Regent Seven Seas Cruises announces new Alaska shore excursions in 2020

Regent Seven Seas Cruises announced a variety of new Alaska shore excursions for 2020 that the cruise line says offer an unprecedented collection of "authentic and immersive experiences."

Curated specifically for Regent guests, the cruise line’s new Inside Alaska | Luxury Goes Exploring® programming features exclusive engagements for guests to expand their Alaskan knowledge.

Destination Experts

• Destination experts sail on the entire voyage and, from the Bridge, narrate details about the surrounding landscapes, including commentary during the Hubbard Glacier visit. During the voyage they also offer presentations and lectures. Glean knowledge from Regent’s Alaskan Cultural Anthropologist Terry Breen (June 4—Aug. 5, 2020), who has sailed more than 450 Alaskan voyages since 1999, and her colleagues Geologist Steven Okulewiz (Aug. 5—Sept. 2), Marine Biologist David Plourd (Sept. 2—Sept. 9) and Geologist Gregory Wheeler (Sept. 9—Oct. 5). Guests who sail Alaska in 2020 aboard Seven Seas Mariner will receive a copy of Breen’s updated book, Cruiser’s Friendly Guide to Alaska’s Inside Passage.

Heritage And Culture Experts

• Lily Hope is a Juneau native and part of the Tlingit tribe, of the Raven moiety. An expert Tlingit weaver and teacher, Lily will inspire guests onboard with her personal story of connection to her art and heritage.
• Amelia Wilson is the vice mayor of Hoonah, Alaska — of both Tlingit and Irish heritage — and a proud advocate for her ancestry as the Executive Director for the Huna Heritage Foundation. Guests will learn from her knowledge and experience from the Huna Heritage Archives.
• Richard and Janice Jackson are experts in their Tongass Tlingit ancestries. Richard - President Emeritus of the Alaska Native Brotherhood -- and Janice -- Grand President of the Alaska Native Sisterhood -- share their insights and passion for the Tlingit tribe from their home base in Ketchikan.
• Steve Hites is a local Skagway entertainer with a gift for transporting his audience with his captivating tales and descriptive lyrics, all carried to his listeners with folk-style notes and tones of his six-string and harmonica.
• Bobby Reynolds, also known as the Great Baldini, is local Juneau favorite. His lyrical antics and musical medleys will entertain and delight and are the perfect pairing for crisp Alaskan craft beer or cocktail.

Iditarod And Nature Experts

An experienced, professional musher will come aboard Seven Seas Mariner in Skagway, bringing tales of the Iditarod to enlighten guests about the world’s most harrowing race. He’ll also bring along a good friend: one of his sled dogs.

• Alaska Raptor Center staff will come aboard with one of their Raptors in Residence to introduce to guests and provide insights about birds in the Last Frontier.

Alaskan Cuisine And Cocktails
Delectable Dishes

• A marvelous variety of quintessential Alaskan cuisine awaits, both on shore and on board. A Great American Salmon Bake & Barbeque is held on the Pool Deck of each voyage, and guests may enjoy their very own fresh catch from a shore excursion earlier in the day, perfectly prepared by Regent chefs.

Delightful Beverages

• Savor the craft brews of the renowned Alaskan Brewing Company like their Husky IPA, or indulge in a favorite cocktail, from an Alaskan Iced Tea to the Golden Rush.

Alaska Shoreside Excursions
Go Local Tours

The new Go Local Tours invite guests to engage in local experiences led by community residents. Guests will learn and savor some of the locals’ favorite spots to eat and explore the hidden gems of Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway and Sitka. Go Local Tours include:

• Walking Tour From a Local Perspective (Sitka) Learn about the local Sitka lifestyle by gaining a historical perspective of the town through its landmarks and arts. A local resident will share stories of the town’s history – how the Russians first gained a foothold in Alaska in 1804 by overpowering the indigenous Tlingits on a nearby battlefield that is now Sitka National Historical Park. Once known as the “Paris of the Pacific,” Sitka claims to have had the first opera house, performing arts theater and grand piano on North America’s west coast. Guests will visit Sheldon Jackson Museum to watch local artists painting, sculpting and weaving.
• A Look Into A Local’s Past (Skagway) Delve into Skagway’s past by hearing tales of the notorious early Gold Rush settlers, visiting their gravesites and discussing the town’s history. Walk the National Historic District to see homes and businesses of some of the earliest locals, whose reputations have long outlived them. Most of these characters are buried in the Gold Rush Cemetery. Then enjoy a local microbrewery in town to enjoy a selection of beers with ingredients sourced nearby.
• Behind the Scenes With A Local (Juneau) See Juneau’s historical landmarks on a revealing drive and then explore the culinary scene in a hands-on cooking class and by sampling locally brewed beers at a pub. At Chez Alaska Cooking School, join a chef for a hands-on cooking class to prepare authentic Alaskan dishes. As the dishes are being cooked, the chef will describe the culinary scene in Juneau, which is surprisingly sophisticated. Dine on the dishes prepared toward the end of class for a firsthand perspective of Alaska’s extraordinary cuisine.
• Native Tlingit Walking Tour (Ketchikan) Join a local guide of indigenous Tlingit descent for an enlightening walk through Ketchikan, learning about the city’s history and how the indigenous people have adapted to the changes. The guide will share how Ketchikan has changed during his lifetime and how the Tlingits have remained true to their culture. Then visit Cape Fox Lodge, a Tlingit-owned hotel, to sample a selection of tribal dishes. Delicacies usually include smoked salmon, reindeer sausage, fried bread and blueberry jam.
• Wrangell Through The Eyes of a Local (Wrangell) Get an enlightening look into local life by following a guide in and around Wrangell and learning how the residents spend their time. The Tlingit people were the first inhabitants of the area and their influence still shapes the community. Tlingit traditions especially come alive in the totems and tribal houses around town, including a visit Petroglyph Beach to see ancient rock carvings.

Club Mariner® Youth Program Excursions

Youth ages 7 to 17 can participate in excursions especially designed for Club Mariner® Youth Program participants on outings in Ketchikan, Juneau, Sitka and Icy Strait Point, accompanied by Club Mariner counselors. Excursions include:

• Raptor Center and Sheldon Jackson Museum Walking Tour (Sitka) Guests will watch injured birds of prey such as bald eagles being rehabilitated at a raptor center, walk the meandering trails in Tongass National Forest and learn about the ecosystem, and browse the artwork, totem poles and other artifacts in the Sheldon Jackson Museum.
• Salmon Hatchery and Juneau City Tour (Juneau) Guests will see millions of salmon at an enormous hatchery and learn about their lifecycles, enjoy an introductory drive through Juneau as the guide describes its early history, and pass attractions such as the bustling waterfront.
• Totem Traditions and Potlatch Park (Ketchikan) Guests will see dozens of totem poles in Ketchikan’s two sister parks, discover the symbolism behind the images on the totem poles, watch artisans hand-carve new totem poles, and become familiar with Ketchikan’s gold rush history.
• Campfire and Tribal Dance (Icy Strait) Guests will watch a traditional tribal performance that reflects the fascinating history of the Tlingit people as a prelude to a seafood feast or campfire lunch.

All Regent Alaska voyages in 2020 are aboard the elegant, all-suite, all-balcony Seven Seas Mariner, a spacious and intimate ship refurbished in 2018 with 445 crew members taking extraordinary care of 700 guests.