General Trip and Travel Information
- Trip Insurance at CSA Travel Protection
- Guest Information Form
- Our Payment Policy and schedule
- What if I am a single traveler?
- Itinerary Information & Accommodations
- Internet - Cell phones
- What is included in the Ticket Price?
- What is not included in the Ticket Price?
- What should I bring?
- Luggage
- Clothing
- Outerwear
- Miscellaneous
- Grade of Difficulty
- Meals
- Discovery Accommodations
- Safety
- Fishing
- Smoking
- Prince William Sound at Google Maps
How to book a Discovery Voyage?
Call us at 800.324.7602 or email your request to .
Trip Deposit and Payment Schedule
We ask for the following non refundable deposits to confirm space aboard the Discovery:
- $500 per person for all regularly scheduled voyages
- $750 per person for the Grand Alaska Journey
- $3500 per voyage for exclusive charters
By January 1st, 50% of the total ticket price is required. Reservations made after January 1st require a 50% deposit within two weeks of the booking date. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Reservations made less than 90 days prior to departure must be accompanied by full payment within one week of booking. If paying by credit card the balance of deposits will automatically be charged to the credit card on file per schedule outlined on your invoice. If you prefer another method of payment or need to update address or expiration please let us know prior to that date. Agents may deduct commission from final payment. We accept Visa/MasterCard, personal and agency checks.
Traveling Single and single cabin supplement fees
If you are a single traveler willing to share a cabin and we are unable to match you with a roommate you will not be charged a single supplement. If you want to guarantee a private cabin, single supplement charges will apply. See our voyage schedule and pricing for current rates on single cabin supplements.
Cancellation Policy
The initial booking deposit is non refundable. Cancellations received from guests or their agents after January 1st will be subject to a cancellation fee of 50% of the total ticket price. Cancellations received ninety days to the day of departure are not refundable and will be charged 100% of ticket price. Any changes to a confirmed itinerary are subject to a $50 change fee per booking. We recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance www.csatravelprotection.com or 800.348.9505.
Gratuities to Crew
Your Discovery crew firmly believes that a gratuity is not required nor expected, but rather, earned. Gratuity amounts for the crew are certainly a matter of personal preference, but approximately 5% of the ticket price for the crew corporately seems to be the norm. Gratuities may be given directly to the crew member(s) or to the captain with designated instructions.
Itinerary Information
All itineraries include Bed & Breakfast accommodations in Anchorage before and after your voyage in Prince William Sound, as well as private van transfers with a Discovery guide between Anchorage and Whittier. For example:
Abbreviated Trip Itinerary: The Adventurer! 8 Days, 6 days at sea, 2 days in Anchorage
- Day 1:
Arrive Anchorage. Airport transfers & meals on own. Overnight B & B (included).
- Day 2:
10am van transfers by Discovery Voyages to Whittier. Board the Discovery.
- Day 3 - 6:
Explore Prince William Sound. All meals, board and guided activities on Discovery.
- Day 7:
Prince William Sound. Enjoy breakfast and lunch on the Discovery. Return to Whittier this afternoon. Van transfers provided to Anchorage. Dinner on own. Overnight Anchorage B & B (included).
- Day 8:
Breakfast at B & B. Return home or continue exploring Alaska. Transfers not included.
Accommodations / Lodging
We are excited to offer you first-class accommodations in select downtown Bed & Breakfast's. Your accommodations include an extended self-serve breakfast and fresh local coffee served with a mountain view. Common areas offer comfortable furnishings to relax, read or socialize with other guests, and often open to outside decks or gardens. We have carefully selected the finest accommodations, close to downtown shopping, restaurants, and the Coastal Trail. We make it convenient to explore Anchorage before and after your voyage on the Discovery.
Due to the unique style of each property room types vary but be assured each offers its own charm. Private baths are available but not guaranteed.
Internet & Cell Phones?
