Aboard the most luxurious yachts on the west coast, M/Y Kayana & MY Katania allow you to see Alaska the way you always dreamed of. With up to 12 guests aboard the Kayana and  6 aboard Katania accommodated in luxurious suites, pampered by an attentive staff, your private yacht charter includes everything from start to finish, allowing you to relax and immerse yourself in the true beauty of Alaska. After leaving the large cruise ships far behind, you travel a historic route between two famous capitals; Juneau and Sitka. Born out of the gold rush era, today Juneau is Alaska’s capital while Sitka, was once the capital of all Russian America! In this magnificent maritime world you quickly feel at home amidst the sea lions, whales and eagles. With so much to explore and so much to see, Alaska’s long summer days help you maximise every minute of your private cruise. Few experiences can beat exploring these Alaskan waters where, with your friends and a Captain who knows every fjord, hot spring or tiny coastal community, the journey becomes like a magic carpet ride, getting better every day. The ability to travel on your schedule, enjoy fabulous meals when you want them plus a well stocked bar and enviable wine list – makes life on the last frontier look very comfortable. The combination of frequent wildlife sightings, panoramic vistas of sweeping glaciers, blue fjords and mountain peaks are constant reminders you are living the Alaska dream.

Sample itinerary for a typical cruise duration of 7 days:

Day 1: Embark Juneau – Cruise to Tracy Arm
Day 2: Tracy Arm – Admiralty Island
Day 3: Gambier Bay, Admiralty Island – Brothers Island – Pybus Bay, Admiralty Island
Day 4: Pybus Bay -  Deep Cove, Baranof Island
Day 5: Deep Cove, Baranof Island – Warm Springs – Takatz Bay, Baranof Island
Day 6: Takatz Bay, Baranof Island – Kalinin Bay, Kruzof Island
Day 7: Kalinin Bay, Kruzof Island – Sitka, Baranof Island. Disembarkation

Juneau to Sitka, our trip aboard M/Y Katania;

We loved the surprises the captain would spring on us, like coming around a rocky island in early morning and awaken to the sights and sounds of sea lions up close! Or visiting a tiny port, where local people made you feel welcome and had time to talk, that’s when we discovered this was the real Alaska; something impossible on the big cruise ships. Evenings were always a special time to look forward to; usually before dinner we would anchor in a sheltered bay and try fishing or hiking along the shoreline, with luck we might spot a bear. Then returning to the ship we caught the exciting aroma from the galley as the chef prepared dinner and cooking smells drifted over the still water! Back on board and in the bar it was that first cool drink that all Alaska explorers like to enjoy. Fishing was good. The captain and crew were the best, good fun and good company. After the cruise our friends decided to stay longer and explored more of Alaska’s highlights from Anchorage.

Logistics: from Seattle or Anchorage convenient air connections link Juneau and Sitka, making arrival and departures easily arranged. Ask about private air charter options, hotel accommodation and the opportunities to extend your Alaska visit.