fantasy cruises island spirit

Island Spirit Cruise Ship, Alaska

• 9.0 Superb 7 Verified Reviews

Excellent food and drinks “The wildlife,kayaking and the people we met” Nicole K, Australia

Built in 1978 and renovated in 2002, the Island Spirit can accommodate up to 32 guests, in 17 cabins, for each of its trips around Alaska. Each comfortable en suite cabin has a large window and ample storage space. There's no need to worry about missing out on any incredible views whilst you sleep; the Island Spirit remains anchored at nighttime in various pretty areas. The boat carries skiffs and kayaks for adventure on the waters. There’s a covered outdoor lounge area as well as seating on the rear open deck. You can enjoy tasty western food in the stylish dining room, and watch the world go by through the large windows as you eat. The comfy sofas in the indoor lounge are the perfect place to relax with a drink from the onboard bar and chat with other guests on your small ship cruise.

The Island Spirit offers explorations of the Inside Passage between Juneau and Sitka. Places visited on the magical journey include Skagway, Haines, and Hoonah. As well as marveling at out-of-this-world scenery, you’ll also have plenty of opportunities to get up close and personal with an array of fascinating wildlife. From whales, bears, and moose to wolves, numerous bird species, and more, there is much to see on the land and in the waters. Whilst the cruise does follow a rough itinerary, the captain is flexible and will take you to the best wildlife-viewing spots, and away from the tourist crowds. Another bonus of cruising with the Island Spirit is that it is the only small-cruise vessel to spend a full 24-hour period in the magnificent Ford Terror wilderness area. Though the area is only accessible at high tide, you can use kayaks and skiffs to discover the area’s delights and lap up the vistas.

The accommodating and friendly crew members of the Island Spirit will be delighted to welcome you onboard for a marvelous cruising vacation in Alaska. Call us or book online to avoid disappointment.

Choose your departure date adventure cruise | no scuba diving

Included: VAT, National Park Fees, Port Fees, Airport Transfer, Hotel Transfer, Alcoholic Beverages, Alcoholic Drinks at Dinner, Drinking Water, Soft drinks, Soft Drinks at Meal Times, Tea & Coffee, Welcome Cocktails, Wine with Dinner, Full-Board Meal Plan (All meals), Snacks, Kayaks, Land Excursions, Naturalist Guide, Cabin Towels, Complimentary Toiletries.

Optional Extras: Travel Insurance.

Book now, pay later: You can easily place your booking online. We will then hold the spaces for you and you can confirm with a payment later.

* Extra fees are shown per person.

Pay by bank transfer or online with Best Price Guaranteed

Boat features

• Daily housekeeping
• Audio & video entertainment
• Indoor Saloon
• Warm Water Showers
• Outdoor Dining
• En-Suite bathrooms
• Non-Smoking Rooms
• Seaview Cabins
• Kayaks On-Board
• Dedicated Local & International Crew
• Naturalist Guide
• Leisure Deck
• Observation Deck

Food & Drinks

• Western Food
• Vegetarian Options
• Buffet style
• Beer available
• Snacks All Day
• Free Wine w/Dinner
• Vegan Options
• Fine Wines Selection
• Free Soft Drinks
• Wine Available
• Fine Cuisine
• Welcome Cocktails

If you have any specific dietary requirements whilst on-board your cruise, you can add this to your special requests on step 2 of the booking form. We advise limiting these requests to religious beliefs or food allergies.

Languages Spoken

The crew speaks English.

Drawings & Vessel Layouts

Accommodation.

Single Cabin

Queen Stateroom

Boat specifications.

• Year built 1978
• Year renovated 2002
• Length 130ft
• Max guests 32
• Number of cabins 17
• Number of bathrooms 17

Boat Navigation and Safety

• Depth Sounder
• Radio VHF/DSC/SSB
• E.P.I.R.B. Distress System
• Emergency Rafts
• Fire Alarm & Fire Extinguishers
• First Aid Kits
• Satellite & mobile phones
• Bilge pump alarm
• Search light
• Crew trained in first aid
• Emergency flares

Island Spirit Reviews

• 7 Verified Reviews
• Activities 8.9
• 8.0 Very good

The wildlife,kayaking and the people we met

Amazing wildlife and nature viewing

A gathering of 40 to 50 humpbacks, feeding just off the point at the Eldred Rock lighthouse. I've never seen anything like it. There were spouts wherever you looked. We visited the Sawyer glacier and got to see it calve.

• 9.6 Exceptional

One of the best experiences we have ever had!

Lots of wildlife, wonderful views and great company!

Fantasy Cruises trip on Island Spirit boat was wonderful.

Humpback whales. Orca whales. Sea Lions. Sea Otters. Glaciers. Presentations about things we were seeing, by Dr. Dan Monteith (a/k/a "Dan Talks"). Tlingit peoples history, anthropology, beliefs, and sustainable practices, as explained by Dr. Dan. Truly good food throughout the day, every day. Fabulous, friendly, helpful crew, who liked each other and made the whole experience both pleasant and fun.

Wildlife & glaciers

Sawyer Glacier,humpback whales, orcas

• 8.8 Fabulous

I would go again

Kayaking early in the morning, with eagles flying about, in Takrat Bay 22 miles of interaction with orcas nearby Bubble net whale feeding, with ten or more whales Dawe’s glacier calving Touring Sitka—St. Michael’s church, raptor center, heritage park with many totem poles

• 10 Exceptional

Far exceeded our expectations, providing spectacular scenery and wildlife viewing

The kayaking was made accessible to all, no matter the age, with an ingenious entry/exit platform with bars that was stable and easy to use. Dawe's porpoises loved to surf in front of the boat, we were able to get close to glaciers and go places that large cruise ships can't; few passengers made for easy wildlife viewing, with no crowding at the rails to get good photos. The rooms were small but comfortable with room to store luggage and a built inn dresser to use while on the cruise. The private bathrooms were great too. The crew was totally customer service oriented, friendly and knowledgeable. The food was excellent, with a chef and pastry chef on board. We really felt spoiled and it was a fantastic introduction to Alaska. What's more, there were several passengers for whom this was a repeat cruise on the Island Spirit, one person having taken this same ship four times, which speaks volumes. We will certainly b back in the future and will recommend to all of our family and friends.

We’re here to help, 24/7.

Find available liveaboards.

• AUD Australian Dollar
• BRL Brazilian Real
• CAD Canadian Dollar
• CHF Swiss Franc
• CNY Chinese Yuan
• CZK Czech Koruna
• DKK Danish Krone
• GBP British Pound
• HKD Hong Kong Dollar
• HUF Hungarian Forin
• ILS Israeli New Sheqel
• INR Indian Rupee
• JPY Japanese Yen
• KRW Korean Won
• MXN Mexican Peso
• MYR Malaysian Ringgit
• NOK Norwegian Krone
• NZD New Zealand Dollar
• PHP Philippine Peso
• PLN Polish Zloty
• RON Romanian Leu
• RUB Russian Ruble
• SEK Swedish Krona
• SGD Singapore Dollar
• THB Thai Baht
• TRY Turkish Lira
• TWD New Taiwan Dollar
• USD US Dollars
• ZAR South African Rand

Connect with our expert travel consultants to plan your next trip.

