Windstar Signature Expeditions are operated by Windstar Cruises directly from the ship. Windstar Cruises has partnered with expert Expedition Voyage Consultants who will operate the Zodiac boats while also providing insight, education and commentary on the stunning scenery of the Alaskan Wilderness. On your Zodiac tour around Kenai Fjords National Park area you will ride by tidewater glaciers that flow from the Harding Ice Field, possibly seeing a glacier calving and riding among ice that has calved. Taking in the spectacular scenery of the area you may see harbor seals, black bears on the beach, bald eagles and puffins. Please note : You can conveniently change in your suite. Dress according to the prevailing weather conditions; you will be provided with a life jacket. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed and tour operation is weather dependent. Expedition Voyage Consultants may include geologists, marine biologists, botanists, and glaciologists. - The departure times for the Signature Expedition tours are subject to change due to the nature of these excursions. Destination Services will notify you about your tour departure time. Please inform the Destination Services team if you are travelling in a group of 4-6 people and booked on the same expedition as the zodiac boat tours can only accommodate 6 guests at a time.

Windstar Signature Expeditions are operated by Windstar Cruises directly from the ship. Windstar Cruises has partnered with expert Expedition Voyage Consultants to provide insight, education and commentary on the stunning scenery of the Alaskan Wilderness . Kayaking around Kenai Fjords National Park area provides the opportunity to kayak by tidewater glaciers that flow from the Harding Ice Field, possibly seeing a glacier calving and kayaking among ice that has calved . Taking in the spectacular scenery of the area you may see harbor seals, black bears on the beach, bald eagles and puffins. Please note : You can conveniently change in your suite. Dress according to the prevailing weather condition; you will be provided with a life jacket. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed and tour operation is weather dependent. Expedition Voyage Consultants may include geologists, marine biologists, botanists, and glaciologists. You will have about 2 hours of paddling. - The departure times for the Signature Expedition tours are subject to change due to the nature of these excursions. Destination Services will notify you about your tour departure time. - All kayaks used for the Signature Expedition tours are 2-person tandem kayaks.

Learn what it takes to be a musher in the great Alaskan dog sled races with a trip to a sled dog summer camp. As you arrive at the summer camp training site, you will be greeted by a professional dog musher and some of the state's most famous athletes- the Alaskan Huskies! After an educational tour of the camp, you'll visit a replica of an Iditarod checkpoint and go through the steps each musher performs, step-by-step, as if you're traveling along the Iditarod trail. Next, climb aboard a comfortable wheeled sled and relax as your husky team whisks you along the 1.5-mile trail through the beautiful landscape. You'll return to camp for your chance to visit with the dogs and meet the next generation of great Alaskan athletes - sled dog puppies ! Please note : Dress in layers and bring a waterproof outer layer. There will be a coffee/tea break with cookies.

Depart the pier in a media-equipped shuttle with your naturalist photography guide for a drive to some of Juneau's most photogenic locales. En route, your guide will share handy tips and techniques to enhance your images, along with personal stories and insights about the area's cultural and natural history. You will also view a slideshow depicting personal images and illustrated photography techniques. Upon arrival at the Mendenhall Glacier , you will take a guided walk along a gentle forested trail, take in splendid vistas and many visual opportunities, including wildflowers, beaver activity, cascading waterfalls and spawning salmon (when in season). You will picture breathtaking glacier panoramas and floating icebergs amidst a paradigm of snowcapped peaks. Next, explore the channels and islets of beautiful Stephen's Passage during 2-hour cruise aboard a custom built safari vessel. These are the only crafts of their kind in Southeast Alaska, custom built specifically for marine wildlife photography. Photo opportunities may include blue-hued glacial ice, forest-piercing rays of light, soaring eagles, humpback whales, sea lions, killer whales, black bears and more. Your guide will provide you with photo assistance and quality interpretation throughout the excursion. Please note : This tour requires a moderate amount of walking, approximately .75 miles on a newly surfaced trail. There is a variable sloped ramp leading to the safari vessel dock. This tour is not suitable for those who utilize a wheelchair. Guests must be able to meet the physical requirements of the tour. Whale sightings are frequent. All guests must sign a waiver attesting to their physical and medical conditions to participate. Dress warmly in layers, as the tour operates in all weather conditions; rain gear, walking sticks, camera towels are provided. Bottled water and a snack pack are included. The tour sequence may vary. Bring a camera with plenty of film or memory and batteries. Children 12 years old and younger will receive a complimentary children's one time use camera. Participants are eligible to enter to win cash prizes in the tour operator's Capture Juneau Photo Contest. Guests will receive a frame-able postcard with instructions to access exclusive online photography tutorials, slideshows, historical images and a printable tip sheet. All content is free and downloadable to any device.

