They cancelled the cruise and kept $1045 of our prepaid fee! There we were, two months before departure. ADC and the Government telling us to "shelter in place, not to travel or cruise" and ADC suspending its spring sailings. We had to cancel our vacation plans. Under these pandemic conditions exceptions to normal payment/refund policy should change. When we asked for a refund for a cruise that would not sail ADC offered a credit for a future cruise. We are in our late eighties. Who knows when, or if, we will be healthy enough for another vacation? We are in no position to make any reservations under current conditions and many forecast a return of the crono virus next year. An other option offered to us was to cancel our booking and receive the stated 45 day before departure (50%) refund. We raised the unfairness of this alternative and were told by Liveaboard, the agent representing ADC, that this was the policy of ADC management and its owners. After numerous attempts by our travel agent and calls to ADC management, "Liveaboard" offered us ADC's published "early cancellation" fee $350 per person, then added an additional 3% fee for handling booking. Others may have had great experiences on ADC ships and or booking through Liveaboard but keeping prepaid bookings under pandemic conditions is pure greed from two companies I would not recommend or support. read more

scenery fabulous. staff helpful despite being 5 short. bathroom a disaster; flooded two consecutive days and suffered from sewer gas. would not recommend this trip. read more

We just took one of their 8 day cruises and it was a truly a dream trip. We had 42 passengers from all over. We all agreed that the food, outings, whale watching and other sea animal were the high lights of the trip. This does not lessen the wonderful crew, Tlingit information, nature walks or all the other things we were were able to do. I would do this adventure again in a flash. read more

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My wife and I sailed on the Baranof Dream the week of August 10th - 17th, 2013, and we had a wonderful time. As many of the reviews have highlighted the crew is super nice and goes out of their way to fulfill your requests. Food was very good the entire trip and they were even able to accommodate a gluten free diet and still make delicious food. We saw more wildlife then I ever expected. Whales, Bears, Seals, Sea Lions, etc. and the glaciers were really good. Enjoyed the majority of the shore excursions with the exception of Juneau. We spent 4 hours there and speaking for myself, a non-shopper, 2 hours would have been fine. Five cruse ships were docked on the day we visited so you get the picture. Ultimately, if you enjoy tourist trinket shopping I can see how Juneau would be fun and four hours might not be enough. If you do not enjoy shopping then Juneau downtown is not for you. We would highly recommend ADK for anyone who enjoys wildlife and an outstanding ship experience. read more

Our Alaskan Dream Cruise was wonderful. We met many new friends, including the crew. We stayed in the Vista View Suite with forward facing windows. It was GREAT! The food on the boat was fantastic. We also enjoyed salmon and king crab at Orca Point Lodge on Colt Island. We saw lots of wild life and beautiful "blue" Glaciers. Thank you Captain Eric, and crew, for making this a truly amazing adventure. read more

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Everything about this trip was spectacular. Alaskan Dream Cruises takes care of you from the minute you step off of the airplane, making sure you and your luggage gets to exactly where it needs to go, and you have local things to do before your boat even leaves. The crew on board was universally kind and clearly loves their job and their captain. We had Captain Eric and he was terrific. On a small boat like this (only 40 passengers and 17 crew), you get to know just about everyone. And it is small enough to get into areas that a big cruise ship could never go. We visited small towns communities of Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian and learned about their societies and totem poles and got to know people a little bit; saw incredible wildlife and glaciers; and enjoyed relaxing time cruising through beautiful scenery. I can't recommend this company or this experience enough. read more

