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 and unparalleled wildlife of Denali National Park, or venturing west for extraordinary viewing of huge coastal brown bears feeding on salmon in a location only accessible by air — two 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
A true adventure
Our voyage on the Discovery in July 2019 surpassed all expectations. Not being keen on big ship cruising, yet having a husband who is reluctant to rough it, a six day trip on this sturdy and surprisingly spacious vessel had to be the ideal solution.
The cabins are certainly small, but cosy, and I found a childish delight in waking each morning in a bunk with a porthole view onto a scene of exceptional and ever changing beauty as we cruised Prince William Sound.
From day one we were immersed in experiences that brought a sense of wonder and excitement. Each amazing day was followed by an even more amazing one. From visiting the kittywake colony and the haunts of salmon, sea lions and seals, to watching rafts of otters with their adorable babies, or an escort of Dall’s porpoises. From hiking in forest by a rushing meltwater stream, passing peat bogs and wild blueberries, to kayaking through ice fractured from nearby glaciers. From being treated to the spectacle of a calving glacier that spurred a rapid retreat (for which Captain Dean had been entirely prepared), to the highlight of a spontaneous swim in a sun-warmed copper blue lake in a giant rock bowl – magical! Not to mention the sightings of bears, whales and puffins.
Meals were generous, fresh and delicious, and our company friendly and fun. And while Meg and Dean kept us safe and well fed, Maria and Hugh kept us wonderfully well-informed.
I loved every moment of it! And to my even greater delight, my husband loved it too.
Friendly professional service
Friendly professional service. Food was excellent and catered for all tastes. Dean’s knowledge of the area and his consideration of the environment was exceptional.
Thank you for a memorable journey into what I hope remains a pristine part of the world.
Had a great time!
Had a great time and saw some incredible scenery.
Great Alaska Experience
Easily the best way to see the glaciers in Prince William Sound. Captain Dean is also a naturalist and expects the same from his crew. We learned so much about the ecology of the sound from the mountains to the glaciers to all sorts of animal and fish life. His wife, Meg, is a gourmet cook. Food for all meals was excellent and dinner served with wine. The crew, Victoria and Erin, were exceptionally knowledgeable and professional. They worked tirelessly to make sure we had a great Alaska experience. This voyage will be a highlight of your Alaska adventure.
Jaw dropping spectacular!
From the second of arrival to The Discovery in Whittier to the sad time of drop off, the adventures and views aboard are the best!
I hope I can get back again!
Best way to see everything up close
Best way to see everything up close! Wonderful crew, excellent food—trip of a lifetime!