Discovery Voyages
Discovery Voyages – Alaska’s small-ship cruise specialists exclusively navigating the pristine waters of Prince William Sound, located near Alaska’s largest city – Anchorage, since 1992. Our carefully crafted itineraries, friendly & knowledgeable guides, gourmet meals, and historic 12 guest capacity working yacht all contribute to the incredible Discovery Voyages experience.
Our voyages feature hiking & kayaking, glaciers, photography, whale watching and wildlife viewing, birding, as well as Land & Sea adventures and private family & friends charters.
3-Day Classic Voyage
Classic Discovery Voyage
The Adventurer Voyage
Private Family Charters
Remarkable small-ship cruises in Alaska’s Prince William Sound. View all our voyages.
Land & Sea Adventures
Far from the crowds of conventional high-volume tourism, our personal approach offers a genuine and intimate encounter with Alaska. It’s an eco-friendly way to explore Alaska’s gorgeous and diverse marine environment. Our 65-foot steel hull vessel can voyage into quiet coves and navigate ice-bound channels that larger boats must avoid, letting Discovery passengers get an up close and personal view of glaciers and wildlife that is simply not possible on a larger cruise ship.
Brown Bears & Calving Glaciers
Grand Alaska – Prince William Sound & The Copper River Region
Aurora & The Arctic
Cordova & Brown Bears
The Best of Alaska
Join us on unforgettable Land & Sea Adventures as we combine a cruise in the waters of Prince William Sound with either exploring the vast beauty of the north country above the Arctic circle in search of the aurora borealis, or venturing west for extraordinary viewing of huge coastal brown bears feeding on salmon in a location only accessible by air, or east to the tidal flats along the Copper River Delta also in search of brown bears with homebase being a quaint fishing community only accessible by boat or air — three journeys unlike any others!
What Sets Us Apart
Enjoy the endless views from our walk around deck, a glass of tea with a book in our charming lounge, and watching floating ice or sea otters out your porthole located just above waterline in one of six cozy cabins.
No stone goes unturned with the 25 page annual inspection by the US Coast Guard which assesses every aspect of vessel safety from construction and condition, safety equipment, to the qualifications of crew onboard.
Humpback and orca whales, sea otters and harbor seals with their pups, Steller sea lions enticing play, black bears fishing in the steams, and over 220 species of birds including characteristic puffins and regal bald eagles!
M/V Discovery was designed specifically to travel Alaskan waters. Alongside a steel hull, she was engineered to create a smooth ride, and a draft allowing access over shoals that larger vessels cannot cross.
Discovery Voyages is a family operation headed by captain and naturalist Dean Rand and Megan Ciana.
Explore The Possibilities
Recent Guest Reviews
Highly Recommended
Our trip was outstanding. Dean, Megan, and the rest of the crew are very knowledgeable about the region and constantly monitor conditions to provide the best possible experience at any given time. We saw an array of wildlife and awe inspiring scenery.
Being aboard the Discovery, a small vessel with a storied past, one feels immersed in, rather than removed from, the immediate environment. The crew is very attentive, and the food was fresh, creative, and delicious; beautifully presented and accompanied by a very nice selection of wine.
If you’re interested in an immersive experience with knowledgeable guides in an intimate setting I don’t believe you can do better than a trip with Discovery Voyages.
The trip of a lifetime!
The owners of the Discovery, Dean and Meg, were so accommodating and helpful. Dean got a sense for what the group wanted to do and tried to cater to everyone’s interest and activity level. The two guides, Phyllis and Hugh, were extremely knowledgeable and fun to be around. We did a lot, saw a lot, learned a lot, and in general had an amazing week. Meg worked her magic for three meals a day in the kitchen and the food was fantastic with lots of fresh seafood and accommodations for everyone’s dietary restrictions. I loved that there was a lot of quiet time to read or sit outside and take in the magnificent scenery. I would highly recommend this trip for anyone who is okay staying on a small boat.
Great adventure. Worth it!
I loved every minute of our adventure. The weather was less than desirable, but I don’t think we missed a thing. Our chef, Meg, was creative and patient. There were eleven of us, and she pleased everyone. The adventures, included kayaking, photographing amazing wildlife, walking among the glaciers, and learning do much about Prince William Sound. The nature aspect of this trip was beyond beautiful. As a side note, the group we were with was terrific. We all got along great, chatted the entire time, and played a memorable game. Would I do this again? In a minute.
A magical experience.
The Captain and Crew of the Discovery made us feel special during the entire voyage. Their knowledge of the region, the hidden coves, the history, and the culture, all made for a magical experience. I can truly say that this trip exceeded my already high expectations. My two sons and my father-in-law also joined and they were equally impressed.
The Best Voyage Imaginable
The entire crew (Dean,Meg,Erin & Will) were awesome. PWS is a beautiful but also immense region, so the decades of experience of these folks took us to locations little known to lesser mortals. The Discovery itself was a comfortable, if compact, ship. Fully equipped not only with kayaks, “Zodiacs “ & rain gear but also with cozy quarters and Megs great meals!
With just 10 other guests, we developed warm and lasting friendships.
This was the trip of a lifetime
This was the trip of a lifetime. Not hyperbole, just truth. Every single staff person was amazing. Captain Dean not only piloted expertly, he was a fountain of information. Tori and Ashley were wonderful on all outings, sharing knowledge while still always making sure everyone of us were comfortable physically. Finally, Meg. Hmm, not enough words for her mastery in the kitchen. Thank you all for your expertise and care.
This trip was unbelievable
This trip was unbelievable! So exciting to watch the glaciers and so much wildlife. Just the experience of being on the boat in beautiful Prince William Sound surrounded by beauty night and day was a lifetime high point. The guides were so knowledgeable and patiently helpful. The food was outstanding. Captain Dean and his wife Meghan were wonderful people to travel with. You won’t find a better adventure.
This was one of the most incredible and mind-blowing vacations!
This was one of the most incredible and wonderful vacations I have ever taken. It was a constant series of “Once-In-a-Lifetime” experiences. The crew was so knowledgeable and personable. To see Alaska from the comfort and mobility of the Discovery boat, set a new standard of travel….so unique, personal and experiential. Oh, did I mention the gourmet food Megan serves? OMG! Mind blowing! Thank you Dean & Megan. I simply loved the entire trip you created for your guests.
A Family Adventure
This was truly an adventure of a lifetime! Being on a six cabin boat allowed views and experiences that you could never get from a cruise liner. Dean, Megan & crew were amazing. We saw up close so much wildlife & learned so much about Prince William Sound. Megan provided unbelievable gourmet meals & were beautifully presented. The scenery, kayaking, and hiking was outstanding. Memories for a lifetime! Thank you Discovery!
An awesome Alaskan experience!
This was an awesome experience!! You can visit Alaska on one of the cruise ships with 4000 passengers or you can experience Alaska on a small ship like the Discovery. We were able to go ashore and hike twice, and we were able to go out and kayak amongst the ice flows, otters and harbor seals. Wen were also able to get up close and personal with the glaciers. Dean and Meg, the owners are awesome and take very good care of everything, including all gourmet meals!! This is the only way to go to Alaska!!!