ALASKA CRUISES
Take a memorable Alaska cruise adventure to Alert Bay, British Columbia. Discover the authentic charm of British Columbia on a visit to Alert Bay, an intriguing stop on your Alaskan cruise. As your ship gracefully enters Cormorant Channel, the sight of lush forests, rustic homes, and totem poles rising against the skyline welcomes you to this island community. Resting on the tiny Cormorant Island, Alert Bay is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, culture-seekers, and those in search of tranquility. Here, nature and culture intertwine seamlessly, offering a glimpse of the rich biodiversity and indigenous heritage of Canada's Pacific Northwest.
Alert Bay's harbor is conveniently situated, allowing cruise ships to dock directly at the port. Typically, ships arrive in the morning, providing visitors ample time to explore the local surroundings during their day-long stay. The harbor's vicinity is dotted with eateries, souvenir shops, and the U'mista Cultural Centre - all within walking distance. Facilities at the harbor include restrooms, visitor information, and transport services, making it easy for you to kick-start your island adventure.
A stroll through Alert Bay is like a walk back in time, where past and present coexist harmoniously. The town's iconic red-roofed St. Michael's Residential School, the world's tallest totem pole, and the Big House community center, all hint at the region's rich cultural tapestry. On Water Street, eclectic shops, cafes, and galleries reveal the vibrant local arts scene. For a fascinating peek into the area's history, the Alert Bay Library-Museum is a must-visit.
Alert Bay holds a special place in the heart of the Kwakwaka'wakw First Nations, offering deep insights into their ancestral traditions. The U'mista Cultural Centre is a repository of the tribe's cultural heritage, showcasing a collection of repatriated potlatch artifacts. Every summer, the centre organizes the T'sasala Cultural Group dance, where locals don traditional masks and costumes, reenacting age-old stories through mesmerizing performances. Totem poles dotting the town are silent witnesses to the region's history, each narrating a unique tale.
For the outdoor enthusiasts, Alert Bay offers a variety of pursuits. Embark on an exhilarating whale watching excursion, where you might spot orcas and humpback whales. The Ecological Park and Boardwalk is a haven for bird-watchers, with a multitude of species gracing the area. Hiking trails winding through the dense forest lead you to scenic viewpoints, while fishing charters offer the chance to catch salmon, halibut, and more. For a different perspective, rent a kayak and explore the bay's serene waters.
Alert Bay's culinary scene reflects its coastal location, with seafood taking center stage. Sample local specialties like candied salmon or Dungeness crab, often prepared with a native twist. Wild berry jams, a product of the island's abundant flora, is a must-try. Pair your meal with a locally brewed craft beer or a glass of British Columbia wine for a true taste of the region.
Support the local community by purchasing unique souvenirs handcrafted by indigenous artisans. The town's local shops offer a variety of items, from intricate jewelry and woven baskets to hand-carved totem poles. Traditional Kwakwaka'wakw masks, reflecting the tribe's rich artistic heritage, make for meaningful keepsakes. Local artwork, often inspired by the area's natural beauty and wildlife, is a wonderful way to remember your visit to Alert Bay.
To witness Alert Bay in full swing, plan your visit during the summer months. July's annual SeaFest is a much-anticipated event, featuring local music, food, and boat races. If nature viewing is your preference, late summer and fall offer the best chances to witness the salmon run, attracting both bears and eagles. Meanwhile, the mild spring season is perfect for enjoying the town's outdoor activities.
Alert Bay, with its intimate blend of cultural riches and nature's wonders, makes for an unforgettable port of call on your Alaska cruise. Whether it's tracing the footsteps of the indigenous community, engaging with local artisans, or exploring the wild, Alert Bay appeals to all kinds of travelers. Here, every meal is a culinary adventure, every trail leads to discovery, and every interaction leaves you with a story. As you bid farewell to this charming island town, you'll be carrying home more than just memories – you'll carry a piece of Alert Bay's heart.
