The Alaska Native-owned, small-ship cruise line Alaskan Dream Cruises will celebrate its eighth cruise season in 2018 with the launch of the new “Alaska’s Frontier & Wilderness Quest” itinerary.
Special pricing is available for those booking early or traveling solo. All 2018 sailings can be purchased at 2017 rates when booked before Aug. 1. In addition, multiple departures of the seven-night “Alaska’s Glacier Bay & Island Adventure” itinerary on Chichagof Dream, the cruise line’s newest vessel, will be discounted for solo travelers. The single supplement fee will be waived for any A or AA category cabins on the May 13, 20 and 27 and Sept. 2 and 9 departures.
The 2018 season runs from May 11 through mid-September with 58 sailings on six itineraries. Many of those cruises, including the new 10-night “Alaska’s Frontier & Wilderness Quest,” will sail aboard the 74-passenger Chichagof Dream, which sailed its inaugural Alaskan Dream Cruises voyage in 2016.
The “Alaska’s Frontier & Wilderness Quest” itinerary explores in depth the rich and varied regions of Alaska’s Inside Passage, including two full days in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve and a day in Skagway. Guests travel from Sitka to Juneau, spending time in more remote areas and small communities, such as Kake, Wrangell and Petersburg, where cultural excursions and walking tours are planned. A full day in Tracy Arm Fjord provides exceptional glacier and wildlife viewing. An evening at the cruise line’s private Orca Point Lodge allows guests to feast on fresh king crab legs and salmon before relaxing by a bonfire on the beach. The small-ship expedition also includes kayaking, hiking and shallow-water exploration by small, motorized boats (DIBs) in wilderness areas. The itinerary is offered on June 3 and 13, 2018, and starts at $6,290 per person.
“Every single day of this itinerary delivers the true Alaska moments that we emphasize,” said Alaskan Dream Cruises Vice President of Sales Michelle Glass. “Our guests will find themselves close enough to hear glaciers calving, interact with locals, learn about Alaska Native culture and marvel at the whales, bears, bald eagles and other wildlife.”
The small-ship cruise line will also bring back its seven-night “Alaska’s Islands, Whales & Glaciers,” “Alaska’s Glacier Bay & Island Adventure” and “True Alaskan Family” cruises; the eight-night “Alaska’s Inside Passage Sojourn” itinerary and the 10-night “Alaska’s Southeast Explorer” sailing.
Alaskan Dream Cruises has made cultural exploration a major focal point of every itinerary. Each cruise is staffed with a Cultural Heritage Guide, often an Alaska Native, who teaches guests about Alaska Native culture, including historical and modern-day customs. Shore excursions often include cultural dance performances, historical walking tours, totem carving demonstrations and time with local residents in Alaska Native villages, like Kake, Kasaan and Metlakatla.
Wildlife viewing and wilderness exploration are also prioritized, with flexible itineraries allowing ship captains to alter plans when extraordinary viewing opportunities arise.
Alaskan Dream Cruises’ five-ship fleet also includes the Alaskan Dream, Admiralty Dream, Baranof Dream and Misty Fjord. These ships hold between 10 and 58 passengers.
The full 2018 cruise schedule and rates can be found online at AlaskanDreamCruises.com.