- All Inclusive Board Basis
- Flights and Transfers Included
- Wind and waterproof expedition jacket
- Professional photos from your trip taken by our onboard photographer
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Alaska & British Columbia - Inside Passage, Bears & Aleutian Islamds
MS Fridtjof Nansen
6th Sep 26
17 Nights
Day 1
UK to Seattle (Overnight Stay)
Day 2
Your expedition begins
Today, we fly you from Vancouver to Nome for the start of your expedition cruise.
Set at the tip of the Seward Peninsula, overlooking the Bering Sea, Nome is perhaps the most famous Gold Rush town in Alaskan history. There are artifacts from this era to be seen everywhere, including abandoned dredges, turn-of-the-century steam engines, and old railroad tracks.
Nome was also the end point of three of Roald Amundsen's great polar expeditions, including an attempt by air to reach the North Pole in 1926. It’s a fitting place to launch your grand Alaska adventure.
Day 3-6
Exploring the Bering Sea
Over the next four days, we’ll head across the Bering Sea towards Nome. You’ll have two exploration days and two days at sea.
For the exploration days, your Captain will choose the best location based on the conditions at the time. Possible destinations include the rugged island of St Paul, home to the largest Unangan community in the US. It’s also an Important Bird Area, with species such as the Pribilof Sandpiper and Tufted Puffin nesting here.
We might also explore wild St. Matthew Island where abandoned buildings lie between black sand beaches and wildflower-dotted tundra. You may even spot the rare McKay's Buntings which breed and nest exclusively on this island. During the sea days, look out for puffins, auklets, and murrelets, especially closer to the coast. If you’re lucky, you might glimpse the Red-legged Kittiwake, only found in this part of the world.
Enjoy panoramic views from our Explorer Lounge & Bar, the infinity pool, or the outdoor hot tubs. Or learn more about the region's geography, climate and birdlife from the Expedition Team in the Science Centre.
Day 7
Discover Dutch Harbour
America's largest fishing port, Dutch Harbor is a fascinating place to visit. As we sail towards it you may see Mount Makushin, a steaming volcano reaching almost 6,000 ft.
Here, you’ll learn about the local Indigenous Unungan people at the Museum of the Aleutians. Visit the Russian Orthodox Cathedral or tour the WWII museum commemorating the battle that took place here in 1942.
Scout for Bald Eagles and puffins in the skies. Foxes, lemmings and wild horses thrive on land and whales, sea lions and porpoises in the waters. Dutch Harbor is where the reality television series The Deadliest Catch was filmed, following crab fishermen at work under extreme conditions.
Day 8
The ghost town of Unga
Wild and deserted, Unga Village is an abandoned yet picturesque settlement on the southern end of Unga Island.
It was settled by Aleuts in 1833 but was abandoned in 1969 as subsistence fishing proved insufficient to support living here. Today, the few wooden buildings that remain are the only evidence that people once lived here.
A carpet of pink lousewort, fireweed and other wildflowers surround the abandoned shacks as nature has gradually taken over. Experience the eerie beauty of this place during a nature landing with our small expedition boats.
Day 9
Remote bays of the Alaska Peninsula
The Alaska Peninsula is an untamed wilderness and a haven for wildlife. The region is characterised by its raw coastal landscapes, towering mountains and secluded bays.
Join your Expedition Team for close exploration of hidden bays and inlets along the shoreline, offering the opportunity to scout for bears, Bald Eagles, and marine species like sea otters and humpback whales. Learn about the geological evolution of the region, appreciating how natural forces have sculpted the unique topography around you.
Day 10
Brown bears in Katmai
Your adventure continues in the four million–acre Katmai National Park, which has over a dozen active volcanoes. Katmai is home to more than 2,000 protected brown bears – the largest concentration in the world.
Accompanied by an experienced bear guard, we'll be safely scouting for bears from the deck or in our small expedition boats. They might be foraging for berries, digging for clams or catching fish in the stream.
Depending on conditions, we might visit either Geographic Harbor, Kinak Bay or Kukak Bay. Keep your eyes open for sea otters, seabirds and humpback whales.
Day 11
Verdant Kodiak
Kodiak Island, known as the ‘Emerald Isle, features lush temperate forests, mountains, and a rugged coastline.
