If you or a client have ever taken a whale-watching tour in Juneau, Alaska, while sailing with a mainstream cruise line, chances are it took place onboard an Allen Marine Tours aluminum-hulled catamaran. That same operator — which is an expert at finding the best wildlife-viewing opportunities in Alaska — is also the parent company of Alaskan Dream Cruises, whose fleet of small ships is ideal for delving deeper into the region.
My first time sailing with the line was onboard its namesake Alaskan Dream, a scaled-up version of said aluminum catamarans, outfitted with passenger cabins for weeklong sailings. Compared to other fresh-faced expedition ships emerging elsewhere in the world — especially at the Arctic and Antarctic poles — Dream is a humble four-deck, 40-guest vessel. The captain playfully referred to the ship as a “quirky Winnebago of the sea.” (So, don’t expect Wi-Fi internet access or other premium amenities.)
Alaskan Dream carries 40 passengers.
Credit: 2024 Jason Leppert
Onboard Alaskan Dream
Most outside staterooms are either 104 (the AA category) or 120 (the AAA category) square feet in size. There’s also a pair of 147-square-foot, forward-facing Vista View suites and a single 208-square-foot Owner’s Suite. Cabins are technically air conditioned (using a shared system), but can run warmer during the day with little individual control (and no means to open fixed windows to vent). There are also no private balconies. Available fans are often a necessary supplement, especially when the ship is stationary for the day, reducing the overall air flow that sailing brings.
My AAA-category cabin came outfitted with a queen-size bed, and the extremely plush and spongy mattress and super-soft sheets were a highlight. These made it very easy to sleep at night and, indeed, dream of all things Alaska. A single nightstand had a small drawer and lower open shelf, as well as a convenient flip top containing two electrical outlets and two USB charging ports. A wardrobe rounded out the furnishings.
AAA-category cabins are 120 square feet.
Credit: 2024 Jason LeppertThe bathroom proved a little rustic, with a small vanity sink below a medicine cabinet outside, and a compact combined toilet and shower area inside (a curtain temporarily divides the two when bathing). Advisors should note that it’s a very tight setup, and only the Owner’s Suite comes with a regular shower that is separate from the toilet.
Amenities and Excursions
That said, the ship’s public spaces and brand attributes begin to make up for any accommodation shortcomings. The very top observation deck, which is half covered and half exposed, is a perfect viewing platform for watching outstanding displays of humpback whales bubble-net feeding and dramatic glacier calving in Glacier Bay. Unlike on larger cruise ships, we were able to get close enough to shore in the national park to giddily spot brown bears and, even rarer, puffins.
Down one level is a covered open deck, sheltered from the wind, where I frequently camped out to comfortably enjoy the spectacular scenery. Just forward is the navigation bridge, which is marvelously open to passengers for visits and chats with the delightful crew. The lower main deck has another bow viewing area, the Vista View Lounge, as well as the Alaskan Dining Room. The lounge features the ship’s only bar — where local beers, wines and expertly mixed cocktails can be purchased — while the restaurant showcases a free, 24/7 coffee and water station. Soft drinks are also always complimentary, as are one house beer or wine during dinner.
The Vista View lounge houses the ship’s bar.
Credit: 2024 Jason LeppertOur initial evening stop at Orca Point Lodge was a great first impression for meals to come, thanks to a veritable crab leg feast. Full-service meals on Dream proved excellent, and unlike some other small-ship operations, guests do not have to pre-select lunch or dinner choices at breakfast, permitting an occasional morning of sleeping in. Delicious regional fresh seafood is highlighted, as are alternative proteins and vegetarian options, but I never went wrong with the tasty salmon or halibut dishes. And the juicy burgers at lunch now go down as one of my favorites at sea. Also appreciated are sweet cookies every afternoon, as well as pre-dinner happy hours with self-service gourmet snacks, such as shrimp or cheese-stuffed portobello mushrooms.
In the evenings, my 31 fellow passengers and I formed a chummy group, gathering in the lounge to enjoy lectures on local wildlife, including local bears, whales and muskegs (a type of ecosystem) presented by the friendly expedition staff. Daily programming is loosely outlined, with details posted for reference on a cork board. Off-ship activities include a mix of watersports (the ship is equipped with one zodiac, multiple kayaks and a couple of paddleboards) and hikes, but a greater emphasis is placed on cultural tours.
Our embarkation and disembarkation points, Juneau and Sitka, were the only two major ports we visited. The intinerary instead favored the unique destinations of Pelican, Petersburg and Kake — none of which I had visited before, despite traveling in Alaska dozens of times — plus Wrangell in between. I absolutely loved experiencing what can best be described as authentic Alaska.
Shore excursions put an emphasis on local culture.
Credit: 2024 Jason LeppertWithout the usual overabundance of tourism and retail, these destinations featured true natural and industrial highlights, including fascinating fisheries. It was particularly nice to get a native perspective from Indigenous residents who graciously shared their heritage with us, from incredible petroglyphs to one of the tallest-ever totem poles.
In short, Alaskan Dream Cruises is ideal for clients who eschew larger cruise ships with hundreds to thousands of fellow passengers, and who don’t mind having less in the way of amenities in order to achieve a high level of intimacy both onboard and onshore. It’s also a dream come true for those who appreciate the company’s U.S.-flagged (allowing it to sail exclusively in Alaska) and locally owned status.