Have you ever envisioned living the life of a Research Scientist? Or looking for the thrill of encountering one of the earth's largest creatures ? Well, now's your chance! Alaska's waters hold one of the largest concentrations of humpback whales and along with your contribution to ongoing research during this exhilarating excursion you are guaranteed to see a whale! Not only is this a one-of-a-kind whale watching experience , but you'll will have the opportunity to participate in various science activities aboard a custom designed vessel permitted to collect research data while on the open water. From the pier you'll travel north to meet your vessel in Auke Bay . Meet your experienced captain and board your wildlife viewing vessel. Have your camera handy as you cruise through the island-studded waters of Stephens Passage, a wonderland of snow-capped peaks and ice-blue glaciers. While you cruise, you're sure to spot humpbacks, orcas, sea lions, harbor seals, and porpoises. Once a whale is spotted, the Captain will slow down for exceptional viewing and photo opportunities. Given the right behavior and weather conditions, you may hear the haunting, moaning call of the humpback. Luckily, the vessel is equipped with a hydrophone when the opportunity arises, to listen to the underwater sounds of whales while an onboard naturalist explains the habits and habitats of the creatures you may encounter. When conditions permit during your cruise, you'll explore the foundation of the food chain by drawing plankton samples, take a look at live sea animals in a touch tank and even use a GPS camera to aid in identifying specific whales while recording their varied behaviors. Please note : There is a variable sloped ramp leading to the safari vessel dock which changes with the tide. Whale sightings are frequent. All guests must sign a waiver attesting to their physical and medical conditions to participate. Dress warmly in layers, as the tour operates in all weather conditions. Bottled water and a snack pack are included. Bring a camera with plenty of film or memory and batteries. Participants are eligible to enter to win cash prizes in the tour operator's Capture Juneau Photo Contest.

Haines is known for its wildlife and stunning natural surroundings. This small-group tour is for every type of photographer - from those who have a professional-level camera to those who primarily use their Smart Phone. Either way, you'll learn how to take better photos. Your professional photographer guide will select the best locations to find the most dramatic light and wildlife activity. Composition tips, camera settings and how to take advantage of available light are discussed, along with how to predict wildlife behavior. Bald eagles are commonly seen and, depending on the time of year, brown bears can sometimes be found feeding on salmon along the Chilkoot River. This tour will go through prime wildlife habitat, however, wildlife sightings are not guaranteed. The small-group nature of the tour will allow the guide to spend time with each participant, ensuring you will come away with ideas and goals for your future photography. Please note : This tour requires a minimal amount of walking; however, guests must be able to embark/disembark the vehicles via steps. It is not recommended for guests who utilize a wheelchair. Dress in layers, wear comfortable walking shoes, bring rain gear and your camera equipment. Observing bear and other wildlife is the goal but cannot be guaranteed.

