FAQ

A satellite phone is available on the bridge of each ship for guest use at $5.00USD per minute, minutes recorded and paid at the end of the cruise. Our ships are equipped with communication devices designed to conduct ship's business and for emergency purposes, however Internet access onboard is not available for public use.  The crew can alert guests when the ships approach areas that cell phone coverage is generally available.

The ships are equipped with flat screen TVs/DVDs in each cabin.  All cabins are linked electronically so that videos shot during each day can be shared across the ship on designated channels.  Large flat screen TVs in the main salon are also available to show personal videos captured during the excursions while everyone gathers together at night - spawning lively discussion on the most amazing encounter or the best "fish story."  A large selection of micro-brews, wine and spirits are available for purchase at the bar while reliving the day's activities.  Educational presentations from the onboard Naturalists are also broadcast on certain nights in the salon and into the cabins.  Television channels are unavailable due to the remote areas we visit. We suggest you immerse yourself in the scenery and the adventure and leave the stresses of modern living behind you. They will assuredly be there when you return.

Each cabin offers a hair dryer and sundries such as shampoo, conditioner, soap and lotion. The ship has an iron onboard but remember, this is casual traveling so no one will look twice if your clothes aren't perfectly pressed. The ships also have rain slickers and pants, and mud boots for you to use so you needn't pack those. Each ship has a large resource library and hundreds of DVD titles. Each cabin also has an iPod docking station.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer laundry service on board our ships.

Our experienced Expedition Leaders/Naturalists enjoy sharing what they know about Alaskan wildlife, culture and topography.  They are available to you both on excursions and throughout the day and evenings on the ship.

While our cruises are designed for any fitness level and any lifestyle, many of our excursions from the ship require various levels of physical fitness. To help ensure your enjoyment, each activity is marked with a corresponding Activity Rating between 1 and 3, with 1 being the easiest and 3 being the most challenging. At InnerSea Discoveries, we understand that not all couples and families desire the same level of physical activity. Therefore, we offer several onboard activities – such as spa services and yoga classes – for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Along the ship routes, InnerSea Discoveries offers many opportunities for you to explore at your leisure. Most days, kayaks are available for unguided touring or you may choose to don a dry suit for a swim or snorkel.  In some locations, short hikes or village explorations are also available.

InnerSea Discoveries provides most of the gear required for your explorations. Each ship is equipped with kayaks, drysuits, snorkeling gear, paddle boards, inflatable boats, trekking poles, reuseable water bottles and overnight camping gear.  For a complete list of gear, please see Our Adventure Gear.  

For a list of recommended clothing, please see our Tips Before You Travel.

Each individual excursion is accompanied by an Activity Rating between 1 and 3. 1 – Excursions that require basic physical fitness and offer a relaxing way to explore 2 – Excursions that require an intermediate level of physical fitness and are slightly more challenging 3 – Excursions that require exertion and/or stamina for the most challenging workout

Your sense of adventure!  Tents, sleeping bags, food and drink, binoculars, cooking supplies, walking sticks, backpacks and a radio to stay in contact with the Wilderness ship will be provided by InnerSea Discoveries.  All items will be assembled and inventoried by your crewmember guide.  You may want to bring your iPod and camera as well as camp-style personal toiletries.  Clothing should include rain gear, a dry bag, boots, gloves and hat or hood.

Optional programs such as fishing excursions can be reserved in advance as part of your cruise booking.  Added-charge activities can also be purchased onboard, subject to availability.  Massage appointments are made onboard during the cruise.  Kayaking, hiking and other excursions are organized by sign-up sheets onboard.

Evenings onboard ship offer opportunities to relax with a good book, rejuvenate with a massage or rejoice with your fellow adventurers.  Each day offers a cocktail hour followed by a delicious and healthy meal, plus opportunities to learn from locals and onboard Expedition Leaders/Naturalists. While comfortable public areas encourage engaging conversations and cozy relaxation, you may also choose to retreat to your cabin to watch a DVD or view videos taken during the day by your fellow shipmates as they are piped in from the central control station.

One of the nice things about our Alaska adventures is that they operate primarily in the inside of the Inside Passage. Rarely are the vessels exposed to the open ocean. In the event that we do expect unfavorable weather, we will give you plenty of notice so that you may take the motion sickness remedy that works best for you.

We find that cellular phones work when we get near the more populated ports and in certain remote areas. You will be able to use them from time to time and your crew will try and let you know when we are in cellular range.

Please see our list at in our Tips Before You Travel section.

Absolutely. The water onboard is treated and filtered and tastes quite good. We also offer re-usable water bottles to each guest to use while on-board.

The electrical outlets on the ships are the same voltage as yours at home, if you live in North America. If you live in other parts of the world, you may need an adapter.

Yes, fishing rods are available and licenses may be purchased for fishing in Alaska. Fishing excursions too can be arranged, at an additional charge.

We try not to get into the business of predicting the weather or the wildlife. It has been our experience that the weather can be beautiful at any time between April and September. Wildlife, too, is evident during these months. Most people travel to Alaska during May, June, July, August and early September.

We have found that there aren't a great deal of bugs in most of the areas that we travel.  There are some places along the itineraries in Southeast Alaska that insects are present.  If we do encounter them, your vessel crew will provide you with insect repellent.

Northern Lights (or Aurora Borealis) are more prevalent in the beginning and the end of the summer, when it gets darker earlier. You have a good chance of seeing them if you travel in May or August.

While our cabins are surprisingly spacious, storage space is limited. The nice thing about our casual atmosphere is that you don't need to pack your evening gowns or tuxedos. Try to limit your bags to two per cabin. Soft-sided luggage or duffel bags are preferred.

Your crew is trained in both first aid and CPR and there are first aid supplies onboard. While we don't have a physician onboard, we are never too far from a port where medical facilities are available.

If you have a specific question that has not been addressed on this page, please send your to us through our Contact Us page or call us toll free (877) 901-1009, Monday through Friday, 6:00am - 5:00pm PST.

Smoking is prohibited anywhere inside the boat. Our smoking guests are welcome to smoke on the designated outer decks and ashtrays are provided.

That question seems to often come up no matter what destination is being considered. With Alaska travel, it’s almost always a question that is not only asked by virtually everyone, but it’s also the first question. Rain, bears, whales, sunlight, temperature, number of people, fishing, snow level, flowers, insects, Northern Lights – how much, how little, how long, where exactly, how thick, what variety, how high/low – these are all key interests for travelers planning an Alaskan vacation. It’s The Big Land, and therefore, there is no “cookie cutter” answer to these curiosities. But we do want to help by providing a guideline or chart as shown below to describe when “skies are most blue” and when salmon change hue.

With “The Un-Cruise” (InnerSea Discoveries), weather becomes less of a general concern since we are able to get so close to wildlife, scenery and continually have a hands-on experience throughout our explorations. But if you have certain interests you want to try to maximize by paying attention to annual norms, please peruse the information provided below. Of course, wildlife and weather are unpredictable, but trends and patterns can be valuable to you in deciding “What’s best for me?”