• Call us +44 808 168 1066
• Email Us Send us a message
• About us Read more
• New Zealand
• Virgin Islands
• Admiralty Dream
• Adriatic King
• Adriatic Princess
• Adriatic Queen
• Akomo Isseki
• Alaskan Dream
• All Star Cuan Law
• All Star Red Sea
• Amadeus Thailand
• Amalia Indonesia
• Amaya Explorer
• Amba Liveaboard
• Aqua Tiki II
• Aqua Tiki III
• Archipell I
• Atlantis Azores
• Bahamas Aggressor
• Bahriyeli C
• Bahriyeli D
• Baranof Dream
• Belize Aggressor III
• Belize Aggressor IV
• Black Pearl
• Blackbeards Morning Star
• Blackbeards Sea Explorer
• Blue Dolphin
• Blue Force One
• Blue Horizon
• Blue Maldives
• Blue Melody
• Blue Shark 2
• Blue Voyager
• Bulan Purnama
• Burc-u Zafer
• BVI Aggressor
• Cachalote Explorer
• Caledonian Sky
• Calico Jack
• Calipso Cruise
• Calipso Dive
• Captain Bota
• Captain Sparrow
• Caribbean Explorer II
• Carpe Diem Indonesia
• Cayman Aggressor IV
• Chichagof Dream
• Christianna VII
• Cocos Island Aggressor
• Coral Adventurer
• Coral Discoverer
• Coral Geographer
• Coral I and II
• Coral Sea Dreaming
• Cormorant II
• Crucero Amazonas
• Cruisenautic
• Deep Andaman Queen
• Dewi Nusantara
• Discovery Alaska
• Discovery I
• Discovery II
• Discovery Palawan
• DiveRACE Class E
• Dolce Vita Egypt
• Dolphin Dream
• Dolphin Queen
• Duke of York
• Duyung Baru
• EcoPro Mariana
• EcoPro Moonima
• Elite Galapagos
• Emperor Asmaa
• Emperor Elite
• Emperor Explorer
• Emperor Harmoni
• Emperor Leo
• Emperor Raja Laut
• Emperor Serenity
• Emperor Superior
• Emperor Virgo
• Emperor Voyager
• Expedition Antarctica
• Fascination
• Fiji Princess
• Freedom III
• G Adventures Canary Islands
• G Adventures Croatia
• G Adventures Greece
• G Adventures Thailand
• Galapagos Aggressor III
• Galapagos Horizon
• Galapagos Legend
• Galapagos Master
• Galapagos Sea Star
• Galapagos Sky
• Galaxy Diver II
• Galaxy Orion
• Galaxy Sirius
• Gaya Baru Indah
• Gemini Explorer
• Gentle Giant
• Ghazala Explorer
• Golden Dolphin
• Golden Dolphin II
• Golden Dolphin iii
• Golden Dolphin IV
• Grand Majestic
• Hammerhead II
• Harmony G Cape Verde
• Heaven Saphir
• Heritage Explorer
• Hondius Antarctica
• Hondius Arctic
• Humboldt Explorer
• Idriva Comfort Plus
• Idriva Deluxe
• Idriva Premium
• Indo Master
• Infinity Galapagos
• Jardines Avalon Fleet
• Jaz Crown Jewel
• Jelajahi Laut
• Katarina Line Deluxe
• Katarina Line Deluxe Superior
• Katarina Line Premium Class
• Katarina Line Premium Superior
• Katarina Line Traditional En-Suite
• Kimberley Quest II
• Komodo Sea Dragon
• Lucky Marine Liveaboard
• Maldives Aggressor II
• Maldives Blue Force 3
• Maldives Legend Sea Pleasure
• Mama Marija
• Mama Marija II
• Manta Queen 1
• Manta Queen 2
• Manta Queen 3
• Manta Queen 5
• Manta Queen 7
• Manta Queen 8
• Merit Dahabiya
• Mikumba Dua
• Mutiara Laut
• MY Odyssey Liveaboard
• Natural Paradise
• Nautilus Belle Amie
• Nautilus Explorer
• Nautilus Gallant Lady
• Nautilus Two
• Nautilus Under Sea
• Neptune One
• Nile Queen II
• Northern Dream
• Ocean Albatros Antarctica
• Ocean Albatros Arctic
• Ocean Divine
• Ocean Hunter 3
• Ocean Lovers
• Ocean Quest
• Ocean Sapphire
• Ocean Spray
• Ocean Victory
• Odyssey Dive
• Okeanos Aggressor II
• Ombak Putih
• Ortelius Antarctica
• Ortelius Arctic Diving
• Pacific Master
• Palau Aggressor II
• Palau Siren
• Palau Sport
• Panorama Greece
• Panorama II Polynesia
• Pearl of Papua
• Philippine Siren
• Philippines Aggressor
• Plancius Antarctica
• Plancius Antarctica Diving
• Plancius Arctic
• Plancius Arctic Diving
• Plataran Phinisi Ambasi
• Polar Pioneer
• Princess Aloha
• Princess Dhonkamana
• Princess Haleema
• Princess Haseena
• Princess Rani
• Princess Sara
• Princess Ulua
• Putri Papua
• Queenesia II
• Quino el Guardian
• Raja Ampat Aggressor
• Raja Ampat Explorer
• Red Sea Aggressor II
• Red Sea Aggressor IV
• Red Sea Blue Force 2
• Reef Endeavour Diving
• Reina Silvia Voyager
• Rembrandt van Rijn Arctic
• Roatan Aggressor
• Rocio del Mar
• Royal Evolution
• Royal Evolution - Saudi Arabia
• Running on Waves
• Safari Endeavour Alaska
• Safari Explorer
• Safari Explorer Hawaii
• Safari Quest
• Safari Voyager Mexico
• San Spirito
• Saudi Explorer
• Sawasdee Fasai
• Scubaspa Yang
• Scubaspa Ying
• Scubaspa Zen
• Sea Bird Cruise
• Sea Pearl Cruise
• Sea Safari 8
• Sea Safari VI
• Sea Scorpion
• Sea Serpent
• Sea Serpent Contessa
• Sea Serpent Excellence
• Sea Serpent Grand
• Sea Star Alaska
• Seafari Explorer 2
• Seahorse II
• Seaman Journey
• Seawolf Dominator
• Seven Seas Egypt
• Shore Thing
• Situju7 Cruise
• Smiling Seahorse
• Snefro Love
• Snefro Pearl
• Snefro Spirit
• Snefro Target
• Solitude Adventurer
• Solitude One
• Southern Sport
• Spirit of Freedom
• SS Glorious Miss Nouran
• SS Serena Dreams
• Steigenberger Legacy
• Steigenberger Minerva
• Steigenberger Regency
• Steigenberger Royale
• Stella Maris
• Stella Maris Explorer
• Stella Oceana
• Sunshine Egypt
• Thailand Aggressor
• The Phinisi
• Thunderbird
• Tiare Cruise
• Tiburon Explorer
• Tranquility
• Treasure of Galapagos
• Turks and Caicos Aggressor II
• Turks and Caicos Explorer
• Vita Xplorer
• Water And Wind
• Westward Alaska
• Westward Mexico
• White Manta
• White Pearl
• Wilderness Discoverer
• Yasawa Princess Cruises
• Zephyria II
• Cayman Islands
• Dominican Republic
• Turks and Caicos
• Saudi Arabia

Polar Regions

• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Solomon islands

Gear Rental

There is equipment available to rent on this boat. Please provide your rental needs on the booking form. You will need to pay for the rental gear on board of the boat.

Ask a question

Fill in the form below and LiveAboard’s customer service will get back to you as soon as possible.

• 1 single bed
• No fan or aircon
• Ensuite Bathroom
• Max 1 guest

Two small rooms located at the bow of the boat with a single bed and en-suite bathroom. Every cabin has a small dresser and some hanging space for your clothing. Single cabins are on a first-come-first-served basis and incur no single supplement fees.

• 2 single beds (twin)
• Max 2 guests

Each room has a private toilet and shower, as well as a minimum of one large opening window for wonderful views and fresh air ventilation. Every cabin has a small dresser and some hanging space for your clothing.

• 1 double bed

Rental Gear Prices

Enquiry - charters and groups.

Fantasy Cruises – Island Spirit Northbound Alaska Cruise, Alaska

Jun 1, 2011 | Simon and Baker Travel Review | 0 comments

• Overall Impression
• Description
• Common Areas

We had left the sleepy fishing port of Petersburg on the evening tide. Soon the Island Spirit was advancing at a leisurely 10 knots per hour (that’s 11.5 mile or 18.5 kilometer for the landlubbers among us) past channel markers draped with sea lions, up Frederick Sound toward our anchorage for the night. Before long, all signs of human habitation faded away, cellular phone signal included. I was standing in the bow viewing area with several of the 15 guests that would be my traveling companions for the next nine days. All of us were bundled against the crisp evening breeze, watching in awed silence the pristine Alaska immensity unfold around us. Distant snowy peaks shone brightly in the evening sun. Puffy clouds were turning gentle shades of pink. The call of gulls and bald eagles could be heard over the discrete purr of the ship’s engines. By the time the crew cast the anchor in Portage Bay two short hours later, I was nearing a state of blissed contentment that remained with me for the remainder of the voyage.

The itinerary was loosely scheduled so that it could be adapted for changing weather conditions and wildlife viewing opportunities. We stopped for whales, orcas or porpoises. We slowed down for seals lounging on drifting ice floes, and accelerated when blankets of clouds rolled down the mountainsides, narrowing the horizon to the nearest shores. It was a time when most passengers retreated to the cozy glassed-in lounge and settled with a book in one of the inviting sofas; until the next announcement from the cockpit alerting us of marine life ahead. We’d all lunge for our coats, cameras and binoculars and rush back to the viewing deck. One of the pleasures of this small ship journey was its intimate, casual atmosphere. It was easy to quickly get acquainted with my shipmates, all of us linked by a common desire to get away from commercial cruising routes and conventional city block-sized vessels to explore at leisure some of the most pristine wilderness in North America.

With electronic communications unavailable for days on end, time became measured only by the breathtaking vistas and exciting wildlife sightings encountered along the way. And with its comfortable accommodations, warm and knowledgeable crew and laidback ambiance, the Island Spirit treated me to one of my most relaxing vacations ever.

Children Teenagers could be accommodated by prior arrangement on a case-by-case basis.

Crew Captain Jeff Behrens

Duration Nine days

Established Captain Behrens acquired the vessel in 1994 and refitted it as a passenger ship for day excursions in the San Juan Islands area of Washington state. After three years of planning and extensive rebuilding to further transform it into a cruise ship, the Island Spirit began operations in Southern Alaska’s Inside Passage in 2008.

