Alaska Family Cruise
Locations: Sitka, Icy Strait, Glacier Bay, Eastern Baranof Island/Lake Eva, Hidden Falls, Petersburg/Frederick Sound, Tracy Arm, Juneau
Trip Leaders: Dr. Laurance Doyle and Mary Jane and Doug Hoff
Dates: June 14–21, 2019
Costs: Starting at $3,899 per adult for a double-occupancy (shared) room; starting at $3,149 per child under age 15
Trip Capacity: 60
Registration deadline: November 1, 2018
Final payment deadline: December 15, 2018
Trip Overview
Disconnect from our fast-paced, high-tech world, and connect with the remarkable wildlife, cultures, and natural wonders of Alaska. See the spray of whales only yards away and venture into secluded inlets as you get up close to nature, whether from the decks of the Admiralty Dream or aboard its skiffs and kayaks. Cruising as a family provides a great opportunity to strengthen bonds through shared discoveries and learning, creating memories that span generations.
Program Highlights
- An onboard Youth Expedition Leader who leads activities, exploration, and educational programs tailored for children age 7 and older
- Instruction from two expert naturalists on animal behavior, glacier activity, and the wealth of natural spectacles along these protected waters
- A Native dance performance, a visit to a Tlingit Clan House, and time with a Native Huna Tlingit Cultural Heritage Guide
- Visits to a salmon hatchery, the Alaska Raptor Center, and Sitka National Historical Park
- A guided tour of the Norwegian fishing community of Petersburg and a guided cruise among Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve’s fjords, tidewater glaciers, and snow-capped mountain ranges
The trip includes the following:
- Seven nights aboard the Admiralty Dream
- Handcrafted meals aboard the Admiralty Dream—7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 7 dinners, including a special Captain’s Farewell Dinner
- An onboard lecture program featuring Dr. Laurance Doyle and educational guidance from two expert naturalists (including an Expedition Leader) and from a Park Ranger and Native Huna Tlingit Cultural Heritage Guide during a visit to Glacier National Park
- Special programming geared for students led by Mary Jane and Doug Hoff
- Guided kayaking, hiking, walking, skiff excursions, and wildlife viewing in areas where humpback whales, orca, brown bears, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters, arctic terns, and bald eagles are frequently spotted
- All port fees and entry fees to parks, preserves, museums, attractions, and special excursions as described in the itinerary
- Gratuities for the Expedition Leader, airport transfer drivers, and guides and drivers on included land excursions
- Airport transfers for guests arriving and departing during the suggested times
The following are not included:
- Airfare
- Excess baggage charges
- Trip cancellation insurance and a passenger travel protection plan*
- Meals and beverages other than those specified on the itinerary
- Personal expenses such as laundry, communication charges, and optional activities
*If you would like to purchase cancellation insurance or a travel protection plan, Principia Lifelong Learning can recommend providers.
Trip Activity Level: Easy
This program offers a variety of activities: skiff rides, walking, hiking, and kayaking. Activities are not strenuous for guests with average mobility. Walks and hikes are leisurely in pace to allow guests the opportunity to see and learn as much as possible about the region. Skiffs provide the mode for much of the exploration on this program, and sure-footed guests can enter and exit them with little trouble. The Admiralty Dream crew is diligent in assisting guests while boarding and exiting the ship and small crafts. Guests with no previous experience can easily handle the double kayaks. We expect that guests on this program can walk with good balance and go up and down stairs easily without assistance. The ship does not have an elevator.
Meet Your Trip Leaders
Dr. Laurance Doyle, an astrophysicist and research scientist at SETI Institute, serves as Director of the Institute for the Metaphysics of Physics at Principia College. Laurance partnered with the Alaska Whale Foundation to study humpback whale communication and looks forward to sharing his knowledge and research as you explore Glacier Bay together.
Mary Jane and Doug Hoff have been teaching at Principia for more than 30 years combined. Mary Jane taught biology at Principia College—including ornithology, wildlife conservation, and field and natural history—before joining the science team at the School. Doug, the School's Outdoor Learning Coordinator, introduces students to the natural world through programs that emphasize team building. The Hoffs are excited to share their love of the outdoors with families while in Alaska.