Alaska is one of our favorite cruise destinations. Most cruise lines offer at least one ship sailing this region during the summer months. So, we were intrigued when the small ship cruise line, American Queen Voyages, announced it would be cruising to Alaska this year with a brand new expedition vessel. American Queen Voyages, known for its U.S. River Cruises and Lakes & Ocean Cruises, just debuted the Ocean Victory expedition ship sailing from Vancouver, BC to Sitka, AK this summer. Now, we are back from a 3-day preview sailing and want to share our first impressions of American Queen Voyages Ocean Victory with you.
Disclaimer: We were guests of American Queen Voyages on this sailing; however, as always, all opinions in this post are our own.
First Impressions: American Queen Voyages Ocean Victory
It was on a hike in Glacier Bay National Park that American Queen Voyages’ Founder and Chairman, John Waggoner, had an aha moment. After witnessing a major cruise line enter and exit these protected waters, he thought there had to be a better way to cruise to Alaska.
Flash forward to four years later, this small ship cruise line has launched its first expedition ship, Ocean Victory. According to Mr. Waggoner, this new vessel allows cruisers to “get up close and personal” with the Alaskan wilderness.
Recalling the decision to launch an Alaska expedition cruise, Mr. Waggoner realized that “it was the perfect time for us to get to Alaska and do it right, and do it differently than anyone else would”.
Thus, this brand-new ship includes elements of a modern research vessel with the amenities of a first-class ocean cruise ship.
The Best of Both Worlds
We have sailed to Alaska a few times now on the contemporary cruise lines, yet we have shied away from smaller, more adventure brands that sail way up north. As traditional cruisers, we were not sure if we could survive without all of the amenities found on these modern day mega-ships.
Then, there comes Ocean Victory. This new expedition ship features equipment and enrichment programming rivaling the biggest names in adventure travel. Yet, cruisers can still find many of the comforts they have come to love about cruising.
For instance, there is an elegant main dining room featuring an exquisite four course dinner each evening. In addition, the ship features a trendy pool deck and modern staterooms.
Likewise, American Queen Voyages provides a more all-inclusive pricing model making it a great value. For example, the base fare includes a pre-cruise hotel stay and all transfers. Not to mention, it also includes onboard WiFi, all dining, all beverages, and many tours and excursions.
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It’s Not a Trip, It’s an Expedition
In order to provide more in-depth exploration, American Queen Voyages’ Ocean Victory offers 12 and 13-day one-way expeditions instead of your typical 7-day roundtrip routes.
Similar to other cruise lines, Ocean Victory has “excursion days” during stops at popular ports like Ketchikan. During these days ashore, cruisers can enjoy organized tours and guided explorations to gain a better understanding of the history and culture of the area.
In addition, cruisers can book premium tour options, like floatplane tours, for added costs.
Beyond these ports of call, Ocean Victory also offers several “expedition days”. During these days, cruisers can join the trained expedition team members on outings right from the ship.
First, there are military grade zodiacs offering wildlife sightseeing and other adventures. Here, cruisers can glide along the Inside Passage in search of sea lions, river otters, harbor seals, and of course, whales, bears, and eagles.
Further, the expedition team leads guided kayak tours for a more active experience. With over 20 kayaks onboard, cruisers can get up-close and personal with wildlife, minus the engines.
The best part is that all cruisers have the ability to participate in these expedition activities for no additional charge. During the cruise, cabins are assigned a “spirit animal” which provides each small group a schedule with specific times for these activities.
Come Back Transformed
In addition to these active adventures, there are plenty of onboard enrichment opportunities to give cruisers firsthand experiences that are authentically Alaskan as well.
In partnership with the Sound Science Research Collective and California Polytechnic State University, American Queen Voyages Ocean Victory is an active research lab. Further, guests play a vital role in data collection.
Cruisers can attend workshops and participate in whale tracking through fluke identification. They can also learn about ongoing projects from the scientists actively conducting the research.
Along with being research assistants, cruisers can learn more about various topics from daily onboard lectures led by research partners, as well as the expedition team. From animal communication to top predators, these talks are engaging and informative.
The Expedition Lecture Room on Deck 5 is the perfect spot for these edutainment activities. The venue is large enough that all cruisers can enjoy the daily presentations in comfort. With digital screens lining the forward wall, this intimate space is a high-tech classroom at sea.
It doesn’t hurt that the cruise line’s expedition staff are a knowledgeable and eclectic mix. These team members quickly become part of your journey. They are encouraged to mingle and get guests engaged.
At dinner, a zodiac captain might just join your table to tell you about her life experience or ask about your travels. This sense of camaraderie truly sets American Queen Voyages apart.
It’s Still a Cruise
“As a marine biologist, as a fisherman, as a naturalist myself, I was always intrigued with Alaska.” said Mr. Waggoner. So, these expeditions needed to be “science-based”, but ensure guests are comfortable.
Thus, alongside microscopes in the Observation Lounge on Deck 8, there are lavish finishes and excellent service that you would expect from a premium cruise line. This top-deck space also provides amazing forward-facing views. Whether you want to head outside on the viewing deck or enjoy the vistas from the warmth of the lounge, this is a great place to enjoy the sail into your next scenic destination.
The Deck 7 pool area features an infinity pool, two aft whirlpools, and comfy loungers. While it wasn’t warm enough for us to utilize these amenities, we can imagine this outdoor space would be perfect for enjoying a sunny sea day.
Dining on American Queen Voyages Ocean Victory did not disappoint either.
During our sailing, the main dining room was open for breakfast and lunch as a buffet. At night, the venue showcased a regionally-inspired rotational menu. These four-course meals were coupled with excellent and personalized service. Plus, there are several “Always Available” selections, like grilled lobster tail.
Our stateroom, cabin 417, was modern and clean. This spacious balcony cabin had plenty of storage for those longer voyages. Also, there was a true balcony that let us admire the landscape from the comforts of our room. This is a far cry from some of the other retrofitted “research vessels” that cruise the region.
Discovery Runs Deep
As Mr. Waggoner concluded, “We tick off all the boxes: adventure up close, science onboard, continuing education, great food, great staff, [and] nice staterooms”.
Spending three days onboard, we were only able to get a taste of what American Queen Voyages’ Ocean Victory promises to offer guests. Still, we can agree that the ship does offer a great option for an Alaskan cruise.
The ship combines the best of both worlds, making it one-of-a-kind in a crowded cruise space.
So, whether you have never been to Alaska, or have cruised there in the past on a larger ship, American Queen Voyages is ready to show you something completely different.
Just make sure you are ready for the adventure!
Comments
Did you find our first impressions of American Queen Voyages Ocean Victory helpful? Would you enjoy cruising on an expedition vessel? Drop us an anchor below to share your experiences sailing with the newly rebranded American Queen Voyages.
On the inaugural cruise now. Still some kinks to be worked out, but they have not impacted the enjoyment. Not your typical cruise for sure. None of the “fun and games” and entertainment of the large ships. Lots of science and nature things to see and do. Kayaks and zodiacs available 3 times during trip. They even supplied rain gear for us. Binoculars are everywhere for our use, even a class on getting the most from them. A bit bumpy a couple of nights, maybe not as bad as large ship, but we also went into bays the large ships can’t. Trade offs. Well worth it, just know what kind of cruise you are signing up for.