Compact ship's doctor course: four modules in one, Alaska sea voyage 1–11 May 2027

ALASKA, ‘magical,’ ‘awe-inspiring,’ ‘stunning’

Experience the rugged wilderness, the glaciers of Icy Bay and Prince William Sound, and take in the dramatic landscapes they have helped to shape. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as bears, humpback whales, sea lions, sea otters, white-sided porpoises, harbour porpoises, Sitka black-tailed deer, bald eagles, rare short-billed auks and moose. Visit authentic communities in Klawock and Valdez.

• Day 1,  The charm of Vancouver
  Explore British Columbia's largest city. After your flight from Germany, your expedition cruise begins with an overnight stay in Vancouver, a lively and beautiful port city set against a backdrop of steep mountains. Vancouver's diverse neighbourhoods offer world-class cuisine true to the principle of ‘fresh from the farm to the table’. Be sure to visit Gastown, Vancouver's Victorian neighbourhood. Here you will find the Vancouver Lookout, which is almost 170 metres high and offers a fantastic 360-degree panoramic view of the city.

• Day 2, start of the expedition sea voyage. Departure from Vancouver. After breakfast at the hotel, we will take you on a city tour to see the most important sights Vancouver has to offer. The tour ends at the pier, where your expedition ship, MS Roald Amundsen, will be waiting for you. Settle into your cabin and take a tour of the ship to get an overview before receiving a safety briefing.

• Day 3, Sea voyage through Queen Charlotte Sound. Keep an eye out for marine life as we travel through the Inside Passage. The Inside Passage coastal route takes us through the great North American Pacific fjordland, a protected stretch of water almost 1,500 kilometres long. We sail outside the sheltered fjords through Queen Charlotte Sound and Hecate Strait. This is a day at sea, and our passage is somewhat sheltered from the open ocean by Haida Gwaii Island. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as humpback whales, orcas, fin whales, minke whales and Pacific white-sided dolphins along the way.
  
  
• Day 4, Misty Fjords. Venture deep into a beautiful, wild realm. The Misty Fjords are an untouched wilderness of coniferous trees, thundering waterfalls and snow-capped peaks, part of the Tongass National Forest. Renowned naturalist John Muir described the area as one of the most beautiful places he had ever seen. Weather permitting, you can explore the Misty Fjords with the expedition team in our expedition boats or go kayaking. The Misty Fjords are known for their rich wildlife. Keep an eye out for black and brown bears and moose as you explore. Pacific salmon, otters, Steller sea lions, seals, orcas and white-sided porpoises also inhabit these waters, and you can look for herons and bald eagles in the sky.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
• Day 5, The Totems of Klawock. Discover the heritage of the indigenous people of Klawock. Today we visit Klawock, picturesquely situated on the west coast of Prince of Wales Island. The small town has about 700 inhabitants and is famous for its collection of totem poles – the largest in Alaska. The island is a centre of Łingít culture and its original name was ‘Taan’, which means sea lion. In the totem park, you will see 21 exquisitely carved totem poles, some of which are replicas of the originals that stood in the winter village of Tuxecan.
  
  
• Day 6, Fjords in Southeast Alaska. Explore the picturesque bays of Chatham Strait. Start your day by looking for whales in the pristine waters of Frederick Sound. Today is a day of exploration, so the captain and expedition team will use their local knowledge to select the best destination. We may launch the expedition boats and explore the hidden coves and forested shores of the 240 km long Chatham Strait. If the wind and weather permit, a kayak tour may also be on the agenda. Wherever we go, keep an eye out for wildlife, as bald eagles, bears and humpback whales can be spotted in this region.
  
  
• Day 7, expedition day in Icy Strait. Enjoy the thrill of wild Alaska. Today is another day of exploration as we head into Icy Strait and take a closer look at some of the islands. Possible destinations include George Island, the Inian Islands and Idaho Inlet, but as always, we will weigh up the weather conditions and wildlife viewing opportunities to find the best location. Our expedition boats allow us to get close to some of the rocky shores here and possibly go ashore for a hike. The coastline in this region becomes more rugged the closer we get to the open sea, with countless rock pinnacles and sea caves. Keep an eye out for whales, sea lions, orcas and bald eagles.                                                               
• Day 8, The Glaciers of Icy Bay. Observe wildlife in the glacier-fed waters. Today, we will explore Icy Bay. Three glaciers – Guyot, Yahtse and Tyndall – regularly calve fresh ice into this bay. Weather permitting, you can explore the area in our expedition boats or kayaks and admire the fascinating beauty of this icy landscape. The Gulf of Alaska is home to a rich wildlife with unparalleled photo opportunities. Humpback whales, orcas, Steller sea lions, sea otters and seals lounging on drifting ice floes are common sights in these waters.
  
  
• Day 9, Historic Valdez. Learn more about Valdez's rich history. Today, you will visit a region that made headlines for all the wrong reasons following the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989, but which has made an astonishing recovery. After extensive clean-up efforts, the coastline has been restored to its former glory – a remarkable testament to how damaged ecosystems can be regenerated. During a visit to the Valdez Museum, you will see exhibits of Alaska Native art and culture, artefacts from the Gold Rush era, and learn about the history of Alaskan bush pilots. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as beavers, moose and bears as you travel through this region.
• Day 10, The Tidal Glaciers of Prince William Sound. Get ready to experience the untamed power of nature. Today is all about glaciers. Prince William Sound is home to 150 glaciers, including 17 impressive tidal glaciers. Your captain will choose the best location for the day depending on the conditions. We will approach the glaciers with our expedition boats as far as is safely possible. Weather permitting, we also offer an optional kayaking exploration tour. From the water, you will have the opportunity to spot humpback whales, bald eagles, otters and seals that live in this icy wilderness.
  
  
• Day 11, Breathtakingly beautiful Seward. Travel inland to Anchorage through spectacular scenery. Your expedition sea voyage ends in Seward, the only ice-free deep-sea port with road, rail and air connections to the interior of Alaska. As we enter Resurrection Bay, you may have the opportunity to spot one of the beluga whales that are common in this area – so keep your eyes peeled!