Southeast Alaska Cruise

Enjoy a premium hotel stay, a guided exploration of the majestic Mendenhall Glacier and the city of Juneau, and transportation to the ship. All luggage will be brought directly from the hotel and placed in your stateroom aboard the ship.

Pre-Cruise Hotel Stays must be reserved at least 30 days before your cruise date.

On this tour through the city of Juneau, your guide will share the colorful history of Juneau's gold rush era and point out buildings of historical significance. As the tour takes you away from downtown Juneau, experience the wonders of nature with breathtaking views of Mendenhall Glacier. At its widest point, this glacier is an impressive half a mile wide, with ice about 1,000 feet deep. This tour will stop at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, where you can discover the mystery behind this magnificent geological phenomenon from an unobstructed vantage point. Further explore this towering glacier along one of its many nature trails and witness the grandeur of this impressive feat of nature, before returning to the ship's gangway.

Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

As you embark upon your journey, enjoy a Welcome Aboard Reception with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and entertainment. Meet the crew, your onboard experts, and fellow guests. Learn more about the wonderful adventure ahead of you.

As you make your way to the Chilkat River to begin your rafting excursion, take a scenic riverside drive along Haines Highway, declared A National Scenic Byway. Witness glacier-clad mountains thrust to the sky, colorful wildflowers line the road, and green riverside channels that provide habitat for moose, bear, and trumpeter swans. After boarding your raft, enjoy a rapid-free, scenic float down the Chilkat River through the famous Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, home of the world's largest concentration of Bald Eagle. Paddling is not required, as your expert guide will push the raft along, explaining the natural history of the area, the Chilkat Indian heritage, and fun facts about bald eagle ecology.

This is a Signature shore excursion and should be reserved in advance. Please call (800) 460-4518 for information.

Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: No

Enjoy a historic walking tour led by a local guide who will give you an insider’s look at life in this small Alaskan town. Start at Fort William H. Seward, the first permanent Army base in Alaska. Learn about the rich history of the Chilkat Valley, including the pre-contact days of the Tlingit, the arrival of the missionaries, the US Army and Ft. Seward period, as well as more modern times. Admire the views from Officer’s Row, and visit Soap Suds Alley and the Parade Grounds. Explore the famous Hammer Museum, one of the prime attractions on Main Street. Hear stories about local controversies and the challenges of remote Alaskan living.

Activity Level: Moderate | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

This convenient shuttle will transport you from the ship to the center of Haines and back. At your leisure, explore the rich history, scenic beauty, and vibrant culture of this enchanting Alaskan town. This daily shuttle runs on a continuous loop.

Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

Knowledgeable and experienced local naturalists will guide you through the "Valley of the Eagles" to take in Alaska's nature and wildlife in six different wildlife habitats: ocean, estuary, river, lake, muskeg, and rainforest. Nestled between rugged glaciers and snow-capped mountains, the fertile Chilkoot Valley provides you with the potential to observe a wide variety of wildlife including brown bears, bald eagles, whales, seals, and river otters.

Activity Level: Moderate | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

Sea kayaking is a great way to explore the scenic wonders of Alaska. Outfitted with the proper gear, you will soon be gliding silently along the shores of the pristine Chilkoot Lake. The tour begins with a seaside drive to Chilkoot Lake State Park which features a salmon-filled river flowing into the sea, a turquoise lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains, and important Tlingit cultural sites. Keep an eye out for wildlife; bald eagles, brown bear, and migratory birds, all of which are often seen here. Arrive at the lake, take in the scenery and board your sea kayak. This lake is uncrowded, and the scenery is spectacular. Huge waterfalls spill off of the cliffs surrounding the lake, lush green forests line the shore, and wildlife abounds.

This is a Signature shore excursion and should be reserved in advance. Please call (800) 460-4518 for information.

Activity Level: High | ADA ACCESSIBLE: No

Welcome to Southeast Alaska’s first distillery, which has a quintessential Alaskan story; one of trailblazing, determination, creativity, and community. Get a peek behind the curtain at some of the Last Frontier’s favorite spirits, made on-site. Discover the art and science that goes into creating small-batch, hand-crafted spirits in the heart of the Inside Passage. Starting from the deck of a beautifully renovated historical building that now houses the Tasting Room. Learn the history of the distillery, visit the production space and barrel room, and try the spirits in cocktails or flights, including an excursion-exclusive sample of Wrackline Rye Whiskey straight from the barrel. Receive a souvenir shot glass and 10% off store merchandise.

Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

The marine wilderness of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is like no place else on earth. The park includes magnificent glaciers, towering snow-capped mountains, abundant wildlife, and miles of pristine coastline. Experience all of Glacier Bay’s beauty from the comfort of the American Constellation. A National Park Service Ranger will board the ship for the day and will provide expert narration as we cruise through Glacier Bay, identifying wildlife including orcas, humpback whales, brown bears, and bald eagles. Your tour will include a stop at a majestic tidewater glacier where you may hear the sounds of a calving glacier. American Cruise Lines has also made special arrangements to have an Huna Tlingit Cultural Interpreter join us on board who will share with you the fascinating human history and family stories of Glacier Bay’s native clans and people.

ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

In the company of a small group of fellow American Cruise Lines guests, enjoy a half day of fishing aboard the “First Choice” fishing charter. Admire the scenic splendor of southeast Alaska as you enjoy the thrill of the catch. All equipment is provided and you will even be able to keep your delicious catch to ship home.

This is a Signature shore excursion and should be reserved in advance. Please call (800) 460-4518 for information.

Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: No

Climb aboard a de Havilland Beaver floatplane and visit LeConte, Alaska’s southernmost tidewater glacier. During your 45-minute flight, fly over your ship at the dock and across Frederick Sound to LeConte Glacier Bay, where you can view the beautiful blue icebergs and hanging glaciers below, as well as seals and birds which inhabit the fjord.

Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: No

Explore this vibrant fishing town on a walk led and narrated by our local guide. View the scenic waterfront adorned with boats, both new and weathered, and stroll along the historic streets lined with homes decorated with flowery Norwegian Rosemåling. Along the way, learn about the early settlers, Sons of Norway Hall, Sing Lee Alley, commercial fishing, and the Norwegian heritage of Petersburg.

Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

This convenient shuttle allows you to discover Petersburg independently as you shop and stroll through this charming fishing town. At your leisure, explore this island community which continues to make a living from the sea. Running daily on a continuous loop.

Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

Petersburg’s location is in the heart of southeast Alaska, making it ideal for major industry commercial fishing. Led by local fishermen and fishery biologists, enjoy a one hour narrated dock walk through Petersburg’s boat harbors. Enjoy discussion of various fishing boats, methods of fishing, permits, processing and more.

Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

Delight in a jet boat adventure to nearby LeConte Glacier Bay, the southernmost tidewater glacier in the Northern Hemisphere. Enter the narrow Fjord and watch for seals and eagles on the icebergs, mountain goats near the hanging glaciers and the creation of icebergs falling off the face of the glacier. Along the way, your captain/guide will provide engaging commentary about all you are witnessing.

This is a Signature shore excursion and should be reserved in advance. Please call (800) 460-4518 for information.

Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: No

Your exploration begins on your motorcoach ride to Falls Creek and Blind River Rapids trailhead, two local hangouts. Along the way, your driver and guide, born and raised in the area, will tell tales of life in a small Alaskan town. Enjoy the short drive through “Little Norway,” the downtown of Petersburg, and continue the drive “out the road,” as locals call it. Stop at Falls Creek Waterfall, a beautiful waterfall and salmon fish ladder, where you can learn about the life cycle of salmon, their role in the local environment, and their importance on the local economy.

Continue to Blind River Rapids trailhead. Upon arrival, walk along a quarter-mile boardwalk which allows your feet to stay dry as you observe the rapids and the local ecosystem. View muskeg, the favorite skunk cabbage of bears, Alaska wildflowers and berries, as well as lodgepole pines. As the rapids are a popular spot for fishing and salmon viewing, your guide will explain the various types of salmon found in the area. Keep an eye out for bald eagles which are also a common sighting.

Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Partial

There are a variety of activities scheduled on board when the ship is underway, which vary depending on the itinerary and scheduled date. Enjoy destination-focused enrichment programs with special guest speakers who present topics related to the region and ports of call, including Art Classes, App-titude Classes (Tech Made Easy), Cooking Demonstrations, Mixology (practice of making great cocktails,) Trivia, Game Shows, and more.

Discover the highlights of this truly Alaskan town and see its colorful history and native culture come to life while visiting the Petroglyph State Historic Site and the Wrangell Museum with its 5,000+ historic photos, native artifacts, Tlingit Petroglyphs, and fishing, mining and logging displays.

Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

The Stikine River – the fastest navigable, free-flowing river in North America – is truly a photographer’s dream. Enjoy the picturesque scenery and massive glaciers while searching for a wide variety of wildlife, including moose, deer, brown and black bear, and the bald eagle.

This is a Signature shore excursion and should be reserved in advance. Please call (800) 894-8570 for information.

Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: No

At the AnAn Bear and Wildlife Observatory, enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view Alaskan wildlife, even wild bears, up close. Travel by a covered, heated boat on a beautiful journey to AnAn in the protected waters between Wrangell Island and the Mainland. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by US Forest Service personnel, who will provide a brief orientation.

Next, an expert guide will lead you to AnAn Creek’s observation deck, providing commentary about the local flora and fauna along the way. From the observation deck, you can view black and brown bears, bald eagles, and harbor seals in their natural habitat as they feed on spawning pacific salmon, just a few feet away. With the earliest pink salmon run of the season, this creek draws Alaska’s predators to fish within close parameters of each other, a rare occurrence in the wild. A photo blind is located directly on AnAn Creek below the observation deck where guests can take up-close photos of the bears and eagles catching fish.

This is a Signature shore excursion and should be reserved in advance. Please call (800) 894-8570 for information.

Activity Level: High | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

Experience the beauty of nature on this botanical rainforest walk. This easy, well maintained nature trail is an incredible way to see, touch, and learn about all the botanical wonders that the Tongass National Forest holds. The walk takes you through several different terrains including meadows, a forest, and the beautiful, yet mysterious muskeg. Your expert guide will identify and explain all the plants and wildlife that are native to this area, describing plants that are beneficial to us and which ones to stay away from. Discover how wildlife thrives in this lush forest, home to many species of endangered and rare flora and fauna.  

Activity Level: Moderate | ADA ACCESSIBLE: No

Indulge yourself at our one-of-a-kind Hot Chocolate Bar on the sun deck as our onboard naturalist provides expert commentary on the beautiful scenery of Tracy Arm. There is a sense of excitement as you anticipate the next waterfall, mountain goat, or bear, on your way to the crystal blue glacier.

ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

Why not stay an extra night or two to immerse yourself in the spirit of this vibrant city? Ask your onboard Hotel Manager for recommendations on area hotels, attractions, and more.