Date: July 25, 2025
Ports of Call: Vancouver/Seymour Narrows, Queen Charlotte Sound, Ketchikan/Snow Pass/Decision Passage, Sitka, Yakutat Bay/Hubbard Glacier, Inian Islands/Icy Strait Point, Haines/Lynn Canal, Juneau, Tracy Arm/Endicott Arm/Stephens Passage, Decision Passage/Wrangell/Stikine Strait, Behm Canal/Rudyerd Bay/Misty Fjords, Prince Rupert, Grenville Channel/Whale Channel/Princess Royal Channel, Alert Bay/Johnstone Strait/Seymour Narrows, Vancouver; View Itinerary
Date: August 1, 2025
Ports of Call: Juneau, Tracy Arm/Endicott Arm/Stephens Passage, Decision Passage/Wrangell/Stikine Strait, Behm Canal/Rudyerd Bay/Misty Fjords, Prince Rupert, Grenville Channel/Whale Channel/Princess Royal Channel, Alert Bay/Johnstone Strait/Seymour Narrows, Vancouver; View Itinerary
Date: August 8, 2025
Ports of Call: Juneau, Tracy Arm/Endicott Arm/Stephens Passage, Decision Passage/Wrangell/Stikine Strait, Behm Canal/Rudyerd Bay/Misty Fjords, Prince Rupert, Grenville Channel/Whale Channel/Princess Royal Channel, Alert Bay/Johnstone Strait/Seymour Narrows, Vancouver; View Itinerary
Date: August 8, 2025
Ports of Call: Vancouver/Seymour Narrows, Queen Charlotte Sound, Ketchikan/Snow Pass/Decision Passage, Sitka, Yakutat Bay/Hubbard Glacier, Inian Islands/Icy Strait Point, Haines/Lynn Canal, Juneau, Tracy Arm/Endicott Arm/Stephens Passage, Decision Passage/Wrangell/Stikine Strait, Behm Canal/Rudyerd Bay/Misty Fjords, Prince Rupert, Grenville Channel/Whale Channel/Princess Royal Channel, Alert Bay/Johnstone Strait/Seymour Narrows, Vancouver; View Itinerary
Date: August 15, 2025
Ports of Call: Juneau, Tracy Arm/Endicott Arm/Stephens Passage, Decision Passage/Wrangell/Stikine Strait, Behm Canal/Rudyerd Bay/Misty Fjords, Prince Rupert, Grenville Channel/Whale Channel/Princess Royal Channel, Alert Bay/Johnstone Strait/Seymour Narrows, Vancouver; View Itinerary
Date: August 22, 2025
Ports of Call: Vancouver/Seymour Narrows, Queen Charlotte Sound, Ketchikan/Snow Pass/Decision Passage, Sitka, Yakutat Bay/Hubbard Glacier, Inian Islands/Icy Strait Point, Haines/Lynn Canal, Juneau, Tracy Arm/Endicott Arm/Stephens Passage, Decision Passage/Wrangell/Stikine Strait, Behm Canal/Rudyerd Bay/Misty Fjords, Prince Rupert, Grenville Channel/Whale Channel/Princess Royal Channel, Alert Bay/Johnstone Strait/Seymour Narrows, Vancouver; View Itinerary
Date: August 29, 2025
Ports of Call: Juneau, Tracy Arm/Endicott Arm/Stephens Passage, Decision Passage/Wrangell/Stikine Strait, Behm Canal/Rudyerd Bay/Misty Fjords, Prince Rupert, Grenville Channel/Whale Channel/Princess Royal Channel, Alert Bay/Johnstone Strait/Seymour Narrows, Vancouver; View Itinerary
Date: August 31, 2025
Ports of Call: Sitka, Glacier Bay, Inian Islands/Chichagof Island, Inside Passage, Inside Passage, Inside Passage, Haida Gwaii, Haida Gwaii, Haida Gwaii, Haida Gwaii, Inside Passage, Inside Passage, Johnstone Strait/Alert Bay, Gulf Islands, Vancouver; View Itinerary
Date: August 31, 2025
Ports of Call: Vancouver, Gulf Islands, Johnstone Strait/Alert Bay, Inside Passage, Inside Passage, Haida Gwaii, Haida Gwaii, Haida Gwaii, Haida Gwaii, Inside Passage, Inside Passage, Inside Passage, Glacier Bay, Inian Islands/Chichagof Island, Sitka; View Itinerary