Its wetlands are home to a variety of bird species and wildlife, including the island’s most iconic residents - Kodiak bears. Around 3,500 of them live in the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, which covers two-thirds of the island.
We’ll search for whales, sea otters, and seals, and, if we’re lucky, catch a glimpse of Kodiak brown bears in their natural habitat, all set against the stunning backdrop of Alaska’s wilderness.
Day 12
Across the Gulf of Alaska
Your cruise continues across the Gulf of Alaska. It's the ideal time to enjoy onboard facilities such as the infinity pool, hot tubs, and sauna. Go for a run, hit the gym, or enjoy a massage in the spa.
In the Science Center, the Expedition Team invite you to join lectures about the region’s wildlife, geology, glaciology, history and culture.
Relax in the Explorer Lounge & Bar and share a drink with your fellow guests, or just sit back and enjoy the view. See if you can spot all three species of North Pacific albatross. The Laysan and Black-footed Albatross are often sighted, but the Short-tailed Albatross is harder to spot.
Day 13
Glaciers of Icy Bay
You'll experience a fantastic expedition day in Icy Bay today. Three glaciers – Guyot, Yahtse and Tyndall – regularly calve into the bay. If conditions allow, you’ll explore the bay in our small expedition boats or by kayak, immersing you in the area’s remarkable beauty.
Wildlife abounds in the Gulf of Alaska, offering unrivalled photography opportunities. Humpback whales, orcas, Stellar sea lions, sea otters and harbour seals lazing on floating chunks of ice are often seen in these waters.
Day 14
Blended cultures of Sitka
Surrounded by Tongass National Forest, Sitka is only accessible by sea or air. Get out on deck for stunning views of the Sisters Mountains and Mount Edgecumbe volcano.
Discover Sitka's fascinating history with our Expedition Team. Inhabited by the Tlingit people for 10,000 years, it was occupied by Russia in 1804 before being sold to America after the Crimean War. Today, Sitka blends all three cultures.
Visit the Russian Orthodox cathedral and Russian Bishop's House. Admire ornate Haida and Tlingit totem poles at Sitka National Historical Park, a real highlight, or enjoy a walking trail through the forest to the ocean.
Day 15
Wrangell's petroglyphs
We continue cruising the Alaskan islands to Wrangell. Only a mile out of town, the incredible Petroglyph Beach is where you'll seek out the ancient rock carvings among the sand.
Visit the local museum to learn more about Wrangell's fascinating past. Now part of the United States, it was once governed by Britain, Russia and the Tlingit people. Cross to Shakes Island, where the Chief Shakes Tribal House and totem poles tell the story of the Indigenous Tlingit people.
Hikers will enjoy the nature trails, surrounded by alluring scenery at the mouth of Stikine River, and the foot of Mount Dewey to the edge of the rainforest.
Day 16
Unspoiled Misty Fjords
Part of the Tongass National Forest, Misty Fjords is a pristine wilderness of evergreens, waterfalls and snow-capped peaks. The revered naturalist writer John Muir described the area as one of the most beautiful places he’d ever seen.
Weather permitting, you'll join the Expedition Team to tour Misty Fjords in our small expedition boats, or take kayaks out.
Misty Fjords is rich in wildlife. You’ll scan for mountain goats, bears and moose as you explore. The waters are home to Pacific salmon, otters, sea lions, harbour seals, orcas and Dall’s porpoises. Skywards, you might spot herons and Bald Eagles.
Day 17
Canada's Inside Passage
The Inside Passage coastal route takes us through the great North American Pacific Fjordland, a protected stretch of water over 930 miles long. Unlike other cruises which pass through at night, you’ll be able to view the sublime scenery in all its glory during the day.
Our smaller expedition ship allows us to reach areas that larger vessels can’t, meaning you’ll get to explore lesser-travelled channels with breathtaking scenery. Keep your cameras and binoculars at the ready to catch sight of dolphins, porpoises, orcas and humpback whales.
Day 18
A taste of Vancouver
Your expedition ends in Vancouver, giving you another chance to explore this picturesque metropolis. Take in the café culture of Granville Island or head to Richmond’s famous multicultural night market for treats from the tasty food stalls.
