Spectacular is one of the superlatives to describe the experience with Captain Al and the Northern Explorer. We hiked, saw bears, doll porpoises, and the most amazing scenes of glaciers from Blackstone Bay. The food was a culinary delight, Christian out did himself each night. Rena oozed hospitality and exceeded our every need. read more

We just returned from our two week trip to Alaska. The middle part of that was 5 days and 4 nights with Captain Al and his crew for our cruise. Unexpectedly, we ended up being the only guests as others had backed out. We started out of Seward with a nice trip from Anchorage with Joan and Jeff as our shuttle team. They were both very personable and a pleasure to make the trip with to Seward. We were greeted with champagne and quickly got underway. Our accommodations were exactly as described in the Master suite. After two days of being wined and dined, we finally had to say, the "food is amazing, but we don't eat this much in a day. We need to slow down on the amount" LOL Certainly all you could possibly eat and nicely prepared. En En set beautiful tables for every meal and and our wine glasses were never dry. The weather was not the best for the first few days, so with everyone's agreement, we decided to roll the dice and cross the Gulf of Alaska to head towards Whittier. At that point, the weather became amazing, we did kayaking and had a 13,000 year old cocktail (Bourbon on Glacier ice). Who knew we would go to Alaska to get a tan? We spent the entire time cruising out on the deck getting sun. Captain Al and his team were wonderful hosts. I guess I could address every complaint that has been posted, but I'm not going to give it much credibility by spending any time on it. Yes, the boat is not brand new, but we had no issues on board (except the battery, but that's a little joke between Captain Al and us.). I can't speak to any of the other accommodations because we did not see or use them, but there were absolutely no complaints with ours. We are already considering the possibility of taking friends and going again some time. Thanks for everything Captain Al, En En and Christian! It was the trip of a lifetime! Thanks for being a part of it! Lori and Bob read more

See all

PLEASE BEWARE of not only this boat but the captain - Al Sottosanti and ANY boat he owns or pretends to own. His voice is charming. His words are promising. ALL IS FRAUD. He was specifically asked if all images were taken from his boat and he confirmed. The website is actually fraudulent including all images being stock photography, the boat from 1990 was photoshopped in front of a glacier and all descriptions being false or not provided. After Four emails to the Captain, he will not return any messages or come to a solution on a refund. Not only was this not as described, there were sever safety issues that Captain Al Sottosanti was aware of prior to our departure. And the number of days purchased were not completed - he left us stranded. 1. ACCOMMODATIONS were not as originally described. He added two roll aways in the boat diagram drawing to make it appear as though the occupancy was for 10. (AFTER WE PAID IN FULL) Yet, that space in which these are drawn is in the engine room! The week before the captain tried to place our family of four in a room with two twin bed and an optional 3rd fold down bunk. Finally, the captain allowed myself and my husband to sleep in the front queen. This put us in crew quarters. Then SEVEN people all shared one small head. Additionally we walked past a sheet duck taped to the ceiling as the captain slept outside our door 2. SEPTIC BACK UP - From this point we had to walk over wet carpet as they opened the floor outside of this room and pumped the septic water in to the ocean. The septic system did not work properly and the toilets would not flush. Half way through the trip we were told to not put toilet paper in the toilets anymore but rather use the trash cans for used toilet paper. 3. DIESEL FUMES AND OIL LEAKAGE Images show the Diesel fumes engulfing half of the boat. They would seep in to the living spaces and through shower vents and the smells were so strong that our eyes burned. One evening we moved all of the children from the lower beds to the living room floor (amongst leaking) because the odor was too strong to be in the rooms. We eventually turned off all power via the diesel generators at night and had to go "dark" to keep the odor from filling the cabins. This meant there was no power or lights while we slept to find your way to the bathroom, etc. Not to mention, Carbon Monoxide detectors were unplugged. 4. ENGINE MALFUNCTION - He was fully aware of the mechanical issues, but took us anyway. At one point the boat started going in circles. We crept along at a very slow speed due to the lack of power. 5. WATER & ELECTRICAL ISSUES - There were so many water leaks that the electrical system and lighting often flickered on and off. At one point this room had 8 different pans collecting water. We were unable to eat numerous meals at the dining room table because of the drip pans and had to take shifts eating in the kitchen galley.Water also ran in the master bathroom constantly from vents above. There were stains in the wood and the mirrors due to this ongoing problem. On day three the crew started removing ceiling panels to try to locate leaks. 6. APPEARANCE The top deck was more of a storage deck. A broken hot tub filled with cold water. A Firepit that did not operate. All items that were not working. The gutters were plugged on the deck to help prevent more water from leaking down below. So at times there would be up to 4" of standing water on the top deck that the crew would have to manually syphon off. I believe the "spotless, glassed in heated Viewing saloon" was the back storage room filled with wet clothes this was only to be heated by moving electrical portable heaters from room to room. 7. COMMUNICATION no internet, no hotspot, but at time no Coast Guard Communication 8. ON BOARD GEAR Per the website it was a 16' with 30 hp motor. Skiff images are stock photos of arctic expeditions .In reality it was 12' weathered dingy with a 1990's 15 hp motor that could barely hold 4 guests and be safe. Life rafts were expired and buried under gear. On day 4 of 6 he left us stranded with 4 children, 6 adults, no accommodations, no transportation and he left in his car for Anchorage. The crew was fabulous... but they haven't been paid. He refuses to refund us anything for services not rendered or leaving us stranded. This operation needs to be stopped before other passengers incur serious injuries. Not only was this completely different than what we purchased, there were many issues that put our lives and safety at risk in rugged Alaska weather. This did not even qualify for a bargain trip let alone a luxurious yacht. Al Sottosanti was fully aware of all issues - prior to our day of departure... BEWARE!!!! This was to be the trip of a lifetime that was destroyed by the carelessness and total disregard of what is to be a licensed Captain. read more

