A Journey from Alaska’s Wild Frontiers to Japan’s Northern Shores

The A Journey from Alaska’s Wild Frontiers to Japan’s Northern Shores is a 26-night Asia cruise aboard EXPLORA III, operated by Explora Journeys. Departing Vancouver, Canada on August 31, 2028, the voyage visits 13 ports. Fares start from $15,100 per person.

Length: 26 nights
Departs: Aug 31, 2028
Returns: Sep 26, 2028
Ports of call: 13
Days at sea: 12

Itinerary

Day 7 Sep 6, 2028 Sitka 09:00 – 18:00 9.0 hrs ashore Sitka began as a major Tlingit Indian village and was called “Shee Atika,” which translates roughly as “settlement on the outside of Shee.” “Shee” is the Tlingit name of Baranof Island. In 1799, Alexander Baranof, the general manager of the Russian American Company, decided to move his base of operations from Kodiak and set up camp at what is now called Old Sitka, 7.5 miles north of the present-day town. He called the settlement St. Archangel Michael. The Tlingit Indians of the area resisted the occupation and, in 1802, with Baranof away, burned the fort and massacred the Russian settlers. Two years later, Baranof returned and besieged the Indian fort. The Tlingits withdrew and the area was once again in Russian hands. This time, the Russians built the new city on a different site and called it New Archangel. For over six decades, New Archangel was the capital of the Russian empire in Alaska. By 1867, the Alaska colony had become too much of a financial burden to Russia. William Seward, U.S. Secretary of State, negotiated with the Russian Czar to purchase the Territory of Alaska for $7.2 million. The American press scoffed at Seward and the U.S. government for purchasing what they called “Seward's Folly,” “Seward's Icebox,” and “Walrussia.” On October 18, 1867, the Russian flag was lowered at New Archangel and the Stars and Stripes were raised over newly renamed Sitka. The name comes from the Tlingit word “Sheetkah,” which means “in this place.” All Russian citizens living in the former colony were given the opportunity to become American citizens. Many went home, although a few stayed or migrated to California. Sitka remained the capital of the Territory of Alaska from 1867 to 1906, when it was moved to Juneau. The move was a direct result of the gold rush. In plain terms, Sitka did not have any and Juneau did. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Sitka became a full-scale naval base. At one time during the war, Sitka had a total population of 37,000. With the end of World War II, however, the city settled into a quieter existence. The biggest boom in modern days for Sitka came in 1959 when the Alaska Lumber and Pulp Company built a pulp mill at Silver Bay, near the city. Today, picturesque Sitka is known for its fishing and of course its many historic attractions. Sitka port guide Search cruises visiting Sitka

Sitka photo — Day 7 Sep 6, 2028 Sitka 09:00 – 18:00 9.0 hrs ashore Sitka began as a major Tlingit Indian village and was called “Shee Atika,” which translates roughly as “settlement on the outside of Shee.” “Shee” is the Tlingit name of Baranof Island. In 1799, Alexander Baranof, the general manager of the Russian American Company, decided to move his base of operations from Kodiak and set up camp at what is now called Old Sitka, 7.5 miles north of the present-day town. He called the settlement St. Archangel Michael. The Tlingit Indians of the area resisted the occupation and, in 1802, with Baranof away, burned the fort and massacred the Russian settlers. Two years later, Baranof returned and besieged the Indian fort. The Tlingits withdrew and the area was once again in Russian hands. This time, the Russians built the new city on a different site and called it New Archangel. For over six decades, New Archangel was the capital of the Russian empire in Alaska. By 1867, the Alaska colony had become too much of a financial burden to Russia. William Seward, U.S. Secretary of State, negotiated with the Russian Czar to purchase the Territory of Alaska for $7.2 million. The American press scoffed at Seward and the U.S. government for purchasing what they called “Seward's Folly,” “Seward's Icebox,” and “Walrussia.” On October 18, 1867, the Russian flag was lowered at New Archangel and the Stars and Stripes were raised over newly renamed Sitka. The name comes from the Tlingit word “Sheetkah,” which means “in this place.” All Russian citizens living in the former colony were given the opportunity to become American citizens. Many went home, although a few stayed or migrated to California. Sitka remained the capital of the Territory of Alaska from 1867 to 1906, when it was moved to Juneau. The move was a direct result of the gold rush. In plain terms, Sitka did not have any and Juneau did. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Sitka became a full-scale naval base. At one time during the war, Sitka had a total population of 37,000. With the end of World War II, however, the city settled into a quieter existence. The biggest boom in modern days for Sitka came in 1959 when the Alaska Lumber and Pulp Company built a pulp mill at Silver Bay, near the city. Today, picturesque Sitka is known for its fishing and of course its many historic attractions. Sitka port guide Search cruises visiting Sitka

