B ig, bold, and wild, Alaska is hands down one of the planet’s most exciting destinations for a family adventure. Join us aboard the small, comfortable Wilderness Adventurer for an unforgettable cruise through the hidden bays and isolated waterways—places few travelers ever get to see—of the magical Inside Passage.

Watch your teen take on a rugged trail hike, returning excitedly with tales of an old abandoned mining town “discovered" along the way. Marvel at your youngster’s wide-eyed wonder as a native Tlingit carver reveals the stories carved into colorful totem poles. And, as you stand on the ship’s deck in the late light of a summer’s evening, give your video camera a workout as magnificent humpback whales breach just off starboard... then document the setting sun as it turns the surrounding snow-capped peaks to violet.

In addition to the daily wide-ranging choice of included activities, Thomson Family Adventures offers a series of optional excursions such as jet-boating, flight-seeing, angling for the big one, and even the chance to watch bears catch river salmon in mid-air.

Our Inside Passage cruises—also perfect for grandparents and grandkids traveling together—put you right up front and center to the real Alaska, from the roar of calving glaciers to the ethereal beauty of ancient forests and to so many amazing wildlife encounters you'll probably lose count—all in the company of friendly guides who are ultimately passionate about this awe-inspiring “Great Land.”

Extend your stay in Juneau or Ketchikan, or book an extension to explore Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula or Denali National Park.

2012 Dates

Price includes: Park entrance fees, accommodations based on two to a room in Trailblazer Cabins, Port fees ($167), airport transfers, area specialists, all meals, Comprehensive Travel Insurance (a $200 - $300 value). 

Disclaimer: Depending on the week, you may be on the M/V Discoverer, which is equally as impressive as the M/V Adventurer.

Alumni Discount: if you are a returning Thomson guest, please subtract $500 per family from these prices

Don't see your travel dates?

Call us, we can customize any trip to meet your travel needs! 

Day 1 – Flight to Juneau / Embark Wilderness Adventurer

Welcome to Alaska and friendly Juneau—the only U.S. capital with an international border! Your family vacation begins as you step aboard the Wilderness Adventurer, bound for the stunning eastern coves of the lesser-traveled Inside Passage. As we cruise out of Juneau’s bustling harbor, watch for eagles, seals, sea lions, and playful porpoise. And keep your camera ready for the telltale signs of orca and humpback whales that feed in these nutrient-rich waters.

Embark the Wilderness Adventurer  After your arrival in Juneau, board your comfortable ship, and home for the next seven nights—the Wilderness Adventurer. With the simplicity of unpacking only once and everything taken care of onboard, cruising the Inside Passage is an ideal way to enjoy a family reunion, or create an unforgettable grandparent-grandchild vacation! Welcome dinner After meeting your crew and getting acquainted with the ship’s features, enjoy your first onboard evening with a delicious meal and a chance to meet fellow traveling companions.

 Every evening as the sun sets, you will be briefed on the next day's activities and the options available to you.

Day 2 – Windham Bay / Chuck River Wilderness Area / Frederick Sound

Rise and shine to the glories of Windham Bay, a unique combination of lush temperate rain forests, and numerous estuaries harboring fresh and saltwater habitats. Explore the region by kayak or skiff, and on exhilarating hikes through some vintage Alaska scenery—think dramatic rock cliffs, abandoned mining camps, and perhaps even a black bear sighting! Later cruise into splendid Frederick Sound— the summer feeding ground for the largest concentration of humpback whales in the Northern Hemisphere. Kayaks are available all morning for unguided touring at your leisure. Additional morning activities swimming, hiking and whale watching.

Whale watching in Frederick Sound   Scan the waters for telltale movement and thrill as humpbacks, orcas and Steller sea lions feed, breach, splash, roll and dive. It’s the perfect arena for practicing those action shots! As you watch the wildlife show on-deck naturalists present fascinating facts and behavioral theories about the whales. Taylor Lake trail kayak and hike Give those arms a good workout as you kayak up Windham Bay... Then flex your leg muscles on a trek up a heavily forested trail—you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous glimpses of majestic peaks. It’s a perfect day, especially if you're vacationing with teens! Enjoy a packed lunch prepared by our galley team. Chuck River trail kayak and hike Paddle through this undeveloped marsh and tidal flats trail that extends along the southern shore of Windham Bay until it turns south toward the Chuck River. Keep a lookout for the black bears often spotted here. We’ll follow up with a walk through history at an abandoned mining camp that lies upriver near the confluence of the Chuck River and Sylvia Creek.

Day 3 – Thomas Bay / Baird Glacier / Cascade Creek

Along with its strange tales of Kushtaka—a local Bigfoot-type creature—Thomas Bay is also fabled for its glaciers, gold and quartz deposits, and an incredible variety of wildlife, including moose, brown and black bears, wolves and many species of birds. Exposed terminal moraine leads to the top of Baird Glacier and we’ll explore the area on a choice of hikes and guided kayak excursions. 