Cell phones and internet service are available in Anchorage and Whittier, but not on board the Discovery in Prince William Sound. Some cell phones work in a very restricted few zones in the Sound, but this is very unreliable and depends on the service provider of your phone. The M/V Discovery has a SAT phone for emergencies. Our preferred Bed & Breakfasts both feature wifi if you have your own laptop as well as a shared computer for guest use. Internet is also available at the downtown Kaladi Brothers coffee shop and the UPS Store, both near 6th Avenue and G Street in Anchorage.
What is included in the Ticket Price?
- Accommodations in Anchorage before and after your voyage in Prince William Sound (refer to trip itinerary above).
- Personal van transfers between Anchorage and Whittier by Discovery guide.
- All meals, beverages (complimentary beer, wine, etc) and overnight accommodations on the Discovery
- All crew and guide services including kayaks (a selection of double or single)
- Rubber boots and rain gear
What is not included in the Ticket Price?
- Airfare to Alaska
- Trip cancellation or delay insurance
- Gratuities for the crew
What should I bring?
Due to the limited space on the Discovery it is important to pack efficiently. The following list will help guide you in selecting what to bring. Dress is casual and comfortable. These trips are not strenuous expeditions and special clothing or gear is not needed to comfortably enjoy a Discovery voyage.
Prince William Sound's weather is a mild maritime climate, similar to that of Seattle. Temperatures from May through September range from 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit at sea level, and light rains are frequent. Variations occur in the ice filled fjord chambers like Barry Arm and Harriman Fjord, etc., locations visited on all Discovery voyages. Here air temperatures can be 10 to 15 degrees cooler close to the glaciers. You will want to experience the close-up views and sounds of these giant ice walls, so be prepared to enjoy the cooler air from the ship's outer deck.
Luggage
Soft packs or duffel bags: Soft packs stow easily in the shuttle van and on board the Discovery. Please limit luggage to necessary items only. Two medium sized bags (about 24" x 18" ) are preferable to one large bag.
Clothing
- Pants: A couple pairs of comfortable medium weight jeans, or chinos, etc. One pair of shorts, just in case!
- Shirts: A couple long sleeve medium weight shirts, some undershirts, sweatshirt(s), and or sweater(s) for the cool evenings and when near the glaciers.
- Warm Jacket: A hooded, windproof jacket works well for cool breezes.
- Long Underwear: One pair is a good idea for those cold glacial fjord visits.
- Socks: Sufficient for your needs plus one or two pair of medium to heavy weight for use with rubber boots.
- Shoes: Comfortable footwear that offers sure footing on the sometimes wet decks (sneakers or moccasins are fine). Hiking boots are not recommended.
- Hat: A warm knit hat for zodiac excursions and a brimmed hat (like a baseball cap) for rain protection.
- Gloves: A pair of any type of medium or lightweight gloves.
Outerwear
- Rain Gear:The Discovery provides raincoats & rain pants when necessary. You are welcome to bring your own if they are of good quality.
- Rubber Boots: For keeping feet dry during the shoreside zodiac excursions, the Discovery keeps a large variety of rubber boots on board for everyone's use.
Miscellaneous
- Small Daypack: or waistpack for bringing camera, waterbottle, etc. with you on dayhikes.
- Personal hygiene kit: Soap, shampoo, towels and a blowdryer are provided.
- Binoculars: The Discovery provides binoculars which generally remain on board. If you own a pair we urge you to bring them for shore excursions. If you are considering purchasing a pair for this trip, the small or medium size models are convenient and versatile.
- Cameras: Bring plenty of media storage and extra batteries. The Discovery provides 110 volt outlets for recharging batteries and computers.
- Fishing Gear: While Discovery Voyages emphasize the theme of natural history & photography, the longer voyages offer opportunities to fish for halibut, cod fish, rock fish, and lingcod. The Discovery provides all fishing gear and bait, however, all interested in fishing must purchase a sport fishing license prior to beginning to fish (a one day license is $20.00, a three day license costs $35.00, a one week license is $55.00). Fishing licenses are available for purchase onboard the Discovery.
