Victory Cruise Lines details its inaugural Alaska adventure program

Vancouver-Sitka itineraries

These new ‘Discover Beyond' adventure itineraries sail from Vancouver, BC, to Sitka (10 nights) and Sitka to Vancouver (11 nights). Equipped with 20 Zodiacs and dozens of kayaks, the vessel will enable in-depth explorations of Alaska’s natural, historic and cultural treasures.

Victory is working with California Polytechnic State University to include marine biologists, scientists and naturalists among its expedition team of 19 who will lead excursions, provide education lectures and act as a resource for passengers.

Ocean Victory, currently under construction in China, is among the Infinity series ordered by Miami’s SunStone Ships for charter to a variety of operators.

1:2 crew to passenger ratio

The 200-passenger ship will carry 100 crew and have 93 suites, including 68 with balconies, nine with French balconies and 16 with panoramic windows. Features of the 104.4-meter/342.5-foot Ocean Victory include two restaurants, an open-deck dining area, piano bar, library, gym, heated outdoor pool, spa and Jacuzzi, plus observation and lecture lounges and a dedicated expedition and adventures launching platform.

Itinerary highlights include Fjordland Conservancy, one of Canada’s newest marine parks, home to wolves, eagles, bears and humpback whales, and Kynoch Inlet, featuring a dramatic waterfall dropping into a fjord. Conditions permitting, passengers will explore the Inlet’s Culpepper's Lagoon with Victory’s naturalists.

Metlakatl and Misty Fjords

Ocean Victory will also visit Ketchikan, and Metlakatla will provide immersion in Tsimshian culture, including a private visit to the group’s long house for a performance by one of Alaska's most celebrated dancing groups. At Misty Fjords National Monument, travelers will find lush greenery, granite cliffs and cascading waterfalls wrapped in gossamer mist.

Wrangell was founded by Russia, however the Tlingit people were in the region long before Russian traders settled there. Besides learning about Tlingit culture, travelers can look for bears at Anan Creek, take jet boat rides on Stikine River, go charter fishing or view ancient petroglyphs.

Another highlight will be Baranoff Island’s eastern coast, where naturalist guides will lead explorations by ship, kayaks and Zodiacs.

Alsp known as ‘Little Norway,’ Petersburg was settled by Norwegians who thought the area looked just like home. Directly across the water is Kupreanof Island, with hiking trails, while a floatplane experience provides a birds-eye view of the LaConte Glacier and its dramatic ice fields.

Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm

Both Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm rival Norway's fjords and offer the magnificent Sawyer and Dawes glaciers. The 11-night itinerary from Sitka will spend two days there, with visits to Tracy Arm, Endicott and Ford’s Terror Wilderness. The 10-night itinerary from Vancouver will spend one day and visit Tracy or Endicott, depending on the ice conditions of the day.

After a morning visit to the Tlingit village of Kake, Ocean Victory will travel through ‘Whale Country.’ As the home to the Five Finger Whale Research Center, the Frederick Sound is world famous for viewing humpbacks, orcas and dall porpoise. A hydrophone be used.

More details to come

Early booking savings will be announced in the coming weeks. More information about included and optional shore excursions will be shared at a later date.