See all

Well, I guess I should have posted a review a few weeks ago, but did not have a chance until now. I am not sure what may have happened since we were on the boat in July (2 months ago), but our trip was great. Age of the boat - it is not a brand new boat. In fact, it turned out that my wife worked on it as a bartender when it was new back in the early 90s. Although it is not brand new, the price we paid reflected that and overall, the boat was fine. If you want a newer boat, it would be about 30% more as I had priced it. Food - the food was incredibly well prepared. We had read the review that the seafood was not fresh, but was frozen instead. Well, think about it. Unless you catch a king crab somehow live, it is going to be frozen at sea. Our cook was Ruthie who did a fantastic job. Broken items - we were disappointed that the jacuzzi did not work, but we got over that. Everything else was fine. Leaks - we did not have any leaks on the boat while we were out other than one that was by the starboard bathroom. Considering it rained that day, and we were on the ocean, we expected water periodically. Rooms - We had 4 adults and 3 kids with us. We took the aft cabins and had no issues with space, showers, or toilets. We were asked to not flush anything besides toilet paper, but that is standard on a boat (and an airplane for that matter). Scenery - we saw whales, many orcas, otters, bears, sea lions and I found a gigantic nugget of gold while panning. Captain Al - was he rough around the edges, yes. Did he wear a white captain uniform with gold tassels, no. Did he have a cocktail with us, you bet. But did he stay up all night one evening trying to secure the boat and ultimately pilot us to a different cove until 4am while we slept, yes. We found him courteous, cheerful, down to earth, and overall a pleasant guy to be around. Alaska was great, and my family had an absolutely spectacular time. I feel sorry for anyone that had a tough time, but we did not and have talked about doing it again. read more

See all

We just returned from three nights aboard the Northern Explorer - Captain Al and his team were incredible. This was my first time in Alaska and hoped this trip would be a "once in a lifetime experience".. long story short- it was! Christian's cooking was amazing!! He had asked our group for food allergies, requirements in advance and provided an amazing selection at each meal. Rena always had a smile on her face and made sure all of us were taken care of. Her laugh is infectious and she is a ray of sunshine on the boat! Al provided humor and excellent guidance around Prince William Sound. He knew the "spots" to camp or park the boat each night... we were able to see and experience the "real" Alaska - seeing and experiencing bears, fishing, kayaking, glaciers, waterfalls, seals and fun without crowds. Waking up and kayaking in a cove with nobody around was incredible. We will be back for another trip with Al and his team! read more

