It seems almost everyone I know has been on a cruise to Alaska. Everyone, that is, except me. Some to witness the gigantic glacial calving in Glacier Bay and some to view the remarkable wildlife that abounds — from whales, orcas, dolphins, Steller sea lions, seals and sea otters to bald eagles, tufted puffins, pigeon guillemots, ravens (culturally significant) and even hummingbirds; on land there’s bear, Dall sheep, Sitka black-tailed deer and five different types of salmon in the waters: chinook, Coho, sockeye, pink and chum.

The trouble is, if you are on a large ship, those wildlife sightings might be minimal. And you can get only so close to the glaciers when you are on a big ship. Somehow, it’s just not as intimate. So what is the solution for this bucket list adventure of a lifetime? Without a doubt, it’s choosing to cruise Southeast Alaska by small ship.

As there are many small-ship cruises to choose from, I wanted to make sure I picked the right one for me. AdventureSmith Explorations helped determine just the right excursion. It is an award-winning Alaska small-ship cruise specialist, with industry experts who focus on guided small-group nature tours and custom travel for individuals, couples, families and even small business groups. Besides its firsthand knowledge of small-ship inventory and commitment to sustainable practices, its prices are unbeatable.

Todd Smith, founder and president, AdventureSmith Explorations, suggests travelers first consider how active they want to be, since the level of activity as well as desired length of the trip best determines cruise matches. Once you figure out whether you want active expeditions, soft adventures, easy exploration or positioning cruises, then you consider the level of comfort and amenities you want that best fits your budget and travel style.

AdventureSmith booked me on the 74-passenger Chichagof Dream of Alaskan Dream Cruises. The largest of its small, expedition-style ships debuted with the 2016 sailing season. At a length of 207 feet, its cruising speed is 8 knots. The four-deck ship features expansive viewing areas on the bow and aft promenade decks as well as large panoramic windows in many of the cabins that overlook directly on the water. In particular, the lounge features forward-facing windows that extend from the deck to the ceiling to maximize stupendous sightseeing and wildlife viewing.

I was not expecting the high caliber of dining on board and was pleasantly surprised with entrées such as halibut, salmon and scallops. A complimentary glass of white or red wine accompanied the meal, another unexpected pleasure. Shipboard baker Lamech delivered dough delights and daily homemade breads like rosemary focaccia, rolls and baked goodies including afternoon cookies and desserts. Few people could resist the daily cookie ingredient ranging from butterscotch, chocolate chip, cranberries and white chocolate to coconut, oatmeal and even vegan. The all-you-can-eat king crab feast at Orca Point Lodge was a definite highlight.

Chicagof Dream guests are treated to a special Himalayan salt therapy room on the ship. Designed to hold up to six people comfortably, the lighted spa room consists of four walls and a floor of Himalayan salt. Known for holistic, natural healing qualities, the salt room supposedly calms the spirit and improves respiratory conditions as you breathe the negative ion-rich salt air generated by the salt crystals.

Resident experts included an expedition leader and cultural heritage guide who provided nature and cultural enrichment briefings on the ship as well as narrated walks on shore. Excursions were of two types: nature stops that included kayaking, hiking and wildlife viewing and town stops that included historical walks, cultural performances and demos and architectural heritage. Demaree inflatable boats took us close to glaciers, waterfalls and wildlife — and even ashore in shallow ports.

During our eight-day exploration of Alaska’s Inside Passage, we traveled through an archipelago of mountainous islands and secluded, ice-strewn inlets, coastal fjords and ancient glaciers. Coastal temperate rainforests of Sitka spruce and western hemlock stood as silent sentries guarding glacier-fed waters.

We experienced the raw Alaskan beauty of Saginaw Bay, Frederick Sound, Tracy Arm Fjord and Glacier Bay National Park. We also experienced the multicultural heritage of Alaska, from Russian-founded Sitka and the Norwegian fishing town of Petersburg to a carving demonstration and native dancing by the Tlingit — original inhabitants of the southeastern coast and coastal islands of Alaska. We also viewed the world’s tallest totem pole in the native village of Kake.

The up-close-and-personal feel of small-ship cruising provided an intimate opportunity for an Alaskan bucket list adventure of a lifetime. However, it does take some advance planning if you don’t want to be disappointed. According to Smith, “Small-ship cruises to Alaska are limited, the season is short, vessels are small and spaces fill up fast. The most popular Alaska small-ship cruises are often sold out six to nine months in advance. For the best selection of Alaska cruises and available cabins, advance reservations are encouraged, and often required.”

AdventureSmith Explorations

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