Alaska's Icy Strait Point offers an array of shore excursions. Alaska's newest destination will allow cruise passengers to choose from a selection of recreational, educational and cultural tours and activities (March 30, 2004)

Alaska's Icy Strait Point offers an array of shore excursions. Alaska's newest destination will allow cruise passengers to choose from a selection of recreational, educational and cultural tours and activities
When Royal Caribbean International's Vision of the Seas and Celebrity Cruise Line's Summit and Mercury call at Icy Strait Point (www.icystraitpoint.com) beginning May 11, passengers will find they won't need to travel far to experience the real Alaska.

Located just 22 miles from Glacier Bay National Park and surrounded by beach and nature trails, Alaska's first purpose-built cruise destination offers a variety of wildlife tours and walk-around activities just minutes from the port's center of activity -- the Hoonah Packing Company Cannery.

"Many Alaskan ports require passengers to travel hours to participate in shore excursions," said Michael Greve, president of Global Destinations Development, the company marketing Icy Strait Point. "But here, the ultimate Alaskan wilderness experience is so close to port that as soon as guests disembark they can join whatever adventure they choose."

Visitors planning to join a shore excursion or explore the port on their own begin at Icy Strait Point's excursion lounge inside the Hoonah Packing Company Cannery. Refurbished on its original site, the 1930s-era fish cannery houses a museum, food and beverage service, and shops selling native and regional crafts.

Icy Strait Point offers land, water and air tours, educational and recreational activities. The following excursions, activities and attractions are planned for the 2004 Alaska cruise season.

LAND EXCURSIONS

Remote Bush Exploration & Brown Bear Search
A motorcoach trip through the tiny town of Hoonah leads to the remote bush area of the Spasski River Valley in search of brown bears, other animals and plants, and points of interest. A local guide will provide historical details of Hoonah as well as information on the culture and history of the Huna Tlingits, the flora, the fauna and the logging industry.
A short hike on gravel and boardwalk-lined paths through muskeg leads to specially designed viewing platforms where sightings of deer, otter, waterfowl, salmon, bald eagles and brown (grizzly) bears are common. (Duration: 2 to 2.5 hours)

Bike Excursion & Hoonah Sightseeing
Departing from Icy Strait Point, this scenic bike ride winds through the tiny fishing town of Hoonah. The four-mile ride includes stops at a local cemetery, the Alaska Marine Ferry terminal and downtown Hoonah. A stop at the boat harbor offers a glimpse of a variety of fishing, work and pleasure craft used in the waters of Icy Strait. (Duration: 2.5 to 3 hours)

Bus Excursion & Sightseeing in Hoonah
This excursion through the tiny coastal village of Hoonah, a town of 860 people, is highlighted by a local guide who relates the history and culture of the Huna Tlingits, and the unique way of life of the residents of the island. Once in the old-growth forest that envelopes the island it is time to learn about the heavy brown (grizzly) bear population and Sitka black tail deer that inhabit Chichagof Island. (Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours)

Salmon Bake
Situated at water's edge, Hoonah Packing Company Cannery is the site of this gastronomic adventure. The pristine waters of Icy Strait and the Chilkat mountain range provide the perfect panoramic scenery for this secluded location for a mouth-watering salmon feast on the coastal shoreline of a wilderness beach. The meal includes 1/3 pound of salmon with a choice of two sauces, crunchy blue cheese coleslaw, three-cheese au gratin potatoes and corn on the cob, and a choice of hot and cold beverages. (Duration: At your leisure

Forest & Nature Tram Excursion
This intimate tour of the Southeast Alaska Rain Forest departs from Icy Strait Point. The covered tram meanders leisurely through the enchanting old-growth forest with its diversity of new growth, flowers, blow-downs and a variety of flora and fauna set against the backdrop of the nearby shore of Icy Strait. Sightings of Sitka black tail deer and brown (grizzly) bears that inhabit this island are common. (Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours)

OCEAN & AIR EXCURSIONS

Saltwater Salmon Charter Fishing
After a brief safety orientation, a U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain will motor for the salmon-rich waters of Southeast Alaska. Within minutes, participants will be fishing in the pristine waters of Icy Strait with the panoramic background of the Chilkat mountain range. Sightings of whales, sea otter, sea lions, porpoise and seals are common. For an additional charge, your catch can be custom-packed and shipped to your home. (Duration: 3.5 to 4 hours)

Whales & Marine Mammals Cruise
This sightseeing boat leaves Icy Strait Point then cruises along the coast north through the waters of Icy Strait past astonishing scenery of Point Adolphus. An on-board naturalist describes the diverse marine life that migrates to the waters of Icy Strait each summer to feed. Wildlife that may be seen includes humpback and orca (killer) whales, stellar sea lions, harbor seals, Dall porpoise, bald eagles and other waterfowl. (Duration: 3 to 3.5 hours)

Flight-Seeing Over Glacier Bay
A short plane ride away are the wonders of world-famous Glacier Bay
National Park, one of Alaska's geological treasures. Glacier Bay offers a bird's eye view of glaciers calving into the icy waters of the bay, the tour includes views of the towering glacial fields of the Fairweather and St. Elias mountain ranges and the lush rainforest.

NATIVE CULTURE & HISTORY EXCURSIONS

Cannery Historical Tour & Museum
Step back in time to 1912 as you begin your first day on the job at the Hoonah Packing Company Cannery as a new employee. The line forms to the left where you pick up your standard fish cutter apron. Your walking tour of this historic cannery begins as you clock in and proceed to orientation where you will learn about every step in the process of the canning line. (Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours)

Native Tlingit "Journey Through Time" Trail
This guided interpretive walking tour is led by a native Huna Tlingit on a "Journey Through Time." Learn the story of a people's survival and success in an environment that is at once harsh and wild, yet bountiful and beautiful. The trail takes you along the edge of a lake where you will view multiple displays that illustrate the many ways the Huna Tlingit learned to live and thrive in this magnificent land. Your final stop will be in the "living" museum where rarely seen native Tlingit artifacts are on display. (Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours)

Native Heritage Center Theater and Tlingit Dancers
At the Native Heritage Center Theater local Huna Tlingit Dancers perform in their colorful full regalia as they reveal their history through interpretive song, dance and storytelling. (Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours)

(Source: Global Destinations Development, LLC)