The Discovery in Alaska, a report by SmallShipCruises.com

THE DISCOVERY
IN
ALASKA

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We want to tell you about a cruise we took on a vessel called Discovery that does wildlife cruises in Prince William Sound. The small vessel and the remote coves it visits give guests a real interaction with the environment and an intimate encounter with Alaska. You cruise next to walls of glaciers and through the incredible turquoise icebergs that have broken off, and you drift along with frolicking families of orca whales and porpoises, and sea otters lying on their backs with babies in their paws. You can fish if you wish (we caught some 40 and 60 pound halibut), and in between you can kayak small inlets, go on shore to walk on a glacier, look at waterfalls or stroll through fields of wildflowers.

Captain/owner … and an excellent host … is Dean Rand, who has more than 20 years of experience on Alaska waters. The Discovery was built in the late 1950s for a missionary service to Alaska, and has been refurbished into a working yacht by Dean. Because of its small size and maneuverability it can access Prince William Sound’s intimate passages and get into remote spots.

The Discovery only holds 12 passengers, the cabins are tiny, the bunks are upper/lowers and the two heads and showers are shared. Kind of scary if you are used to luxury cruises; but it was okay, because it turned out to be like cruising on your own yacht with friends. Passengers are usually on deck with binoculars and cameras, taking in the scenery, or hanging out in the lounge/salon. Or you can stand with Dean at the helm and talk about photography or Alaska or life in general. Guests are always welcome in the wheelhouse.

The Discovery has 2, 4, 5, and 7- day cruises, all in Alaska’s Prince William Sound, from May through September. Passengers fly to Anchorage, then take Alaska Railroad to Whittier. The five-day cruises are roundtrip from Whittier, and the seven-day land/cruise package goes between Whittier and Cordova. Cruises go to less traveled, out-of-the-way areas of inside passages and fjords, including Barry Arm and Harriman Fjord. Itinerary is flexible to take advantage of seasonal highlights, wildlife sightings and guest interests. Nights are spent at anchor in intimate and protected bays and coves, or anchored off glaciers and waterfalls. In mid-September a special whale- watching trip is held in the Montague Straits. There is a photo land/cruise package in June with three days at Denali, four days on the Discovery, and two days in Anchorage. (But you don’t have to be a photographer to go; about half the people work with the professional photographer/guide on learning wildlife photography and others go on hikes with a naturalist at Denali.)

When you go on the Discovery voyages, small groups go in zodiacs on trips to shore that are customized to the interests and abilities of the passengers, some walks being leisurely strolls along the shores and others physically challenging hikes. Or passengers can explore coves and fjords in kayaks. One stop is near a colony of tufted puffins, another at an oyster farm, another to a hangout for sea lions. Lunch is served at Eagle Bay near the 300-ft. high Cascade waterfall, and there is a hike at Sheep Bay Lagoon and to the top of Sahlin Falls. Optional flightseeing and river rafting trips are available too while you’re in Cordova.

Meals on board are buffet style and usually feature freshly caught seafood such as salmon, or the halibut you caught that day, or oysters, shrimp or rockfish. Bread and rolls are freshly baked. Fruits are purchased organically grown when possible. Drinks, including beer and wine are complimentary. With advance notice special dietary needs such as vegetarian, low fat, low sugar and low salt can be accommodated.

Dress is totally casual. Bring a parka, gloves, knit hat and long underwear for glacier close encounters. You can bring your own foul-weather clothes, or you can use a variety of raincoats, rainpants, float coats and rubber boots that are provided for glacial walking. The specially designed float coats incorporate buoyant, warm insulation in their construction providing warmth and safety. Don’t forget a pair of binoculars and lots of film, and you’ll be glad if you brought a video camera.

To read more about Prince William Sound, Captain Dean Rand recommends: :

Natural History of Prince William Sound, Alaska, by Pete Mickelson
, by Nancy Lethcoe
Observers Guide to the Geology of Prince William Sound, by Jim Lethcoe
A History of Prince William Sound, Alaska, by Jim & Nancy Lethcoe
The Killer Whales of Prince William Sound, by Craig Matkin
A Guide to the Birds of Alaska,a, by Robert Armstrong
Field Guide to Alaska's Wildflowers, by Verna Pratt or Alaska Northwest Publishing Inc.
Where The Sea Breaks It's Back, by Corey Ford
by Lone E. Janson.
All of these books can be ordered through our website, just visit the travel book section.

Minimal agility is required to navigate the ship's narrow stairway leading to the sleeping quarters in the lower deck, or to access the zodiacs for shore excursions. Shore excursions are customized to meet the desired physical activity level of the group: Some guests enjoy a hike with a physical challenge, some prefer easy walks along the shores.

Fishing: The Discovery offers guests a chance to try their luck fishing for halibut, cod, and rock fish. The only requirement is a non-resident sport fishing license, to be purchased in Whittier before leaving port. Poles, tackle and bait are supplied. The seven day voyage affords reasonable opportunities to catch halibut in the 40 to 200 pound size, as well as other varieties of rock fish. However, the shorter 3 day voyage does not access productive halibut fishing grounds. Salmon fishing is available in season by special arrangement.

Fares: The per person fare is $2,050 for the five-day cruise, $2,750 for seven-day land/sea package and $2,200 for nine-day spring wildlife cruise. Shore excursions are included in the fare. Customized charters are frequently arranged for families, film crews, researchers and other special interest groups.

Prince William Sound – There are more than 3,000 miles of bays, coves and deep fjords with a great diversity of habitats, including the world's northernmost temperate rainforest. You can see the ice-capped peaks of the Chugach mountains, virgin forests of spruce trees, glaciers, fjords, inlets and countless islands with meadows of wildflowers. Voyages focus on Alaska's natural history and regional ecosystems, with emphasis on glaciers, climate, geology, habitats, birds, marine mammals, inter-tidal life and ocean phenomena. The Sound's waters provide homes for a spectrum of marine and bird life: Orcas, porpoises, humpback whales, seals, sea otters, sea lions, puffins, murrelets, black oystercatchers, surf scoters, bald eagles and throngs of other species of bird life. On shore, black bears, deer and river otters feed along the ponds and streams.

Want to Go? If you thinking about going to Alaska this summer, time is getting short for booking cabins. Many of the voyages have only a few cabins left. We can book you for the Discovery for short or long trips. We can reserve space for singles, couples or groups. Just send us an e-mail and tell us the dates you are interested in.

   TO MAKE A RESERVATION:

   We work with several agencies and tour operators who are experts in small ships.

   If you want them to make a reservation, fill out the form at the Reservation Request Pagege.