See all

Review - Alaskan Northern Explorer Adventures It is a week now since I returned from a 10 day adventure on my first visit to Alaska. The trip itself was life altering, inspirational, and unforgettable in the most wonderful ways. Already I am plotting my return and telling everyone about this incredible land. I decided to go on this trip only six days prior. It was a bit spontaneous. In the few days that I had to settle the details and do some research I discovered Alaskan Northern Explorer Adventures. I wanted to be on a cruise in the Alaskan waters, but I had no taste for taking the large cruise lines that are like floating cities. I wanted a more intimate and flexible experience. I was not disappointed. I called the number for this company and the call was quickly answered by Captain Al Sottosanti, and owner of the Northern Explorer. He was very accommodating since I was a solo traveler. I had concerns about paying the single premium for a trip like this. Fortunately, he had another single gentleman that had also expressed an interest in going on this cruise. In the end, I made a new friend as we shared a cabin together for four days. Captain Al, was able to answer all of my questions fully. He personally picked me up at my Air B&B and drove me the hour plus route to Whittier where the boat was docked. At every step of the way questions were answered, details settled, accommodations made, obstacles cleared. It made for a worry-free immersion for four days and three nights into Alaska! My overall experience was over-the-top great and exceeded my expectations in many areas. Each member of the crew out of their special skills and personality and a very warm and professional way. The small size of the crew and guests made for a very personal and intimate adventure. Captain Garth was especially informative. His knowledge of the boat and the waters of Cook Inlet and Prince William Sound were spot on. He was also informed on both sea life and wildlife. Due his experience we were able to observe whales, sea lions, sea otters, bald eagles and other waterfowl. His seamanship served us well and bringing us "up close and personal, with several glaciers, waterfalls, and secret coves. His colorful personality and maturity brought to light the very special story of a Alaska's history and people. His warm interaction, jovial nature,and ready smile gave us all a sense of security and comfort. Chef Tracy prepared meals that were both delicious and artfully presented. Our meals featured local Alaskan fair and the rich bounty of both land and sea. We all ate and drank as much as we wanted. Our Steward, Awbrey, saw to our every need. She was always at hand to serve cheerfully our every request. She saw to it that the boat was kept sparkling clean. Daily making up the beds and cleaning up the cabins. The 73 foot Northern Explorer, Was plush and comfortable. The amenities were luxurious. We had all that we wanted to make for a pleasant journey. There were lots of activities and things to see. Our days were as full as we desired. We were free just to relax. I can't say enough good things about Captain Al Sottosanti, his crew, and the experience that he has created. If you're planning to visit to Alaska, let me be the first to recommend Alaskan Northern Explorer Adventures to you. Whether you're traveling solo, with a significant other, with friends, or the entire family, Captain Al is able to tailor make a trip for your needs including private charters for special events and occasions. Check out their website at https://www.northernexploreradventures.com/. Or call directly at 907-205-9044. Ask for Captain Al. You can also find them on their Facebook page. I don't want to spoil the surprise but there are lots of new developments in the works to make your experience even better. So take my word for it and make plans to start your own adventure in Alaska aboard the Northern Explorer. Respectfully Submitted, Jacob read more

