Seabourn Prepares for 2017 Return to Alaska with Optional Tours

For the first time in 15 years, Seabourn will head back to Alaska in 2017 beginning in June, and the luxury line is planning several new optional shore excursions and Ventures by Seabourn to make the most of the opportunity.

The Seabourn Sojourn will embark on 11-, 12- and 14-day voyages from Vancouver, British Columbia and Anchorage (Seward), Alaska. Tours will showcase dog sledding, floatplane trips, wildlife viewing, and fishing; and the Ventures by Seabourn will be led by scientists, scholars, naturalists and others.

"Exploring at sea level in the company of qualified guides and experts is a great way for guests to experience Alaska intimately, and we're pleased to offer many incredible and exclusive opportunities aboard Seabourn Sojourn over the season ahead," said Richard Meadows, president of Seabourn. "With the goal of providing the utmost enrichment for guests, each optional shore excursion and Ventures by Seabourn offering will present an authentic view of Alaska with guidance from experts in the field. Even travelers who have sailed in Alaska before will find something new to experience with Seabourn.”

READ MORE: What Makes Seabourn So Special?

Featured excursions and ventures available to guests are highlighted here:

Shore Excursions

• Exclusive St. Lazaria Wildlife Cruise & Lunch at Dove Island Lodge (Sitka) ~ Only available to Seabourn guests are bird- and wildlife-watching via catamaran to St. Lazaria National Wildlife. Passengers, comfortably warm onboard, will see tufted puffins, rhinoceros auklets, whales and sea otters.

• Dog Sledding on Mendenhall Glacier by Helicopter (Juneau) ~ The oldest operating dog sled tour company will take adventurers on a flightseeing tour of Mendenhall Glacier before professional mushers oversee a sled drive or ride complete with photo opportunities next to the dogs.

• Alaska Fishing & Wilderness Dining (Ketchikan) ~ An open-air skiff will take travelers to fish for a cedar and spruce campfire meal of the fresh seafood on saffron-infused, bouillabaisse-inspired stew plus side dishes.

• Burro Creek Waterfall Retreat & Crab Boil (Haines) ~ Another for good eats, the Burro Creek Lodge Waterfall retreat will await visitors along the Lynn Canal fjord where they will witness wonderful sights and dine. A boat transfer will then take them to either see a dramatic waterfall or hike with a naturalist along a 1,400-foot hydroelectric system pipeline.

READ MORE: TravelPulse Onboard: Seabourn's Seabourn Quest Review

Ventures by Seabourn

• Rudyerd Bay (Misty Fjords National Park) ~ Guests will combine a zodiac ride and flight to see the 2 million-acre Misty Fjords from sea level and above. Boats are led by naturalist/qualified drivers.

• Davidson Glacier Hike (Haines) ~ Riders will go from Letnikof Cove to Glacier Point by zodiac before a hike of the Alaskan rainforest with flora and fauna interpretation by the Ventures team and local guides. At the Davidson Glacier, they will then wear a helmet, crampons and more before hiking onto the natural wonder.

• Kayak Exploration of Holgate Fjord (Holgate Glacier) ~ For a paddle adventure, guests will check out Holgate Fjord and its waterfalls, ice, and glaciers. Leading the experience will be a Ventures kayak guide and following it will be a zodiac.

• Scenic Cruising of Tracy Arm & Endicott Arm (Sawyer Glacier/Endicott Arm) ~ A zodiac ride will take visitors from Tracy Arm to Sawyer Glacier, witnessing waterfalls and the local birds, mountain goats, sea lions and harbor seals along the way.

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