Handicapped Access There was a wheelchair on board. Motion impaired guests could be accommodated by prior arrangements on a case-by-case basis.

Internet Connectivity There was no Internet connectivity on the ship, other than while at anchorage in Juneau.

Location The itinerary explored remote areas of the Alexander Archipelago (commonly known as Inside Passage) of southern Alaska, in the North West of the United States.

Number Of Employees In addition to Captain Behrens, the Island Spirit had a crew of eight, including Andy Peters, first mate, and Marie Wagner, a naturalist.

Owned And Managed Fantasy Cruises was a private company owned and managed by its founder Captain Jeff Behrens.

Power The ship had round the clock electricity throughout the guest and public areas. During the night-time hours, electricity was supplied by batteries charged from excess power generated during the daytime, to ensure ultra-quite evenings. There were two convenient outlets in my room that could be used to charge my camera, phone and computer batteries.

Size And Main Features Of Vessel The Island Spirit had an overall length of 128 feet (39 meters). Its 25.6 foot (7.8 meter) beam and 7 foot (2.1 meter) draft made it ideally suited to access narrow passages. Its maximum speed was 17 knots (20 miles or 32 kilometers) per hour. It had 17 cabins that could accommodate up to 32 passengers.

Transportation Alaska Airline had daily flights from Petersburg as well as Sitka to Juneau and Anchorage, Alaska and Seattle, Washington. Fantasy Cruises offered transportation to and from the dock to the airport as well as for shore excursions.

When we finally emerged from the canyon, Ford’s Terror was revealed: a large oval cove rimmed with dramatic slopes covered with black pine forests interspersed with tumbling waterfalls. Above the tree line, shimmering snowy peaks reached out to the cloudless cerulean sky. And this dazzling panorama was mirrored in the undulating waters of the cove. A bald eagle soared overhead. This idyllic instant was only the start of a day of unfolding magic. As we were finishing our dinner, first mate Andy informed us that a grizzly bear was enjoying his at the water’s edge. One of the skiffs had been lowered for those who wanted a closer look. We donned our life vests and headed en masse for the skiff. The weather was still radiant the next morning. While kayaks were an option, I chose to board the skiff again for a ride around the cove. In addition to spotting unusual Harlequin sea ducks and bald eagles nesting high in the trees, I was treated to a rare, close range sighting of a black bear sow and her three tiny cubs. All too soon, it was afternoon slack tide time again and we had to head back out through the canyon. Although I surmise that the next night’s anchorage was suitably picturesque, all I recall of it is that it was not Ford’s Terror.

The next morning was gray and misty as we headed up Endicott Arm to Dawes Glacier. Ice floes became increasingly larger as we went along, until the ship slowed to a crawl. I stared slack-jawed at a mile-long wall of jagged ice about 20 stories high. We inched our way forward to a mere 600 feet (200 meters) from the glacier. From there, we could hear the ice crack as large slabs of it tumbled into the sea, sending waves of churning water across the surface thick with icebergs. Time flew while we challenged each other to locate the sound of the cracks and predict the next slide, and crew members passed out cups of hot cocoa to ward off the chill.

We went on for an overnight stop in Juneau, the state capital. The next morning, after a leisurely visit of the small downtown area and the State Museum, we continued on to Chichagof Island, and the tiny community of Tenakee Springs (population 129). Shore excursion here included a nature walk through the old growth Tongass Forest National Park and a stroll down Main Street, a stretch of gravel-topped dirt road lined with small wooden homes. I peered through the windows of Snyder Mercantile, a picturesque general store that has been a mainstay in town for over a century. It was unfortunately closed that day. A few steps later, I stopped by Party Time, the local bakery, for a freshly baked cookie and a chat with the proprietress.

Our final stop prior to reaching Sitka was the tiny settlement of Baranof Warm Springs, just off the Chatham Strait, with a seasonal population of 30. Its main thoroughfare was a boardwalk leading to hot spring pools located right next to a roaring waterfall for a soak with a view. There was also a bathhouse with three private tubs located right on the bay. Sitka, our final destination, was a bustling fishing port with a rich cultural heritage as the home of the native Tlingit people for over 10,000 years as well as the 19 th century capital of Russian America.

Cabin My forward cabin, Number 102, was a roomy 100 square feet (9.3 square meters) with headroom of 6.4 feet (1.95 meters). The walls were covered in off-white laminate with light wood trim. The floor was brown tweed carpeting. There were two twin size platform beds, one against the left side wall, the other against the hull. Two large windows made the cabin exceptionally light and airy. The cabin had individual climate control, although I didn’t find it necessary during my cruise. In addition to a central ceiling light, there was a light strip on the wall above each bunk. A wall mirror hung next to the small corner sink in the rear right side of the cabin. Under the mirror, a towel rack held two hand towels and washcloths. A large storage drawer and a compartment for life vests were fitted under the bunks. A small hanging rod was fixed on the ceiling at the foot of the front bunk.

Common Areas There were three passenger decks. The lower deck held cabins on both sides of a central hallway and an open viewing area in the bow. From this lower deck an interior staircase led to a spacious lounge and bar that occupied the rear two-thirds of the middle deck. The lounge was lined on three sides with large picture windows for optimum viewing ability. The ambiance was invitingly casual, with five overstuffed rolled-arm sofas covered in coral wool and a pair of matching armchairs constituting the main element of the décor. Several straight back beech wood chairs, upholstered in black cloth, provided additional seating around a long rectangular table in the center of the room. A bookcase held an assortment of reference books on the geology, culture and fauna of the area and a small lending library. A large LCD television screen hung from the ceiling above the banister of the staircase leading to the lower deck. The walls were covered with cherry paneling. Flooring was brown tweed carpeting. An L-shaped bar sat at the rear of the room. Next to it, a door led to a large outdoor viewing deck that ran the width of the ship.

The dining room occupied the front third of the middle deck. It featured rows of rectangular tables that could accommodate four guests each. Seating was a mix of banquettes fitted against the walls and beech wood straight back chairs with black upholstery. The partition separating the dining room from the cockpit at the front of the ship held a serving bar with a dumb butler that brought food up from the galley.

The front half of the top deck was a sheltered observatory with a canvas roof and a semi-circular Plexiglas outer partition. The rear half provided open-air storage for the kayaks and the inflatable zodiac-type excursion boats.

Specialty Small ship wilderness cruise

Meals, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages were complimentary, as were all activities and guided tours on water and shore, transportation to and from the ship and the use of kayaks.

Land and sea mammals I sighted included: black bear, brown bear (also known as grizzly bear), fisher, marten, mink, river otter, sea otter, harbor seal, spotted seal, Steller sea lion, humpback whale, orca whale (a.k.a. killer whale), Dall’s porpoise and harbor porpoise.

Birds included: bald eagle, golden eagle, harlequin duck, marble merlette, arctic turn, herring gull, kittiwake gull and mew gull.

Tours-Excursions While in Juneau, I especially enjoyed my visit of the State Museum. Although small, it had a comprehensive and well-displayed collection of artifacts showcasing the historical traditions of Alaska’s distinct native cultures, including Inupiaq, Yup’ik, Athabascan, Aleut and Autiiq.

In Sitka, Saint Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral, inaugurated in 1848 as the seat of the Russian Orthodox Church of North America, held a rich collection of 18 th and 19 th century religious icons and other religious artifacts. The Sitka National Historical Park offered pleasant walks through its old growth forest interspersed with historic totem poles. Its visitor center included an additional collection of totem poles as well as interesting museum exhibits depicting the traditions of the local native Tlingit people.

Date Of Voyage June 2011

Reviewers Article and photographs by Josette King

Service My cabin was serviced daily. Every member of the crew was friendly and attentive.

Would You Take This Voyage Again Yes

Contact Information

• Fantasy Cruises
• 1121 Northwest 45
• Seattle, WA 98107
• +1 206 328 4145
• +1 800 234 3861
• http://www.smallalaskaship.com/
• mailto:[email protected]

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Location and Category Filter

