National Geographic Resolution is a next-generation expedition ship, purpose-built for polar navigation. A twin to the first polar newbuild, National Geographic Endurance, she is a fully stabilized, highly strengthened, ice-class Polar Class 5 (PC5) vessel, it is designed to navigate polar passages year-round, and safely explore uncharted waters, while providing exceptional comfort. Its patented X-BOW® is key to its design; its powerful wave-slicing action provides an extremely smooth ride in even adverse conditions, and even reduces spray on deck, for superior observation. She carries a full suite of expedition tools and offers a variety of experience-enhancing amenities.
Day 1 Anchorage
Located at the upper end of Cook Inlet in the Gulf of Alaska, Anchorage is Alaska's largest community. This popular tourist destination and crossroads for global air travel is only minutes away from the recreational areas bordering the Gulf of Alaska.
Day 1 Nome
"There's No Place Like Nome!" Nome, Alaska is most known for being the finish line for the annual Iditarod Race, where dogs and mushers travel 1,049 miles from Anchorage. End of the Trail activities are usually held all month long in March. The list of things to do is a mile long in Nome, including exploring the local wilderness, taking a dog sled ride, Russia is 1 hour away by plane, watch Native dancers, and even have lunch with the Elders at the local Senior Center.
Day 2 Pribilof Islands
St. Paul and St. George's Islands are the two major islands in the Pribilof archipelago and are considered Alaska's most unique and remote Aleut communities. More than 220 species of bird have been identified on the islands, including puffins, auklets, murres and rare red-legged kittiwakes. When visiting, grab your bird book and binoculars!
Day 3 Pribilof Islands
St. Paul and St. George's Islands are the two major islands in the Pribilof archipelago and are considered Alaska's most unique and remote Aleut communities. More than 220 species of bird have been identified on the islands, including puffins, auklets, murres and rare red-legged kittiwakes. When visiting, grab your bird book and binoculars!
Day 4 Baby Islands
Day 4 Dutch Harbor
Dutch Harbour is a port in the Aleutian Islands. Geologically, the archipelago is a continuation of the Aleutian Range, which is on the Alaskan mainland, and contains a number of volcanic peaks. Few trees, all of stunted growth, are found, but grasses grow in abundance. Although a few good harbours are found in the archipelago, navigation is dangerous because of almost perpetual fog and numerous reefs.
Day 5 Aleutian Islands
The Aleutian Islands are the tops of submerged mountains belonging to a range stretching more than 1,100 miles into the Pacific Ocean from the Alaska mainland. Volcanic peaks, hidden valleys, and pebbled beaches invite explorers. Whales, sea lions, seals, and sea otters are a common sight on wildlife tours, as well as eagles, the rare whiskered auklet and the ancient murrelet.
Day 6 Aleutian Islands
The Aleutian Islands are the tops of submerged mountains belonging to a range stretching more than 1,100 miles into the Pacific Ocean from the Alaska mainland. Volcanic peaks, hidden valleys, and pebbled beaches invite explorers. Whales, sea lions, seals, and sea otters are a common sight on wildlife tours, as well as eagles, the rare whiskered auklet and the ancient murrelet.
Day 7 Aleutian Islands
The Aleutian Islands are the tops of submerged mountains belonging to a range stretching more than 1,100 miles into the Pacific Ocean from the Alaska mainland. Volcanic peaks, hidden valleys, and pebbled beaches invite explorers. Whales, sea lions, seals, and sea otters are a common sight on wildlife tours, as well as eagles, the rare whiskered auklet and the ancient murrelet.
Day 8 Aleutian Islands
The Aleutian Islands are the tops of submerged mountains belonging to a range stretching more than 1,100 miles into the Pacific Ocean from the Alaska mainland. Volcanic peaks, hidden valleys, and pebbled beaches invite explorers. Whales, sea lions, seals, and sea otters are a common sight on wildlife tours, as well as eagles, the rare whiskered auklet and the ancient murrelet.
Day 9 At Sea
Day 10 At Sea
Day 11 At Sea
Day 12 At Sea
Day 13 Kushiro
Kushiro offers visitors a variety of attractions to enjoy including the Fisherman's Wharf MOO. It's unique architecture and location make it a perfect place for photos. The complex also houses many restaurants and excellent shopping. Kushiro also has one of the largest zoo's in Japan, a Wetland, and Marsh Observatory with luscious walking trails.
Day 14 Sapporo (Muroran)
Sapporo is one of Japan's newest and largest cities and is laid out in a grid pattern of uniform blocks similar to those of American cities. The Winter Olympics were held here in 1972, and its ski slopes continue to attract winter vacationers, as do the Sapporo Snow Festival held every February and the pleasantly cool temperatures in the summer. Muroran is located on the Oshima Peninsula in Iburi, and is the port for Sapporo, Hokkaido.
Day 15 Aomori
A city for all seasons, Aomori attracts visitors from afar for its beauty and events. In the spring, Hirosaki Castle Park is one of Japan’s most famous sites for viewing the cherry blossoms. The Nebuta Festival is held in the summer time and is one of the largest and most colorful summer events in Japan. Lake Towada is famous for the changing of her leaves in the autumn, and the winter months bring glorious snow for skiing, skating and snowboarding. Aomori is also home to the largest outdoor Buddha’s in Japan – weighing over 220 tons.
Day 16 Sendai
Sendai is known nationwide as a modern city that has developed a beautiful landscape in harmony with nature. The Hirose-gawa River runs through its center and lush zelkova trees line its streets. The center of the city, especially, is so full of greenery, with its trees and parks that it is called “City of Trees.” Sendai has many universities and is also well-known as an academic city with contributions to the development of the high-tech industry. Sendai also values history and culture. In Sendai, many traditional events, including the Tanabata Matsuri Festival, continue to this day. In addition, Sendai International Music Competition and Street Jazz Festival, are also popular artistic performances.
Day 17 Oarai
Oarai Town is situated in the east of Ibaraki. The seashores facing the Pacific Ocean, Lake Hinuma located on the west side of the town, and areas along the Hinuma River form popular resort areas, belonging to Oarai Prefectural Seaside Park. The white-crested waves breaking against the conglomerate rocks on Oarai Promontory are very dynamic, from which the sandy beach stretches southward. This beach is as one of the pleasantest sea resort in Kanto Region.
Day 17 Mito
Day 18 Shimizu
Shimizu is located on the northwest coast of Suruga Bay on the island of Honshu. Protected by a sandspit, it is a major commercial port and fishing centre. Places of scenic and historic interest include the Pine Groves of Miho, the Ryuge Temple, containing a fern palm believed to be more than 1,000 years old, and the nearby Nippon-Daira plateau.
Day 19 Osaka
This large, bustling port is the starting point for tours to the ancient cities of Kyoto and Nara, the cultural fountainheads of classical Japan. Kyoto's Old Imperial Palace and the shogunal Nijo Castle remain glorious symbols of the power the city held for over 1,000 years. Until 1868, Kyoto was the capital of Japan, filled with elegant timber buildings and, perhaps more than any other Japanese city, imbued with Kami, the divine spirit. You'll sense it everywhere, for there are hundreds of Shinto shrines and over a thousand Buddhist temples, as well as sacred treasure-houses of religious sculpture, painting and exquisite gardens. Nara, City of the Seven Great Temples, lies in an idyllic setting.