Date: September 5, 2025
Ports of Call: Vancouver/Seymour Narrows, Queen Charlotte Sound, Ketchikan/Snow Pass/Decision Passage, Sitka, Yakutat Bay/Hubbard Glacier, Inian Islands/Icy Strait Point, Haines/Lynn Canal, Juneau, Glacier Bay/Stephens Passage, Decision Passage/Wrangell/Stikine Strait, Behm Canal/Rudyerd Bay/Misty Fjords, Prince Rupert, Grenville Channel/Whale Channel/Princess Royal Channel, Alert Bay/Johnstone Strait/Seymour Narrows, Vancouver; View Itinerary
Date: September 9, 2025
Ports of Call: Sitka, Glacier Bay, Inian Islands/Chichagof Island, Inside Passage, Inside Passage, Inside Passage, Haida Gwaii, Haida Gwaii, Haida Gwaii, Haida Gwaii, Inside Passage, Inside Passage, Johnstone Strait/Alert Bay, Gulf Islands, Vancouver; View Itinerary
Date: September 9, 2025
Ports of Call: Vancouver, Gulf Islands, Johnstone Strait/Alert Bay, Inside Passage, Inside Passage, Haida Gwaii, Haida Gwaii, Haida Gwaii, Haida Gwaii, Inside Passage, Inside Passage, Inside Passage, Glacier Bay, Inian Islands/Chichagof Island, Sitka; View Itinerary
Date: September 12, 2025
Ports of Call: Juneau, Glacier Bay/Stephens Passage, Decision Passage/Wrangell/Stikine Strait, Behm Canal/Rudyerd Bay/Misty Fjords, Prince Rupert, Grenville Channel/Whale Channel/Princess Royal Channel, Alert Bay/Johnstone Strait/Seymour Narrows, Vancouver; View Itinerary
Date: September 14, 2025
Ports of Call: Sitka, Baranof Island/Chichagof Island, Inian Islands/Icy Strait, Glacier Bay, Tracy Arm, Petersburg, Misty Fjordss, Inside Passage, Inside Passage, Alert Bay/Johnstone Strait, Gulf Islands, Victoria, San Juan Islands, Seattle; View Itinerary
Date: April 16, 2026
Ports of Call: Sitka, Glacier Bay, Inian Islands/Chichagof Island, Inside Passage, Inside Passage, Inside Passage, Haida Gwaii, Haida Gwaii, Haida Gwaii, Haida Gwaii, Inside Passage, Inside Passage, Johnstone Strait/Alert Bay, Gulf Islands, Vancouver; View Itinerary
Date: April 27, 2026
Ports of Call: Seattle, San Juan Islands, Victoria, Gulf Islands, Alert Bay/Johnstone Strait, Inside Passage, Inside Passage, Misty Fjordss, Petersburg, Tracy Arm, Glacier Bay, Inian Islands/Icy Strait, Baranof Island/Chichagof Island, Sitka; View Itinerary
Date: April 27, 2026
Ports of Call: Sitka, Glacier Bay, Inian Islands/Chichagof Island, Inside Passage, Inside Passage, Inside Passage, Haida Gwaii, Haida Gwaii, Haida Gwaii, Haida Gwaii, Inside Passage, Inside Passage, Johnstone Strait/Alert Bay, Gulf Islands, Vancouver; View Itinerary
Date: May 10, 2026
Ports of Call: Seattle, San Juan Islands, Victoria, Gulf Islands, Alert Bay/Johnstone Strait, Inside Passage, Inside Passage, Misty Fjordss, Petersburg, Tracy Arm, Glacier Bay, Inian Islands/Icy Strait, Baranof Island/Chichagof Island, Sitka; View Itinerary
Date: May 14, 2026
Ports of Call: Vancouver/Seymour Narrows, Queen Charlotte Sound, Ketchikan, Klawock, Sitka, Glacier Bay, Inian Islands/Icy Strait Point, Haines/Lynn Canal, Juneau, Glacier Bay/Stephens Passage, Decision Passage/Wrangell/Stikine Strait, Behm Canal/Rudyerd Bay/Misty Fjords, Prince Rupert, Grenville Channel/Whale Channel/Princess Royal Channel, Alert Bay/Johnstone Strait/Seymour Narrows, Vancouver; View Itinerary
