Know Before You Go

This suggested reading list is for your pleasure, to help enhance your understanding and enjoyment of your Alaskan adventure and exploration.

Klondike: The Last Great Gold Rush
Pierre Berton, 1896-1899
 
Alaska’s South East: Touring the Inside Passage
Sarah Eppenbach, 1997

National Geographic Society Field Guide to the Birds of North America
 
The Raven and the Totem – Traditional Alaska Native Myths and Tales
Collected and edited by John E. Smelcer
 
Reaching Home: Pacific Salmon, Pacific People
N. Forbes, Jay & B. Matsen, 1997

The Sea Runners
Ivan Doig, 1982

Travels in Alaska
John Muir, with forward by John Haines, 1988
 
Where the Sea Breaks Its Back
Corey Ford, 1966, 2nd printing 1995
 
Passage To Juneau
Jonathan Raban

Think active comfort when selecting outfits to bring with you. Each day you will have the opportunity to kayak or explore ashore. Plan to layer your clothes to adjust to different temperatures.

Here are some suggestions:

Pants and shorts: Jeans, khakis, or whatever you feel most comfortable wearing. Keep pants comfortable and durable.  Temperatures can vary in the summer so pack at least one pair of shorts for possible warm weather. The yachts have rain pants available in several sizes on board for your use while kayaking or hiking, if necessary.

Shirts: Bring comfortable, casual shirts in versatile styles that can be layered if the weather requires. T-shirts, polo shirts (long sleeves), sweatshirts, sweaters, or turtlenecks are recommended.

Jackets: Warm & versatile rain jacket with a hood, a fleece or zip-up vest and/or casual jacket. Although unisex rain slickers are provided on board to supplement your outerwear, please plan on bringing your own as well to guarantee the most comfortable fit.

Shoes: Sneakers or comfortable, sturdy walking shoes, hiking boots (preferably waterproof). Waterproof wading boots are provided onboard as well.

Cold weather clothes: Gloves or mittens, scarf, hat, and a pair of thick warm socks. Plan for cooler weather during
off-yacht activities, such as kayaking, exploring by skiff and glacier viewing.  One-piece insulated "mustang suits" are provided for everyone to stay snug when viewing glaciers by skiff.

Sunny weather gear: Sunglasses, sun block, a brimmed hat.

Bathing suit: Bring swimwear for hot tubs, saunas and even quick stints in the water for those wishing to join the "Polar Bear Club."

Binoculars: There two sets of binoculars in each stateroom for your use but you may be more comfortable bringing a pair that you are already familiar with. If you bring your own, please mark them with your name.

Camera and film: Don’t forget to pack plenty of film, or have ample digital storage and batteries for your camera. You are bound to use more than you think you’ll need. You may want to store your camera in a waterproof case and bring heavy-gauge resealable plastic bags as extra protection for your camera and film.

Our dress code, including the dinner hour, is casual. The American Safari Cruises lifestyle emphasizes both elegance and comfort. Bring the clothes you feel most relaxed in and the ones you will be comfortable wearing during the included activities and excursions.

Alaska’s Inside Passage is located in the heart of a temperate rainforest. Warmed by ocean currents, the Inside Passage enjoys mild summers and rain is not unusual. Daytime temperatures typically range within 55-65° F. And, being in the north, daylight extends late into the evening. Our up-close wilderness focus makes any month of the season equal: May, June, July, August or September.

We provide each stateroom with two robes, a hair dryer, iPod docking station, alarm clock, umbrellas, binoculars, refillable water bottles, towels and high quality, eco-friendly toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and soap).

Think active comfort when selecting outfits to bring with you. Each day you will have the opportunity to kayak or explore ashore. Plan to layer your clothes to adjust to different temperatures.

Here are some suggestions:

Pants and shorts: Jeans, khakis, or whatever you feel most comfortable wearing. Keep pants comfortable and durable. Temperatures can vary so pack at least one pair of shorts for possible warm weather. The yachts have rain pants available in several sizes on board for your use while kayaking or hiking, if necessary.

Shirts: Bring comfortable, casual shirts in versatile styles that can be layered if the weather requires. T-shirts, polo shirts(long sleeves), sweatshirts, sweaters, or turtlenecks are recommended.

