The 2013 Alaska cruise season will see the expansion of Alaskan Dream Cruises, the two-year-old Native-owned small-ship cruise line based in Sitka, Alaska.

Building on the company’s passenger growth last season, Alaskan Dream Cruises will introduce a new vessel, the Baranof Dream, and a new 11-day itinerary with three departures in summer 2013.

The 62-passenger Baranof Dream will sail on the new 11-day itinerary, “Admiralty, Baranof and Chichagof Explorer,” which is an expanded version of the eight-day “Alaska’s Glacier Bay and Island Adventure.” Responding to enthusiastic guest feedback, the company added three days for more sightseeing, wildlife viewing opportunities and coastal explorations by personal watercraft.

The itinerary features two additional days exploring eastern Chichagof Island near Point Adolphus and eastern Baranof Island near Red Bluff Bay. These “Captain’s Choice” days allow the ship’s captain to guide guests to favorite scenic locations and marine wildlife viewing spots. Departures on May 23, June 30 and Aug. 24 will sail round-trip from Sitka, calling at Juneau, the company’s exclusive Orca Point Lodge and Hobart Bay destinations, Skagway, Petersburg and Kake. Rates start from $2,699.

“As Alaskans, we recognize how fortunate we are to grow up with unlimited access to the wilderness,” said Michael Wien, Alaskan Dream Cruises vice president of sales and marketing. “We enjoy sharing that access to our land and culture with visitors because it translates into a satisfying, enriching trip. Our guests tell us this is exactly the experience they are looking for.”