Pricing

Lowest fare we've tracked over the observed 40-day span: $15,100 · range $15,100–$21,860

Current prices

Per person · 2 guests · incl. taxes & fees

Inside

Not available

Oceanview

Not available

Balcony

Not available

Suite

from $15,100

$580 / night

Fare rows

Ocean Terrace Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $15,100

$580 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean Terrace Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $15,750

$605 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean Terrace Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $16,550

$636 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean Terrace Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $17,500

$673 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean Grand Terrace Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $18,400

$707 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Penthouse

Cabin grade

Available

from $20,350

$782 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Deluxe Penthouse

Cabin grade

Available

from $21,150

$813 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Premier Penthouse

Cabin grade

Available

from $21,850

$840 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Grand Penthouse

Cabin grade

Available

from $25,650

$986 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Cove Residence

Cabin grade

Available

from $28,650

$1,101 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Cove Residence with Whirpool

Cabin grade

Available

from $30,200

$1,161 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Retreat Residence

Cabin grade

Available

from $33,950

$1,305 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Serenity Residence

Cabin grade

Available

from $60,400

$2,323 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Cocoon Residence

Cabin grade

Available

from $67,950

$2,613 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Owner's Residence

Cabin grade

Available

from $151,100

$5,811 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Owner's Residence

Cabin grade

Available

from $166,200

$6,392 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Prices verified Jun 30, 2026

Prices come from third-party data feeds via Explora Journeys and may differ from the cruise line's current fare. Confirm the final price before booking. How our pricing works

Show all 17 cabin grades

Cabin grades and pricing
Name	Supplier code	Type
Serenity Residence		Suite
Cove Residence	CO1	Suite
Cove Residence with Whirpool	COJ	Suite
Cocoon Residence	CR	Suite
Deluxe Penthouse	DP	Suite
Grand Penthouse	GP	Suite
Ocean Grand Terrace Suite	GT	Suite
Owner's Residence	OR1	Suite
Owner's Residence	OR2	Suite
Ocean Terrace Suite	OT1	Suite
Ocean Terrace Suite	OT2	Suite
Ocean Terrace Suite	OT3	Suite
Ocean Terrace Suite	OT4	Suite
Penthouse	PH	Suite
Premier Penthouse	PP	Suite
Retreat Residence	RR	Suite
Serenity Residence	SR	Suite

Ship

Your ship EXPLORA III 5★ **63,900** GT **892** guests EXPLORA III is the first LNG-powered ship in our fleet, underscoring our commitment to decarbonising marine operations. This innovation has the potential to reduce well-to-wake greenhouse gas emission by over 80%, significantly lowering our environmental impact. A sanctuary of unparalleled comfort and space, EXPLORA III embodies effortless elegance, evoking the feeling of being aboard a private yacht EXPLORA III ship guide Search cruises on EXPLORA III

A Journey from Alaska’s Wild Frontiers to Japan’s Northern Shores

Itinerary

Pricing

Current prices

Inside

Oceanview

Balcony

Suite

Price history

Ship

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