Absolutely outstanding adventure cruise. We took the 5 day/4 night tour of Prince William Sound with Captain Al, and Derek and Autum as chef and hands and can't say enough positive things about the entire thing. First off, the food was outstanding - fresh all Alaskan food (everything, including the pineapples) including shrimp, scallops, halibut (caught that AM), salmon, and a seafood stew that was out of this world. In my experience this boat was very luxurious - much larger feeling than its size would suggest. There was a large common room, dining room and both a bow and top deck which allowed both peace and/or conversation, depending how you were feeling. But, because it is a relatively small boat it doesn't have huge water storage capacity so "military showers" were expected, but the water heated up very fast and it was no problem if you did sequential showers. Each day we went to a different spot, including one stop at a tidewater glacier and one day at a fish hatchery, which drew bald eagles, Stellar sea lions and bears. We had one hike to view a glacial lake and Derek brought along an amazing charcuterie lunch... and another to find an abandoned gold mine - although we didn't find it, we did find a spectacular view of the mountains and glaciers on the far side of that part of the Sound. Hiking on fields of blueberries (not quite ripe) was sublime. Autum was a local, naturalist and plant person and was a valuable resource on these hikes, was well as being a wonderful, fun person. It felt really good to me that although the crew were working very hard, they were also available to chat with and were super fun company to spend time with. Captain Al was a gracious host and it was a pleasure to be aboard his ship - in addition to being a careful and cautious captain he was a very interesting person - having had lots of experience on the sea and elsewhere. The only down I can think of is that the pick-up at our hotel was about 1.5 hr late, which was fine for us because we were in a lobby reading, but I would have been annoyed if I had been standing outside waiting. Unfortunately we didn't see any whales or porpoises, but all things considered I consider this one of my top 5 experiences, so far. read more

We did a 3 night, 4 day trip. Our group had a diverse "wish list" of things to do and a variety of food needs. Captain Al and his team took amazing care of us! The food was great and the accommodations were very comfortable. Captain. al and his team took us on a variety of wonderful adventures where we saw few other people. We would go again! read more

We had an amazing 4 day cruise with captain Al aboard the Northern Explorer. Captain and crew met our every need and the food was 5 star. Given that our family were the only guests, the trip was tailored to our interests. The scenery was absolutely stunning and we saw abundant wild life up close including orca's, seals, bears, bald eagles and otters. Kayaking in the surreal Hobo Bay with seals was one of the highlights of our trip. We also did a little fishing, hiking, and panned for gold where a river emptied into the bay. We built life long memories with captain Al on his boat and hope to cruise with him again some day. read more

There were some parts of this trip that we very much enjoyed, but before going into pros and cons, we wanted to explain the biggest issue we had which led to the two star rating. The day we were supposed to leave there were high winds and we were told it was unsafe for the boat to dock at the refueling station - why they hadn't refueled prior to the start of the cruise is beyond us, as the boat had been in the harbor for three days with no wind. We therefore ended up spending the first 24 hours of our five day cruise just sitting on the boat at the dock with nothing to do. There was absolutely no effort on the part of the company to offer any alternative land based activity, nor were they willing to reimburse for the lost day - so we paid a lot of money for a 5 day cruise and received a 4 day cruise. We understand that they can't control the weather, but to have no contingency plan or offer a refund is simply unacceptable, especially given the fact that the lack of preparation by filling the boat with gas ahead of time was what we were told actually interfered with leaving. We have subsequently on numerous occasions discussed this with the owner, who has refused to accept any form of responsibility and seems to believe that losing a whole day of a 5 day cruise is not his problem. He basically said that on the 4 days we did cruise, the crew did their best to give us the best possible cruise, but surely that's the expectation regardless, so his attitude was essentially "it's not my problem". This complete lack of professionalism, as well as other reasons listed below is why we would not recommend booking with this company. Other cons: 1. When we made our booking the website described providing experienced and skilled guides who can lead you in excursions tailored to your interests and abilities. The truth is that of the 3 crew members on board, only the Captain (in this case not the owner of the business who had failed to inform us that he wouldn't actually be captaining the cruise) was in any way qualified to provide the level of guiding that the website promised. The other two members of the crew were a chef and the owner's daughter who had an injured ankle and was unable to accompany passengers on excursions. 2. The website pictures are highly misleading in terms of what you're likely to see - yes we did see 3 whales, 3 brown bears and other wildlife such as otters, bald eagles and seals, but do not go on this cruise if your expectation based on the website pictures is to see icebergs or frequent breaching whales and several black and brown bears. We acknowledge that seeing wildlife can be hit and miss, but the website and conversations with the owner when we were making the booking suggest that sightings of whales and bears are frequent, which they certainly are not. They actually told us that the bears we saw were among the very few they had seen so far in the season. Pros: 1. Captain Garth worked very hard to find us the aforementioned wildlife we did see, and was very knowledgeable and experienced. 2. Tracy the chef provided many great meals and did her best to accommodate dietary restrictions. 3. Our cabin was the master suite and was large with beautiful linens and towels. It exceeded our expectations. 4. Being on a small boat allowed us to go into isolated coves where larger cruise ships cannot venture and we were often alone on the water. Overall we wish we could recommend this company, but they promise more than they can deliver, and were clearly not in any way prepared for a weather related delay. If we go back to Alaska and are looking for another small ship cruise, we will look to one of the other more professional and established companies. read more

