BERING SEA EXPLORATION

July 7 – 20, 2008 (Northbound)
July 19 - August 1, 2008 (Southbound)

Do you seek the truly unusual? How about traveling by Zodiac close to a wilderness shore in Katmai National Park, hoping to see a grizzly bear browsing along the beach. Or stepping ashore on a beach in the Shumagin Islands littered with pieces of petrified wood. On the Bering Sea Exploration, you will come into contact with people, places and cultures that few other travelers will ever see.

From the very first day, our Bering Sea Exploration introduces you to destinations and experiences that are far from Alaska’s travel mainstream. No other line regularly sails from the port of Anchorage. No other line calls at Homer. Then from Kodiak on, you’ll explore the ocean passages and isolated native cultures with thousands of miles of wilderness to yourself.

Wildlife Everywhere
The remote islands of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge are thinly settled by people – but they absolutely abound in wildlife. The cliffs, pinnacles and rocky shorelines of the Pribilof Islands and St. Matthew are home to walrus, fur seals, and literally millions of seabirds. To the southeast, you’ll seek brown or Kodiak bears by Zodiac at Geographic Harbor in Katmai National Park. Rare seabirds floating above, gray whales frolicking in the sea, great heaps of sea lions bellowing on the rocks – you will always want to keep your camera close at hand. You might capture a masterpiece at any moment.

Remarkably Varied Ports of Call
No two port calls are alike. Homer is an artists’ colony in a breathtakingly beautiful setting. Kodiak is a hard-working timber and Coast Guard town, and Dutch Harbor is home to the Bering Sea fishing fleet. Then you get truly remote – St. Paul in the Pribilofs, the Chukchi community of Yanrakynnot in Russia, Little Diomede. . . Tiny villages open their arms to its rare visitors, to show you the very best of their community.

The Spirit of Oceanus and Zodiacs
Your Bering Sea Exploration is aboard the 120-guest, stabilizer-equipped Spirit of Oceanus. She can cruise narrow waterways, drop anchor off remote islands, and visit even the tiniest villages. Where there are no docks – quite often where there are no people, either – you will use Zodiacs to travel ashore, or up-close to rocky cliffs swirling with seabirds. This epic voyage is truly a rare opportunity to explore the veritable outermost ends of the earth, and be among the very few who will ever visit Alaska’s final cruising frontier.

PORTS OF CALL DESCRIPTIONS

Kodiak
Kodiak on large Kodiak Island was Alaska's first formal Russian-American settlement. You will explore the Baranof Museum with its fine collection of Russian-Aleutian artifacts, and examine 7,500 years of Kodiak's cultural history at the new Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository.

Geographic Harbor
Geographic Harbor in Katmai National Park was named in honor of an early National Geographic Society expedition. Zodiacs provide access to inner recesses of the bay, where huge brown bears congregate to fish for salmon. Then in the long light of evening, watch for fin whales as you cruise the Shelikoff Strait. Shumagin Islands In the remote and rarely visited Shumagin Islands, step ashore by Zodiac to view the petrified remains of a 40-million-year-old metasequoia forest. Search the tidepools for nudibranches and anemones, and watch for bald eagles and foxes. The beaches are home to Steller sea lions, which weigh up to 1,200 pounds.

Dutch Harbor
The Aleutian Islands bridge the Bering Sea from North America to Russia. You go ashore at Dutch Harbor, North America's largest fishing and fish processing port, to explore the historic Russian Orthodox Church, bunkers from World War II, and displays of Aleut carvings, baskets and kayaks known as baidarkas.

Pribilof Islands
St. Paul Island hosts two-thirds of the world's fur seal population, where more than a million seals gather along just 45 miles of coastline. You also have the opportunity to see some of the 200 bird species, including auklets, red-faced cormorants, tufted and horned puffins, thick-billed murres and the world's largest colony of red-legged kittiwakes.

St. Matthew Island Uninhabited
St. Matthew and Hall Islands are designated wilderness areas in the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. From your Zodiac cruising up-close to towering basalt pinnacles, you will view some of the area's million nesting seabirds, including puffins, kittiwakes, thick-billed murres, and nearly all of the world's McKay's buntings.

Yanrakynnot
During two days exploring Russia's wild northern shores, you'll visit Yanrakynnot, and other Chukchi villages widely scattered along the Bering Strait. The present 400 inhabitants of Yanrakynnot still practice their traditional lifestyle, herding reindeer, driving sled dogs and using their umiak kayaks during the summer months when they spend many days at sea hunting and fishing for walrus and bowhead whales.

NORTHBOUND CRUISE
Day 1
Arrive Anchorage
Transfer to the Sheraton Hotel on arrival.

Day 2 - (B, L, D)
Sightseeing Sail
Learn about Alaska’s Athabascan, Aleut and Eskimo cultures at the outstanding Native Heritage Center. This evening transfer to the Spirit of Oceanus to begin your cruise.

Day 3 - (B, L, D)
Wilderness Cruising
The waters between the Alaska mainland and Kodiak island are filled with intrigue. Your Captain will determine the best spots to explore based on the local conditions.

Day 4 - (B, L, D)
Kodiak
Sightseeing includes the Baranov Museum, the Alutiiq Museum, and the Fish Tech Center, all in Alaska's first Russian-American settlement.

Day 5 - (B, L, D)
Geographic Harbor
Katmai National Park Watch for bears digging for clams on the beach as you explore by Zodiac launch along the rarely-visited shoreline of Geographic Harbor.

Day 6 - (B, L, D)
Shumagin Islands
Enjoy Zodiac rides, tidal pools, and views of the 8,200 foot Pavlov Volcano at these remote, rugged islands south of the Alaska Peninsula.