Baird Glacier trail hike  On of the crew’s favorite hikes, this 2-3-hour trek travels just a mile and a half but covers an incredible variety of terrain. After you’ve navigated streams, mud flats, sandy conditions and uneven bowling ball-sized boulders, you’ll stand atop the Baird Glacier, triumphant—and surrounded by dazzling views. Shorter exploratory hikes to the glacier are also an option.
Scenery Cove to Cascade Creek kayak   Paddle six gorgeous miles of Alaskan waters, watching for a variety of birds and animals along the way. You can also add a short hike on the Cascade Creek Trail to your journey. Cascade Creek Hike   Follow the scenic Cascade Creek Trail, a hike that has something for everyone. The relatively easy first stretch offers a close-up look at the forest ecosystem. For a more rigorous adventure, continue through the spruce and hemlock forest to a waterfall; the hike gets challenging (but worth it) alongside Cascade Creek as it runs towards Falls Lake— about three miles from the trailhead. Storytelling  Over dinner hear a reading from “The Strangest Story Ever Told,” a tale about Thomas Bay and its mythical, Bigfoot-like residents called Kushtaka. Native lore is rich with Kushtaka stories and strange encounters have been recorded for many years here.

Day 4 – LeConte Bay / Ideal Cove

Wake to the sounds of bergy bits and brash ice gently nudged by the hull of the ship as she eases through the ice-rich waters of LeConte Bay. Home to the Northern hemisphere’s most southerly tidewater glacier, the Bay offers a glittering arena for exploring by kayak or skiff. 

Three Lakes loop trail hike  A boardwalk leads through muskeg (a peat-like soil) and forest, passing four lakes in this delightful loop trail. Mostly flat with a few short steep sections, the roundtrip is 4.5 miles long. LeConte Bay kayak   Paddling through LeConte Bay is a great way to experience the bejeweled world of floating bergy bits, runaways from LeConte Glacier. Kids will be delighted with the eye-level look at harbor seals that laze about on these icy chaise lounges. Choose between a 4-hour or 90-minute excursion. OPTIONAL LeConte Glacier floatplane tour   Take a floatplane ride for a bird’s-eye view of the massive LeConte Glacier. Twenty-one miles long and one mile wide, LeConte is known for its "shooter" icebergs, which calve off underneath the water and, because of their buoyancy, shoot out of the water at any given moment. $200 per person, minimum 4 persons. OPTIONAL Wilderness kayaking, hiking, and overnight camping   For those who wish to experience Southeast Alaska's raw outdoors, and perfect for those vacationing with teens, spend a night away from the ship in the wilderness to hike, camp and kayak. An expert guide from your ship will accompany you on this unique adventure.

Day 5 – Wrangell / Chief Shakes Tribal House

Today, this friendly town proudly showcases its native Tlingit culture, and you’ll have the chance to hear native stories and photograph an amazing collection of totem poles. Bear-lovers may choose an optional jet boat trip to watch the black and brown bears fishing for salmon at Anan Creek. During dinner we cruise to Canoe Pass to enjoy some of the most scenic kayaking of the trip. End the day with a soak in the hot tub as the Wilderness Adventurer cruises toward Yes Bay on the northern end of Behm Canal.

Chief Shakes Island and Tribal House tour  Kids will love the chance to learn about native Tlingit culture during a storytelling session at the impressive replica of Chief Shakes Tribal House. The forest of carved totem poles outside gives everyone’s imagination a workout as you try to interpret the symbolic birds, animals, and “human” masks. Canoe Pass kayaking  This smooth, narrow, five-mile stretch of pristine Alaskan water lies within the South Etolin Wilderness area. As you paddle keep an eye on the shores for both black and brown bear, elk and Sitka black-tailed deer.

Optional: Anan Creek bear observatory river boat tour, Stikine River boat tour, Anan Creek bear and wildlife flightseeing, Wrangell saltwater fishing excursion.

Day 6 – Yes Bay

It’s tough to say “no” to Yes Bay (you know we had to say it!). Wildlife abounds here and in the surrounding Tongass National Forest—from black and brown bears, mink, marten, and eagles to humpback whales, orca, porpoise, seals, sea lions, and otters.  Additional afternoon activities include snorkeling and swimming. Other optional activities include: fly-fishing, flight tours, and wilderness hiking.

Swimming race and platform diving Who will be the first one around the boat?  Do you have superior diving style?  Only one way to tell—and the crew know just what to look for! Wolverine Creek trail hike Take a leisurely hike on this trail that leads to a series of steelhead, trout, and salmon angling spots (fishing at your own expense).

Day 7 – Misty Fjords National Monument

This magical, mysterious landscape is a haven for ducks, brown and black bear, mountain goats, Sitka deer, mink, river otters, and, in a few places, moose. Humpbacks and orca, porpoise, sea lions, and seals ply the waters of Behm Canal and its many inlets.

Walker Cove kayaking  Seldom visited by floatplanes or other boats, Walker Cove is a peacefully gorgeous spot. Paddle the still waters of the Cove (close-in or long-distance), surrounded by soaring cliffs and spectacular waterfalls, and stretch your legs on wild shoreline beaches. Paddling near the Behm Canal offers good chances to spot whales and porpoises. Walker Cove skiff tours  Misty Fjords National Monument preserves nearly 2.2 million acres that represent nearly every ecosystem found in southeast Alaska. You can choose to explore Walker Cove by skiff, taking in the splendor of this utterly wild, and largely undiscovered, corner of the world.

