Cruise Alaska’s Inside Passage
Pristine Wilderness Where the Bigger Ships Can’t Reach
On our Alaska small ship cruises, we explore natural wonders aboard a classic, wooden tugboat designed for the ultimate in guest comfort. Expeditions provide an opportunity to personally connect with the natural and cultural history of Alaska’s rugged Southeast, each day becoming more in tune with the rhythm of the coast. Travel with just a few guests, guided by the expert crew, naturalist, and guides of Maple Leaf Adventures.
Highlights
• Alaska’s Most Unique Cruise
Experience Alaska from the decks of a ship that has traversed its natural wonder for more than a century.
• Adventure Set to Glacial Pace
Journey through sheer-sided glacial fjords, reaching the foot of tidal glaciers. Witness spectacular calving events.
• Giants of the Deep
Cruise into Fredrick Sound, a renowned feeding ground for whales. Look out for breaching humpbacks or the playful splash of an orca calf.
• World-Class Bear Viewing
Enjoy special access to remote and protected areas like Salmon Creek & Pack Creek, where brown bears gather to feed.
Day 1: Depart at Ketchikan, Alaska, to wilderness anchorage, wildlife viewing, shore excursion with introduction to the Easter Pacific Ocean and the Wester coastal temperate rainforest.
Day 2: Motor-sailing on route and wildlife viewing. Birdwatching, look for whales. Shore excursion in zodiacs to explore and discover the intertidal, wilderness anchorage.
Day 3: Cruising and exploring ashore in South Etolin Wilderness. Bears, intertidal life, island & islet exploration. Visit remote coves and estuaries. Evening kayaking.
Day 4: Sailing, Wrangell, Wrangell Narrows.
Day 5: Rainforest hike/walk, whale watching, sea lions. Anchor at fjord entrance with view of ice bergs. Beach time.
Day 6: Cruising spectacular fjord to tidewater glacier, ice bergs, wildlife viewing. Option to zodiac, kayak and/or walk, exploring glacier, ice bergs in this awesome ice world.
Day 7: Explore from aboard, around Admiralty Island’s Glass Peninsula and into wild brown bear habitat, estuary shore excursion and Brown Bear viewing.
Day 8: Cruising to Warm Springs Bay, visit small Alaskan coastal hamlet. Rainforest / bog walk and natural hot springs. Cruising the waterfall coast of Baranof Island.
Day 9: Chatham Strait & Fredrick Sound humpback whales. Wilderness anchorage.
Day 10: Cruising and sailing through Tongass National Forest. Seabird viewing.
Day 11 Cruise to Petersburg for disembarkation.
Itineraries are subject to change.
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Cabin
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Cabin
Vessel Type: Schooner
Length: 92f / 28m
Passenger Capacity: 8
About the Maple Leaf
Outfitted for Engaging with the Natural World
Maple Leaf is a classic, 92-foot schooner. She accommodates up to 8 guests in 4 semi-private sleeping areas, with 3 shared washrooms, and a crew of 4 or 5.
Maple Leaf is a sea-kindly vessel with a long range. She can take you to the coast’s wildest, remotest corners more comfortably and safely than most other vessels. Her sails and 40,000-pound keel keep her steady, and her crew’s warmth and culinary delights keep your soul soaring.
A Classic Wooden Sail Boat
Her curved deck planks, mahogany and glass butterfly hatches, fir beams, mahogany cabinetry and the sweep of her long cap rail are a pleasure to look at.
Modern Comforts with Edwardian Elegance
Maple Leaf’s interior is in harmony with her heritage: modern conveniences and good space design, melded with a decor that nods to her Edwardian past.
Dining Lounge
Unwind with books, journaling, and conversations in our cozy onboard library and dining lounge. We dine on deck or in this lounge, depending on the weather.
Galley
From the tiny galley, Maple Leaf’s chefs produce incredible meals and snacks fresh each day. Enjoy fine meals and discussions about the day’s adventures with the crew and naturalist.
Wheelhouse Lounge
The captain and first mate skillfully navigate and plan routes here. They’re happy to share insights and explain the systems. This space features natural history guidebooks and showcases mahogany and Douglas fir craftsmanship that shines throughout the vessel.
Sleeping Areas & Heads (Bathrooms)
The main cabin accommodates eight guests with divided sleeping areas, each featuring large comfortable beds, storage space, reading lamps, and cozy bedding. There are three washrooms with hot water showers.
Decks
Maple Leaf has lots of deck space, on which people may choose to sit and watch the coast’s scenery, chat with others, steer the ship, or have quiet time alone.
Shore Boats
Our two zodiacs provide ample space and great access to explore along shorelines, up rivers, near wildlife colonies, and onto beaches.
Kayaks
While at anchor, enjoy one of our two single kayaks. The kayaks are stable and easy to use, with assistance from crew getting in and out.
Fishing Tackle
We have fishing rods and lures ready for jigging. Obtain your fishing licence prior to your trip and take a turn at jigging for halibut or lingcod.
Other Equipment
The ship provides guidebooks, visual aids, and a hydrophone to listen to whale sounds, enhancing appreciation of local flora, fauna, and marine phenomena.
Inclusions
• All meals, snacks and beverages prepared from the freshest ingredients by our superb chef.
• Fine wines featured with the evening meal, and a limited amount of beer included and available throughout the trip. (Liquor is not a large part of our trips, so plan on light consumption).
• Services of our naturalist and professional crew.
• Shore excursions.
• Use of gear on board, including rubber boots, kayaks and fishing gear (with fishing licence).
• All accommodations on your vessel and, on trips with a land day, in a local lodging.
Exclusions
• The price does not include transportation to or from the starting and ending points of the Maple Leaf, Swell, and Cascadia trips, except for flights from Vancouver to the start of Cascadia’s Haida Gwaii trips and trips with a current Flight Promotion.
• Canadian trips are subject to a 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST), while Alaska trips are exempt.
• There is also a sustainability fee of $200 added to each fare on booking.
• Tipping for the crew is not included and is confidential and at your discretion.
• Fishing licenses are not included and must be acquired by guests wanting to fish prior to their trip.
Small Ship Cruise
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