Unlock Alaska's Hidden Gems: The Ultimate Luxury Cruise Guide with Regent Seven Seas
Whales breaching, glaciers calving, and mountains rising dramatically from sea to sky. Puffins darting past at breathtaking speeds—best captured in the moment. This is the stunning baseline of an Alaska cruise.
With Regent Seven Seas Cruises, navigate Alaska's waterways to uncover intimate arts communities along the Inside Passage and top U.S. hidden foodie spots. Travel in small groups with expert guides, indulging in luxury on and off the ship. Here's your expert guide to maximizing the experience.
Discover Exclusive Destinations Others Miss
Take Homer on Kachemak Bay—a foodie haven with casual yet exceptional sea-to-table and farm-to-fork dining, local roasts, and fresh-baked goods. On the Spit, savor La Baleine, where chef Mandy Dixon (Alaska-raised, trained under Thomas Keller) fuses global flavors with local ingredients—try the ramen in its house-made, umami-rich broth. Follow with Two Sisters Bakery's legendary chocolate chip cookies, perfect for a stroll to Bishop’s Beach, jaws dropping at distant volcanoes.
Nature enthusiasts will love the wildflowers, from fields of towering pink fireweed to vibrant murals in walkable Old Town. For portable art, browse the Bunnell Street Arts Center, showcasing local creators.
Regent's land programs, like Denali, reveal gems like Girdwood, Alaska's sole ski resort town and summer hotspot. Ride the Alyeska Aerial Tram 2,300 feet up Mt. Alyeska for moose, bears, and seven glaciers. At base, hike Winner Creek Trail and snap a selfie on the hand-cranked tram over the creek.
Next-Level Excursions in Small Groups
Alaska's adventure legacy shines with Regent's curated, small-group outings—vast wilderness nearly to yourselves, expertly guided. In Skagway, tackle glacially carved granite cliffs via rock climbing, suitable for all levels, climbing through geological time.
Combine helicopter flightseeing over Southeast glaciers with dog sledding on Mendenhall Glacier: Soar over crevasses and blues, land for mushing lessons or a guided sled ride amid surreal ice.
For thrills, at Icy Strait Point, enjoy private whale-watching (humpbacks, orcas) then zip-line 5,275 feet down a mountain at 60 mph, overlooking Icy Strait and Glacier Bay, landing on a beach.
Observe black bears on Prince of Wales Island (U.S.'s fourth-largest) via floatplane: Spot braided rivers, lakes, glaciers en route. Beach landings offer views of fishing bears or sows with cubs—tide-dependent viewing adds Alaska's unpredictability.
Elevated Local Cuisine Experiences
Alaskans harvest summer's bounty; Regent simplifies with immersive options. From Ketchikan, scenic drive past canneries, totems, waterfalls to George Inlet Lodge. Cruise the Inside Passage in ponchos: peaks, 2,000-ft falls, Tongass National Forest. Haul Dungeness crab pots, learn cracking, then feast.
Allure Aboard: Luxury Meets Alaska Immersion
Regent's all-suite, ocean-view ships boast attentive service, Canyon Ranch Spa, and Alaska-tailored enrichment: naturalist talks by Terry Breen, local gourmet dining. Relax poolside spotting eagles.
All-Inclusive Value and Family Perks
Exceptional value includes airfare, gourmet meals, premium drinks, most excursions. Family sailings offer free/discounted child fares to spark lifelong adventure.
