Alaska – In the Wake of Pioneers – Nome to Vancouver

During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

Day 3 –

St. Matthew Island is right in the middle of the Bering Sea, between Siberia and Alaska. Aboard your ship, we invite you to discover the origins of the world, a unique environment that seems to stretch out to infinity. Here you will find majestic volcanoes, lava deserts and crater lakes, offering travelers a magnificent vantage point from which to observe a fauna composed of numerous bird species and fur seals.

Located in the middle of the Bering Sea, Saint Paul Island is the largest of the Pribilof archipelago. A special atmosphere emanates from this landscape of volcanic craters and tundra: wild lands surrounded by a sumptuous coastline of majestic cliffs. You may very well spot some migratory birds that come and settle here all year round, making this a perfect place for observing many different species. Fur seals, also called Pribilof seals, have made this haven of peace their home with its rich biodiversity.

Clinging to the southwestern tip of Alaska, between the Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea, the port of Dutch Harbor offers a delightfully different stopover at the heart of the Aleutian Islands archipelago. A single bridge connects the port to the small town of Unalaska, founded in the 18th century by pioneering Russian fur trappers. With gentle valleys nestling between volcanic peaks, Dutch Harbor reveals a primitive natural beauty waiting to be explored.

Originally called Ougnagok by the Aleuts, this small hamlet, which was home to some 100 inhabitants in the 19th century, was renamed Delarof, after Evstratii Ivanovich Delarov. While working for the Shelikhov-Golikov Company, he was the first Greek mariner to discover the Aleutian Islands. These days, this small ghost-village now overrun by willowherb is called Unga.

Off the Alaska Peninsula is a small gem: Chankliut. From mountainous terrain to flowery moors and valleys covered in sea lyme grass, this island, which is part of the Aleutian archipelago, offers landscapes with a unique charm. During your walk around a lake, you will cross a sumptuous meadow where beautiful aconite and willowherb vie for attention.

During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness center. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

Formed by the retreat of the Guyot, Yahtse and Tyndall glaciers over the past 100 years, Icy Bay is one of those timeless places where silence reigns supreme. Let yourself be enthralled by landscapes of breathtaking beauty, enhanced by magnificent views over the Saint Elias Mountains, visible in the background. Many marine mammals, including humpback whales, and sea birds live in this territory.

Former Russian colony and capitol of Russian America, which stretched as far south as central California, Sitka is brimming with history. The historical national park of Sitka shelters totems carved out of red cedar. These totems are testimonials of the former presence of Tlingit Indians. This place is full of natural wonders too.

Discover the small Tlingit village of Kake. Located on Kupreanof Island, it houses a community of over 500 inhabitants. Kake is paradise for salmon, which spawn in the Gunnuk River near the village. Bald eagles often make an appearance, as do black bears, which come to enjoy the fish.

Wild and extraordinary, Prince Rupert is a dynamic town where the open spaces are “larger than nature”. Located on the remote Kaien Island, off the coast of British Columbia, this little town founded in 1910 witnessed the history of the North West Pacific with the birth of American Indian nations, such as the Haida and Gitksan.

When your ship calls at Alert Bay, a small sheltered fishing port located in the island’s south, set off to discover the indigenous culture and its traditions. The ‘Namgis community, which is part of the Kwakwaka’wakw First Nations, lives here in harmony with the other village inhabitants.

Verdant and cosmopolitan, Vancouver is one of Canada’s most multi-cultural cities. Located in British Columbia on Canada’s west coast, it’s surrounded by mountains and outdoor activities are popular. Post-cruise arrangements are available to explore more of Vancouver and British Columbia.