OMG!!!!!!!!!!! This was our first time to Alaska , and my husband and I just spent one of the BEST WEEKS OF OUR LIVES aboard the Admiralty Dream, one of the many ships owned and operated by Alaskan Dream Cruises! We had a BLAST!!!!! We haven't even left Juneau for home yet, and all we do is look at each other and say "wasn't that the best vacation EVER?" Many many thanks and compliments to the entire Crew of the Admiralty Dream for making the past week so perfect and wonderful. The Ship is 40 years old, but runs wonderfully due to its magnificent Captain Gordon and his crew. His deck hands also take care of the excursions such as manning the DIB's and Kayaks. Amazing Crew!!!The Hospitality HR run by Linda is incredibly perfect: meals synchronized, always on-time and organized, and served by a kind and professional crew, the guest's rooms clean and sparkling, the linens fresh, etc! The Chef and her kitchen crew outdid themselves on a daily basis: fully served excellent meals with fresh supplies. This was First Class Dining all the time! Amazing food choices....we gained so much weight and now move around like fattened Baby Harp Seals!!!!!! Last but not least, our deepest Thanks to Stephen and Brittany who took care of our safety, the daily excursions, the educational presentations, games and fun activities......you both created a special bond between all of the passengers, and you both have so much patience and kindness when dealing with so many people who want everything!!!! Thanks to Alaskan Dream Cruises and their wonderful Employees in Sitka who met us at the airport, transferred us to our hotel, and provided a safe meeting place for us to relax and refresh while waiting for our first tours in Sitka and then accompanying us to the Admiralty Dream for boarding. We HIGHLY recommend this Family Run small ship cruise line! read more

I can't say enough about the wonderful experience we had on our 10 night cruise on the Alaskan Dream. We are not at all "cruise people" but we wanted to explore the Inside Passage. I was fortunate to find Alaskan Dream Cruises. On this small 20-stateroom, catamaran-style ship we were able to go places where larger cruise lines could never go. And we never had to get out of our jeans! I loved visiting the small villages where sometimes Alaskan Dream was the ships that visit. This cruise line is owned and operated by the Allen family out of Sitka. The family, and by extension the captain and crew of the ship, have established many close relationships with these small villages, so you really get an inside up close and personal view of the destinations we visited. If you are fortunate enough to get Captain Eric, activities director Emily, chef Shannon, and mixologist Amy, you are really in for a special experience. Captain Eric seems to have a special "whale-dar" and could spot whales off in the distance. The small ship is very fast and maneuverable so was able to quickly move to where the whales were located. We saw at least 10 instances of the spectacular bubble net feeding with 6 to 12 humpback whales in a feeding group. Captain was able to arrange a last-minute and special tour of the Anon Wilderness Reserve where we say dozens of brown and black bears catching and eating salmon. When a rough seas prevented us from touring Misty Fjords as scheduled, Captain Eric was able to quickly adjust the itinerary to include Caroll Arm instead. And did I mention that the food and drinks were amazing? Every single meal was a special treat and mixologist Amy surprised us with a special signature drink every day. To my surprise, our stateroom was very comfortable and roomy enough for 2 of us. The bed was comfy and the linens soft and high quality (I did bring my own pillow though, and glad I did). When we asked that our room be reconfigured our room to a queen bed and facing a different direction, they did so quickly and with a smile. Our friends booked the Owner's Suite which was big enough for the 4 of us to gather when we wanted some time to ourselves. You wont be sorry if you book any cruise or tour experience with the company. read more

My husband and I booked with Alaskan Dream Cruises for a small boat experience. They cancelled the first cruise (booked in March, 2022) in May siting "supply chain issues with parts" but gave us the option for another cruise at a discount. We changed all of our flights, hotels and car rentals because the second cruise was for a different date and starting city. Then, on June 2nd they cancelled the second cruise which was supposed to leave on June 15th. We had already left for an extended west coast trip and couldn't (nor did we trust them) rearrange all of our plans once again. They used the same supply chain reason. We didn't go to Alaska, had to make other plans (which cost us dearly as a result of last minute flight changes) and didn't get over $800 back for trip insurance we didn't need. They may be nice people and have a great cruise but BEWARE!!! I feel bad for them as I'm sure it hasn't been easy these last few years but customers should be aware of the problems. read more

Read all the following; it is ALL TRUE. Captain Eric (?Erik) Morrow, the trained chef Brianna (can't remember whether it was CIA or Johnson and Wales), and the remainder of the crew... just superb. All this causes me to consider going AGAIN. Flat out fabulous; don't miss this, friends!! read more

