Baranof Dream

The 1980-built MV Baranof Dream cruise ship was previously operated by Cruise West under the name "Spirit of Alaska." The vessel provides a comfortable and intimate home base for exploring Alaska's Inside Passage.

Built in the USA by Blount Boats Inc. in Warren, Rhode Island, MV Baranof Dream has a passenger capacity of 49, with a total of 25 staterooms. Onboard amenities include a bar lounge, an outdoor viewing platform, and a sundeck. The ship maintains a casual atmosphere, serving fresh and delicious cuisine, with a staff noted for being helpful and friendly.

The vessel (IMO number 8963715) is currently USA-flagged (MMSI 367573580) and registered in Seattle, WA.

The Sitka-based Alaskan Dream Cruises purchased the vessel from Cruise West and relaunched her following an extensive drydock renovation in 2013. The company is owned by the Allen family, prominent members of Southeast Alaska’s maritime industry. Alaskan Dream Cruises promises guests the opportunity to explore “real Alaska,” with itineraries through the Inside Passage that highlight the region’s breathtaking beauty and cultural heritage.

Baranof Dream's sistership is Admiralty Dream (built in 1979).

Decks and Cabins

The ship has 4 decks and a total of 25 passenger staterooms. Cabin sizes range from 9 to 20 m² (105–210 ft²), with the largest being the Owner's Suite.

Shipboard Facilities

MV Baranof Dream is equipped with a shallow draft, allowing her to navigate intimate coves and narrow passages. She features a spacious bow for viewing glaciers and fjords, a covered outdoor deck, and a low cruising speed to enhance wildlife and wilderness viewing. The dining room and lounge areas are designed to foster camaraderie among guests. A daily social hour with drinks, hors d'oeuvres, and expedition leader recaps further enhances the sense of onboard community. Complimentary shore excursion gear includes pants, boots, and jackets.

Itineraries

Baranof Island is featured in MV Baranof Dream’s Alaskan itineraries, and the ship is frequently chartered by Adventure Smith Explorations. The cruise ship offers two 7-night / 8-day itineraries: "LAST FRONTIER ADVENTURE" (from ~USD 4000 pp) and "BECOME A TRUE ALASKAN FAMILY CRUISE" (from ~USD 4800 pp).

The "LAST FRONTIER ADVENTURE" itinerary includes:

• Day 1: Sitka AK (embarkation)
• Day 2: Baranof Island’s Waterfall Coast
• Day 3: Wrangell Narrows and Wrangell AK
• Day 4: Thomas Bay and Baird Glacier
• Day 5: Endicott Arm Fjord (Dawes Glacier)
• Day 6: Southeast Alaska coastal cruising and Orca Point Lodge
• Day 7: Glacier Bay NP (Margerie Glacier and Bartlett Cove)
• Day 8: Juneau AK (debarkation)

The "BECOME A TRUE ALASKAN FAMILY CRUISE" itinerary includes:

• Day 1: Sitka AK (embarkation)
• Day 2: Kupreanof Island Bay
• Day 3: Mitkof Island, Petersburg AK, and Frederick Sound
• Day 4: Tracy Arm Fjord or Endicott Arm Fjord
• Day 5: Juneau AK, Mendenhall Glacier, and Orca Point Lodge
• Day 6: Southeast Alaska coastal cruising and Glacier Bay NP
• Day 7: Glacier Bay NP
• Day 8: Juneau AK (debarkation)

In 2019, Alaskan Dream Cruises introduced a new 7-day "Last Frontier Adventure" itinerary between Sitka and Juneau. This voyage focuses on remote wilderness areas such as Glacier Bay Park, Petroglyph Beach Park in Wrangell, and Orca Point Lodge in Juneau. Daily shore excursions include rainforest hikes, fjord kayaking, glacier trekking in Thomas Bay, and coastal exploration around Baranof Island. Six departures were scheduled between May and August 2019, with rates starting at USD 3800 per person (double occupancy).

Baranof Dream’s 2024 schedule introduced the "Ice of the Inside Passage" itinerary (Sitka to Juneau), which features cruising past seven glaciers in Glacier Bay NP—Margerie, Grand Pacific, Mendenhall, Sawyer, South Sawyer, Dawes, and LeConte (the latter visited via jet-boat excursion). Seven departures were scheduled (May through August), with rates starting at USD 5670 per person.