Alaska Small Ship Cruises | Adventure Cruises

An Intimate Small-Ship Voyage Through the Fabled Inside Passage of Southeast Alaska

Where can you wake to the cry of a bald eagle, watch tons of ice crash from the face of a glacier, walk among old-growth spruce and cedars, and observe whales lunge feeding, perhaps in a single day? It's all here in Southeast Alaska, a maze of icy fjords and forested islands where wildlife abounds. Our Alaska adventure cruise is an epic journey through this vast marine wilderness, far from big cruise ship crowds. These voyages aboard compact National Geographic expedition ships showcase the tranquil channels of the Inside Passage and the geologic time capsule that is Glacier Bay. Join naturalist guides to wander through temperate rain forest, watch whales, seals and seabirds, and identify wildflowers. Forays by kayak and Zodiac in protected waters offer exhilarating wildlife encounters. Learn, too, about Southeast Alaska’s rich Native heritage.

Interested in a shorter voyage? Check out Lindblad's 6-day Alaska itineraries, Alaska Escape: Juneau to Ketchikan and Alaska Escape: Sitka to Juneau!

Stewart Cohen

Nat Hab guests on zodiac, Sawyer Glacier, Tracy Arm, Alaska.

Ralph Lee Hopkins

Brown bear, Chichagof Island, Alaska.

Ralph Lee Hopkins

Humpback whale tail, Chatham Strait, Alaska.

Ralph Lee Hopkins

National Geographic Sea Bird, Le Conte Bay, Alaska.

Ralph Lee Hopkins

American bald eagle, Sitka, Alaska.

Michael S. Nolan

Nat Hab guests and humpback whale, Tracy Arm, Alaska.

Michael S. Nolan

Brown bear and cubs, Pavlof Harbor State Marine Park, Chicagof Island, Alaska.

Sven-Olof Lindblad

Nat Hab guests on zodiac, Sawyer Glacier, Tracy Arm, Alaska.

Ralph Lee Hopkins

Orca, Chatham Strait, Alaska.

Stewart Cohen

Nat Hab guests on zodiac, Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness, Alaska.

Ralph Lee Hopkins

Nat Hab guests viewing brown bear, Tongass National Forest, Alaska.

John Bodner

Humpback whale, Frederick Sound, Alaska.

Trip Highlights

Exclusive Access via a Small Expedition Ship

Weave through secluded channels in Alaska's sheltered Inside Passage, exploring remote wilderness realms inaccessible to big cruise ships

Discover Glacier Bay In Depth

From the ship’s deck, scout for humpback whales, Dall's porpoise, sea lions and mountain goats as we explore Glacier Bay National Park

Guided Kayaking in Marine Wilderness

Paddle protected waters among remote uninhabited islands, looking for bears on shore and bald eagles in the tops of Sitka spruce and cedars

Sail with the World Leader in Conservation-Focused Small Ship Cruising

We’re proud to offer a worldwide slate of Adventure Cruises through our partner, Lindblad Expeditions. Nat Hab joined forces with Lindblad in 2016 to expand our mutual collection of nature adventures. Founded in 1958 by Lars-Eric Lindblad, the company pioneered eco-conscious expeditions for “citizen explorers" and today is the world leader in conservation-focused small-ship cruises. Our Adventure Specialists are intimately familiar with the ships and itineraries and are on call to answer any questions you might have.

Unparalleled Experience in Alaska Small-Ship Cruising
Lindblad's expedition ships have been cruising Alaskan waters for over 35 years, exploring and revealing wild places accessible only to small, nimble ships like these. The captain and crew are experts in locating whales and other marine life and positioning the ship for intimate viewing experiences. It's easy to change course for a sighting, or observe wildlife up close from Zodiacs when conditions permit. A small ship with fewer passengers makes all the difference when it comes to a genuine experience of Alaska’s coastal wilderness.
Onboard Naturalists Foster Richer Wildlife Engagement
The ship's naturalist staff offers interpretive insight into the multitude of wildlife you'll encounter, from breaching whales and bald eagles to Steller sea lions and foraging brown bears. Learn about marine biology, evolutionary biology, ornithology and more from a diverse slate of engaging experts. Each voyage sails with an Expedition Leader and five veteran naturalists, with a staff-to-guest ratio of 1:10, plus flexibility for guided kayaking, hiking and exploring by Zodiac. In addition, research scientists from the Lindblad-National Geographic-funded Alaska Whale Foundation come aboard to enhance guests' whale-watching experiences.
Experience the World Beneath the Sea—a Lindblad Exclusive!
Lindblad guests see what few ever witness, traveling with an undersea specialist who dives from 40-80 feet with high-intensity lights and an HD video camera to capture the surprisingly colorful marine life of Southeast Alaskan waters. View this fascinating footage on plasma screens in the comfort of the lounge for a deeper sense of Alaska's natural wonders. This Alaskan undersea program is exclusive to Lindblad’s expedition voyages.
Enjoy Special Access and New Perspectives in Glacier Bay
Lindblad's special permit from the National Park Service allows the ship to spend an entire day inside Glacier Bay National Park, the crown jewel of Southeast Alaska. In addition, permits from the U.S. Forest Service enable the ship's naturalists to lead excursions into wild and remote areas of the Tongass National Forest.
A Suite of Tools to Enhance Exploration
Single and double kayaks, plus a fleet of Zodiacs, let us explore remote locales for up-close discoveries. Paddle past nesting birds and lounging sea lions, watch seals bob at eye level off your bow, or just enjoy the silence. Shoreline cruises aboard Zodiacs are perfect for relaxed exploration with a naturalist’s narration, and the ideal platform for photography. The ship’s hydrophone lets you listen in on whales, while a video microscope reveals invisible facets of life. High-quality binoculars are always on hand for abundant wildlife sightings.
Shipboard Life Offers an Ideal Family Adventure
Lindblad's exclusive family explorer program was developed in conjunction with National Geographic Education to provide a field experience for guests under 18 that is both enlightening and fun. Learn about glaciers by making ice cream sundaes, or use glacial ice to paint water colors. Kids have direct contact with wildlife and wonders on land and in the sea during daily activities, learn to be multimedia storytellers about their discoveries, and build a field notebook to document daily observations.
Get Expert Photography Guidance
A Lindblad-National Geographic certified photo instructor accompanies each expedition, joining guests for hikes on centuries-old bear trails and forest boardwalks built over bogs, and aboard Zodiacs that float past icebergs for a closer look at glaciers. This veteran naturalist is specially trained to assist you with camera settings and the basic elements of framing, composition and lighting. You'll capture extraordinary images and go home a better, more confident photographer.
We’re Committed to the Planet
Natural Habitat Adventures is a standard-setter in eco-conscious travel. We were the world’s first 100% carbon-neutral travel company. And we continue to break innovative ground in adopting practices that help to protect our global environment. Because of our concern for the environment, we are pleased to partner with Lindblad Expeditions for our Adventure Cruises, a company that shares our values and commitment to the planet.
Natural Habitat Adventures is WWF's Travel Partner
Because of our environmental commitment and the outstanding quality of our adventures, World Wildlife Fund has chosen Natural Habitat Adventures as its worldwide travel partner, a designation we’re very proud of! When you book your Lindblad Expeditions cruise with us, a portion of your trip fee supports WWF.