It was the eighth day of American Safari Cruises’ seven-night and eight-day cruise through wilderness waters in Southeast Alaska. We came full circle to Juneau, where our journey had begun, and chatted with our newfound friends in the Safari Explorer’s spacious midship lounge and dining area. One friend I made, Seattle agent Debby Manny of World Class Travel, told me that the trip exceeded her expectations.
Located at the head of Endicott Arm fjord, Dawes Glacier is as high as a 33-story building.
|
"On the rating card [American Safari Cruises] passed out, I gave several categories a ‘6,’ while a ‘5’ was the highest choice on the scale!" she said.
Southeast Alaska lived up to its visitor-pleasing reputation, and our ship, American Safari Cruises’ newly rebuilt Safari Explorer, proved itself an elegant platform for moving us comfortably through the Alaska panhandle’s fjords, meandering channels, bays and tiny inlets. The 36-guest Safari Explorer recently underwent a $3.5 million reconstruction and, because of its size, the yacht took us close to glaciers and islands, so we could photograph the imposing surroundings.
Our quest, of course, was to find and photograph tidal glaciers, humpback whales, orcas, snarling sea lions, beady-eyed harbor seals and sea otters — and Safari Explorer did not disappoint. So, what is there to do aboard the Safari Explorer besides scanning the shores and water for photo opportunities? Well, I mostly enjoyed soaking in the hot tub, libation in hand, while absorbing the majestic scenery as it constantly renewed itself. My wife, Marilyn, and I also passed the time eating marvelously crafted meals and snacks, sampling complimentary wines and spirits, relaxing in a well-stocked wine library and getting massages from the ship’s licensed masseuse.
As one would expect with a luxury cruise, there were daily off-vessel activities to choose from, including walks that vary from beach and forest strolls to serious hikes for the fit and bold. Marilyn and I tended mostly toward forest walks where the rises are gentle, the surroundings are verdant and green and where we sometimes caught a fleeting glance of a resident deer or other creature of the wild.
Kayaking was another fun activity, especially when the ship dropped anchor in quiet inlets. In contrast, paddling as close to a glacier face as it is safe to do is a more thrilling option. (The deep, guttural groaning sounds from within the ice mass are definite attention-getters.) If a portion of the face calves off, violently crashing and splashing into the water, it becomes an even more exhilarating experience. At those moments, we were thankful that we ventured no closer to the glacier than instructed by our expedition leader.
If paddling isn’t your forte, the Safari Explorer offers waterborne sightseeing and photography from one of the ship’s two large inflatable DIB boats, each equipped with big, powerful outboards.
The only "city life" we experienced was in Petersburg, 90 miles south of Juneau. The community of 3,125 residents primarily consists of Nordic descendants who followed city founder Peter Buschmann to this site of abundant fish and glacial ice in the late 1890s. While there, we had the options of hiking, biking, shopping for gorgeous Norwegian sweaters, visiting the city museum, taking a cannery tour or relaxing over a dish of ice cream at a downtown sidewalk cafe.
The highlight of the cruise had to be the two memorable days in Glacier Bay National Park where we saw numerous humpback whales at the park entrance and abundant alpine and tidal glaciers, one of which our hardy shipmates hiked beside on a rising trail. We also spotted a cinnamon-colored grizzly bear on the beach and a black bear on a rocky rise.
Similarly awesome was a memorable cruise up Endicott Arm, just south of Juneau, with its steep-walled fjord called Ford’s Terror and a roaring, calving ice river, Dawes Glacier.
When we weren’t taking in the gorgeous scenery or participating in an activity, we enjoyed the Safari Explorer’s luxurious accommodations. The finest of these were the two Commodore-class suites, located on the Bridge Deck. The spacious 255- and 275-square-foot staterooms are the highest priced accommodations available, ranging from $7,995 to $9,695 in the high season.
The Commodore-class suites feature king or twin beds, a sliding-glass door, a balcony and a private bath with a Jacuzzi tub and shower. These accommodations also offer the easiest access to the cruise line’s trademark hot tub, located on the ship’s upper deck.
Similar to the Commodore stateroom, but with price points beginning at $6,595, the Admiral accommodations offer king or twin beds, a windowed door or view window and a private bath with a Jacuzzi tub and shower. Two Captain staterooms, offering 156 and 159 square feet of space, are smaller but perfectly comfortable. This class starts at $5,495 and features queen beds, a view window, a sliding-glass door and a bath with a shower.
Mariner staterooms, on the cabin deck, are the ship’s smallest (133 to 136 square feet) and most economical double accommodations. The staterooms feature queen or twin beds, a view window, a windowed door and a bath with a shower. Mariner staterooms range in price from $4,495 to $6,295 in the high season.
All cabins contain small tables, a closet with drawers and hanging space, a flat-screen television with a DVD player and individual temperature controls.
The ship also has one single stateroom that contains a single bed. With a Pullman berth, the 124-square-foot room can accommodate as many as two guests (although not extremely comfortably). The price is right though, at 50 percent of the applicable single-person fare. However, this room best serves as a double if occupied by two siblings within a larger family group.
American Safari Cruises kicks off its Alaska cruise season on May 29, and the last departure of the season is in early September.
Contact
American Safari Cruises
888-862-8881
www.amsafari.com
Cruise to Alaska this Summer and Save
This year, Alaska celebrates its 50th year of statehood, and American Safari Cruises is offering an incentive in honor of the momentous occasion.
The cruise line is offering Celebration Savings of $500 per person on new Alaska bookings that are under deposit by Feb. 20. The offer can not be combined with other promotional savings, and some restrictions may apply.
The intimate, all-inclusive yacht cruise, can also be chartered for as many 12, 22 or 36 guests. The seven- to15-day cruises are an alternative to traditional cruises because guests can get up close to Alaska's wildlife and scenery. On the Alaska itineraries, clients will get the opportunity to kayak, fish and marvel at humpback whales and other creatures of the sea.
On some itineraries, clients can spend two full days of in-depth exploration in the remote waters of Glacier Bay National Park aboard the 36-guest Safari Explorer. Guests have the unique opportunity to hike in Glacier Bay with an onboard expedition leader/naturalist and a national park service ranger.
Cruises to Alaska with American Safari Cruises begin at the end of May and continue through early September.
www.amsafari.com
Only Onlne
Scroll down to find out how to save $500 on a summer American Safari Cruise to Alaska