• All Categories Africa  (216)    Botswana  (23)       Chobe  (4)       Kalahari  (2)       Linyati  (2)       Makgadikgadi  (2)       Nxai  (1)       Okavango Delta  (8)       Tuli Block  (2)    Kenya  (11)       Amboseli  (1)       Kenya Coast  (2)       Laikipia  (1)       Masai Mara  (2)       Matthews Range  (1)       Nairobi  (1)       Samburu  (1)    Malawi  (5)       Lake Malawi  (2)       Liwonde  (1)       Majete  (1)    Maldives  (2)    Namibia  (1)    Seychelles  (2)    South Africa  (136)       Cape Town  (50)       Franschhoek  (3)       Johannesburg  (27)       Kruger  (45)       Kwazulu Natal  (7)       Pietermaritzburg  (0)       Port-Elizabeth  (4)       Sabi Sand  (26)       Waterberg  (4)    Tanzania  (15)       Arusha  (1)       Lake Manyara  (1)       Mikumi  (1)       Ruaha  (2)       Rukwa  (1)       Selous  (3)       Serengeti  (4)    Zambia  (21)       Lower Zambezi  (5)       South Luangwa  (12)       Victoria Falls  (6) Asia  (28)    Cambodia  (7)    Japan  (4)       Osaka  (1)       Tokyo  (3)    Singapore  (4)    Thailand  (13) Caribbean  (43)    Antigua  (2)    Bahamas  (4)    Bonaire  (5)    Canouan  (3)    Dominica  (3)    Exuma  (4)    Jamaica  (6)    Nevis  (3)    St Barts  (6)    St Lucia  (3)    Tobago  (5)    Turks and Caicos Islands  (1) Europe  (128)    Austria  (4)    Belgium  (2)       Bruges  (2)    France  (69)       Alsace  (5)       Champagne  (2)       Normandy  (1)       Paris  (61)    Germany  (16)       Dusseldorf  (3)       Frankfurt  (10)    Greece  (2)    Italy  (22)       Campania  (7)       Rome  (12)       Tuscany  (5)       Venice  (3)    Monaco  (5)    Spain  (10)       Barcelona  (10) Latin America  (11)    Amazon  (2)    Belize  (2)    Costa-Rica  (2)    Ecuador  (3)    Nicaragua  (2) North America  (121)    Canada  (8)       Montreal  (4)       Vancouver  (2)       Yukon  (2)    Mexico  (4)       Tulum  (4)    United States  (109)       Arizona  (4)       California  (21)       Florida  (24)       Georgia  (3)       Indiana  (1)       Maine  (14)       Nevada  (9)       New Hampshire  (3)       New Mexico  (4)       New York  (6)       Quad Cities  (2)       South Carolina  (3)       Texas  (9)       Virginia  (6) Oceania  (9)    Australia  (2)       Sydney  (2)    New Zealand  (7)       Auckland  (1) Products  (43)    Books  (3)    Communications  (5)    Fun Gadgets  (6)    Safari Gear  (14)    Travel Books  (3)    Travel Comfort  (7)    Travel Luggage  (8)    Travel Security  (4) Simon and Baker Travel Review  (622)
• Accommodations
• Attractions
• Destinations
• Eco Tourism
• Game Viewing
• Traveling Shows

Display Output

Sort sequence.

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

 Cruise Articles - Cruise Reviews :  Alaska with Roger Allnutt and Fantasy Cruises

Small ship cruising in alaska waterways.

The Island Spirit nudges closer to the face of the glacier which, even from 300m away, towers over us. Everyone keeps their eyes glued to the wall of ice. Sharp cracks ring out from within it until without warning, a large slab breaks free and tumbles into the cold water with a thunderous splash. All aboard were ecstatic at witnessing this dramatic event.

Photos courtesy Roger Allnutt

Roger is happy to accept commissions and can provide material on many parts of the world. He can be reached at [email protected] . 

His other interests include food and wine, classical music and theatre and playing tennis. Roger Allnutt was a guest of Fantasy Cruises

Established in 1998, free Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine offers information on different types of cruises and cruise articles and reviews covering all parts of the world, the latest in cruise news, cruise lines profiles, and information on cruise ports and terminals, as well as cruise tips and advice, cheap cruise deals, cruise food and recipes from cruise line chefs, opinions and perspectives from cruise industry leaders and CEOS, how to go about planning a cruise, safety tips about cruise ship crime, and a chance to vent your own opinions at the Prow’s Edge cruise forums and cruise message boards.

Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine – © 1998 - 2013 – all rights reserved

 cruise articles - reviews,  cruise deals,  cruise travel  writers.

• Today's news
• Reviews and deals
• Climate change
• 2024 election
• Fall allergies
• Health news
• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Family health
• So mini ways
• Unapologetically
• Buying guides

Entertainment

• How to Watch
• My watchlist
• Stock market
• Biden economy
• Personal finance
• Stocks: most active
• Stocks: gainers
• Stocks: losers
• Trending tickers
• World indices
• US Treasury bonds
• Top mutual funds
• Highest open interest
• Highest implied volatility
• Currency converter
• Basic materials
• Communication services
• Consumer cyclical
• Consumer defensive
• Financial services
• Industrials
• Real estate
• Mutual funds
• Credit cards
• Balance transfer cards
• Cash back cards
• Rewards cards
• Travel cards
• Online checking
• High-yield savings
• Money market
• Home equity loan
• Personal loans
• Student loans
• Options pit
• Fantasy football
• Pro Pick 'Em
• College Pick 'Em
• Fantasy baseball
• Fantasy hockey
• Fantasy basketball
• Download the app
• Daily fantasy
• Scores and schedules
• GameChannel
• World Baseball Classic
• Premier League
• CONCACAF League
• Champions League
• Motorsports
• Horse racing
• Newsletters

New on Yahoo

• Privacy Dashboard

Glacier Ahead! This Mother/Daughter Duo Cruises in the Alaskan Wilderness

The Island Spirit (Photo: Fantasy Cruises)

When we first found out we were going on a mother-daughter small-ship cruise of Alaska’s Inside Passage, we pictured a lot of snow and ice. We thought we’d be parka-clad the whole time, huddling together for warmth and drinking hot toddies (OK, well, maybe the alcohol-free version for a certain teen), wishing we had fur coats like the brown bears.

But what we found was a temperate climate full of wildlife, where the native peoples value tradition but the modern world is inextricably creeping in. As Abby put it early one morning when we woke up to singing and jumped out of bed to watch a canoe full of native Alaskans paddling past a giant cruise ship, “Alaska has something for everyone, sometimes all at once.”

While we both agreed that our experience on Fantasy Cruises’ Island Spirit , booked through the excellent and discriminating AdventureSmith Explorations , was totally fabulous, we also had some different perspectives, too.

Lisa and Abby at Margerie Glacier in Glacier Bay National Park (Photo: Lisa McElroy)

What’s the No. 1 reason to go to Alaska?

Abby: Glaciers, definitely. They’ve started to recede, meaning they lose the ice on the front of them faster than they develop more, and soon, there’ll be only a fraction of the ice that there was before. We visited Margerie Glacier, named for the geologist who discovered Glacier Bay in 1913. It’s sad to think that my own kids might never get to see it if the melting continues.

Lisa: Wildlife viewing (and, no, watching a teen girl do her thing doesn’t count). Especially on a very small ship like the one we were on, at any moment there’s the potential to catch a view of whales breaching, eagles catching prey, sea otters backstroking, or even a brown bear digging for mussels. It’s even better when the crew includes a trained naturalist who knows what to look for and tells you all the fun facts.

What was the best thing about small-ship cruising on the Island Spirit?

Abby: The food, for sure . As a vegetarian, I was a little worried I would end up eating frozen pasta every night while everyone else got meat and fish. This was not the case at all. From bow-tie pasta primavera to scalloped potatoes, my meals every day were delicious (and others with restricted diets said the same)! Another treat: the goodies that magically appeared as a happy hour snack every day in the sitting area. They had the best chocolate chip cookies you’ve ever had, and moist blondies.

Lisa: I loved how small and guest-friendly our ship was. The boat is very “green,” so it docks at night and doesn’t use generators (making it incredibly quiet and peaceful). The owner is also the captain, and he’s really focused on optimizing each guest’s experience. For example, he knew that I loved whales and made a real effort to follow them when he spotted them in the distance so I (and everyone else) could get a better look.

A whale lunge-feeding in Alaska (Photo: Fantasy Cruises)

What was it like sharing a ship cabin with twin beds and not much else?

Abby: One not-so-fun fact about my mom: She snores. She’s like a sea monster, sometimes skimming the surface softly, sometimes diving under the water for a few minutes, just long enough for her roommate (me!) to be lulled into a false sense of security — but then she always comes back up. Yep, just when I’m almost asleep, splash! Out of the water she comes, snoring like nobody’s business. Let’s just say I slept listening to music after that first night.

Lisa: I really loved being so close to my daughter, looking over and watching her read her book, fighting with her about whether to keep the window open or closed, asking her nicely to go up to the main deck and get me a Diet Coke. It brought us closer together — or so I thought until I found out what she really thought about my snoring.

Was it a good learning experience?

Abby: This trip was very good at weaving in information along with recreation. My favorite fun fact: Glaciers are blue. This is because the glacier can absorb every color of the spectrum except blue. The result: a stunning blue chunk of ice that can extend for miles and miles. I can easily say I’ve never seen anything like it.

Lisa: I’m going to agree with my daughter here, but add that we learned so many interesting facts about conserving wildlife and why that’s important. Actually seeing these wild animals up-close made us want to protect them at all costs. I’ll admit that there were certain things I was not necessarily expecting my 13-year-old to learn, like what a brothel was (it turns out there were lots of them during the gold rush), and it took some liquid courage to explain that one. But that was as PG-13 as it got. As my teen daughter would say, “NBD.”

A native dancer in Hoonah wearing a traditional button blanket (Photo: Abby McElroy)

So there were a lot of cool things to see?

