Discovery Journeys, also operating as Alaska Charters, has run small ship cruises and private yacht charters in Southeast Alaska since 1981, making it one of the very first companies to offer this style of intimate boat cruising in the region. Family-owned and operated for more than 40 years, the business continues to share its love of Alaska’s wild landscapes and abundant wildlife aboard the MV Discovery, a spacious, comfortable charter yacht carrying just 6 to 12 guests.
Every 7-night, 8-day cruise combines whale watching and wildlife viewing with some of the most magnificent fjords and glaciers of Alaska’s Inside Passage. Guests can walk through a rainforest, watch brown bears feeding on spawning salmon, see glaciers calve, and spot bald eagles soaring overhead, with itineraries built around the seasonal movement of wildlife through the Tongass National Forest. Trips never cruise at night, keeping the experience relaxed and giving guests uninterrupted sleep between full days of adventure.
Activities included on every trip span whale watching, bear viewing, fjords and glaciers, hiking, kayaking, and fishing, all led by Captain Ben and a small crew whose fun-loving nature and deep passion for Alaska consistently comes through in guest reviews. Onboard, a dedicated chef and crew handle every detail, from spot-on fishing and crabbing sites to fresh, generous meals after a full day on the water. Routes include the Alaska Inside Passage between Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan, along with a Canadian Inside Passage route running from Seattle and the San Juan Islands through northern British Columbia’s remote Fjordland region to Ketchikan.
Pricing starts at $7,495 for the Alaska Inside Passage cruise and $7,995 for the Canadian Inside Passage route. Discovery Journeys operates under special use permits issued by the U.S. Forest Service, and the majority of bookings come from returning guests or word of mouth, a reflection of just how memorable these trips tend to be.
For anyone looking for an intimate, small-ship cruise through Alaska’s Inside Passage with a focus on wildlife, glaciers, and genuine hospitality, Classic Yacht Charters – MV Discovery offers a well-established, family-run operation with more than four decades of experience.