Superlative is rare. Good happens frequently, excellent much less often. But truly outstanding experiences, the ones that stand alone in one's ever-expanding life memory, are seldom and savored. Such is the Inland Passage cruise we completed on June 29, 2013 aboard the "Alaskan Dream." We have never been on a typical cruise ship, and never will be. As long-time bareboat sailors, we are physically-active folks who like to be 5' off the water, not 100'. So when we decided in the fall of 2012 to forgo another trip to the Caribbean and visit Southeast Alaska, we considered only a small vessel with size-limited ports of call and culturally-enriching participatory activities. Universally positive web reviews narrowed the options to Sitka-based Alaskan Dream Cruises, and any initial concerns about their relatively short history vanished with additional research into the parent company, Allen Marine. Sitka to Glacier Bay, Tracy Arm (Sawyer Glacier North and South) to Hobart Bay, Kake to Orca Point, Petersburg to the Mendenhall glacier and falls, Taku Harbor to Chapin Bay - each was an exceptional new adventure. Every day brought up-close encounters with humpbacks, orcas, sea lions, eagles, bears, porcupines and deer. The snow-capped mountains, splashing waterfalls, dense green forests, placid waters and bright-hued wildflowers were magnificent from afar, but even more beautiful when viewed from feet to inches away. Spontaneity and flexibility were the watchwords. Spot whales to port? Slow down and watch! We don't have to be anywhere other than where we are right now! The scenery and environment were beyond words. But this voyage was made special by the people. Generations of Tlingit and Norwegian culture were brought alive by dancers young and old. We learned a boatload of interesting information from our on-board cultural specialist, Leonty, and nature guide, Larisa, not by formal lectures but through unhurried conversations among friends. The depth of their knowledge, love of the land and people and enthusiasm to share was awesome! As veteran sailors, we were specially appreciative of the almost unlimited access to the bridge, and to the maritime skills demonstrated and knowledge imparted by Captain Erik and his crew - Dave, Patrick, Nate, Jon, Matt, Nick, Traci and Alex. There is just nothing like watching and listening to consummate professionals doing what they love. Swapping sea tales with these new friends while vicariously navigating and "driving the boat" from the pilothouse was an unexpected bonus without price! Hospitality was emphasized. Each day while we were out on another excursion, hotel manager Heather and her assistants expertly prepared our cabins for another restful night of sleep. To our gastronomic delight, Chef Briana, sous chef Raymond, baker Kimberly and their assistant Mark surprised us at every meal with a choice of soups, salads, breads, entrees and desserts that would surpass fine dining restaurants ashore. Half-portions, splits, one of each - no request was refused by the lead steward Deseray and her assistants Jayde, Stacy and Michael. Behind the bar, Chelsy not only mixed up an excellent daily special to accompany the hot social hour hors doeuvres, but could not be stumped if someone wanted a favorite libation instead. And not to be forgotten - the 24-hour coffee and tea stand and daily mid-afternoon fresh homemade cookies! How was all this accomplished? It's a matter of attitude, respect, competency and relationships that starts at the top and flows down. Allen Marine's CEO Dave and his wife Lauren probably learned it from Dave's parents, Bob and Betty. From our first contacts with Eileen in the booking office to our final personal goodbyes with the entire crew (and Dave and Lauren's daughter Zaide) on the debarkation ramp, we encountered nothing but friendly, outgoing personalities who seemed to genuinely like each and what they were doing. Hiring people who are privileged to enjoy what they do for a living and those with whom they are doing it just naturally results in superior guest treatment. We can't think of a better example than Captain Erik. The depth of his knowledge and experience were obvious, befitting his responsibility for the safety and comfort of his passengers and crew. However, we also soon came to appreciate his calm demeanor and gentle hand, both with the vessel and its crew. Erik operated the "American Dream" like a good pilot flies a plane, caressing the rudder and throttles to smoothly keep the "Alaskan Dream" on course at the right speed. So to with the crew. Even when things went slightly awry, as they will on any vessel, Erik never once raised his voice or seemed upset as he set about correcting the situation. Always the able seaman and perfect host, Erik is also a natural motivator and mentor. In short, a wonderful and wonder-filled voyage on a unique vessel with an unmatched crew. Don't miss this one! read more

