through the Bering Sea, named for the Danish navigator Vitus Bering who in 1728 became the first to explore this route to the Arctic Ocean.  This sea area is biologically rich – more than half of the US seafood catch comes from this sea – so take time on deck to look out for the fin and humpback whales which also benefit from nature’s bounty.  Onboard, the Expedition team will start the lecture programme covering history and the great explorers, marine biology, wildlife, oceanography and climate change.

A bird lovers’ paradise! One cannot help but be enchanted by the horned and tufted puffins found here.  The rare red-legged kittiwake makes use of the cliffs as a breeding site.  During the fall, migratory species can also be seen around the green, rolling hills or on the black basalt beaches.

Around 400 people live on St Paul, all descended from Aleut slaves forcibly moved to the island by Russian fur traders in 1780’s.  Today, the fur seal population is thriving, around half the world’s northern fur seal population live in the waters around the island.

Also known as "Unalaska", Dutch Harbor sits in the middle of the Aleutian Islands chain.  As we sail towards the harbor, you will see the highest point on the island, Mount Makushin, a steaming volcano almost 6,000 feet high. 

One unexpected product of the rich seas around Dutch Harbor is a well-known television programme, "Deadliest Catch", which features the crews from the area as they venture into the often-dangerous world of commercial fishing.  We are looking forward to calm conditions for our visit. 

Take a walk around the town, maybe call in at the Museum of the Aleutians to discover more about the history of this fascinating region where Native Americans met Russian fur traders.  There is even a Russian Orthodox Church. 

Visit the World War Two Center, where US code breakers intercepted messages warning of a Japanese attack but were unable to prevent the Battle of Dutch Harbor in June 1942.  If you would like to escape the town, why not hike up Ballyhoo Mountain, 498 metres high, for a view over the green island and steep sea cliffs.  

Enjoy a day at sea as we sail east along the south side of the Alaskan Peninsula. Our Expedition team will present the plans for the upcoming days.  

Kodiak is a bustling fishing harbor with around 6,000 residents.  It has two float plane harbors, testament to the opportunities to explore the expansive surrounding countryside from the air for another chance to find brown bears.

In the town, you can shop at souvenir and local handicraft and artwork stores. The Baranov Museum presents artifacts from the area’s Russian past, as does the stunning Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Church. The Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, with exhibitions on the local flora and fauna, includes a complete 36-foot skeleton of a male gray whale.

Take a walk to Fort Abercrombie State Historic Park where you can combine history with wildlife spotting. The historic ruins of a World War II coastal defense installation are coupled with the steep surf-pounded cliffs, deep spruce forests and meadows laden with wildflowers.  Stop for a while on the cliff edge of Miller Point, and watch the sea for the chance to see fin or humpback whales.

You can also join one of our excursion options for the day, taking you to scout for bears in this scenic blend of tundra, deep fjords and mountains. 

The ice you see today as we cruise the Hubbard Glacier fell as snow around 400-500 years ago and more than 100 km inland.  A glacier is a flowing river of ice, albeit a slow-flowing river.  In the last few decades, the Hubbard Glacier has surged forward and in 1986 completely blocked the fjord until a build-up of water burst through the ice. Bergs come in all shapes, sizes, and colours, so have your camera ready! 

This waterway was named Disenchantment Bay by Spanish naval officer Alessandro Malaspina in 1792, when he was disappointed to discover it was not the Northwest Passage, as he had hoped.  We trust that you will be enchanted, maybe even spellbound, by the beautiful ice scenery here.

Located on Baranof Island, Sitka faces the open waters of the Gulf of Alaska to the west and striking scenery with mountains and forest to the east. The majestic Mt Edgecumbe with its perfect volcanic cone looms above the horizon across the Sitka Sound.

Sitka is a town of about 9.000 people, brimming with history, natural wonders and fascinating sites for you to discover. Sitka National Historic park with tall trees and totems carved out of red cedar are testimonials of the Tlingit culture and Sitka’s first inhabitants. St. Michaels Cathedral is a picturesque remnant of the town’s Russian heritage. You may explore the town at your own pace or join one of the optional excursions. 

Our last day on board is a chance to chat with new friends, read, or just relax and watch the world sail by.