Your knowledgeable guide will meet you at the dock in Haines. A scenic 26-mile drive along the National Scenic Byway and through the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve will bring you to a remote staging area. At the staging area, you'll receive an orientation and safety briefing on the Arctic Cat and Kawasaki side-by-side ATVs from your guides. Guests wishing to drive must be at least 21 years old and bring a valid driver's license. There are a combination of 2-person and 4-person machines to accommodate varying group sizes and families. There will be several spots along the tour where you can swap drivers to give everyone some time at the wheel. The ATVs are automatic transmission and drive similar to a car for ease of operation. These high performance ATVs are fun to drive and a great way to explore the Alaska wilderness. Over the next 12 miles of gravel road, your guide will lead you through a series of remote areas, and you'll explore the wilds of Alaska! As you drive along beaver ponds and mountain meadows you may spot swans, salmon, eagles, bears or moose along the way. You'll cross over Little Salmon Creek and ascend to a series of viewpoints overlooking the Klehini, Tsirku and Chilkat River Valleys . From your high point, you'll enjoy a picnic lunch while you bask in the surrounding mountain views. After lunch, descend the mountain and make your way back to the private staging area before returning by bus back to Haines. Please note : Dress in warm, dry layers and wear closed-toed shoes. You will be provided with a helmet, goggles and a rain poncho.

Haines, Alaska is where two important rivers, the Chilkat and Chilkoot, meet the sea. This small town (2,500 residents) is located on a peninsula flanked by mountain ranges and these two glacial-fed rivers. This 2.25-hour small group (14 guests maximum) tour provides a chance to get to know both important rivers. Start with a short drive through Historic Ft. Seward and make your way to the Pyramid Island Lookout. This wide delta is where the braided Chilkat River drops tons of glacial silt every day into the ocean. Continue along the edge of the salt water to the Letnikof Cove Cannery Lookout. Here, the Rainbow Glacier and Chilkat Mountains provide a stunning backdrop to the red buildings of this historic salmon cannery. You'll retrace your steps back towards downtown Haines and travel in the opposite direction to the mouth of the Chilkoot River. The road winds along the salt water. Keep your eyes open for birds like surf scoters and marine mammals like harbor seals. Your next stop will be where the Chilkoot River flows into the sea. This is a peaceful location where "all things Alaskan" come together- the river, the ocean, the mountains, and the forest. Bald eagles are often spotted here soaring and calling to each other above the spruce trees. Return to Haines with a final stop at Picture Point, where you can photograph your ship with the iconic white buildings of Historic Ft. Seward and the Chilkat Mountain behind. Please note : Wear layered clothing appropriate for the weather. Cameras and or binoculars are suggested but are optional.

Enjoy the peace and quiet of the true Alaskan Wilderness as you travel about 25 miles of the Chilkat River System , exploring the different channels that this unique, braided river system offers. Watch for wildlife as they are frequently sighted during the river tour. The flat bottom river boats are designed specifically to traverse the narrow and sometimes shallow, channels, which is the only way to explore this road-less portion of the Bald Eagle Preserve. This tour is well known for moose and bear sightings , although not a guarantee, wildlife sightings are quite frequent. The tour will take off from private property, so all the amenities are available for you to feel comfortable and right at home while the friendly staff will prepare your meal . Sit around the crackling fire and enjoy the clean fresh air and beauty that surrounds you. You will come away with a greater appreciation of the wilderness and the people who call this "last frontier" their home. Your tour will begin at the pier where your ship is docked, with a 30-minute bus ride into the heart of the Bald Eagle Preserve on the Haines Scenic Byway. Where the road ends, your adventure begins. Please note : Wear comfortable hiking shoes and layered clothing appropriate for the weather. Bring your camera and/or binoculars. Life jackets will be provided. The boats are open air so ponchos and waterproof blankets will be provided.

