Sitka

After being the Russian capital of North America, the Russian flag was replaced by the Stars and Stripes in Sitka when the United States purchased Alaska. Today, picturesque Sitka, is known for its fishing industry, an annual summer classical music festival and, of course, its many historic visitor attractions. On a clear day Sitka, the only city in Southeast Alaska that actually fronts the Pacific Ocean, rivals Juneau for the sheer beauty of its surroundings.

The following Shore Excursions are available for this port on this cruise, and may be reserved beginning 180 days before the cruise begins.

Russian America, Raptor Center and Russian Dancers
Tour Code: SIT-001
Duration: 4 hours
Retail Value: $99.00
Price: Free

This unique excursion explores the historical highlights of this former "Russian" capital city and includes a tour through the Alaska Raptor Center. The Bald Eagle Center operates with bird care professionals assisted by volunteers to rescue birds, provide them with rehabilitative care and hopefully release them back into the wild. After your introduction to the center, a presentation with one of the Center's educational birds will take place. Time will be available to view the flight center, clinic window, outside deck habitat areas and gift shop.

Next, you'll visit the Sitka National Historical Park, where the 1804 "Battle of Alaska", was fought. The park hosts totem lined trails, cultural exhibits and carving rooms where native Alaskan artisans demonstrate their totemic art form. Time may be spent walking the forest trail, viewing cultural exhibits and video presentation, or talking with local native artists about their cultural art form.

Your next stop will be at the Sheldon Jackson Museum. Several distinct periods of Alaskan history are preserved within the island community of Sitka, from the early Native American civilization through the Russian Colonial period and the Pacific Theatre of World War II. Before the European colonists arrived in Alaska, the Eskimo, Aleut, Athabaskan, and Tlingit native groups lived off the land here. At the museum, view artifacts from that period that reside in the Sheldon Jackson Museum, showcasing the ingenuity and skill of the native settlers living in a very unforgiving land.

After leaving the Museum your guide will drive you by Castle Hill, site of the 1867 land transfer ceremony. Upon conclusion of the drive you will make the final stop at St. Michael's Cathedral and view original Icon Artwork dating back to the early 16th Century. The Cathedral is the mother cathedral for orthodoxy for all of America. After the church you may disembark on the main street to shop or be returned directly to the tender pier.

Please note: This tour involves walking of up to 1 mile (approximately 1.5 hours). The order of sites visited may be reversed.

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Terms & Conditions:

Free Unlimited Shore Excursions are for full fare guests only, capacity controlled and subject to availability. Requested excursions may not be available at time of booking. Supplement will apply on Regent Choice excursions (indicated by the above) and excludes Private Arrangements and all Adventures Ashore programs. In order to ensure quality guides and sufficient transportation, we must provide the tour operator with passenger counts at least 36 hours in advance. Therefore no refunds will be given within 36 hours of tour departure for cancellations or no-shows. Please pay special attention to scheduling and tour lengths when booking your shore excursions. In many cases, it is not possible to participate in more than one tour per day in a given port. Tours operate rain or shine. Tours require minimum participation levels to operate so please sign up as early as possible. Tours may be cancelled if minimum participation levels are not met. Prices, Itineraries and General Information shore excursion prices are subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases or currency fluctuations. Please consult the Destination Services Desk onboard for information. During local or national holidays, access to certain facilities (such as museums or archaeological sites) may be limited or denied. In such instances, adjustments will be made to minimize inconvenience to guests. Some tours have limited availability. Tours are generally available for reserving 180 days prior to the beginning of a cruise. Please sign up early to avoid disappointment. Regent Seven Seas Cruises reserves the right to require guests to complete a liability waiver for select shore excursions. For more information, please visit the Destination Services Desk onboard.