What is a day in the life of a Global Explorer in Alaska like? If it’s a sunshiny day in Glacier Bay National Park, it starts early! While the sun is still rising, we pick up a special guest in Bartlett Cove: a National Park Service Ranger! On the bow in a brisk dawn, we begin a journey Up Bay, on the lookout for wildlife and fun. The day has yet to behold the wonders of pristine wilderness: rainforest, glacial fjords, mountain goats, brown bears, harbor seals, tidewater glaciers, and the joy of experiencing all with family and friends.
9/3/2022
Read
National Geographic Quest
Ushk Bay and Peril Strait
National Geographic Quest arose amidst light clouds within the protected waters of Ushk Bay. This area is known for a salmon stream and yields plenty of opportunity for kayaking and exploring the vast meadows of its inner waterways. On this day’s occasion, guests were able to hike and paddle their way along the coast of Ushk Bay and witness firsthand the life cycle of Pacific salmon making their way upstream. As we transited through Peril Strait, we were lucky to see humpback whales. These immense mammals were “lunge feeding” very near our ship. Being able to witness this event was unique for guests and staff. Lunge feeding is process through which individual whales push their gaping mouths through the surface and collect any fish or planktonic invertebrates in the process. Witnessing this behavior was truly a remarkable experience for all. We will cherish this moment for a lifetime.