Day 8 – Ketchikan / Disembark / Transfer to Airport

Join your new friends on deck one last time this morning as we arrive in Ketchikan—“Salmon Capital of the World.” After breakfast, disembark the Wilderness Adventurer. 

Farewell breakfast  Your memorable family journey ends with a Bon Voyage breakfast. Disembark and head for the Ketchikan airport, or continue on an extended Alaska adventure.

Please Note:   Thomson Family Adventures will attempt to adhere to this itinerary as much as possible. However, certain conditions (political, climatic, environmental, cultural, or availability) may necessitate changes in the accommodations.

Why Alaska?

Experience the breathtaking beauty of the most “wow” place on earth Alaska, our country’s last frontier, is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Icy blue glaciers, shimmering waterfalls, old growth forests, glorious flowering meadows — your family will be in heaven as you hike, kayak and cruise among the diverse beauty and splendor of our 49th state. Not to be missed is kayaking around the palatial glaciers and hiking for panoramic views of the majestic wonders of Alaska. This is one vacation you family will never forget one breathtaking moment of! Twice the size of Texas Twice the size of Texas, Alaska has 33,000 miles of coastline, contains one-half of the world’s glaciers and is home to Mount Denali, the tallest mountain in North America. Explore the timeless beauty of ancient forests, remote bays, fjords and wildlife-rich coastlines. Keep on the lookout for spectacular sights all around you — you might spot giant Humpback whales breaching or witness the powerful roar of calving glaciers. Eagles, bears, sea lions, humpback whales, wolves, puffins, kittiwakes, marmots… oh my! Alaska is home to incredibly rich and diverse habitats for hundreds of species of plant and wildlife, including the largest populations of bald eagles and brown and black bears in the world. Imagine eagles soaring high above against the backdrop of 15,000 foot peaks, or brown bears ambling along the shoreline. Throughout your journey, as you cruise to areas that are only accessible by small boat, you might see whales, sea lions, porpoises, seals and sea otters feeding, swimming and frolicking in the seas. Stay on the lookout for moose, sheep and caribou, too! Kenai Peninsula and Denali National Park Known as Alaska’s Playground, Kenai Peninsula is 15,000 square miles of remote, unspoiled natural beauty and adventure! From ice fields to four active volcanoes to a stunning array of wildlife that includes whales, sea otters, puffins and bears, there is never a dull moment on the Kenai Peninsula. Or experience Denali National Park, six million acres of wildlands crowned by North America’s highest peak, 20,320 foot Mount McKinley. Denali National Park is surrounded by the Alaska Range, which creates a stunning backdrop of countless spectacular mountains and many large glaciers. What’s more, Denali encompasses a complete sub-arctic eco-system, home to large mammals such as grizzly bears, wolves, Dall sheep, caribou and moose. Kenai or Denali, either is not to be missed and can be booked as extension to your Alaska adventure! The largest cave in North America There is something about caves that people just love to explore! Your kids will have a break from building makeshift caves out of pulled-out couches, walls, and blankets, and get a chance to take inspiration from the real thing; El Capitán Passage is the largest known cave in all of North America, and the fossilized bones of Ice Age animals have been discovered here – keep your eyes peeled and you could make the next great archeological discovery!

Why Alaska with Thomson?

Your kids will be amazed by the majesty and grandeur of Alaska’s untamed wilderness. From the dramatic, truly breathtaking glaciers to the highest mountain in North America to the pristine seas — all home to some of the world’s most wondrous creatures — this is a vacation that won’t soon be forgotten. Picture your children’s delight as curious sea otters swim beside their kayak, staring in wonder at the rare humans who have entered their habitat! The adventure of a lifetime! On this vacation, your family will explore remote, untouched parts of Alaska that few people have the opportunity to see. This is one destination where it truly isn’t about how you get there, it’s all about where you are going — to one of the most “wow” places on earth! Explore remote wilderness up close and personal on a small private ship Your family will see Alaska aboard the Wilderness Adventurer, a small boat that accommodates just 49 passengers. The size of the Adventurer allows your family to travel deep into the Alaskan wilds, with the comfort of clean, soft beds and private baths. You and your family will be lulled by the cool, crisp evening twilight as you nestle into cozy beds your first night on board. Awaken to see bears on the beaches and incredible vistas of snow-capped mountains. Limited group sizes By touring on a small boat with limited capacity, your family is assured an intimate experience in America’s last true wilderness. Generally we have three to four families on each departure, which is large enough for your kids to make new friends, but small enough that you can be sure of having a unique, once-in-a-lifetime vacation. Kayak around Dawes Glacier This mammoth chunk of clean, cobalt blue ice will leave the whole family speechless. Kayak, guided by a knowledgeable local, around the glacier and keep a lookout for seals lounging on partially submerged chunks of solid ice. It is incredible to witness already striking icebergs and imagine that the vast majority of their mass is hidden deep beneath the surface of the frigid water!