With Indigenous People’s Day (October 13) and Native American Heritage Month (November) approaching, Alaskan Dream Cruises—Alaska’s only Indigenous-owned cruise line—highlights what makes this family-owned, small-ship cruise line unique.
With vessels that carry just 40–80 passengers, these cruises allow guests to experience Alaska’s Inside Passage like locals on six-, eight- or nine-day itineraries founded and led by the Allen family—members of the Alaska Native Tlingit tribe. Most itineraries include a stop at a smaller Alaska Native village, such as Angoon, Kake and/or Kasaan, places rarely visited by those who travel to Alaska. In these villages, guests are led by tribal guides to learn about the town, visit cultural attractions or meet local carvers.
In Kake, for example, guests view the community’s 132-foot totem pole and attend an artist demonstration. In Kasaan, they walk a forest path laden with intricately carved totem poles to the Chief Son-i-Hat’s Whale-House—the only remaining traditional Haida longhouse in the United States. What’s special about these port calls is that Alaskan Dream has been invited into these communities. The company has an exclusive relationship with the leaders in Kasaan, so it is the only cruise line that calls there. Visits are arranged and guests are welcomed because of the Allen family’s contacts and relationships in each village. In addition, all itineraries embark or disembark in Sitka (the line’s hometown), Ketchikan and Juneau—ensuring guests have ample time to visit museums or take Indigenous-led tours to learn about the Tlingit, Tsimshian and Haida cultures.
Alaskan Dream Cruises isn’t just Alaska Native-owned—the Allen family ensures that their company’s success supports others in the Alaska Native community too. For example, while Tlingit entrepreneur and artist Mary Goddard began working with the company several years ago as a regional catalyst for regenerative tourism, that temporary role jumpstarted an ongoing business relationship. Goddard has since completed several design projects for the company, trained the onboard naturalists to ensure appropriate cultural information is shared with guests, and is helping to expand the line’s culinary offerings. She recently completed her own 90-day Alaska Native food challenge, and spent a week onboard an Alaskan Dream Cruise.
For more information, visit www.alaskandreamcruises.com.
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