Northern Crossing: Japan, Russia and Alaska

This crossing will thrill outdoor lovers and everyone who seeks less-traveled roads (or seas). Visit six ports in fifteen days, with seven maiden calls in Japan, Russia and Alaska. From buzzing Tokyo, sail to quieter Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island. Discover a landscape of volcanic caldera lakes at Shikotsu-Tōya National Park and be on the lookout for red-crested white cranes at a protected wetlands park. Next stop: an 1800s-era Russian trading center, with options to tour a museum, walk through the Valley of the Geysers, or view wildlife on the volcano-strewn Kamchatka Peninsula.

Your next three destinations are authentic fishing towns that offer a taste of the wild and spectacular beauty of Alaska. Dutch Harbor is the home port of “The Deadliest Catch” and Kodiak is one of the top three fishing ports in the USA—in fact, you can reel in all five species of salmon here. Non-anglers can tour pristine parks, kayak, take a scenic helicopter tour, and learn about Russia’s place in Alaskan history at Baranov Museum.