I was finally talked into doing an Alaskan cruise by my family. They wanted to go on a smaller cruise ship as they thought it would be more intimate. I initially questioned going on this cruise line as it seemed to be about 15% more expensive than the larger cruise lines. I was told that all activities were included so that solved that issue. This cruise line is owned by the same company that does most of the day expeditions in SE Alaska so we had several side excursions on nice boats. We did the 10 day cruise from Sitka to Ketchikan on the Alaskan Dream. Our guides were Larisa and Simon. Larisa is an Alaskan from Sitka and she is a wealth of information (I hope I Spelled her name right). Simon seemed to know the answer to just about any question I asked him on wildlife. He is also a photographer and his shots are amazing. The crew was very friendly and it seemed as if all of them were willing to pitch in where passengers are concerned. You could ask anyone for something and they would help you. By the end of the cruise we knew most of the staff by name. The captain went out of his way to make sure the cruise was peaceful. If he saw whale activity he would softly announce it over the intercom so you wouldn't miss it. He also had no issues stopping and sight seeing whenever there was something to see and staying there as long as there was activity. Being a small cruise ship they were able to go to places that the larger cruise lines will never go. When the seas got rough the captain would change course to avoid it. This sometimes put our activities on a different timeline but we were Able to do everything. I have a gluten issue and requested a gluten free diet. The pastry chef stopped by my cabin on the first night and asked me about what I could eat. She wanted to make certain that there weren't any issues with what she was planning on making. At every meal and dessert there was a gluten free alternative that tasted great. Although there was no 24 hour Buffett like on most of the larger cruises we were never hungry. They offered breakfast, lunch plus dessert, a 3pm cookie break, cocktail hour with snacks and dinner with dessert. The portions are about the size you would expect at a five star restaurant and the food was of the same quality. If you go on cruises because you love shopping this might not be the cruise line for you. Out of the 10 days you are really only in larger towns with shops on two of those days. If shopping is not what you go cruising for these guys will keep you pretty active. Some of the activities I did were: kayaking, hiking, jet boating, ATVi'ing, riding a tram, water tour of a glacier park, walking tours of several villages and plenty of wildlife sighting and picture taking. Every evening they offered a presentation in the lounge. These were normally geared towards things you saw or would be seeing. They were very educational. We went the beginning of August and the weather was perfect the first 7 days with sunny skies and flat water. The last two were typical Alaskan with rain. On the last day of the trip Larisa put on a presentation of the many things we saw and did on the trip. Normally when you sit down and watch one of these the ending line is "and for only $$$ you can have the DVD of this presentation...." There ending line was "you guys will find a copy of this presentation on the DVD left on your bed. If you enjoy being active and meeting new people this is the cruise to go on. read more

Just a quick note to echo Benjamin B.'s wonderful review. We took an 8 day cruise on the Alaska Dream in August, 2011. Truly a first-class introduction to S.E. Alaska, its history, people and natural beauty. A wonderful, intimate experience. Recommended reading: I download Tlingit Myths and Texts by John Reed Swanton onto my Kindle, from archive.org . A wonderfully-translated book that includes creation myths and historical references. Really sets the mood when you travel through the area. read more