There are plenty of galleries, museums, events, exhibitions and shows to go to here. Or if you’d like to take it easy, head for the sands of Kitsilano Beach.
Extend your adventure with our optional Post-Programme to the nearby mountain resort of Whistler. We´ll stop at Shannon Falls and go on the Sea to Sky Gondola, which takes you on a ride with panoramic views almost 3,000 ft above sea level.
Why Book
MS Fridtjof Nansen
Overview
Named in homage to Norwegian Explorer - Fridtjof Nansen, this is one of two fully hybrid ships in our fleet. She brings comfort to some of the world's most spectacular destinations, on board one of the most environmentally friendly cruise ships in the world.
The newest addition to our fleet will honor the heritage of her namesake – the Norwegian explorer, scientist, humanitarian, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Fridtjof Nansen. Known for his innovations in Arctic expeditions, Nansen led the first crossing of Greenland on cross-country skis. He is perhaps most famous for his attempt to reach the geographical North Pole during the Fram Expedition (1893-1896).
Interestingly, after Nansen's Fram expedition, the ship was passed on to another great explorer who secretly planned an expedition to the South Pole - Roald Amundsen.
Serving as your floating base camp to some of the world's most breathtaking landscapes - MS Fritdjof Nansen is at the forefront of sustainable exploration. As one of two hybrid ships within the fleet, the innovative sustainable technology reduces the ship's fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 20%.
The rugged scenery will be reflected inside the ship through the use of Scandinavian materials from nature, such as granite, oak, birch, and wool that invoke a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere in which to unwind. With a host of public spaces including three restaurants, a fitness and wellbeing suite, a state-of-the-art science center, and a two-level indoor/outdoor Observation Deck. It is an ideal place to scan the scenery as you explore the world around you and watch for wildlife with your binoculars.
Food & Drink
MS Fridtjof Nansen's three restaurants will host a variety of dining options, with menus drawn from our rich Norwegian and Nordic tradition, as well as international cuisine and local inspiration.
Whether enjoying your meal at Aune Main Dining, Fredheim – the informal international meeting place, or the specialty restaurant Lindstrøm, you will indulge in low key yet refined, modern Norwegian Nordic cooking – where our honest and delicious cuisine reflects our destinations.
Discover delicious food prepared in the state-of-the-art kitchens on board MS Fridtjof Nansen. Our creative chefs use local ingredients and take inspiration from regional flavours to take you on a culinary tour.
Entertainment
Your expedition ship will quickly feel like your home away from home. The clean and elegant interior design stems from Hurtigruten’s Scandinavian roots, blending high quality with casual functionality.
Health & Fitness
Aboard MS Fridtjof Nansen, you’ll have everything you need to stay active and keep your mind healthy. A full suite of facilities lets you exercise and relax to your heart’s content.
Kids & Teens
No HX Hurtigruten Expedition ships feature children’s playrooms.
Terms & Conditions
Terms and conditions: Advertised offers are based on 2 adults sharing the lowest category stateroom/cabin/suite unless otherwise stated. Single supplements may apply. Offers are subject to availability and can change without any prior notice and may go up or down in price. Cruise Line campaign(s) and saving messages are strictly controlled by the Cruise Line(s) and are subject to change or be withdrawn without notice. Flight inclusive packages, where promoted, are based on the cheapest UK departure airport so please ask for further details. Advertised hotels, if any, are suggested however are changeable at a possible additional cost. All prices and port itineraries are correct at the time of print but are subject to change by the Cruise Line(s) without prior notice. Hays Travel reserves the right to correct any errors or omissions in this brochure. Some ports of call may be tendered whereas vessels drop anchor a short distance away and use small boats to reach the shore. Full board to all-inclusive inclusions vary by the Cruise Line(s) and restrictions may apply. Some onboard facilities and items may incur a charge. Select destinations may require travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers to be completed prior to travelling. Hays Travel LTD accepts no responsibility or compensation for any incomplete forms or declined entries from the respective country or countries that the individual(s) are visiting.
Alaska & British Columbia - Inside Passage, Bears & Aleutian Islamds
FROM £9,888PP
MS Fridtjof Nansen
6th Sep 26
17 Nights
From
£9,888PP