This was the adventure of a lifetime! The captain and his crew were nothing but accommodating. This is a small, intimate yacht - we got to know everyone pretty well during our time onboard. The crew was fantastic to get to know and we were treated like kings and queens with gourmet meals, sightseeing adventures and hiking. I would definitely go back for another adventure with Captain Al and company! read more

My wife and I were in AK for our honeymoon in July and I found Captain Al to be unreliable and dishonest. 1) Unreliable Delayed departure date by several days on short notice Found out there was a mechanical issue with the boat the day before our new departure date after I contacted him 2) Dishonest Said the $7000 trip charges would be refunded. To date they have not been refunded and I am working with my bank. If you do not get to AK often, I would not put a lot of faith in this tour operator. read more

Captain Al and his crew were top notch, the supplies were well stocked, the food was excellent and the cabins were well cared-for. We would cruise with him again and again. He managed to get us to spectacular views of the glaciers, to beautiful and secluded spots for mooring, to the right jumping off points for amazing hikes and easy kayaking, and even to find porpoises along the way. We did a 3 night / 4 day cruise and everyone on it had a great experience. A big thank you to Captain Al, Rena and Christian! read more

Great tours, great nature and great Team -- creative outdoor Artists! ;-) We were there for a week. And even in rough times of autumn - this is a beautiful spot! For kayaking especially! The NE team I know in person for a long time, and I am very impressed what they built up now in Lofoten! (but a suprise it was not, because they are Pros! ;-) Best wishes, Chris read more

Highly recommended Adventure ,booking in this cruise was the highlight of the week in our Alaskan trip!!!My son loves it and so as my husband he said it was an amazing experience of a lifetime. Drive to Whittier from Anchorage was beautiful. Be sure to figure out the schedule for getting to Whittier. You can only enter through a one way tunnel. They have a very tight schedule. You need to plan ahead. When we arrived it was raining but there's a covered walking area under the wide tent canopy to the boat.As soon as we arrived people inside the yacht greeted us and showed us to the VIP room cabin ,spacious with individual shower and bathroom .Upstairs is a large living room with a lot of snack to pick and a large dining room which was our favorite place to hang out at night .We spent a little time in our room we usually out or out the front deck most taking pictures of the beautiful mountains and glacier , water falls ,eagles,otters,seals ,sea lion ,bears ,etc. I have a history of sea sick but this boat has exceptionally stable the Captain Al is knowledgeable and professional to make us felt totally comfortable during our stay ,And the Food was excellent!! ! fresh salmon ,fresh halibut and chips,rib eye steak,shrimp ,scallops,beer and wine fruits..mango ,pineapple,etc. Even though we picked the short package tour,This adventures was "To Die For Trip". the amazing views we saw and the great care that our Captain Al give us ,the willingness to go above and beyond and the comfortable luxurious yacht provided , well ventilated ,plenty of space to move around ....HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO ANYONE ,, .. read more

Do not trust Captain Al. The boat was a dump!!! He talks a big game, but he lies about everything. Captain Al wore his pajamas during the day. Not too professional. The state rooms were rearranged last minute. There were leaks everywhere (like the Money Pit) the fumes were unbearable. The smell of the Diesel fuel and the smells from the septic tank combined with the Glade room freshener was too much to bear. Nothing on the boat worked. No hot tub, no fishing. One of our guest had to help just so we could kayak. Alaska is so beautiful. Please go see it, but not with Captain Al. read more