Date: May 22, 2026
Ports of Call: Juneau, Glacier Bay/Stephens Passage, Decision Passage/Wrangell/Stikine Strait, Behm Canal/Misty Fjords, Prince Rupert, Grenville Channel/Whale Channel/Princess Royal Channel, Alert Bay/Johnstone Strait/Seymour Narrows, Vancouver; View Itinerary
Date: May 29, 2026
Ports of Call: Vancouver/Seymour Narrows, Queen Charlotte Sound, Ketchikan/Snow Pass/Decision Passage, Sitka, Yakutat Bay/Hubbard Glacier, Inian Islands/Icy Strait Point, Haines/Lynn Canal, Juneau, Tracy Arm/Endicott Arm/Stephens Passage, Decision Passage/Wrangell/Stikine Strait, Behm Canal/Rudyerd Bay/Misty Fjords, Prince Rupert, Grenville Channel/Whale Channel/Princess Royal Channel, Alert Bay/Johnstone Strait/Seymour Narrows, Vancouver; View Itinerary
Date: June 5, 2026
Ports of Call: Juneau, Tracy Arm/Endicott Arm/Stephens Passage, Decision Passage/Wrangell/Stikine Strait, Behm Canal/Rudyerd Bay/Misty Fjords, Prince Rupert, Grenville Channel/Whale Channel/Princess Royal Channel, Alert Bay/Johnstone Strait/Seymour Narrows, Vancouver; View Itinerary
Date: June 12, 2026
Ports of Call: Vancouver/Seymour Narrows, Queen Charlotte Sound, Ketchikan/Snow Pass/Decision Passage, Sitka, Yakutat Bay/Hubbard Glacier, Inian Islands/Icy Strait Point, Haines/Lynn Canal, Juneau, Tracy Arm/Endicott Arm/Stephens Passage, Decision Passage/Wrangell/Stikine Strait, Behm Canal/Rudyerd Bay/Misty Fjords, Prince Rupert, Grenville Channel/Whale Channel/Princess Royal Channel, Alert Bay/Johnstone Strait/Seymour Narrows, Vancouver; View Itinerary
Date: June 19, 2026
Ports of Call: Juneau, Tracy Arm/Endicott Arm/Stephens Passage, Decision Passage/Wrangell/Stikine Strait, Behm Canal/Rudyerd Bay/Misty Fjords, Prince Rupert, Grenville Channel/Whale Channel/Princess Royal Channel, Alert Bay/Johnstone Strait/Seymour Narrows, Vancouver; View Itinerary
Date: June 26, 2026
Ports of Call: Vancouver/Seymour Narrows, Queen Charlotte Sound, Ketchikan/Snow Pass/Decision Passage, Sitka, Yakutat Bay/Hubbard Glacier, Inian Islands/Icy Strait Point, Haines/Lynn Canal, Juneau, Tracy Arm/Endicott Arm/Stephens Passage, Decision Passage/Wrangell/Stikine Strait, Behm Canal/Rudyerd Bay/Misty Fjords, Prince Rupert, Grenville Channel/Whale Channel/Princess Royal Channel, Alert Bay/Johnstone Strait/Seymour Narrows, Vancouver; View Itinerary
Date: July 3, 2026
Ports of Call: Juneau, Tracy Arm/Endicott Arm/Stephens Passage, Decision Passage/Wrangell/Stikine Strait, Behm Canal/Rudyerd Bay/Misty Fjords, Prince Rupert, Grenville Channel/Whale Channel/Princess Royal Channel, Alert Bay/Johnstone Strait/Seymour Narrows, Vancouver; View Itinerary
Date: July 10, 2026
Ports of Call: Vancouver/Seymour Narrows, Queen Charlotte Sound, Ketchikan/Snow Pass/Decision Passage, Sitka, Yakutat Bay/Hubbard Glacier, Inian Islands/Icy Strait Point, Haines/Lynn Canal, Juneau, Tracy Arm/Endicott Arm/Stephens Passage, Decision Passage/Wrangell/Stikine Strait, Behm Canal/Rudyerd Bay/Misty Fjords, Prince Rupert, Grenville Channel/Whale Channel/Princess Royal Channel, Alert Bay/Johnstone Strait/Seymour Narrows, Vancouver; View Itinerary