Jackets: Warm & versatile rain jacket with a hood, a fleece or zip-up vest and/or casual jacket. Although unisex rain slickers are provided on board to supplement your outerwear, please plan on bringing your own as well to guarantee the most comfortable fit.

Shoes: Sneakers or comfortable, sturdy walking shoes or day hikers

Cold weather clothes: Gloves or mittens, scarf, hat, and a pair of thick warm socks

Sunny weather gear: Sunglasses, sun block, a brimmed hat.

Bathing suit: For onboard hot tub.

Binoculars: There are several binoculars on board for your use but you may be more comfortable bringing a pair that you are already familiar with. If you bring your own, please mark them with your name.

Camera and film: Don’t forget to pack plenty of film, or have ample digital storage and batteries for your camera. You
are bound to use more than you think you’ll need. You may want to store your camera in a waterproof case and bring
heavy-gauge resealable plastic bags as extra protection for your camera and film.

We provide each stateroom with two robes, a hair dryer, alarm clock, umbrellas, towels and toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and soap). Additionally, the yacht has several pairs of binoculars available on board for your use.

Our dress code, including the dinner hour, is casual. The American Safari Cruises lifestyle emphasizes both elegance and comfort. Bring the clothes you feel most relaxed in and the ones you will be comfortable wearing during the included activities and excursions.

This suggested reading list is for your pleasure, to help enhance your understanding and enjoyment of your cruise adventure and exploration.

Undaunted Courage
By Stephen Ambrose

Northwest Passage: The Great Columbia River
By William Dietrich

Fire, Faults and Floods
By Marge and Ted Mueller

From Sea to Shining Sea
By James Alexander Thom

Voyage of a Summer Sun: Canoeing the Columbia River
By Robin Cody

Some of the most dramatic climactic variations are experienced on this trip. From the dry, high-desert and plains of the western region, to the temperate rainforest of the west, packing requires some creative planning. Daytime temperatures typically range between 60° and 75° F, and you may experience a 20 degree shift in temperature from one day to the next.

We provide each stateroom with two robes, a hair dryer, an alarm clock, umbrellas, towels and toiletries (shampoo,
conditioner, lotion, and soap). Additionally, the yacht has binoculars, sun block, aqua socks, wet suits and snorkeling equipment available on board for your use. Electrical outlets are standard 110v and can accommodate the same needs as the outlets in a typical home. Please check all of your equipment to ensure that you have the required chargers, adapters and converters for safe operation at 110v.

Each day you will have opportunities for kayaking, snorkeling and shoreside exploring. Mask and snorkel sets are provided by the boat, but you may be more comfortable in your own gear.

Here are some suggestions:

Pants and shorts: Several pairs of shorts and a pair of khakis or jeans.

Shirts: A selection of polos and t-shirts, or tank tops.

Jackets: Rain/wind jacket with a hood, a fleece or zip-up vest and/or casual jacket.

Shoes: Sneakers or sturdy, comfortable walking shoes/day hikers; sandals or flip flops that you don’t mind getting wet.

Sunny weather gear: Bathing suit, sunglasses, sun block (if you prefer having your own), a brimmed hat.

Binoculars: There are several binoculars on board for your use but you may be more comfortable bringing a pair that
you are already familiar with. If you bring your own, please mark them with your name.

Camera and film: Don’t forget to pack plenty of film, or have ample digital storage and batteries for your camera. You
are bound to use more than you think you’ll need. You may want to store your camera in a waterproof case and bring
heavy gauge resealable plastic bags as extra protection for your camera and film.

Baja California is one of the most cloud-free regions in the world, with climatic zones ranging from tropical to semi-arid.
Rain showers are infrequent, but can be intense. Daytime temperatures are likely to range between 75° and
90° F, while nights are cooler and temperatures may drop into the 60’s. Water temperatures vary depending on
location, but generally hover in the neighborhood of 70° F.

Our dress code, including the dinner hour, is casual. Bring the clothes you feel most relaxed in and the ones you will be comfortable wearing during the included activities and excursions. See suggestions below.

These suggested resources are for your pleasure, to help enhance your understanding and enjoyment of the history, culture and nature of Mexico’s Sea of Cortés and Baja California.