Abby: Oh, yeah (and I don’t mean brothels, which aren’t there anymore). One day, we saw a mama bear was leading her two cubs along the shoreline just feet from us. “Come on!” I could practically hear her saying to her cubs, “Time to get back!” The entire boat was rushing to get photographs of this very special moment. When the bears eventually disappeared into the forest, you could hear everybody sigh softly.

Lisa: I was really fascinated by a native Alaskan dance troupe who performed for us in Hoonah , one of our ports of call. They acted and danced the creation story, in which a mischievous raven puts the stars and moon and sun in the sky. They explained the importance of ancestry and tribe affiliation in the native Alaskan culture and even invited us to dance with them for a while.

The Island Spirit as seen from a kayak (Photo: Abby McElroy)

Was there a ‘can’t live without it’ item?

Abby: My raincoat accompanied me everywhere, protecting me from the wind and rain while I watched whales bubble net feed (a rare Alaskan gift), bell porpoises play in the waves off the bow, and eagles swoop and soar over land and sea. Yep, my raincoat had a starring role on this trip (and REI private label rain gear was inexpensive and sturdy — perfect for this trip).

Lisa: It was a set of binoculars. Luckily, the ship had two quality sets in each cabin, so every passenger could get a great look at whatever was just outside the window.

Any top-secret tips on how to make the most of a trip on the Island Spirit?

Abby: You never know what you’re going to see when, so I would definitely say that the secret to this trip is always being ready to move. The captain announces wildlife over the intercom, so always know where your shoes and raincoat are, so you can run out to the bow at a moment’s notice.

Lisa: Get up superearly. There’s coffee and pastries out, and you can chat with the staff and learn a lot about Alaska. Plus, book ahead — next year’s trips are already available, and the ship only holds 32 passengers, so you’ll want to make sure you get a spot for your preferred dates.

Lisa (46) and Abby (13) McElroy are a mother-daughter travel writing team. They love nothing more than exploring the world together, even though Lisa snores and Abby groans. This small-ship cruise to Alaska accomplished Lisa’s goal of making sure Abby’s always learning and Abby’s goal of eating as many blondies as humanly possible.

Let Yahoo Travel inspire you every day. Hang out with us on Facebook , Twitter , and Pinterest .

Recommended Stories

Former mlb infielder, little league world series star sean burroughs dies at 43.

The seven-year major leaguer collapsed while coaching his son's Little League game on Thursday.

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross reportedly declined $10 billion for team, stadium and F1 race

The value of the Dolphins and Formula One racing is enormous.

The best RBs for 2024 fantasy football, according to our experts

The Yahoo Fantasy football analysts reveal their first running back rankings for the 2024 NFL season.

Juan Soto’s unapologetic intensity and showmanship are captivating the Bronx and rubbing off on teammates: ‘Literally every pitch is theater’

The 2024 Yankees have rediscovered their bravado and hold the second-best record in the AL, thanks in large part to the superstar outfielder.

The FDIC change that leaves wealthy bank depositors with less protection

Affluent Americans may want to double-check how much of their bank deposits are protected by government-backed insurance. The rules governing trust accounts just changed.

Which pickup trucks get the best fuel economy? Here are the tops for gas mileage (or diesel)

Trucks aren't known for being fuel efficient, though times are changing. These are the trucks with the best gas mileage in various segments.

Timberwolves coach Chris Finch calls Jamal Murray's heat-pack toss on court 'inexcusable and dangerous'

Murray made a bad night on the court worse during a moment of frustration on the bench.

Former NBA guard Darius Morris dies at 33

Former NBA guard Darius Morris has died at the age of 33. He played for five teams during his four NBA seasons. Morris played college basketball at Michigan.

Golf’s moment of truth is here, and the sport is badly flailing

Nonexistent negotiations and missed opportunities for reconciliation between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf have the sport stuck in place.

Former House Speaker Paul Ryan says he’s not voting for Trump : 'Character is too important'

Ryan says he would be writing in a Republican candidate instead of voting for Donald Trump.

2024 Fantasy Football Mock Draft, 1.0

The Yahoo Fantasy football crew got together for their very first mock draft of 2024. Andy Behrens recaps the results.

Ranking the best situations for the rookie quarterbacks: Start with Michael Penix in Atlanta at No. 1

It’s key to note that we’re not saying the “best team” or “best roster.” Instead, we’re talking about the best confluence of factors that can outline a path for survival and then success.

Yahoo Fantasy staff's Mock Draft 1.0: Shocking picks are plentiful

Teams have made their big splashes in free agency and made their draft picks, it's time for you to do the same. It's fantasy football mock draft time. Some call this time of year best ball season, others know it's an opportunity to get a leg up on your competition for when you have to draft in August. The staff at Yahoo Fantasy did their first mock draft of the 2024 season to help you with the latter. Matt Harmon and Andy Behrens are here to break it all down by each round and crush some staff members in the process.

The best budgeting apps for 2024

Budgeting apps can help you keep track of your finances, stick to a spending plan and reach your money goals. These are the best budget-tracking apps available right now.

Post-draft NFL fantasy power rankings: Offenses we love, like and want to stay away from

With free agency and the draft behind us, what 32 teams look like today will likely be what they look like Week 1 and beyond for the 2024 season. Matt Harmon and Scott Pianowski reveal the post-draft fantasy power rankings. The duo break down the rankings in six tiers: Elite offensive ecosystems, teams on the cusp of being complete mixed bag ecosystems, offensive ecosystems with something to prove, offenses that could go either way, and offenses that are best to stay away from in fantasy.

Mortgage rates drop for the first time in five weeks with experts adjusting their forecasts

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate edged back toward 7% this week but remains elevated, prompting housing experts to revise their forecasts for the rest of 2024.

Cardinals lose C Willson Contreras after left arm fractured by J.D. Martinez's swing

The Cardinals' nightmare season continues.

Recession-proof stocks are leading the market's latest leg higher

The Utilities and Consumer Staples sectors have popped since mid-April as investors search for value.

Blockbuster May trade by Padres, MVP Ohtani has arrived, Willie Mays’ 93rd birthday & weekend recap

Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman discuss the Padres-Marlins trade that sent Luis Arraez to San Diego, as well as recap all the action from this weekend in baseball and send birthday wishes to hall-of-famer Willie Mays.

Cavaliers flip the script against the Celtics in Game 2, making this series a mystery

For one night, Cleveland's game plan worked to perfection. Do the Cavs have a shot to take down the Celtics?

• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

Travel Post Monthly

The Island Spirit – Small Group Cruise in Big Alaska

October 14, 2013 By Travel Post Monthly

By Colleen Cowles ITWPA Member

The Island Spirit, a 128-foot vessel accommodating up to 32 guests in 17 staterooms, sails Alaska’s inside passage between Juneau and Sitka.

Cruisers awaken many mornings to still water reflecting moss-colored rocks and snow-capped mountain peaks. On these mornings, kayaks are available for anyone wanting to get closer to the eagles diving for their fish breakfasts, to check out gushing waterfalls, or to experience the serenity of these remote bays.

The cruise includes time in Juneau, Skagway, Haines, Hoonah, and Sitka. Captain Jeff adjusts our itinerary daily to take us where the wildlife is, where large cruise ship crowds are not, and where weather and tides are best.

On-ship meals, wine with dinner, naturalist presentations, kayaking, and pontoon rides are all included. The small group feels like family after just a few days. Complimentary happy hour is a forum to share favorite daily experiences and to learn more about the diverse group that’s taken a sabbatical from day-to-day life to be immersed in southeast Alaska for these nine days. The naturalist doubling as a bartender helpfully answers questions about the flora and fauna experienced each day.

Company name: Fantasy Cruises Email: [email protected] Website: www.smallalaskaship.com Phone: 800-234-3861 Cruise dates and itineraries: The Island Spirit cruises from early May through mid-September. Guests can join Captain Jeff from Seattle to Juneau when he brings the ship to Alaska, or from Juneau to Seattle when he returns at the end of the season. Book early to secure desired 2014 dates.

Are foreign drugstores clinically appropriate for Americans. Part 2

Related Posts

• Surviving the Viking Sky—Drama at Sea
• World’s Shortest Ocean Cruise
• Boardwalk at Potter Marsh
• Going Green in Alaska
• In Search of the Spirit Bear
• Cruising the Rhine River: The Magic is More Than Just Castles!

©2021 Great Escape Publishing All Rights Reserved. Protected by copyright laws of the United States and international treaties. This content may only be used pursuant to the subscription agreement and any reproduction, copying, or redistribution (electronic or otherwise including on the world wide web), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without the express written permission of Great Escape Publishing

Home | Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Sitemap

Alaska Island Spirit Cruise (trip)

Alaska island spirit cruise.

• Sitka, Alaska
• Family & Friends

Add to My Trips

To check availability or book, contact AdventureSmith Explorations:

Period offered: May-August . The provider ( view their profile ) can provide you with specific departure dates, final prices, and other information.

• Yes, mail me a brochure…
• Street address & country

Country code

Best time to call: Morning EST Afternoon EST

Share my saved trips Yes, let # see my saved trips for (but not my notes).