- List of recommended reading: For visitors looking for information on Prince William Sound, Captain Dean Rand recommends contacting Kelly Waverling or Susan Ogle at Orca Books, P.O. Box 1308, Cordova, Alaska 99574 (phone 907 424 5305) or Titlewave Books in Anchorage www.wavebooks.com.
- Natural History of Prince William Sound, Alaska by Pete Mickelson
- Observers Guide to The Glaciers of Prince William Sound by Nancy Lethcoe
- Observers Guide to the Geology of Prince William Sound by Jim Lethcoe
- A History of Prince William Sound, Alaska by Jim & Nancy Lethcoe
- The Killer Whales of Prince William Sound by Craig Matkin
- Alaska's Prince William Sound by Marybeth Holleman
- A Guide to the Birds of Alaska by Robert Armstrong
- Field Guide to Alaska's Wildflowers by Verna Pratt
- Where The Sea Breaks It's Back by Corey Ford
- The Copper Spike by Lone E. Janson
Grade of Difficulty
Average agility is required to navigate the ship's narrow stairway leading to the sleeping quarters and restrooms in the lower deck, or to access the smaller inflatable boats for optional shoreside excursions. Trips to shore are customized to meet the desired physical activity level of the voyage and more specifically, the interests of the group. Some guests enjoy a hike with a physical challenge, some prefer easy walks along the shores, while others choose not to participate in the optional excursions and instead experience the Sound's spectacular beauty right from the walk-around deck or spacious lounge of the Discovery. By far, the most important qualifications are a positive attitude, a spirit of adventure, a sense of humor, and a willingness to try new and different experiences. For more information on specific activity levels of our Adventurer and Hike & Kayak voyages please contact our office at 800.324.7602.
Meals
Expect carefully prepared, home-cooked meals aboard the Discovery. Depending on the season, meals feature fresh local seafood such as Copper River King salmon, sockeye salmon and or halibut, oysters, shrimp, and rockfish. The tastefully prepared main courses are served with fresh quality vegetables, home made breads & rolls, soups, and fruit (organically grown ingredients are used whenever possible). Beverages include fine wines, a variety of quality beer, soda. With advance notice, we easily accommodate special dietary needs such as vegetarian, low fat, low sugar, and low salt meals. (Please note any special dietary needs on the Guest Information form).
Discovery Accommodations
The Discovery's traditional design maximizes use of the interior space. Sleeping quarters are practical, comfortable, and private. Each cabin has an upper and lower single berth, a small clothing closet, and a drawer for your personal belongings. Each of the two bathrooms located on the lower deck provide complete facilities including a hot shower and flush toilets. The entire vessel is heated. Electrical outlets are available at various locations throughout the ship.
Safety
Discovery Voyages spare no effort to assure safe travel; all crew members are trained in first aid and emergency procedures. The Discovery meets annual inspections by the U.S. Coast Guard for compliance with strict safety requirements. Each voyage begins with emergency procedure instruction. Discussion of shoreside excursions before embarking allow guests to assess the activity's grade of difficulty, and decide if it falls within their capabilities. However, outdoor activities of this nature are not entirely "risk free". Discovery Voyages cannot assume responsibility for injury to participants, damage to personal belongings or for expenses incurred if such might happen.
Fishing
Although not intended as a fishing trip, the Discovery offers interested guests a chance to try their luck fishing for halibut, cod, and rock fish. The only requirement is a nonresident sport fishing license which can be purchased on board upon arrival. A one day license is $20.00, a three day license is $35.00, a 7 day license is $55.00.* All equipment is provided.
*prices subject to change
Smoking
Smoking is NOT allowed on the Discovery except for the occasional cigar (in celebration) on the outside deck only. Thank you.