We recently completed the "Alaska's Inside Passage Sojourn" cruise aboard the Alaskan Dream and would highly recommend this tour. This was our first trip to Alaska and only our second cruise (first being a Crystal River Cruise) and it definitely did not disappoint. A good measure of a company is how they handle the situation when something goes sideways and in our case Allen Marine (the mother company of Alaska Dream Cruises) really excelled. There was a minor incident that delayed the start of our tour, we were supposed to board at 4:00pm in the evening and boarding was delayed until 10:00am the next morning. We were kept well informed by the Allen Marine Tours staff and briefed by upper management. They went above expectations to ensure that we would have a great trip. They handled the lodging and meals for the day we were delayed, and also arranged a wonderful 3-hour wildlife boat tour on which we got to see otters, sea lions, puffins and humpback whales, including one breeching. In addition we received on-board credits and all alcohol was handled by the company. There were 37 people (the boat has 20 staterooms) on our cruise along with about a dozen staff. The boat was well designed for handling this many people, and we spent much of our time in the forward lounge or on the top deck enjoying the scenery and wildlife. The rooms could use a little refurbishment and in general do not expect the over the top luxury of a big boat. The "showlet" (combination toilet/shower) took a little getting used to but was very manageable. The queen bed was very comfortable and we were in the Vista State room which stretched half of the bow end on the second floor. We had a fantastic view and often felt conflicted on if we should lower the shades due to the only 3 hours of "night" or leave them open to enjoy the view. There were a number of notable crew members onboard. Amy was the bartender and she is one of the best, a true mixologist not just the bartender. She had a different drink special each day often made with house-made syrups and mixers, she remembered each person's preferences, and always had great suggestions. Captain Eric was very personable and maintained an open bridge policy. He was very adept at finding wildlife for us to see, and making sure that we had plenty of time to watch. Alex and Kari were our Expedition leaders; Kari was a native Alaskan (Tlingit), and Alex was the naturalist with extensive experience researching whales in the local waters for her MS degree. During an evening presentation on Humpbacks that include some incredible underwater "whale cam" video of bubble feeding, the captain interrupted as there were orcas just off the boat. As we were all watching the whales, Kari began to sing the Tlingit orca song in her native language - it really brought Alaskan cultures and wildlife together for us. The food on board was excellent and included fresh local fish (salmon, halibut, black cod, clams and several types of crab). Wildlife encounters during the cruise included orcas, humpback whales, seals, sea lions, otters, puffins, bald eagles, bears (brown and black), mountain goats, deer and porpoise. The highlight was the first evening about sunset when we ran into humpbacks "bubble net feeding". Capt. Eric idled the boat as the waters around us exploded with the group of eight whales feeding, one time they surfaced so close off the bow we had to reverse the engine to give them room. What an incredible thing to be able to see! There was also exceptional scenery - waterfalls, forests, mountains and glaciers. We were able take to the DIBS (smaller 15 person inflatables) several times during the trip including the opportunity to explore Sawyer Glacier and Misty Fjord. We stopped in several very small towns (the smallest being about 50 people) to learn about the Alaskan way of life and more specifically the family structure and moiety of the native Alaskan people. At several of these locations there were optional hikes to view the wilderness or a trail through totem parks. We also visited several Long houses to watch and in some cases participate in native celebrations of song and dance. Overall, we had a great time on the tour and loved being able to see Alaska and learn about it from local Alaskans. If you like the glam and glitz or the casinos and stage shows of the big boats this is not the cruise for you. If you are more adventurous and don't mind the Glamping approach of the smaller boats then this is an outstanding way to go. We would highly recommend this tour as well as Allen Marine Tours in general. read more

Great cruise on the Alaskan Dream with Captain Eric, chef Brianna, cruise director Emily, house director Amy G. and barkeep Amy. They, and all of the crew, could not have done a better job. The food was amazing, the small boat itself immaculate, the cabin service deluxe, the bar service (although all we had were diet Cokes) was raved about by others. Only 41 passengers, so we got to know and hang out with all - great back stories from everyone. The cruise itself could not have been better, from small Native Alaskan villages to very close to the face of glaciers and breaching whales in between. The only downside was Juneau - more time in smaller village settings would have been better. Comfortable room with nice beds. Even the shoilet (combined toilet and shower stall in the room) wasn't enough to detract. Cannot recommend this cruise highly enough. Ten stars. read more

