Pristine Wilderness Where the Bigger Ships Can’t Reach


On our Alaska small ship cruises, we explore natural wonders aboard a classic, wooden tugboat designed for the ultimate in guest comfort. Expeditions provide an opportunity to personally connect with the natural and cultural history of Alaska’s rugged Southeast, each day becoming more in tune with the rhythm of the coast. Travel with just a few guests, guided by the expert crew, naturalist, and guides of Maple Leaf Adventures.


Highlights


• Embark on a sweeping small ship adventure of southeast Alaska.


On this special trip with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, you will explore the same areas as our regular supervoyage itinerary, but with special extra experiences, benefits from the Geographical Society, and a VIP resource person.

Day 1: Board at Petersburg, cruising Frederick Sound, introduction to Alaskan natural world on shore walk. Wilderness anchorage.

Day 2: Rainforest walk along creek to waterfall, introduction to coastal rainforest. Whale watching, wildflower meadow walk. Optional evening kayak.

Day 3: Cruising spectacular fjord to tidewater glacier, icebergs, wildlife viewing. Option to zodiac, kayak and/or walk, exploring glacier, icebergs in this awesome ice world.


Day 4: Humpback whales of Stephens Passage, Five Fingers Lighthouse, Windfall Harbour.

Day 5: Explore estuary and look for brown bears.

Day 6: Exclusive guided brown bear viewing and rainforest walk at estuary and forest site, Pack Creek.

Day 7: Frederick Sound marine mammals and islands. Trail walk and hot springs soak at hamlet of Baranof, then spectacular inlet anchorages.


Day 8: Hike through many ecotypes and on spectacular west coast beaches. Cruising the west coast, sea otters, seabirds.

Day 8: Tie up at historic town of Sitka and disembark for historic walking tour covering Tlingit, Russian and American history. Farewell dinner, hotel stay.

Day 10: Breakfast, museum visit, and free time to explore Sitka.

Itineraries are subject to change. 

Cabins - Category 1

$9,880 USD pp
Cabins - Category 1
Smallest Cabin Red Alder features an outside door with opening portholes and a private ensuite head with a separate washbasin area. The cabin also receives natural light through a skylight and sleeps two on up and down small, extra-long single beds (79.5″ x 30″). Storage options include a tall cupboard with shelves, a small under-sink cupboard, and storage space under the bed. Red Alder occupies 57 sq. ft.

Cabin - Category 2, Option 2

$10,780 USD pp
Cabin - Category 2, Option 2
Mid-Sized Cabins Arbutus is located on the main deck. This cabin offers 80 square feet of space and features two large up and down bunks. It includes a small desk and an en-suite bathroom. Storage options include a tall cupboard with shelves, a small under-sink cupboard, and storage space under the bed, a practical and comfortable option for guests.

Cabin - Category 2, Option 1

$10,780 USD pp
Cabin - Category 2, Option 1
Mid-sized Cabins Sitka Spruce and Western Hemlock are located on the top deck. These cabins offer 80 square feet of space and feature a double bed with an angled foot. Cabins feature an outside door with opening portholes and a private ensuite. Cabins provide under bed storage designed to maximize comfort and convenience.

Cabin - Category 3

$11,860 USD pp
Cabin - Category 3
Largest Cabins Cedar and Douglas Fir, feature outside doors with opening portholes, large private 3-piece ensuite heads, natural light, and small boat queen-sized beds. Cedar has walls on three sides of the bed, while Douglas Fir has walls on two sides. Both cabins offer storage options and occupy 120 sq. ft.

Cabins - Category 1

$10,380 USD pp
Cabins - Category 1
Smallest Cabin Red Alder features an outside door with opening portholes and a private ensuite head with a separate washbasin area. The cabin also receives natural light through a skylight and sleeps two on up and down small, extra-long single beds (79.5″ x 30″). Storage options include a tall cupboard with shelves, a small under-sink cupboard, and storage space under the bed. Red Alder occupies 57 sq. ft.

Cabin - Category 2, Option 2

$11,320 USD pp
Cabin - Category 2, Option 2
Mid-Sized Cabins Arbutus is located on the main deck. This cabin offers 80 square feet of space and features two large up and down bunks. It includes a small desk and an en-suite bathroom. Storage options include a tall cupboard with shelves, a small under-sink cupboard, and storage space under the bed, a practical and comfortable option for guests.

Cabin - Category 2, Option 1

$11,320 USD pp
Cabin - Category 2, Option 1
Mid-sized Cabins Sitka Spruce and Western Hemlock are located on the top deck. These cabins offer 80 square feet of space and feature a double bed with an angled foot. Cabins feature an outside door with opening portholes and a private ensuite. Cabins provide under bed storage designed to maximize comfort and convenience.

Cabin - Category 3

$12,460 USD pp
Cabin - Category 3
Largest Cabins Cedar and Douglas Fir, feature outside doors with opening portholes, large private 3-piece ensuite heads, natural light, and small boat queen-sized beds. Cedar has walls on three sides of the bed, while Douglas Fir has walls on two sides. Both cabins offer storage options and occupy 120 sq. ft.

Additional charges:

Sustainability fee per person: $150 USD

Vessel Type: Converted Tug

Passenger Capacity: 12

Length: 88 feet / 26.8 meters

Swell is an 88-foot converted coastal tug refitted to deliver a warm, character-rich expedition experience. Her solid timber construction, classic lines and thoughtful interior upgrades create an atmosphere of authenticity paired with comfort. With just 12 guests across six private cabins, the ship offers an intimate environment supported by a small, expert crew. Spaces such as the wood-panelled salon, panoramic wheelhouse, covered aft deck lounges, and upper-deck viewing areas provide calm, inviting places to relax between shore excursions. Daily life revolves around well-crafted meals from the galley, quiet moments in the hot tub, wildlife watching from the bow and easy access to the coastline via Zodiacs and kayaks.

Her compact size and rugged build allow her to reach locations inaccessible to larger vessels, giving guests close contact with coastal ecosystems, remote anchorages and wildlife-rich shorelines. Purpose-designed expedition tools—including two rigid-hull inflatables, four clear-bottom kayaks, fishing gear and a hydrophone—support a wide range of activities. Cabins vary from generous suites to efficient, well-designed smaller rooms, all with private ensuites and exterior doors for direct connection to the outdoors. The result is a boutique expedition platform that blends maritime heritage with practical comfort, delivering a human-scale, highly immersive coastal cruising experience.

Cabin layout for Swell

Inclusions


• All meals, snacks and beverages prepared from the freshest ingredients by our superb chef.
• Fine wines featured with the evening meal, and a limited amount of beer included and available throughout the trip. (Liquor is not a large part of our trips, so plan on light consumption).
• Services of our naturalist and professional crew.
• Shore excursions.
• Use of gear on board, including rubber boots, kayaks and fishing gear (with fishing licence).
• All accommodations on your vessel and, on trips with a land day, in a local lodging.

Exclusions


• The price does not include transportation to or from the starting and ending points of the Maple Leaf, Swell, and Cascadia trips, except for flights from Vancouver to the start of Cascadia’s Haida Gwaii trips and trips with a current Flight Promotion.
• Canadian trips are subject to a 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST), while Alaska trips are exempt.
• There is also a sustainability fee of $200 added to each fare on booking.
• Tipping for the crew is not included and is confidential and at your discretion.
• Fishing licenses are not included and must be acquired by guests wanting to fish prior to their trip.
Alaska Small Ship CruiseSmall Ship Cruise
10 Days from
$988 USD per day

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NZ Freephone
0800 945 3327

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1800 107 715

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