Almost An Island: Travels in Baja California
Bruce Berger, 1998

Baja California Plant Field Guide
Norman Roberts, 1989

Eye of the Whale: Epic Passage from Baja to Siberia
Dick Russell, 2001

The Forgotten Peninsula: A Naturalist in Baja California
Joseph Wood Krutch, 1986

Gray Whales: Wandering Giants
Robert Stebbins

Into A Desert Place
Graham Mackintosh, 1995

King of the Moon: A Novel of Baja California
Gene Kira, 1996

The Log from the Sea of Cortez
John Steinbeck, first published 1940

Roadside Geology and Biology of Baja California
John Minch, 1998

Kenmore Air asks that you limit your baggage to two pieces not to exceed 40 lbs per person. As a courtesy, American Safari Cruises will be paying $15 per person to enable you to travel with 60 lbs of luggage per person. Guests will be charged 67¢ per pound for anything exceeding 60 lbs per person and is payable to Kenmore Air upon departure.

Think active comfort when selecting outfits to bring with you. Each day you will have the opportunity to kayak or explore ashore. Plan to layer your clothes to adjust to different temperatures: shirts, sweaters and a medium-weight jacket can complete your wardrobe. A rain jacket is also a good idea to supplement the generic slickers available on board.

Here are some suggestions:

Pants and shorts: Jeans, khakis, or whatever you feel most comfortable wearing. Keep pants comfortable and durable. Temperatures can vary so pack at least one pair of shorts for possible warm weather. ‘Safari’ pants with detachable pant legs are great. The yachts have rain pants available in several sizes on board for your use while kayaking or hiking, if necessary.

Shirts: Bring comfortable, casual shirts in versatile styles that can be layered if the weather requires. T-shirts, polo shirts (long sleeves), sweatshirts, sweaters, or turtlenecks are recommended.

Jackets: Warm & versatile rain jacket with a hood, a fleece or zip-up vest and/or casual jacket. Although unisex rain slickers are provided on board to supplement your outerwear, please plan on bringing your own as well to guarantee the most comfortable fit. A limited number of ‘Mustang Suits’ (waterproof safety suits) are available for adults during skiff excursions.

Shoes: Tennis shoes/sneakers or comfortable walking shoes, hiking boots (preferably waterproof). Waterproof boots are provided on board as well.

Cold weather clothes: Gloves or mittens, scarf, hat, and a pair of thick warm socks.

Sunny weather gear: Sunglasses, sun block, a brimmed hat.

Bathing suit: For onboard Jacuzzi.

Binoculars: Feel free to bring your own favorite binoculars. There are several binoculars on board for your use but you may be more comfortable bringing a pair that you are already familiar with. If you bring your own, please mark them with your name.

Camera and film: Don’t forget to pack plenty of film, digital storage and batteries for your camera. You are bound to use more than you think you need. You may want to store your camera in a waterproof case and and bring heavy gauge resealable bags as extra protection for your camera and film.

The two major climatic influences in the Pacific Northwest are the Pacific Ocean and the Cascade Mountains. Moist air flows off the Pacific and drops on this region as it contacts the mountains creating an area that receives on average 40 to 90 inches of rainfall a year. The daily temperatures for this region range from 55° to 65° F.

This suggested reading list is for your pleasure, to help enhance your understanding and enjoyment of your cruise adventure and exploration.

The Good Rain
Timothy Egan

Snow Falling on Cedars
David Guterson

National Geographic Society Field Guide to the Birds of North America

Pacific Northwest: Land of Light & Water
Art Wolfe, Brenda Peterson

Reaching Home: Pacific Salmon, Pacific People
N. Forbes, Jay & B. Matsen

Women in Pacific Northwest History
Karen J. Blair

We provide each stateroom with two  robes, a hair dryer, an alarm clock, umbrellas, towels and toiletries (shampoo,conditioner,lotion, and soap). Additionally, the yacht has several pairs of binoculars available onboard for your use.

Our dress code, including the dinner hour, is casual. The American Safari Cruises lifestyle emphasizes both elegance and comfort. Bring the clothes you feel most relaxed in and the ones you will be comfortable wearing during the included activities and excursions.