On my first trip to Alaska, I explored the Prince Williams Sounds area on a small cruise. This is my review of the Northern Pacific Expeditions cruise on board the Seastar ship. Read Northern Pacific Expeditions review to find out the itinerary, the boat, and practical tips and find out if this is the best way for you to see Alaska.

Arriving in Whittier

The Northern Pacific expedition cruises to Prince William’s Sound and depart from Whittier. The nearest airport is Anchorage in Alaska. It is well connected to many American cities and international destinations.

A fun way to reach Whittier is to take the Alaska train. The journey is scenic as the train rides along the coast.

There is only one train per day, leaving at 9:45 from Anchorage and returning from Whittier to Anchorage at 6:45 pm. If you can’t make that time, you can get a car with a driver. This is much faster as the car takes about 70 minutes while the train takes almost three hours.

Anchorage is not the most beautiful city. I spent two nights there on my way back and regretted it as there wasn’t much to see or do. In addition, the hotels are really expensive. Mid-class hotels like the Marriott would go for 500 USD per night during my stay! I recommend getting a connecting flight on the same day and avoiding an Anchorage stopover if possible.

Getting a shuttle from Whittier to Anchorage will save you time and reach the airport on time for the evening flights out of Anchorage.

I used the Bear Valley shuttle. The communication before the trip was outstanding, as they would reply to my emails within a few minutes. They can organize both shared and private transfers to Whittier.

The road is scenic, and Jim, my driver, was great at pointing out the interesting things. We drove along the coast, surrounded by high mountains. The highway is parallel to the train track, so the views are similar. The advantage of a car is that you can stop along the way at various scenic points. We saw bison. I witnessed my first glaciers in Alaska coming out in Portage lake. The river with water coming from the glaciers is crystal blue.

Boarding the Northern Pacific expedition boat: the Sea Star

Upon arriving in Whittier, the Sea Star yacht was moored near the Whittier inn. The whole team greeted us onboard and took care of our luggage. We assembled in the living room and were offered a drink. Each group was then taken to their cabins and given basic safety instructions about the boat. The team also went over the itinerary of our Alaska cruise through the Prince William Sound area.

Review of the Itinerary on the North Pacific expedition cruise to Williams Sound in Alaska

We spent five days cruising through the Prince William Sound area. Being on a small boat is a completely different experience from the large cruise boats going to Alaska.

We accessed many small coves and glaciers unapproachable by larger cruise ships. Over the five days, we didn’t encounter a single tourist boat and had all the nature to ourselves. What a treat to have a whole bay or hill just for seven passengers. It never felt crowded!

Day 1 – cruising out of Whittier

We left Whittier early afternoon and started our journey through the Wells passage.

The sea is surrounded by tall mountains and glaciers. We saw many sea otters lazily swimming in the water.

Just before dinner, a group of porpoises came to hang out with the boat. They look like a mix between dolphins and orcas. They were very playful and swam with us for over 10 minutes.

We then anchored for the night in Granite bay. The colors were absolutely stunning with the blue-gray water, the orange stones, and the green of the forest. Snow could still be seen at the top of the mountain. The sense of peace was exceptional, with calm water and no humans in sight.

Day 2 – boat, hike, and kayaking through the wilderness

We had an early start to go looking for animals hunting for their breakfast. Early morning is a special time to be on the water. The water is absolutely flat, creating water reflections. The landscape was eerie and so peaceful. During this first boat ride, I understood why people view Alaska as a magical place.

Being on a small boat with only three other people made it feel even more special.

A Kittiwake bird was protecting her nest and wanted to ensure that we stayed away from it. Two eagles were resting in a tree. Ducks were fishing. We saw a few otters and seals playing in the water.

Tip: Don’t miss the early morning boat rides, as those are your best chance to see animals feeding early in the day.

The afternoon would be kayaking. We did a lazy kayak tour of the bay. The kayaks are very comfortable and offer a chance to appreciate the quietness of the area. However, we saw fewer animals in the afternoon than during the morning boat ride.

We then came to pick up a shrimp bait box we had placed the night before. It was full, with 72 shrimps that everyone enjoyed eating before dinner.
It was time to find our mooring space for the night, and we went to Jackpot Bay. Once again, we were the only boat around.

Day 3 –  Glaciers and sea lions

We woke up in Jackpot bay at 5:30 am to get ready for the 6 am boat tour. Once again, we boarded the small dinghy and went looking for animals. We explored deserted coves. The water was so quiet it looked like a mirror, creating optical illusions. We saw the cutest otter taking care of her cub.

A few sea lions were hunting.

Another otter got lucky and found a huge tanner crab. We watched him feasting on it for over 30 minutes. In the meantime, eagles were hunting.

It is humbling to be in the middle of true wilderness and realize that nature or animals do much better when no humans are around.