Journey through the past to the present on a personalized tour experience of Wrangell and its most popular attractions. Your Alaskan Native guide will share the diverse history of Wrangell starting with the first inhabitants, the Tlingit Nation, whose history spans approximately 10,000 years. Sit down as invited guests at Chief Shakes Tribal House to hear stories that have been with us; passed down generation to generation. Learn the story of Fort Wrangell, unearth ancient petroglyphs and explore Wrangell today (from the comfort of your shuttle). Bottled water and a souvenir petroglyph rubbing will be available for you. Three great sites will be visited: Chief Shakes Tribal House , the Wrangell Museum and Petroglyph Beach . Several historic sites are viewed from the shuttle as part of the driving portion of this tour. The tour will depart from and return to your pier. As the third oldest city in Alaska, ruled by four nations, under three flags, Wrangell's rich and diverse history is sure to captivate you! Please note : This is a walking and driving tour. Much time will be spent on your feet at Petroglyph Beach and the Wrangell Museum. Wear comfortable walking shoes and weather appropriate attire. You will be transported by shuttle bus to each of the sites. All sites are handicap accessible, although not able to accommodate wheelchairs.

Discover the highlights of this truly Alaskan town and see its colorful history and native culture come to life while visiting the Wrangell Museum and Petroglyph Beach with Kiks Adi Totem Park view and Alaskan Native interpretation. Departing the pier, meander to downtown Wrangell to view Kiks Adi Totem Park. Then, learn about fishing and the Stikine River and its significant influence on the development of Wrangell. Pass through the town and see its historic churches, while on the way, catch a glimpse of a traditional Tlingit Tribal House and Wrangell's oldest harbor. Visit Wrangell's famous anthropological sight, Petroglyph Beach and see ancient rock carvings dating from 4,000 to 6,000 years ago, before the settlement by the Tlingit tribes. Enjoy a petroglyph rubbing demonstration before heading to the Wrangell Museum. The local museum houses a rich assortment of over 5,000 historic photos, native artifacts, a collection of Tlingit petroglyphs, and fishing, mining and logging displays. Please note : The order of sites may vary. Walking is required to and from the sites, especially Petroglyph Beach, a natural beach with rocks, gravel, sand and logs that can be slippery at low tide. There are several steps to Petroglyph Beach, not suitable for those in wheelchairs. Walkers or canes can do this tour, but you may choose also to stay on the bus where the walking is too much. You may wish to enjoy additional city highlights on their own before returning to the ship.

The Stikine River is considered one of the last truly wild rivers in North America, running directly through the nearly 1/2 million acre Stikine LeConte' Wilderness area. Immerse yourself in the pristine wilderness of the world's largest temperate rainforest that is home to a variety of wildlife species and though elusive, you may have a chance of sighting. Add the excitement of an exhilarating jet-boat ride , gold rush history, world renowned scenery, and the most experienced energetic captains, and you have a great excursion. On the pier, you will meet captain and interpretive guide and embark on the custom-built, heated and covered, jet boat to begin your adventure. Traverse the ever changing river delta, meander through side sloughs and explore the banks of the river. Seek out views of distant mountain peaks, spy on spawning salmon and listen to thundering waterfalls. Your journey will culminate at Shakes Lake with its sparkling blue, crystal clear icebergs. If accessible, you will venture in farther for a view of Shakes Glacier and the ancient ice from which it was created. If conditions allow, come ashore at a wilderness location on the banks of the Stikine and experience the wilderness up close. Please note : The tour routing and sights may change due to weather, nature and water conditions. Due to the nature of boating in the wilderness on the Stikine River, which sometimes requires travel in shallow water, you may experience quick or sudden stops, starts and turns while underway. Guests should be in good physical health with a full range of motion to get into/out of the vessel and have no motion-related ailments or any other health issues. This tour is not wheelchair or handicapped accessible. This tour departs and returns from the Wrangell city dock, which is a short walking distance (300 ft) from the ship. At certain tidal conditions the access ramp to the vessels can be very steep. Facilities are basic in the wilderness location and consist primarily of USFS outhouses. Although wildlife is seen on many outings, sightings cannot be guaranteed.