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Discovery Voyages

YOUR SMALL-SHIP CRUISE EXPERTS

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 Discovery Voyage

3-Day Classic Voyage

Sample the natural wonders of northwestern Prince William Sound on a 3-Day Classic Voyage.... Cruise amongst massive tidewater glaciers. Explore the serene waters of quiet bays with spectacular waterfalls. Watch the antics of sea otters and Dall porpoises and keep an eye out for whales.
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Classic Discovery Voyage Trip

Classic Discovery Voyage

The Classic Discovery Voyage explores the natural wonders of Prince William Sound on a 65-foot yacht! Years of travel and exploration in the Sound have resulted in a destination list of must-see places. These small ship cruises may be 5-7 days, based on the specific itinerary.
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Hike & Kayak Voyage Trip

The Adventurer Voyage

The Adventurer Voyage lets you explore the landscape, wildlife and atmosphere of Prince William Sound Alaska from the small ship M/V Discovery with an emphasis on physical activities like kayaking among icebergs and hiking on glacial outcroppings or through undisturbed forest.
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Alaska Private Family Charters

Private Family Charters

A growing portion of the Discovery’s season provides customized, private voyages into Alaska’s prized seacoast region of Prince William Sound. Individual families, wedding parties, groups of friends, photographers, educators, and other small groups can charter the boat for their exclusive cruise and enjoy a private wilderness experience.
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Remarkable small-ship cruises in Alaska’s Prince William Sound. View all our voyages.

Unforgettable Journey

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 Bear Photography Tours With Hugh Rose

Brown Bears & Calving Glaciers

Explore a rich slice of Alaska in the scenic wilderness settings of Lake Clark National Park and Chugach National Forest. Get off the beaten path and experience unparalleled photographic and wildlife viewing opportunities while part of a small group.
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Grand Alaska – Prince William Sound & The Copper River Region

The Grand Alaska includes the best of Alaska's scenery and wildlife. The journey begins in Anchorage and the nearby world-famous Prince William Sound on a three to six day voyage aboard the M/V Discovery and concludes with land based activities in a seaside community only accessible by plane or boat - Cordova.
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Arctic Aurora

Aurora & The Arctic

Cruise the pristine waters of Prince William Sound and explore stunning tidewater glaciers, and marine life well off the beaten path. Next head north and explore Alaska's interior well above the Arctic Circle. Photograph the autumn landscape, with sightings of muskox, caribou, fox, moose, brown bear and the aurora borealis.
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Cordova & Brown Bears

Explore the far eastern side of Prince William Sound a wildlife rich slice of Alaska. The adventure begins and ends in the coastal town of Cordova - accessible only by boat or plan. Enjoy hiking, kayaking, glaciers and the excitement of coastal Brown Bears.
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Natural & Wild

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!

The Best of Alaska
Why Discovery

What Sets Us Apart

Finest blend of comfort & utility

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.

The highest safety standards

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.

Unparalleled wildlife viewing

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!

Superior cove and glacier access

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.

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Explore The Possibilities

Discovery Voyages Guest Reviews
A Few Of Our

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.

Absolutely BRILLIANT

Absolutely BRILLIANT ! Great trip great company in fantastic surroundings and above all else an excellent crew, friendly, professional and extremely experienced with immense knowledge they are so willing to share – they were all so generous with their time and company. Probably one of, if not the best, trips of our long, very well travelled, off the beaten track lives.

Will definitely do another trip with them soon and the fact we still want to send a Big Thank You to them is the most telling comment we can make. Thank You Folks ! Paul & Hilary.

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.

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