• Overview & testimonials
• Itinerary/details
• Share/email

Loading map, please wait...

Locations visited/nearby

Sitka , Baranof Island , Warm Springs Bay , Juneau , Endicott Arm , Fords Terror , Petersburg, Alaska, United States, Southeast Asia

0 testimonials about this trip.

1 testimonial about the provider, adventuresmith explorations :.

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} Galapagos Motor Yacht Eric/Letty/Flamingo Cruise Thank you for the most incredible experience! We just came back from our trip to the Galapagos. We were on the Eric - a terrific yacht and an even greater team. The islands are beyond belief, but I wanted to tell you how perfect the entire trip was.  Everything went incredibly smoothly from our arrival (late) in Quito where our guide was waiting for us despite the late hour, to all transfers, luggage and ticket arrangements - everything. Our guides were fabulous, as was the entire crew, including the Captain.  AdventureSmith Explorations did a terrific job!

Comments from Facebook

More information from adventuresmith explorations:.

• View trip on provider's website www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/island-spirit-cruise…
• Company profile, experience, and history
• View all of their trips
• Email this trip page to a friend

© TravelDragon 2010. All rights reserved.

• Contact/email
• Add/claim your trips

• Juneau Tourism
• Juneau Hotels
• Juneau Bed and Breakfast
• Juneau Holiday Rentals
• Flights to Juneau
• Juneau Restaurants
• Juneau Attractions
• Juneau Travel Forum
• Juneau Photo
• All Juneau Hotels
• Juneau Hotel Deals
• Last Minute Hotels in Juneau
• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Holiday Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travellers' Choice
• Help Centre

Fantasy Cruise-Island Spirit Alaska - Juneau Forum

• United States    
• Alaska (AK)    
• Juneau    

Fantasy Cruise-Island Spirit Alaska

• Malaysia Forums
• United States Forums
• Europe Forums
• Canada Forums
• Asia Forums
• Central America Forums
• Africa Forums
• Caribbean Forums
• Mexico Forums
• South Pacific Forums
• South America Forums
• Middle East Forums
• Honeymoons and Romance
• Business Travel
• Train Travel
• Traveling With Disabilities
• Tripadvisor Support
• Solo Travel
• Bargain Travel
• Timeshares / Holiday Rentals
• Alaska forums
• Juneau forum

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

• Juneau Activities after Cruise Excursion. 06 May 2024
• 30 minutes or an hour on the glacier? 06 May 2024
• Helicopter, Glacier Walk with Dog Sledding in September 06 May 2024
• Another question about taxis to Mendenhall Glacier 03 May 2024
• ATTENTION: Mendenhall Glacier - Book now; permits limited 02 May 2024
• Juno to Skagway 30 April 2024
• Mendenhall visit by canoe or hike? 30 April 2024
• Helicopter in Juneau - Norris Glacier or Mendenhall Glacier 28 April 2024
• Venture Ashore 22 April 2024
• Summer accomodation 20 April 2024
• Whale watching and Mendenhall Glacier - Juneau on NCL Encore 20 April 2024
• Tracy Arm Fjord excursion 19 April 2024
• Oversteer Park 08 April 2024
• Cruise or land visit 04 April 2024
• moving to Juneau 10 replies
• Alaska Marine Highway 3 replies
• What can we do in 5 1/2 hours from Ferry 20 replies
• Whale Watching, Mendenhall Glacier, Salmon Bake Combo Tour 5 replies
• Amateur photographer, nature lover seeking best of Juneau 15 replies
• Bike rentals in Juneau? 5 replies
• Best time for helicopter+dog sledding trip? 2 replies
• Mendall or Norris Glacier Dog Sledding 2 replies
• Independent Travel in SE Alaska? 18 replies
• Beware if you shop at Jewelers International-Juneau Alaska 27 replies

Juneau Hotels and Places to Stay

• What are the best shore excursions or activities to do?

• Juneau Tourism
• Juneau Hotels
• Juneau Bed and Breakfast
• Juneau Holiday Rentals
• Flights to Juneau
• Juneau Restaurants
• Juneau Attractions
• Juneau Travel Forum
• Juneau Pictures
• All Juneau Hotels
• Juneau Hotel Deals
• Last Minute Hotels in Juneau
• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Holiday Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travellers' Choice
• Help Centre

Fantasy Cruise-Island Spirit Alaska - Juneau Forum

• United States    
• Alaska (AK)    
• Juneau    

Fantasy Cruise-Island Spirit Alaska

• Singapore Forums
• United States Forums
• Europe Forums
• Canada Forums
• Asia Forums
• Central America Forums
• Africa Forums
• Caribbean Forums
• Mexico Forums
• South Pacific Forums
• South America Forums
• Middle East Forums
• Honeymoons and Romance
• Business Travel
• Train Travel
• Traveling With Disabilities
• Tripadvisor Support
• Solo Travel
• Bargain Travel
• Timeshares / Holiday Rentals
• Alaska forums
• Juneau forum

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

• Juneau Activities after Cruise Excursion. 06 May 2024
• 30 minutes or an hour on the glacier? 06 May 2024
• Helicopter, Glacier Walk with Dog Sledding in September 06 May 2024
• Another question about taxis to Mendenhall Glacier 03 May 2024
• ATTENTION: Mendenhall Glacier - Book now; permits limited 02 May 2024
• Juno to Skagway 30 April 2024
• Mendenhall visit by canoe or hike? 30 April 2024
• Helicopter in Juneau - Norris Glacier or Mendenhall Glacier 28 April 2024
• Venture Ashore 22 April 2024
• Summer accomodation 20 April 2024
• Whale watching and Mendenhall Glacier - Juneau on NCL Encore 20 April 2024
• Tracy Arm Fjord excursion 19 April 2024
• Oversteer Park 08 April 2024
• Cruise or land visit 04 April 2024
• Mendenhall Glacier & Nugget Falls trail 5 replies
• Transfer from Jnu a/p to AMHS Terminal 5 replies
• best clothing to pack for July on inner passage cruise 5 replies
• Brown bear watching adventure Juneau July 2012 4 replies
• Whale Watching, Mendenhall Glacier, Salmon Bake Combo Tour 5 replies
• canoe/kayak tours at mendenhall glacier 4 replies
• Mendenhall Glacier Juneau, AK 9 replies
• Looking for Rental House for 1 month in Juneau 11 replies
• Must Eat Food in Juneau? 11 replies
• photo safari by land & sea juneau ak 3 replies

Juneau Hotels and Places to Stay

• What are the best shore excursions or activities to do?

• Select Travel 101
• Travel News
• People You Should Know
• Trip Search
• Tour Operators
• Travel Themes
• Itinerary Listings
• Travel Stories
• Photo Galleries
• Our Magazine
• Digital Edition
• Advertise With Us

Cochem Castle in Cochem, Germany overlooks the Moselle River

Planner Talk Back: Favorite Cruises

Select traveler asked these group travel planners, “ w hat is a favorite cruise your group has taken ” check out their responses., ellen borkenhagen,  profinium, fairmont, minnesota.

“By far, our favorite cruise is sailing on the Island Spirit with Jeff Behrens and Fantasy Cruises. Big ships just can’t compare to the intimate atmosphere on a small ship with only 32 passengers. We’ve been to Alaska three times and once to the San Juan Islands with Captain Jeff. Jeff has sonar, so the whole cruise is a whale-watching cruise. He has the flexibility to change course and go find whales. The schedule is relaxed, and you stop at small towns instead of the usual commercial stops. Anyone who has gone with me on one of these cruises still raves about it.”

Peggy Fuller,  Citizens Progressive Bank

Monroe, louisiana.

“We are in the process of planning our 2020 trip to Alaska, which will include land and cruise. There is much excitement regarding this trip.”

Jane Myers,  Bank of Missouri

Perryville, missouri.

“The Panama Canal was an incredible tour. From the locks to the beautiful countries we toured, this is a cruise I highly recommend.”

Robin Torbron Warde,  Bryant University

Smithfield, rhode island.

“We’ve done three cruises with our alumni: Alaska, the Norwegian Fjords and the Baltic from Amsterdam to St. Petersburg. Each were great experiences. The best attended was the Baltic because the itinerary appealed to a broad audience. I think each of these would be worth repeating but perhaps on a smaller ship next time to change things up.”

Jeff Wendorf,  University of Wisconsin

Madison, wisconsin.

“I absolutely love river cruises. To date, my favorite experience was cruising the Rhine and Moselle rivers. Not only was the scenery breathtaking, but we enjoyed the leisurely pace of the trip and the opportunity to explore the towns and villages on our own. I am looking forward to hosting a bucket list cruise this fall on the Danube River, accompanied by our legendary marching band director.”

Stay Connected!

Connect with us!

• Explore Destinations
• Partner Links

© 2024 The Group Travel Leader, Inc. All rights reserved. Website by Cabedge – an Atiba Company

Looking For More Affinity Travel Ideas?

Get travel tips, destination ideas and more in our e-newsletter Select Traveler Minute.