We began our trip last Thursday and didn't know what to expect. Were we in for a surprise, upon boarding we were treated to cocktails and a fresh salmon lunch that was outstanding. The Captain and staff introduced themselves and showed us to our master suite cabin, which was just as the picture in the brochure showed, including the private lavatory. Our first port of call was the Glacier and it was magnificent in grandeur and size. After spending a significant amount of time with the Captain maneuvering the ship for the best picture angels we then departed for our next port of call but not without the crew grabbing a small iceberg from the bay to be used in our drinks etc. (12,000 year old ice) Without boring the reader, we went to another port for the evening and then went looking for moose and bear and sea lions and otters, etc. We saw seals taking salmon and eating them right in front of our eyes. Our next port of call was the Salmon Hatchery and was treated to a personal tour by a senior member of the Hatchery staff, which really gave us an insight how conservation plays an important part in the ecosystem of the Bay. We got to see Bald Eagles, otters, seals and bears behaving badly (taking salmon out of the pens for diner). Our meals were prepared by a Creole trained chef and they were some of the best meals we ever experienced, including a shell fish stew that was to die for. Our chef Derrick was as pleasant as he was talented and catered to our every desire. Every meal was a culinary delight including breakfast and a luncheon on a hike into the lush hills. The Captain (Al) made sure that the ship was always sheltered to keep the ship from rolling during our sleep and when we moved from different areas of the Bay. If I had to say five words about our experience it would be "the vacation of a lifetime". My wife says it was a 10++ and she felt like she was living large like the rich and famous. I would recommend Northern Explorer Adventures to anyone, young or old, who wants to see an Alaskan experience up close and personal. read more

We booked this full boat charter wanting it to be the vacation of a lifetime and we were not disappointed in any way. I would highly recommend Northern Explorer Adventures to anybody considering it. The trip was a fantastic opportunity to sightsee, hike, and kayak in parts of Alaska that most people will never see. If you stick to the types of land and cruise tours that are typically available and frequented by millions, you'll never see the most beautiful parts of Alaska that you can see by boat like this. Getting up close to Blackstone Glacier was mesmerizing. Kayaking on peaceful and isolated Hobo Bay is something that you can't do any other way. Watching bears fish for salmon is something that you remember for a lifetime. The boat is perfect for the number of guests on board. Staterooms and accommodations are clean and comfortable. The boat is spacious and offers plenty of opportunity to both play and relax. Captain Al and crew did a fantastic job entertaining and accommodating us. Even when weather threw us a curve ball and was worse than expected, Captain Al adapted so that we still got everything from the trip that we had hoped for. No review of the trip though could be complete with mention of the amazing menu and food that Chef Derek prepared for us each meal. Every meal was an adventure and the food alone made the trip memorable. If you're reading this and considering a booking, you won't regret it for a second. read more

Not as luxurious as the website makes it sound as we had to skip showers or take them military style in order to conserve water. Shower in the master suite didn't work. Captain and crew are very nice people but seemed very amateurish and disorganized. Didn't have a place at the dock for our arrival, blamed that on the weather but why don't they have a reserved space at the dock?Didn't have a contingency plan to prepare the boat during rainy weather, so we got a much later start than anticipated. Seemed confused by the schedule for the tunnel to Whittier even though it's published in the brochure they give you. Shore boat broke down so we were not able to get ashore for one hike but one very hard working crew member rowed us to shore for another tour/hike. Saw otters and harbor seals. Saw lots of bald eagles and a couple bears. Did not see whales, although the captain was listening for whale sightings on the radio and I'm sure he'd have taken us there if some had been sighted in the area. Should be sold as an adventure cruise, not so much as a luxury cruise. Fancy food is nice but doesn't make up for not taking a shower. Would rather eat simpler food off a paper plate and take a daily military style shower. read more