Day 7 - (B, L, D)
Dutch Harbor
Here on Unalaska Island in the Aleutians, sightseeing includes the oldest Russian Orthodox cruciform-style church in North America, the Museum of the Aleutians, the War Museum, and the Grand Aleutian Hotel.

Day 8 - (B, L, D)
Pribilof Islands
Today on St. Paul Aleut guides take you to premium viewing sites for fur seals and seabirds. You may also land by Zodiac at St. George Island.

Day 9 - (B, L, D)
Wilderness Exploration
Today the Spirit of Oceanus explores remote islands and shores of the Yukon Delta or Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuges, at such places as St. Matthew Island, Hall Island, or Nunivak.

Day 10 - (B, L, D)
Provideniya, Russia
Today you cruise past St. Lawrence Island en route to Russian waters. Clear customs at the tiny village of Provideniya, Russia’s "Gateway to the Arctic."

Day 11 - (B, L, D)
Yanrakynnot, Russia
The 400 Chukchi inhabitants of Yanrakynnot still practice their traditional lifestyle, living in skin tents and using their umiaks (skin boats) to hunt for walrus and whales. Nearby visit "Whalebone Alley" by Zodiac.

Day 12 - (B, L, D)
Exploring Russian Waters
Today the Spirit of Oceanus explores the remote bays and headlands of Russia’s rugged coastline. You may step ashore at another tiny Chukchi community.

Day 13 - (B, L, D)
The Arctic Circle
The Spirit of Oceanus cruises far north today, likely far enough to cross the Arctic Circle and encounter ice floes.

Day 14 - (B, L)
Nome Sightseeing
Fly to Anchorage Gold Rush Nome on the Seward Peninsula is your port of disembarkation. Enjoy a brief sightseeing tour before your included flight to Anchorage.

For those traveling alone, we will match same gender clients in twin accommodations. If a roommate cannot be found, you will have the suite to yourself without the need to pay the single cabin supplement. **Contact us for single and triple suite rates**

BERING SEA EXPLORATION
PROGRAM PRICE

$805 per person port charges/taxes/fees and onboard service IS included in above pricing. Transfers are included and a NO tipping policy is in place onboard ship.

Pricing is per person double occupancy in a suite.

Please call 1-800-235-9114 to guarantee our best price! 

SOUTHBOUND CRUISE
Day 1
Arrive Anchorage Transfer to the Sheraton Hotel.

Day 2 - (B, D)
Fly to Nome
Visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage. Fly to Nome. On arrival in Nome, enjoy a tour of gold rush history before boarding Spirit of Oceanus to begin your cruise.

Day 3 - (B, L, D)
The Arctic Circle
The Spirit of Oceanus cruises past Little Diomede Island and far north to cross the Arctic Circle.

Day 4 - (B, L, D)
Russian Far East
Explore remote bays and headlands dotted with traditional Chukchi communities. Clear customs at the Russian community of Provideniya.

Day 5 - (B, L, D)
Yanrakynnot, Russia
The 400 Chukchi inhabitants of Yanrakynnot still practice their traditional lifestyle, living in skin tents and using their umiaks (skin boats) to hunt for walrus and whales. Nearby visit "Whalebone Alley" by Zodiac.

Day 6 - (B, L, D)
Bering Sea Exploration
Gain a day as you cruise back into Alaskan waters and explore remote islands.

Day 7 - (B, L, D)
National Wildlife Refuges
Today your Captain chooses to explore the Yukon Delta or Alaska Maritime Wildlife Refuges. Zodiacs allow access to remote islands such as Nunivak, St. Matthew, or Hall Island.

Day 8 - (B, L, D)
Pribilof Islands
Today, visit St. Paul and St. George Islands. At one or both, you may step ashore by Zodiac to view seabirds and fur seals.

Day 9 - (B, L, D)
Dutch Harbor
Here on Unalaska Island in the Aleutians, sightseeing includes the oldest Russian Orthodox cruciform-style church in North America, the Museum of the Aleutians, the War Museum, and the Grand Aleutian Hotel.

Day 10 - (B, L, D)
Shumagin Islands
Enjoy Zodiac rides, tidal pools, and views of the 8,200 foot Pavlov Volcano at these remote, rugged islands south of the Alaska Peninsula.

Day 11 - (B, L, D)
Geographic Harbor - Katmai National Park
Watch for bears digging for clams on the beach as you explore by Zodiac launch along the rarely-visited shoreline of Geographic Harbor.

Day 12 - (B, L, D)
Kodiak
Sightseeing includes the Baranov Museum, the Alutiiq Museum, and the Fish Tech Center, all in Alaska's first Russian-American settlement.

Day 13 - (B, L, D)
Wilderness
Cruising The waters between the Alaska mainland and Kodiak island are filled with intrigue. Your Captain will determine the best spots to explore based on the local conditions.

Day 14 - (B)
Arrive Anchorage
Transfer to the airport or your hotel.

For those traveling alone, we will match same gender clients in twin accommodations. If a roommate cannot be found, you will have the suite to yourself without the need to pay the single cabin supplement. **Contact us for single and triple suite rates**

BERING SEA EXPLORATION
PROGRAM PRICE

$805 per person port charges/taxes/fees and onboard service IS included in above pricing. Transfers are included and a NO tipping policy is in place onboard ship.

Pricing is per person double occupancy in a suite.

Please call 1-800-235-9114 to guarantee our best price! 

Monthly Weather in degrees Fahrenheit
Vancouver, Canada

Anchorage, Alaska