Spotlight: Captain Jeff Behrens and M/V Island Spirit

Click here to learn more about about Captain Jeff’s specials, including 25% off the Sept. 28th Columbia River Cruise!

Captain Jeff

Captain Jeff Behrens and his ship, the M/V Island Spirit, provide unique Small Ship cruises for 32 passengers in both SE Alaska and the Columbia and Snake Rivers. The M/V Island Spirit, which Captain Jeff has owned and operated since 1990, is quite unique.  It is the only one of its type and passenger count to run all ships electric on batteries in the evenings (they have 6,000 lbs. of batteries to accomplish this).  This allows passengers to experience very quiet evenings.  Whether in secluded bays, inlets or dockside in small towns, you’ll always get a great night’s rest, probably the best in the small ship cruise experience. The onboard experience is always comfortable, with fine meals and included beverages, as well as all-inclusive tours and a naturalist/interpretive guide, .  You’ll never pay for the extras.  There are spacious lounges inside and out for viewing and binoculars on board for guest use. Maybe you’ll try one of the ships 8 kayaks?

Captain Jeff offers 2 Cruising itineraries aboard the Island Spirit:

SE Alaska 9 day programs between Sitka, Ak. and Petersburg, AK . – May-August

These trips feature tours and attractions in both cities.  You’ll enjoy traditional meals and young dancers in Petersburg, a wonderful Scandinavian fishing community.  Take a walk on the Muskeg Forest Trail and learn about native Flora and Fauna , or enjoy the tour of a local Cannery and learn about the lifeblood of the community catch. In Sitka, visit the Raptor Rehabilitation center, Totem Park and the local heritage museums, while learning about the Russian culture and history of the town.  You’ll also visit a truly Alaskan Village, “ Tenakee S prings”.  A town of 90 folks or so, ( depending on the season ) .  See the Real Alaska that big ship passengers only dream of. The Island Spirit is the largest vessel to be welcomed in this small community.

You’ ll also visit Juneau where the Captain buys you a cold one at the famous Red Dog Saloon! Then see whales and spectacular hidden coves.  You’ll visit Ford’s Terror.  A magical place to relax and kayak among 5,000 foot canyon walls, sleep to the sound of a waterfall and forget about life’s cares. The Island Spirit is the only passenger vessel of her type to transit this narrow waterway to enter famous Fords Terror!

Trips start at $4495pp/dbl .

Learn more about this cruise | Contact USA River Cruises about this cruise.

Columbia & Snake River Cruises: Operate in the fall for the best cruising Weather!

These cruises cover both rivers from the mouth of the Pacific Ocean at Astoria, Oregon to Lewiston, Idaho.  Gateway airports are Spokane, Wa . and Portland, Ore . where a Cruise host and complimentary motorcoach shuttle meet you to welcome you aboard.  Cruises are either Westbound or Eastbound, so all cruising is done during daylight hours and you see all of the river scenery.

All meals, cocktails, attractions and exhibits are included in the program price.  You’ll visit Maritime Museums, Lewis and Clark Heritage museums, vessel locks and powerhouses, wind farms and their generators, waterfalls, wineries and more.  Even enjoy an included Jet boat ride up into Hell’s Canyon.  Cruise the historic Columbia Gorge Corridor with us and learn about the format ion of this scenic River Canyon . Further upstream see and learn about the Cataclysmic Missoula Ice Age Floods. There’s history all around us.

These trips are a wonderful combination of cruising and touring.  We might cruise in the morning, then take a break and visit a local town in the afternoon or evening.  The next day we may cruise all day, and then tie up by a park for the evening.  It’s a comfortable informative vacation.  And the ship’s owner is onboard and accessible to visit his bridge!

Trips start at $2899pp/dbl.

• Best of the Northwest
• Travel Abroad
• Travel Health
• Travel Warnings
• US Travel Security
• Vessel Sanitation Program
• Airline On-Time Stats
• Airline Status
• Portland City Tours, Oregon Wine Tours, Mt. Hood Tours
• World Clock
• Travel Agents
• Travel Insurance
• Video Gallery
• Cruise Recipes

Sign up for our e-Newsletter & receive exclusive offers!

10000 NE 7th Ave Suite 125, Vancouver, WA 98685 Contact

Call us at 800-578-1479

Spirit Island: Complete Guide with Map, Paddling Details, Boat Tour + More

Spirit Island; a name as captivating as the destination itself. Situated in the middle of a turquoise-coloured lake, this tiny island is surrounded by huge snow-capped mountains on three sides.

Only accessible by water, Spirit Island is one of the most unique places to see in the entire Canadian Rockies.

This post explains exactly how to visit Spirit Island in Jasper National Park, with a detailed guide to each of the most popular methods.

Having explored Spirit Island by boat tour and canoe within the last few years, I can share first-hand knowledge and also directly compare the different ways.

Here’s what to expect:

What is Spirit Island?

• Spirit Island location

How to reach Spirit Island

• Essential tips

Spirit Island boat tours

• Boat tours vs. paddling

Where to stay in Jasper

No matter how you travel to Spirit Island, this is one place you won’t soon forget!

Before visiting Maligne Lake (and Jasper National Park in general), please get familiar with the principles of Leave No Trace . Stay on designated trails, pack out everything you bring with you and don’t approach/feed wildlife.

Published March 2024 . This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase via one of these links, we may receive a percentage of the sale at no other cost to you.

Spirit Island is a tiny island on Maligne Lake, surrounded by magnificent mountain peaks and glaciers on three sides (a rarity). It is the focus of one of Canada’s most iconic views.

Technically, Spirit Island is what is known as a tied island , in that it is connected to the shore by a spit of land.

Spirit Island is a place of great spiritual significance for local Indigenous people. The Stoney Nakoda consider mountains to be physical representations of their ancestors. The original name for the lake was ‘Chaba Imne’ (Beaver Lake).

Group of Seven artist Lawren Harris painted the classic Spirit Island scene in 1924, after spending a summer sketching and camping at the end of the lake.

The popularity of this beautiful scene was further increased when Kodak included a photo of Spirit Island taken by Peter Gales in a showcase displayed in New York City in the 1960s.

Spirit Island is only accessible by water, specifically by canoe, kayak, boat tour and electric boat.

It is not permitted to walk or approach Spirit Island, due to its spiritual significance and delicate ecosystem.

The iconic Spirit Island view is seen from an elevated viewpoint, accessed by an easy short trail from the boat dock.

Where is Spirit Island?

Spirit Island is located just over halfway down Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park, Canada.

At 22.5km, Maligne Lake is the longest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies. Spirit Island is 14km from the northwestern lakeshore, the only road-accessible area.

One of the most photographed places in Canada, glacier-fed Maligne Lake is visited by millions of people each year.

Lying in a glacier-carved valley and located at 1670m elevation, the lake is surrounded by huge granite peaks. The highest mountains are at the southern end, providing the perfect backdrop when travelling to Spirit Island.

Maligne Lake’s water colour changes as you travel along it, becoming more turquoise thanks to the presence of rock flour from the glaciers.

Jasper National Park is located in Treaty 6 and Treaty 8 as well as the traditional lands of the Beaver, Cree, Ojibway, Secwépemc, Stoney, and Métis.

Visitors to Jasper National Park must have a valid Park Pass . If you are visiting Canada’s national parks for seven days or longer, it may be worthwhile to get a Discovery Pass (annual pass) instead.

Spirit Island map

How to access Maligne Lake

Maligne Lake is situated at the end of the 43km long Maligne Lake Road.

This winding two-lane (one in each direction) road takes around 45 minutes to drive from Jasper, as there is a 60km/h speed limit.

Wildlife sightings are fairly common on the journey – we have personally seen black bears, herds of elk and big horn sheep as well as a fox.

There is no public transport to Maligne Lake. There is a daily shuttle service from Jasper , primarily aimed at Skyline Trail hikers.

Guided tours from Jasper are also available, like this 6 hour one that includes a Maligne Lake boat tour (with stop at Spirit Island) and a stop at Maligne Canyon.

Located just more than half way down Maligne Lake, Spirit Island is only accessible by water.

There are two ways to reach Spirit Island:

• By kayak, canoe or electric boat
• On a guided boat tour (Maligne Lake Cruise)

There is no other way to see Spirit Island than these two methods (except if you have the funds to charter a helicopter for a flyover, but let’s assume not!)

I have visited Spirit Island by both boat tour and canoe, with the latter part of a four-day Maligne Lake paddling trip.

The Spirit Island viewpoint

The iconic Spirit Island vista is seen from an elevated viewpoint area on land. As mentioned above, it is not possible to walk on or approach Spirit Island itself.

The viewpoint is accessed by a short loop trail that starts and ends at the large floating dock area. The total trail is 250m long (around 4 minutes walk without stopping).

Most people walk the loop counter-clockwise, also the shortest route from the dock to the viewpoint. The path is slightly uphill with some large steps.

