Chef Alisa Jestel is the chef and co-owner of M/Y Dauntless, with over 20 years of culinary experience. She and Captain Jim, a lifelong Alaskan, run Alaska Bound Charters from Petersburg, Alaska.
Photo credit: Kelsa Mae Photography, Petersburg. “I’ve always wanted to see Alaska, but I’m not a cruise ship person.” I hear some version of that line more than any other. The good news is that there is another way, and most people have no idea it exists. A private yacht charter in Southeast Alaska means…
About twenty miles from our home port of Petersburg sits LeConte Glacier, one of the most spectacular places in Southeast Alaska, and the Wrangell Narrows help keep it that way. Big cruise ships can’t make it into Petersburg’s sheltered waters, so LeConte Bay stays quiet, wild and wonderfully uncrowded. Out there, you hear the glacier…
Greetings from Southeast Alaska! Spring has finally found us here in Petersburg, and Alaska is putting on quite a show after a long, cold winter! The sun is shining, the days are stretching out beautifully, and there is an unmistakable energy in the air that comes only this time of year. It’s that sweet spot…
Aurora Borealis, Bubble Netting, Summer 2026 Greetings from Little Norway! It’s been an unusually cold and snowy winter here in Petersburg, Alaska. We haven’t had this much snow in years! But as the light returns and the days lengthen, our snow-capped peak, Devil’s Thumb in the Coastal Mountain Range, reveals its full magnificence, especially at…
Seasons Greetings from Little Norway During this season of celebration, Captain Jim and I love to be home in our beloved Little Norway. Although the days may be dark at this time of year, Petersburg shines bright thanks to an abundance of community enthusiasm for Scandinavian décor, attire, lights and traditional Norwegian dishes! The iconic…
GREETINGS FROM SOUTHEAST ALASKA! As Alaska Bound Charters launches into the festive season, it’s exciting to reflect on our 2025 cruises and anticipate the year ahead. Last summer, we had some wonderful weather, spectacular wildlife encounters, and many delicious meals featuring local seasonal Alaska ingredients sourced by Chef Alisa and our guests! Our 92-foot M/Y…
Note: our next spring trip will be in 2028. Most people think they know Alaska. They don’t know this Alaska. For a few explosive weeks each March and April, Sitka Sound becomes the most electrifying place in the North Pacific — a natural event so intense, so alive, it feels unreal. This is the Pacific…
In one unforgettable moment this spring, we witnessed a pod of orcas stalking Stellar sea lions on the red can at the north end of the Wrangell Narrows just outside of Petersburg. Time seemed to stand still. The ocean paused. We held our breath as we watched nature unfold. This moment was so special that…
Dear Dauntless Family, Summer is back— and with it, Southeast Alaska is singing. The days are long, the air is sweet with salt and spruce, and Dauntless is again ready to bring your dreams to life. Whether you’re returning with your family or still dreaming of that first Alaskan adventure, we’re grateful to have you…