Tip: the morning rides can be cold, especially as you sit on the dingy boat without moving. Bring warm clothes, a hat, and gloves.

We came back on board for a great breakfast. We moved towards Icy Bay and the Chenega glacier.

Excitement was in the air as we started to see icebergs floating in the water. Our captain expertly maneuvered us through those ice blocks to position us in front of the Chenega glacier.

The show could start. It is a grandiose spectacle to see a glacier calving. Huge chunks of ice fall into the sea. The North Pacific Expedition boat turned off its engine so that we could listen to the glaciers roaring!

Liquors, Baileys, and marshmallows were served to keep us warm. What a spectacle!

We then went to a rockery of Kittiwake birds. There were hundreds of birds guarding their nest. We saw 2 puffins

Lost in the mayhem was a couple of Cormoran with a baby still in his nest.

Day 4: Becoming an explorer in Alaska and a polar plunge!

Mooring for the night was in Bear Cove. Another secluded and beautiful cove. It became a bit of an exploration as it was the first time that the North Pacific expedition had come to this cove. We wanted to hike to the top of the hill to see the view. As there are no trails on this island, we became trailblazers. The area near the water was full of bushes, and it was an adventure to plow through the forest and the scrub. After 100 meters, it became easier and was overall an easy walk up, but for some sections, it was full of bushes. However, everyone made it to the top to enjoy the splendid vista.

We went back on the boat for lunch, and as we navigated to our next destination, a porpoise made an appearance at the bow of the ship.

Our last anchoring bay was Shoestring cove, another secluded bay that we had to ourselves. We did kayak along the little coves. It was so peaceful. A few small waterfalls fell into the sea.

After the kayak, I tried the Polar plunge. A jump into the cold water of the Bay. It was cold and invigorating. Amazingly, I felt warm once I was out of the water!

Day 5: Visiting sea lions rock and cruising back through the Esther Passage.

We set off for a small island inhabited by Kittiwake birds and a group of sea lions. A huge sea lion was hanging out on the rock, injured. Six or seven smaller ones could be seen flapping around the water.

 

It took us another three hours to navigate back through the Esther passage. The channel was getting narrower and narrower and offered beautiful vistas. We passed college fjords and all of its glaciers. We also saw a bird on one of the hills. Make sure you keep your eyes open for the journey back to Whittier.

 

The last stop was the cliff near Whittier which is also a bird colony. An eagle was carefully watching all the bird nests!

After the last lunch on board, we disembarked around 2 pm. People on the 6:45 train back to Anchorage had a bit of time to walk around the Whittier village and visit the Museum. Everyone gathered at the pub at Whittier Inn for one last drink before departure.

Review of the Sea Star boat of Northern Pacific expeditions: The Sea Star yacht

The Sea Star is a charming 80 feet yacht from the sixties. It has been lovingly renovated and has a lot of character. They managed to keep most of the stylish furniture. The use of wood throughout the boat gives it a warm vibe. It was built as a luxury private yacht and has been converted into a luxury small cruise ship. With only four cabins, it is very intimate and allows you to see Alaska without the masses.

In Whittier, the Sea Star was moored near the humongous Grand Princess ship, which was an interesting contrast. The small group size allows for an unparalleled way to see Alaska and connect with nature.

Review of the Sea Star Yacht top deck.

Despite being a small ship, the common areas on board Sea Star are spacious. We enter the cruise ship by the dining room. The large dining room has a table that can seat 10 people comfortably.

That room also has a station for tea and coffee. The tea selection is great, ranging from green tea, herbal teas, and many other options. Soft drinks are also available throughout the day.

One of the greatest features of the top deck is the large panoramic windows, giving you an amazing view of the Alaskan landscape.

My favorite spot on the boat was the dining room sofa, where I could spend hours watching the Alaskan landscapes during our cruise.

Next to the dining room is a separate living room. It is cozy with a comfortable sofa and a few chairs. The library has every book about Alaska, nature, and animals you can imagine.

There is a little shopping area should you want Alaska’s souvenirs. On the top deck, you will also find the kitchen.

Tip: There is a sink with reverse osmosis water where you can refill water bottles, so bring a water bottle to use during the night or during excursions.

The wheelhouse is at the front of the boat. Eric, the captain, is often there, willing to share stories about his vast experience cruising the Alaskan waters.

The front of the boat has an outdoor terrace, which is a stunning place to be when the boats navigate. It can get cold outside, but the Northern Pacific Expedition team has thought about everything and has prepared binoculars and blankets to keep you warm outdoors.

The back of the boat has another deck that makes it easy to board the dinghies

The boat is very quiet. They turn the generator off at night, so you won’t hear any noises while you sleep.

Tip: If you want to charge your electrical gadget, do it during the day while the generator is on.

Review of the cabins on the North Pacific Explorer

The North Pacific Expeditions has only four cabins, making it a very intimate ship.

