Silversea Luxury Cruises À DUTCH HARBOR

Bring your camera and binoculars for the beautiful, panoramic view that awaits you at the top of your 1 -mile hike up Bunker Hill. Enjoy the opportunity to learn about the prehistory, history, flor a and fauna as you make your journey up and down the hill in two hours.

This historic hiking site is located within Dutch Harbor, Alaska, one of the few American territories bombed during World War II (in June of 1942). After the Dutch Harbor bombing, four stationary guns were installed on Bunker Hill (then referred to as Hill 400), and the Panama mounts remain to this day. While the 360 -degree view of the area is no longer of strategic importance as it was during World War II, the top of Bunker Hill still offers a beautiful view of Captains Bay, Amaknak Island, Unalaska Bay and Dutch Harbor

Today's excursion is a two -hour guided hike to the top of Bunker Hill. Make the short (10-minute) transfer via van to the starting point at the base of Bunker Hill. The hike is a moderate climb (to a height of 400 feet above sea level) along an old WWII-era gravel road, traveling one mile in each direction (2 miles round trip).

Your tour guide is a representative of the Museum of the Aleutians and can share with you how rich this site is in cultural and historic significance as well as prehistoric and historic WWII remnants. Learn also from your guide all about the fishing industry, and flora and fauna of the area.

There is the opportunity to rest and take in the beautiful view at several points throughout the hike, looking out over Dutch Harbor and Captains Bay. Birds that may be spotted on your way up and down Bunker Hill include bald eagles, ravens, ptarmigan, black oystercatchers, Lapland longspur, Savanna sparrows; Lucky guests may spot fox, sea lions, harbor seals and harbor porpoises.

At the top of the hill, take in the sweeping view of this region, and see up close the remains of a battery command station from WWII which includes a large concrete bunker and four circular Panama mount for 155mm guns.

Make the return hike down Bunker Hill, with more chances to spot the diverse flora and fauna of the area, and drive back to the ship.

Silversea Cruises is pleased to offer our guests the 'Unalaska Loop', our hop-on, hop-off complimentary shuttle transfer between the ship's berth and and some of the city's sights.

Depart the pier on the school bus shuttle as it makes the approximately 30 minute loop around Dutch Harbor, stopping at three different locations:

Aleutian World War II Visitor Center

Interpretive exhibits recount the Aleutian campaign and Unangan evacuation. It is located approximately 1mile from the dock.

Grand Aleutian Hotel

Located approximately 1.1mile from the Aleutian World War II Visitor Center, the hotel has a coffee shop/information desk. Across the street at the Alaska Ship Supply store you can buy some Unalaska souvenirs. The Dutch Harbor Post office is a short walk from this stop.

Museum of the Aleutians

Approximately 0.3mile from the Grand Aleutian Hotel, the Museum of the Aleutians is a state of the art collections repository, gallery, and retail facility located in Unalaska, AK Aleutian Islands. MOTA's diverse collections include a huge collection of archaeological material that documents 9000 years of human presence in the region, artifacts from the Russian colonial period, photos and materials from the early American era, and military items and photographs from WWII in the Aleutians. Many of these items are on display in MOTA's recently remodeled permanent gallery and Special Collections Room, while the changing gallery hosts a range of temporary exhibits. Museum staff and volunteers are on-hand to answer visitor questions or help you find the perfect gift in MOTA's well-stocked gift store.

After dropping the guests at this stop, the bus will drive back to the pier. Each bus can accommodate up to 40 guests and departures will be staggered throughout the day. We ask you to please book your departure time in advance. Buses will run the loops until all on board time.

Please Note: This complimentary tour requires little walking; however, guests must be able to embark/disembark the bus via steps. Walking at the sites is at each guest's discretion. This tour is not suitable for guests confined to a wheelchair. The town of Dutch Harbor does not receive many visitors; the infrastructure and modes of transportation are very limited. As this service is operated by two school buses only, delays and waiting times can be expected. We appreciate your understanding and patience. Entrance fees are not included and are payable directly to each venue Admission fees - Aleutian World War II Visitor Center: US$ 4 per guests, US$2 for seniors, free for Veterans with ID; Museum of the Aleutians: US$7 per guest.

The brilliant green, tranquil scenery of Dutch Harbor (Unalaska) belies its history as one of the few places on American soil to have been attacked by the Japanese during WWII. The military base there was bombed on June 3 and 4, 1942, and ruins from that period are still visible at many places around the island.

Today, enjoy a hop-on, hop-off city tour utilizing school buses with optional Dutch Harbor stops at the Aleutian WWII Visitor Center, the Grand Aleutian Hotel, and the Museum of the Aleutians.

The buses do a continuous loop, with local tour guides narrating and answering questions about the area, providing background on WWII in the Aleutians, prehistory, the Russian period, Unangan (Aleut) culture and recent history.

WWII brought significant changes to the island but before that, the Russians dramatically changed life in the region after their arrival in 1759. A visible reminder of that past is the Holy Ascension Cathedral, the oldest cruciform-style Russian Orthodox church in North America and a National Historic Landmark.

Take time to stroll and see a busy working port up close, with fishing vessels of all sizes coming and going, large shore plants that process pollock, cod and crab, and huge container ships loading frozen fish for transport to Asia and beyond.

Dutch Harbor is also famous for its large bald eagle population. From May through mid-July, it is possible to view these magnificent birds all around the port and town.

Return to the ship after your day of exploring the Dutch Harbor.

Miss Alyssa vessel, Alaskan crab

Board the transportation at the pier for the short transfer to the small boat harbor and the awaiting Miss Alyssa vessel. Depart to go sightseeing and to pull the 6 feet by 6 feet crab pots, just like the ones from the 'Deadliest Catch', the documentary series chronicling the real-life adventures of the Alaskan crab fishermen aboard fishing vessels in the Bearing Sea during the Alaskan king crab, opilio crab and bairdi crab fishing seasons. Deadliest Catch premiered on the Discovery Channel on April 12, 2005, and currently airs worldwide.

Watch the Captain and the Crew hauling the pots to deck and if you wish to handle the crabs, sort and measure them along with the crew, and return to the dock with the catch. If time allows, the Captain will butcher and cook the crab for the fellow passengers to try, before returning to the pier.