Canada & USA Destination Planner 2018 | Page 103

Yukon and Alaska / BEYOND ANCHORAGE TOURING 101 Major Marine Kenai Fjords Full Day Cruises Explore the world of glaciers, wildlife and stunning scenery in Kenai Fjords National Park on a full day cruise with Major Marine Tours. Watch for abundant wildlife such as humpback whales, orca whales, Steller sea lions, sea otters, harbour seals, Dall’s porpoises, bald eagles and puffins. Visit towering tidewater glaciers and witness calving, where giant chunks of glacial ice break off and crash into the water. Choose your Alaskan adventure from three cruise options ranging from 6 hours to 8.5 hours. The 6-hour and 7.5-hour cruises explore Kenai Fjords National Park on large, stable catamarans and feature narration by an onboard national park ranger. Enjoy an all- you-can-eat Alaska salmon and prime rib buffet, freshly prepared and served on board while you cruise. The 6-hour cruise visits one active tidewater glacier and the 7.5-hour cruise visits two active tidewater glaciers. For the adventure-seeker, the 8.5-hour Northwestern Fjord Cruise visits remote areas of Kenai Fjords National Park on a smaller vessel, giving you up-close views of the area’s spectacular islands, coves, tidewater glaciers and wildlife. Guests can enjoy the scenery and wildlife from the comfort of the heated cabins or from one of the outside viewing decks. Cruises depart from the scenic harbour town of Seward, Alaska. From $179 Major Marine Prince William Sound Tours Experience the serenity of cruising the calm waters of Prince William Sound while marvelling at the grandeur of its ever-changing glaciers. Major Marine Tours will be your guide as you cruise through the protected waters outside of Whittier, where seasickness is highly unlikely. The 5.25-hour Surprise Glacier Cruise visits an actively calving tidewater glacier in spectacular Harriman Fjord. You will visit bird rookeries and Steller sea lion colonies as you watch for other wildlife such as sea otters, Dall’s porpoises, bald eagles and whales. Travel through Esther Passage, a narrow marine waterway surrounded by forested mountains, and visit a working salmon hatchery. The 4.5-hour Blackstone Bay Glacier Cruise takes you to three actively calving glaciers in beautiful Blackstone Bay. View wildlife such as sea otters, harbour seals and bald eagles. You will stop at each glacier and float among the icebergs as you wait for calving, where giant slabs of ancient glacial ice break off and crash into the water. A Chugach National Forest Ranger will be on board to provide narration on the area’s history, ecology and geology. Enjoy an Alaska salmon and prime rib buffet, freshly prepared and served on board while you cruise. Use your reserved seating in the heated cabins as your base camp as you move about the vessel to view the scenery and wildlife from the outside viewing decks. From $179 Major Marine Cruises into Kenai Fjords Join Major Marine Tours for a spectacular half day cruise through the calm, pristine waters of Resurrection Bay. Spend an afternoon on the water on the 5-hour Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise or choose from one of two departure times on the 3.5-hour Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise. Experience up-close encounters with wildlife as the ship is guided alongside seabird rookeries and Steller sea lion colonies. Watch for abundant wildlife such as humpback whales, orca whales, sea otters, harbour seals, Dall’s porpoises and more. View alpine glaciers, piedmont glaciers and the stunning scenery of the Chugach and Kenai Mountains. A national park ranger will be on board the 5-hour cruise to provide narration on the history, ecology and geology of the area. Kids can work directly with the national park ranger in the fun and educational Junior Ranger Program. The 5-hour cruise also features an all-you-can-eat Alaska salmon and prime rib buffet, freshly prepared and served on board while you cruise. Enjoy the views from your reserved seat in the comfort of the heated cabins or from one of the outside viewing decks. Cruises depart from the scenic harbour town of Seward. From $84 From prices for accommodation are ‘per room’ and sightseeing are ‘per person’. Prices do not include applicable taxes. www.andersonvacations.ca