The crew and food were terrific. But the cabins were so cold. They heated the lounge and dining areas but the cabins were freezing. Some people managed to get a heater. although the sights were amazing I could not recommend. read more

I agree with everything written so far. Our June cruise was one of the best travel experiences I've ever had. We went on the 8 day voyage on the Alaskan Dream in mid-June, with Captain Eric and his wonderful staff. Among the 10 people I traveled with were 4 kids (11-17) - all of us had an absolutely wonderful experience. Not only did we see wonderful wildlife and amazing natural sites, we were also very impressed by the unique visits we had with Native American villages and villagers. We loved that fact that we could hang out on the bridge at all hours, veer from the slated voyage to get closer to wildlife, get close to the glaciers and dock at small ports, and eat wonderful food. The crew was amazing with our kids - playing games with them and really engaging them. I would say that hanging with the crew (including the Captain and other drivers) was one of the highlights. We loved our naturalist and culturalist, who along with the other crew, couldn't have been more knowledgeable, helpful and accommodating. We loved that the crew was as excited by wildlife sitings as we were, and were all so enthusiastic and friendly. The fact that much of the crew and management of the boat are from Alaska made this a much more authentic experience. Allen Marine really seems to know how to cultivate a true family among the crew, and somehow invited the passengers into the family. I would highly recommend this cruise to others Note: we liked the progression of sites on the South to North route. We wish we'd taken a better camera with great telephoto to get better wildlife photos. read more

We just finished an 8 day cruise aboard the Alaskan Dream in the inside passage of Alaska. It was my first cruise & first trip to Alaska. OMG!!! If I could give it 10 stars I would. The crew, the food, the wildlife, the Tlinget cultural experience & the excursions were second to none. There were around 45 passengers on the ship & around 16 crew. By the end of the week you knew every person on the ship by name and the crew knew our names too! I am on a gluten free diet & I had delicious options at every meal ( and snack). We saw so much wildlife it was ridiculous-orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, sea otters, bears & more birds than I care to write. It was one of the best weeks of my life! I don't see how another cruise can compare. It's pricey but worth every penny!! read more

Just returned and Captain Eric Morrow and the Allens are an unbeatable combination. They bend over backwards to make sure you have the best trip possible. Their itinerary is a nice combination of wildlife and culture. The only criticism I could have for which I was warned in previous reviews is that it is too much time in Juneau. However, I guess that the boat needs that time for refueling and maintenance. I would totally recommend this to anyone. read more

If you want a luxury tour of ALaska with formal dinners and luxury suites this is not for you. BUT if you really want to see Alaska and all the wildlife and still have gourmet meals, the Alaskan Dream Cruise lines is for you! We were on the nine-day tour from Sitka to Ketchikan in August of 2013, on the Alaska Dream. We wore only jeans, warm tops and heavy jackets for glacier experiences. WE experienced the real Alaska in the small channels and out of the way places that big boats cannot access. When whales were spotted one late afternoon, we stopped and watched them until it was too dark to see. The cabins are small, clean and comfortable. Who wants to stay inside when there is so much to see? Our crew and captain were intelligent, informed, citizens of Alaska. Their love for the stae and area warmed out hearts, as they knew all the answers to our numerous questions. Many were experts in fields of animal habits and habitat, mariene biology, woodlands and glaciers. Their knowledge of the land and ocean they love caused all of us to be excited about the region and gained an appreciation for all we saw and experienced. I would do it again in a heart beat! I give it 5 stars, a thumbs up and highest accolades for one of the best experiences of my life. read more

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Our first cruise ever. We knew what we did not want, 3000 other passengers, a Las Vegas on the sea. What we got was beyond our expectations. Pristine coves, intimate meals, each landing well though-out with a different activity daily. Others in my office have done the large cruise ships to Alaska-they did not see bears, whales right at our bow, eagles walking the shores, otters so close that I could have reached out and touched them. We went with a group of seven friends. The ship size provided opportunities for privacy as well as a place to gather together and play a game of uno or chess. I do know what I want in life, experiences like this. read more