I stayed in the Puffin cabin, the smallest one. It has two bunk beds and plenty of storage space. A small window provides natural light. The window can be opened while the boat is not moving to provide fresh air into the cabin. There are many mosquitoes in the Alaskan waters, but fortunately, all the windows are protected by mosquito screens.

There are reading lights near each bed and electrical plugs conveniently located.

The cabin is small but comfortable.

Tip: Northern Pacific Explorer cruises offer the Puffin cabin at no extra fees for a single. It is a great option for single travelers wanting to do a small ship Alaska cruise.

The bathroom is ensuite and relatively spacious for a boat. It has an independent shower. The mirror has plenty of lights. Plenty of plush towels are provided.

Tip: There are no hairdryers, so if you need one, bring your own.

The three other cabins are larger than the puffin cabins and can hold three-four people each. Sandpiper cabin is the only one without bunk beds and is probably the most comfortable one. It is also the most popular cabin onboard the Sea Star yacht, so make sure you book it early.

Internet and 4 G connection in Whittier, Alaska, and the Prince William Sound area.

Whittier has a phone signal. AT&T is the best provider in the area.

During the cruise, we got patchy signals while cruising in open areas. While anchored in the coves, there is no signal. But every day, we would get 5 or 10 minutes of signal while navigating. Enough to receive or send emails.

Be aware that people on T-Mobile or other providers got no signal.

Tip: If you want a bit of internet during your cruise, ensure you get an AT&T Sim card.

Overview of the Crew on the Northern Pacific Expeditions.

What makes Northern Pacific Expeditions truly unique is that it is owner operated. Eric, the owner, is also the captain of the boat. He got this crazy idea to start running small ship cruises to the most scenic parts of Alaska. His passion for his boat and Alaska is contagious, and he is a great host. He knows the area well and can create stunning itineraries that are totally off the beaten track. We didn’t see a single other tourist during the whole 5-day cruise. Eric’s engineering background also ensured that the boat was in prime condition.

A lot of attention to detail goes into making your cruise more comfortable. Warm blankets are handed out to guests while on the outside deck, and binoculars are available. Games and books are provided, and soft drinks are available throughout the day.

Eric is assisted by Tracy, a naturalist who guides all the excursions. She knows a lot about the region’s plants and animals and enjoyed sharing that with us. Her warm personality and wealth of stories about Alaska make her the perfect host for an Alaska cruise.

Tip: Tracy was running optional early morning boat tours. Only a few passengers woke early enough, but it was an incredibly peaceful way to discover nature waking up in Alaska. I thoroughly enjoyed the 2-morning boat ride offered during our trip. Don’t miss Tracy’s early morning boat tours. They are worth waking up early for. But make sure you cover up, as it can be chilly while on the dinghy boat.

Misty and Sarah were the deck hands, helping with navigation and dining room service, and were both helpful and full of good energy. Last but not least was Steve, the cook, who prepared sophisticated meals for us.

As customary on cruises, tipping is suggested for the crew, so make sure you include it in your budget.

Review of the food on North Pacific Expeditions

Steve, the dedicated cook, prepares three meals a day. Most dishes were delicious, prepared with quality ingredients and lots of flavors.

Breakfast would be different every day. It ranged from egg and bacon to avocado toast or pancakes with berries.

Lunch would be a warm earthy dish to keep you warm between the day’s activities. It ranged from tacos to pizza or sandwiches.

Dinner was a bit more formal and often started with soup. I loved the crab bisque. Most dinner meals included fish or meat, but Steve was also great at catering to vegetarians or dietary preferences.

All the passengers sit along at the large table, which is a great opportunity to get to know the other passengers. There were only seven passengers during our cruise, so it was convivial. Eric, the captain, would often join us during meals.

Tea, coffee, and soft drinks are provided throughout the day. Beer and wine are provided during lunch and dinner only.

Tip: If you want a pre or post-dinner drink, bring your own alcohol (beer, wine, spirit, or anything else you wish to drink). Alaska alcohol license doesn’t allow the Sea Star to serve alcohol outside of mealtimes.

You can see examples of menus during our cruise.

In concluding my review of the Northern Pacific expedition cruise to Alaska

Northern Pacific Expeditions cruises are not luxurious in the traditional sense. Don’t expect large suites; turn down service, entertainment, or a butler. Yet, they are very luxurious, as they allow you to see Alaska in a way few people get to. The crew is passionate about their job and will do all they can to get you close to nature. The Sea Star yacht is a charming boat that will take you back in time. Being on a small yacht allows you to be close to nature and the animals. Prince William Sound is a stunning area to cruise. Don’t miss this trip. It is a very special experience, and I highly recommend it.

To book your Nothern Pacific Expedition cruise, check their website here. Make sure you book in advance as they are often fully booked.