On the other side of the main viewpoint is a narrow set of stairs (with rails on both sides) that lead down to the lakeshore. The flat lakeshore path passes Spirit Island and returns to the dock.

Paddling to Spirit Island

Paddling to Spirit Island is both an adventurous and blissful experience. The quiet of the lake (cruise boats aside), the ripples on the water, the mountains soaring above the turquoise surface. It is also the most environmentally friendly option!

Unlike tour boat visitors, paddlers can spend unlimited time at Spirit Island during the day and evening (camping is prohibited).

Sunset and sunrise are particularly magical at Spirit Island. We’ve watched both while being completely alone.

Spirit Island is situated 14km from the Maligne Lake public boat dock (Home Bay).

It is possible to paddle to Spirit Island in one day or as part of a multi-day paddling trip.

Spirit Island day trip by canoe

Paddling directly to Spirit Island (with no stops) takes around four hours.

Depending on your paddling experience and the weather, your exact time may take a little more or a little less. Wind and waves can significantly slow progress.

We have paddled to Spirit Island in just under three hours before, but it was very early (the lake was calm) and we canoe long distances regularly.

For most people, a one-day paddling trip to Spirit Island takes around 8 to 10 hours.

Even for experienced paddlers, 28km and 8-10 hours is a reasonably long paddling day. And that is without difficult weather conditions factored in. Maligne Lake is known to be a windy lake.

Another downside is that Spirit Island will still be busy (unless you start paddling very early). The boat tours usually operate between 9am and 6.30pm.

Wild Current Outfitters stores rental canoes at the boat launch. Canoe rentals must be organised in advance, with accessories available for pick-up in Jasper. The actual canoes are secured with combination locks.

If the day trip experience sounds too ambitious for you, I would recommend visiting Spirit Island as part of a multi-day paddling trip instead.

Staying overnight means that you don’t have to paddle to and from Spirit Island in one day. For novice paddlers, this is likely to be a much safer (and more fun) option.

Electric boats are allowed to be used on Maligne Lake. I won’t talk much about this option as most non-local visitors will not have access to a boat. Gas-powered motor boats are not permitted.

Multi-day canoe trips to Spirit Island

While it is not possible to stay overnight on or around Spirit Island, there are three backcountry campgrounds located on the shores of Maligne Lake.

Fisherman’s Bay is the closest campground to Spirit Island, a short 15-20 minute paddle away. This makes it easy to watch sunrise or sunset at Spirit Island without having to paddle too far in the dark.

Even if Spirit Island is your main reason to go on a Maligne Lake paddle trip, I’d still recommend planning a two-night trip.

The best scenery is found towards the end of the lake (towards Coronet Creek) and a longer trip offers the chance to explore this area. It also means you’ll have two opportunities to watch sunset and sunrise.

Reservations are required for all three Maligne Lake campgrounds. It is not possible to just turn up (and camping outside of the campgrounds is not permitted either).

The Parks Canada reservation system opens in January/February each year and availability sells out quickly. The launch date is usually announced in December.

Rental canoes can be organised through Wild Current Outfitters . Camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats, stoves) can be rented at Jasper Source for Sports.

For more information about multi-day paddling trips, head to our detailed Maligne Lake camping guide . It includes itinerary suggestions, reservation tips and gear recommendations.

Spirit Island paddling tips

• Start early! Maligne Lake is calmest before 9am. If you’re planning to paddle to and from Spirit Island in one day, I’d suggest starting at 8am or earlier
• The best months for a Maligne Lake canoe trip are July and August. These months offer the warmest weather conditions and the least chance of rain or snow. The lake is usually frozen from November to early June
• Maligne Lake is a very cold lake. Even in summer, the water temperature is a chilly 4 ° C (39.2 ° F)
• Wear layers and bring clothing suitable for both warm and cold weather. We experienced temperatures ranging from -6 ° C to +22 ° C (21 ° F to 71 ° F) during our mid-August trip!
• Paddle close to shore and wear a PDF (life jacket) at all times – it could save your life in the event of a capsize
• The weather can change very quickly at this elevation . Wind, rain, snow and hail are always possible, even if the weather looks fine when you set out
• Keep an eye on the sky while paddling. If it looks like bad weather is coming in, paddle closer to shore and consider getting off the lake
• Cross the lake only if you need to and if the conditions are favourable. The narrowest part of the lake is close to Fisherman’s Bay and Spirit Island
• Don’t cross in front of the Spirit Island boats – it’s unnecessary and there is a chance that they may not see you
• Expect some wake (waves) from the Spirit Island tour boats. While they do slow down for paddlers, look out for the wake and position your boat to hit the waves head-on if you can

The easiest (and most popular) way to visit Spirit Island is by tour boat.

Pursuit operates Maligne Lake Cruise from late May to early October.

There are up to 14 daily departures during the summer months. Boat tours usually run between 9am and 6.30pm.

Two cruises are available:

• Classic Cruise – 1.5 hours (up to 13 times daily), $82/adult
• Premium Cruise – 2 hours (once daily), $109/adult

The Classic Cruise consists of a direct boat ride to the Spirit Island dock, 15 minutes at the viewpoint and then a direct trip back.

While 15 minutes doesn’t sound like a lot of time, it is enough to walk the trail loop, take plenty of photos and admire the view.

The Premium Cruise takes place in the late afternoon. Some people say that this time of day has the best light while Pursuit hints that wildlife opportunities are more likely.

The longer cruise spends 30 minutes at the viewpoint area and a longer boat ride (with a floating stop at Pincushion Bay).

The Spirit Island cruise experience

I would recommend reserving a cruise in advance to avoid disappointment.

I booked two weeks ahead of our late September trip and about half of the scheduled departures were already sold out.

Plan to arrive 30 minutes before your reserved departure time. The parking lot is about five minutes walk from the main dock.

Please note that there are no washrooms at Spirit Island, so use the facilities on land before joining the line.

Cruise tours include an interpretive guide, who narrates the scenery on the way there and back. They allow time for questions on the return journey.

The boats hold around 40 people, usually a good mix of families and couples of all ages. There are leather bench seats and large windows but guests can walk to the open back deck and take in the views from there as well.

If you choose to do the latter, keep in mind that there is room to stand only and there isn’t much to hold onto. Wake from the other boats can smash into the side of the boat quite strongly.

The boat schedule is timed in such a way that when one boat arrives at Spirit Island, another is usually just about to leave.

Spirit Island: Boat cruise vs. paddling

Of course, as an advocate of paddling and outdoor adventure, I will always say that canoeing to Spirit Island is the most scenic and memorable experience.

This is especially true if you want to see Spirit Island during sunrise, sunset or without boatloads of tourists hovering.

Visiting Spirit Island with no one else around is really quite a magical thing. Most of the photos included in this post were taken on our canoe trip.

But if you only have a couple of hours to spend in the Maligne Lake area or don’t have the ability to paddle a canoe to Spirit Island, the boat cruise is the way to go.

While I do understand the environmental concerns (noise, water pollution) surrounding the cruise boats, I also appreciate that the service provides accessibility to people who would not be able to see Spirit Island otherwise. I took the boat tour with my parents.

And in my mind, the boat tour is a better alternative to a road. Perhaps an improvement would be fewer boat departures and more time spent at Spirit Island.

Thinking beyond the time restriction issue and general crowdedness, another significant disadvantage of the boat tours is that they only offer a glimpse of the magnificent scenery on Maligne Lake.

The best views start around Spirit Island and get even better further down. On the positive side, this means that the southern end of the lake is more peaceful for paddlers.

I’d recommend spending at least two nights in Banff. In that time, you’ll be able to see some of the park’s most impressive sights and also enjoy the charm of the compact townsite. Of course, three or four nights would be even better!

Budget Campers have a choice of campgrounds in Jasper – we usually stay at Whistlers Campground , which was completely renovated a few years ago

Mid-range The Mount Robson Inn is a solid downtown accommodation pick, with free breakfast and a range of room configurations (great for families/larger groups)

Luxury Treat yourself to a stay at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge . The upscale resort is located on a 700-acre lakeside property with a spa, heated pool, golf course and restaurants

Other posts you may find helpful:

Maligne Lake: Complete Camping and Paddling Guide Ultimate 2 Week Western Canada Road Trip from Vancouver: Itinerary, Tips & Map Canadian Rockies Road Trip Loop: Detailed 9 to 12 day Itineraries + Map 12 of the Best Wells Gray Waterfalls: Trip Planning Guide + Map

Adventure in your inbox

Subscribe to our monthly email newsletter and receive a round-up of our latest outdoor adventures plus other exciting beyond the beaten path destinations 

We never share your information with third parties and will protect it in accordance with our  Privacy Policy

Check out these recently published articles next

Sunshine Coast Trail Huts Guide: The Best Places to Stay

Toronto to Vancouver Road Trip: 24+ Great Places to Stop

IEC Working Holiday Canada Extension Guide

One half of the Canadian/British couple behind Off Track Travel, Gemma is happiest when hiking on the trail or planning the next big travel adventure. JR and Gemma are currently based in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada